SOLIDIFYING UNITY
Colossians 3:14-17
INTRODUCTION:
A. It has been a while since we were in Colossians, so let me do a quick review.
1. We will pick-up in Col 3:15, but this is right in the middle of a paragraph which begins with verse 12.
2. That verse states, Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,…. Col. 3:12, He is speaking to us, His children.
3. And then goes on to give characteristics that the Christian person should endeavor to PUT ON and have as a part their life
4. Paul then goes on to give an over arching command, Col. 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
B. This verse is important because it is the pivot point for the rest of the paragraph.
1. Having stipulated what each individual needs to PUT-ON in his life Paul brings the focus back to the church
2. Love is the glue that keeps every thing together
- I like what John MacArthur wrote, “Love is the beauty of the believer, dispelling the ugly sins of the flesh that destroy unity.”
3. When we, individually, have put off the old man and put on the new, capping it in love we may see unity solidify.
C. As love is spread, as a canopy, above the church three things become possible which bring this Solidifying Unity
1. Lets read our passage for this morning and see if you can find them: Col. 3:15-17 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
2. Did you see them – I outlined them as follows: the things that become possible are
a. The Peace of God To Rule
b. The Word of Christ To Dwell
c. The Name of Jesus To be Served
D. Can you imagine a church where love is seen in every believer, where the bond of unity is unbreakable?
1. I can and I can see it happening right here!
2. Lets pray and ask God to accomplish His will in us – asking Him to Solidify Unity among us.
PRAY
As love begins to solidify our unity we will see it possible for
I. THE PEACE OF GOD TO RULE, Col. 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
A. As Christians we have already made peace with God
1. Romans 5:1 states, Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2. This peace was necessary because we were separated from God
- Isaiah said, your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. Isa 59:2
3. We needed reconciliation:
- The gospel (Rom 3:23, 6:23; 1 Cor 15:3-4, Rom 10:9 & 13)
4. This peace was accomplished when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ
5. Do you have peace with God this morning – you can.
B. Now it is possible to have the Peace of God
1. Let – this word allows us know that something is possible, but we have a responsibility in it: God provides the opportunity and power to accomplish it, but we must take responsibility to work at it.
2. This word peace carries with it two concepts
a. First, that of a treaty or agreement
b. Second, the attitude of rest and security
3. We read of this in Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
C. Furthermore, this peace has the ability to rule
1. The Greek word brabeuo (brab-yoo-o) spoke of an umpire at a game, whose responsibility it was to determine an outcome
2. Hence peace is a referee that helps us make choices, personally and corporately as the church
3. If there is one thing that can really help establish unity in a church it is PEACE!
4. Notice, … to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
5. When we have peace, we need to be thankful – extremely thankful, because not many churches have it!
6. Do you have the peace of God? Do we, the church, have the peace of God for going in the direction we are moving?
So we can let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful, but that is not all. It is also possible for the
II. THE WORD OF CHRIST TO DWELL, Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
A. Again, the phrase starts with the little word “Let.”
1. We have to be open to it – allowing it
2. But we must be very careful, we are to Let the Word of Christ
a. The word the is a definite article, referring to a certain type of word
b. Not just any word will do – in fact, any other will detract, at the very least, or destroy at the worst
c. We are talking about the “Word of Christ” this is speaking about God’s revelation brought into the world – that which we know as God’s Word, the Bible!
3. And it is to “dwell” – this means it is to be at home in us – the word is to take up residence in us and we should feel comfortable – feel natural with it.
4. So much so that we are rich in wisdom.
B. This is important because the Church needs those who can minister, note:
1. Teaching – to expound and explain the word, along with its life applications
2. Admonishing – warning people of the consequences of their behavior
3. Singing with grace: psalms, hymns and spiritual songs
4. All of this is brought about by the word as it dwells richly in us!
C. We can only let the word of God dwell in us if we have opened our hearts door to it.
1. Are we reading it? Studying it? Applying it? Living it?
2. If we are then we will have wisdom to teach, admonish and sing with grace – are we using these in the church – our unity depends on it!
So we have learned that when we put off the old man and put on the new, over shadowing it with love we can have unity, thus allowing The Peace of God to Rule & The Word of Christ To Dwell. But there is one more thing, an important one for the world to see
III. THE NAME OF JESUS TO BE SERVED, Col. 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
A. This is the ultimate goal of any single life or church body: whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.
1. Why? 1 Cor. 10:31 states it clear enough, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
2. What a grand theme – the glory of God!
B. I want you to think about this for a moment – the implications are astounding
1. Know this:
a. We do not put off the old man – to be a good man
b. We do not put on the new man to be a better man
c. We do not love to be a great man
d. We do it all to glorify God – not man at all!
2. And Understand this:
a. We do not seek peace to avoid tribulation
b. We do not read the word to become intellectuals
c. We do not serve to be recognized
3. We do it all, whether in word or deed, in the name of Jesus, that He might be glorified!
4. Is this what our life is all about?
a. Our schooling, our job, our marriage, our volunteering, our serving in the church, our parenting, our recreating?
b. Can you imagine how things might change if it was?
C. Better yet, can you imagine the unity it would bring if we were all on this same page!
1. Folks, lets get unified!
2. Lets put the glory of God first and foremost in our personal lives and in our corporate church life.
3. Let us submit ourselves to the message of God’s word found in the book of Colossians and we will see God do great tings, for His glory
4. And in so doing we will get the privilege of giving thanks to God and the Father by Him – that is JESUS!
CONCLUSION: In closing
A. Have ya’ll heard the praise chorus “What A Mighty God We Serve”
What a might God we Serve
What a mighty God we serve
Angels bow before Him
Heaven and earth adore Him
What a mighty God we serve!
B. Do you believe that?
1. Then do all to the glory of God
2. And
a. Let the Peace of God Rule
b. The Word of Christ Dwell
c. The Name of Jesus be Served
AMEN!
