LET IT HAPPEN IN YOUR HEART
Colossians 3:15-17
INTRODUCTION
The Apostle Paul tells us that when we put on the characteristics of Christ (mentioned in verses 12-14) that it should demonstrate itself in several ways. Paul says that these characteristics of Christ should not be just on the inside but should be shown to others as well. The outside of my life should match my heart. I think this is one of the lessons that we Christians miss most of all in our efforts to be like Jesus. Many times we can talk a good game or know the right places to be, but our heart is truly what God looks at.
I think of the passage in 1 Samuel 16 (verse 7) where the prophet Samuel is looking for the next King of Israel. Chapter 15 of 1 Samuel describes how God rejected Saul as King and sends Samuel to search for the new king. God sends Samuel to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem. All of Jesse’s mighty sons came by one by one, but they were not the man for God. Verse 7 says, “But the Lord said to Samuel, ’Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’.” Later that day, David, the youngest son of Jesse, was anointed to be the next king. Why? Because God is interested in our hearts.
The Apostle Paul knows this as well. He gives us several marks for us to see when we let God have our hearts.
I. OUR HEART SHOULD BE RULED BY PEACE (VERSE 15)
What is peace? I do not want to bore you with ten minutes of a Greek lesson, but when the Apostle Paul says the word ’peace’ in this verse, he means something very specific. Most of the time we see this word peace and we define it as tranquil or an absence of worry. That is a great definition of peace, and one that is used in Scripture, but it is not the emphasis Paul is making here. Paul is saying that the peace that comes from Christ comes from favorable circumstances. It is the same kind of peace used the second time in the verse. Your heart is peaceful because you are peaceful with those around you and you are not doing things that cause trouble.
A person who is a Christian is not out and about looking for opportunities to sin and create problems in their lives. Christians do not chase after the things of the world. Those things of the world only create an absence of peace in our lives... one of the ways is by upsetting the circumstances around us.
ILLUSTRATION... Tattoo the Basset
A Tahoma, Washington newspaper carried the story of Tattoo the basset hound. Tattoo didn’t intend to go for a run, but when his owner shut the dog’s leash in the car door and took off with Tattoo still outside the vehicle-he had no choice. Motorcycle officer Terry Filbert noticed a passing vehicle with something dragging behind it. He commented that the poor basset hound was “picking them up and putting them down as fast as he could.” He was rescued, but not before reaching a top speed of 25 miles per hour, falling down and rolling several times.
Too many of us live our lives like Tattoo, going at a frantic pace, picking them up and putting them down as fast as we can. Peace can’t be found in worldly activity, but in relationship, a relationship with Christ.
What would be an example of what Paul is talking about...? (look back at 3:5-9)
* Christians can have peace if they avoid sex before marriage because it will prevent them from encountering shame, STDs, unplanned pregnancy, and a broken relationship with God.
* Christians can have peace if they avoid lying because it will prevent them from compromising their integrity, their witness, and their word. Those around them will trust them because they do not lie.
* Christians can have peace if they avoid holding onto grudges because it will prevent physical and emotional stress, broken relationships, and an overall attitude of sin..
When Christians avoid sin, it creates a ’peaceful’ life in that we do not have to deal with the consequences of sin and the problems that the world deals with. We need to let our hearts be ruled by the peace of Christ so that we avoid sin-causing chaos in our lives.
II. OUR HEART SHOULD BE THANKFUL IN ALL THINGS (VERSE 15)
The Apostle Paul was a huge fan of giving thanks. Can anyone guess what his favorite holiday was... Thanksgiving. He believed in thanksgiving so much that 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” His letters are always filled in the beginning with “I give thanks for all of you.” He says that over and over. The Apostle Paul was a man who gave much thanks. I think he had much to be thankful for. All he had to do was go back in his mind to the road to Damascus and he had all the motivation he needed to praise God. For it was on that road that he met Jesus, and Jesus saved him. Thankfulness should be apart of our lives and a huge part of our hearts. Many times we don’t stop and remember what God has done for us.
ILLUSTRATION.. Two Old Friends
The story is told of 2 old friends who bumped into one another on the street one day. One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, “What has the world done to you, my old friend?” The sad fellow said, “Let me tell you. Three weeks ago, my uncle died and left me $40,000.
That’s a pot of money.
But, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and left me $85,000 free and clear. Sounds like you’ve
been blessed. “You don’t understand. He interrupted. Last week my great aunt passed away and I inherited a quarter and a million. Now he was really confused. Then why do you look so glum.
“This week. . ..nothing.”
We need to be thankful and let our hearts be filled with thanks to God on a regular basis. A heart that is ruled by thanks is one that can be filled with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (verse 3:12). Thankfulness allows us to realize our place and to put God where He deserves to be.
III. OUR HEART SHOULD BE FULL OF GOD’S WORD (VERSE 16)
I think the Apostle Paul uses an interesting word in this verse that gives us a wonderful mental picture. He says that the word of God should what? “Dwell in us richly.” The Apostle Paul uses this word several times in his writings:
Romans 7:17 says, “As it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.”
Romans 8:9 says, “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.”
2 Timothy 1:5 says, “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”
When you think of that word, ’dwell’ what comes to mind? To dwell certainly means to live, but it is a very permanent sort of living. When you go on vacation, you would not say that you dwell or live in the hotel. You are just staying there temporarily. The Apostle Paul commands us to “let the Word of Christ” dwell in us richly. The commands and teaching of Jesus are to take up permanent residence in our hearts. We are to decorate for it richly. We need to continually feed our hearts holy and good things such as wisdom, songs, spiritual songs, and gratitude.
In verse 12 of this chapter, Paul addresses the people listening and reading his letter as “God’s chosen people.” I hope that you know that you cannot be part of God’s chosen people and be holy as Paul describes without being in the Bible. The commands and the Words of Scripture must take up residence in your hearts. You must let that happen. We must allow God’s Word to change our hearts that we would become more like Him.
ILLUSTRATION... The Mind of God (http://www.bible.org/illus.asp?topic_id=166)
An unknown writer said, “This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom
of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.
IV. OUR HEART SHOULD BE COMMITTED TO WORK FOR GOD (VERSE 17)
The last verse of this passage, verse 17, says “And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus...”
ILLUSTRATION... The Potato Peeler, Bits and Pieces, November, 1989, p. 4
To suggest that peeling potatoes offers an opportunity for success would provoke a laugh from most people. Yet one sailor in the British Merchant Navy turned potato peeling into an art. He was a man who believed in doing his best, no matter what the task. Finding himself on KP and facing a huge mound of potatoes, he peeled those potatoes with all the care of a sculptor carving in wood. The eyes and bruised spots were carefully cut away. Cooks on the ships he served began to boast about the clean, smooth spuds he peeled, until his reputation spread throughout the shipping lanes. The ex-sailor became a small businessman in London, supplying select potatoes, peeled to perfection, to the best restaurants in the city. His name will not go down in history. He may never enjoy more than a small but profitable business. But of the millions who have peeled potatoes all over the world, Gerald Pereth was one who saw his opportunity for achievement in doing the job better than anyone else.
I think that the story illustrates this passage well. The potato peeler was motivated by perfection, doing his
best, and providing quality in anything he did. That was his motivation and it brought him success. The Apostle Paul instructs us on our motivation in verse 17. In all things that we do, whether it be potato peeling, raising kids, watching our grandchildren, going to business meetings, we should do it all for Jesus. HIs character should guide us in all our activities and we should reflect Him.
CONCLUSION
