Sermon Notes - Colossians 3:18-4:1 - Littleby Baptist Church - July 10, 2022

1.     Recap

a.      While we are not saved by a bunch of rules or by the way we act.

b.     Our salvation, the work of the Holy Spirit and our Lord Jesus, should change who we are.

c.      The more time we spend with Jesus the more we should embrace compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

d.     The more we study His Word, we should feel His peace.

e.      We are also to put on His Love, helping us to be united as a body of believers, as a family, in service to our Lord.

f.      United as we help each other grow in the knowledge and wisdom of our God.

g.     All of this should be impact who we are, how we act, and what we say.

h.     Salvation is an awesome free gift given to all who will answer His call. A gift that not only changes our address for eternity, but it also changes who we are and what we do.

2.     Colossians 3:18

a.      Not a popular verse in some circles, especially when taken out of context.

b.     This is a not Paul telling the wives to be submissive to their husbands as the weaker sex or because ladies are not capable of doing things on their own.

c.      Paul is telling the wives that the husband is the head of the home and is to lead.

d.     As he leads, the wife is to follow.

e.      Creation shows this is the way of things – Genesis 2:20-24

f.      Adam was created and Eve was made as a helper.

g.     Not lesser, not inferior, but one who supports the other.

h.     Looking back at Colossians 3:18, some people stop with the submitting part.

i.       The last part of that verse is important.

                                                    i.     As is fitting in the Lord

j.       A way of saying, there are limits.

k.     A wife is to submit to her husband’s leadership as long as it does not conflict with the Word of God.

l.       If the husband is leading immorally, she is not bound to follow.

m.   The same as we are to submit to the God appointed governments, as long as they do not counter the word of God.

n.     Daniel refused to stop praying to His God and was thrown into the lion’s den.

o.     Like Daniel refusing to dishonor God in order to obey the king, the wife is not to follow her husband if he is leading in a way that dishonors the Lord.

3.     Colossians 3:19

a.      Ephesians expands on this verse. Ephesians 5:28-29

b.     Husbands are to be loving leaders not overbearing dictators.

c.      If we follow Paul’s instructions here, a husband is to lovingly lead his wife and she is to submit to his leadership.

d.     A God honoring loving leader is not going to lead another in ways that are counter to God’s Word.

e.      The loving leader cannot do it all on his own, which is why God provided a help mate.

4.     Colossians 3:20

a.      Leviticus 20:9

                                                    i.     In the Old Testament days, disobeying parents would result in death.

b.     God created the family as a husband lovingly leading.

c.      The wife following her husband.

d.     With the children obeying, which pleases the Lord.

e.      When a family works in this way, they are following God’s design for a family.

5.     Colossians 3:21

a.      Constant criticism will exasperate or discourage children, probably discourage anyone.

b.     Praise a child when they are doing well.

c.      Discipline with love as needed.

d.     Ephesians 6:4

e.      When both Praise and Discipline are used, a child learns and grows.

f.      As a father leads, the children will follow.

g.     If the father is a loving father, teaching about God, showing how to live a Godly life, more often than not, the child will not be discouraged.

h.     The child will grow in a way that honors God.

6.     Colossians 3:22

a.      This verse was written to slaves, but it points back to verse 17. (read 3:17)

b.     Every action a believer takes, whether they are a slave or a free person, should be done in the name of the Lord.

c.      Verse 22 states fearing the Lord, not as in running scared but by knowing who God is and how awesome He is.

d.     Understand that God’s character is beyond reproach and if we are honoring Him, we need to do our best to imitate His character.

e.      Nothing we do, as free or slave, should be to please the people around us it should be to honor God.

f.      Stop and think about it… everything we have, came from God.

g.     Every person in our lives, the homes we live in, the cars we drive, the money in the bank, it all comes from God.

h.     So, whatever we do, we should give it our all because ultimately we are working for God.

7.     Colossians 3:23

a.      Continuing the same theme.

b.     Slave, free, modern day indentured servant working to pay our bills… do everything from the heart.

c.      Work and serve in a way that shows it is for the Lord not for others.

8.     Colossians 3:24

a.      The results and rewards in the here and now are not what is important.

b.     What we wholeheartedly do, working for our Lord.

c.      Serving our Lord Jesus.

d.     Is all because we know that the gift we have been given, the one we are promised for all of eternity is better than anything this world has to offer.

e.      Matthew 19:29

                                                    i.     The inheritance we receive is eternal life with Jesus.

f.      Through one set of ‘glasses’ these verses could make some think we can earn our inheritance by serving people as we would serve our Lord Jesus.

g.     From a cursory look, it might seem that way.

h.     But… we would not be serving our Lord Jesus if He was not our Lord and Savior.

i.       The inheritance is part of the gift of salvation He has given us.

j.       The service is part of our following Him.

9.     Colossians 3:25

a.      The flip side here is that those who do not serve Jesus will receive what they deserve.

b.     2 Corinthians 5:10

c.      All of us will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

d.     No favoritism for where you are from or what you did.

e.      What will matter on that day is if you are washed in the blood of Jesus or not.

f.      A person’s actions follow their heart.

g.     If Jesus is your Lord and Savior, your actions will reflect it.

h.     Judgement will fall on all; some will be punished for all eternity and some will bask in the Lord’s presence.

10.  Colossians 4:1

a.      If slaves are to serve their masters as in service to their Lord Jesus.

b.     Masters are to treat them right, to treat them fairly.

c.      It is interesting to note that they are not commanded to set them free.

                                                    i.     Jesus came to free of us from the sin and the eternity of agony we deserve.

                                                  ii.     He did not come to free us from the hardships of life.

d.     John 16:32-33

e.      Jesus is talking to His disciples and tells them that there is suffering in this world.

f.      Because of sin, things will not be easy.

g.     Because of sin, we have to work for what we need to survive.

h.     But, because of sin our Lord came to earth.

i.       He defeated death.

j.       He has given us a new life.

k.     He has given us and eternity in Glory with Him.  

l.       And while we are still walking this earth, remember our Master who is in heaven.

m.   Remember His promise of an awesome forever.

n.     Remember that He will never leave us or forsake us.

o.     Remember He tells us to be courageous!

11.  Whatever we do… as a husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, employee, boss, coworker, friend…

12.  Whatever we do, we are to do it from our hearts.

13.  It all stems from loving God with all that we are… and loving others.