Drew Boswell

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“Praying For Salty Conversations” Colossians 4:2-6

“The Supreme Life”

A Sermon Series in Colossians

“Praying For Salty Conversations”

Colossians 4:2-6

Introduction

The opening of Colossians spells out how Christ is preeminent over all things, especially over the work of salvation. He lays a foundation that Jesus was God and His work on the cross is sufficient for salvation. Then he turns to how the church should relate to each other, and how believers should put off sinful behavior, and put on godly behavior. Then Paul addresses the family and how it was to function specifically dealing with the issue of authority. All of these things have been inward focused; in today’s text and in his closing of the book Paul points the church outward.

Paul is addressing the church and a major drive of the book has been to avoid false teachers, but we don’t avoid false teachers by distancing ourselves from the non-Christians or the world. They need to resist the false teaching, while at the same time share the gospel with their neighbors. But before we get into today’s text, I want us look quickly at an OT passage, 2 Kings 13:14-19,

 Now when Elisha had fallen sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash king of Israel went down to him and wept before him, crying, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” 15 And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows. 16 Then he said to the king of Israel, “Draw the bow,” and he drew it. And Elisha laid his hands on the king’s hands. 17 And he said, “Open the window eastward,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot,” and he shot. And he said, “The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Syria! For you shall fight the Syrians in Aphek until you have made an end of them.” 18 And he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground with them.” And he struck three times and stopped. 19 Then the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck down Syria until you had made an end of it, but now you will strike down Syria only three times.”

Joash the king did what Elisha the prophet told him – take a bow and arrows, shot an arrow out the window, strike the ground with the arrows – why was Elisha the prophet angry? He said, “You should have struck five or six times, . .” Joash did what he was told but he had no zeal, no enthusiasm – just doing enough to get by. Today we will discuss basic Christian things (moral living, praying, sharing the gospel, thinking about time, etc.) but in all these things we must be zealous for the Lord.

The Christian Must Pray Continually (v. 2)

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Paul’s pointing the church outward begins by encouraging them to pray, “Continue steadfastly in prayer.” The word used here means prayer that is habitual and with perseverance. Jesus told parables about how believers should pray, Luke 18:1 “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” (from the parable of the persistent widow).

Paul then adds the manner of the consistent prayer is, “watchful in it with thanksgiving.” In 1 Thessalonians 5:6 believers are to be alert and watching for the return of Christ. But this is not what Paul is referencing here, instead they are to be prayerful and watchful – and they are “to be “awake” to the nature of the times they live in – and to orient their lives accordingly.”[1] You are not watching to see something (as in a passing falling star), instead one is to watch so they can take an action. I am watching and alert to things going on around me, then I seek counsel and petition the Lord in prayer, and all the while I do it all thanksgiving.

With regards to prayer “Christians have always interpreted the splitting of the temple veil during the crucifixion as symbolic of their liberation from the mediated presence of God. Henceforth they were “free” to approach him directly – which is almost like telling someone he is “free” to stick his head in the lion’s jaws. For once you start praying there is no guarantee that you won’t find yourself before Pharaoh, shipwrecked on a desert island, or in a lion’s den.”[2]

In Genesis 32 Jacob wrestled with God, and he never walked the same for the rest of his life. To approach the throne of God and to wrestle with him in prayer, you are in a dangerous place in that you may be called to do the difficult – but there is also no safer place to be than in the will of God. Prayer will often not lead to an easier life, but a more difficult one filled with purpose and adventure.

The Christian Must Use His Words and Time Wisely (vv. 3-6)

3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Paul now moves from encouraging them to consistently pray, but to pray for him and his team specifically. “The prayer is not for the personal benefit of the apostle and his companions, but for the promotion of their work.”[3] Paul asks the church to pray, “that God may open to us a door for the word,” The emphasis is on the Word of God getting out to the world. “Paul does not pray that he or some other minister might have an open door to walk through, but that there might be ‘an open door for our message’.”[4]

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” The Word of God needs entrance because it is the word that has the power to transform human beings.

Earlier in Colossians 1:5-6 Paul says, “Of this (the hope laid up for you in heaven) you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing. . .” When the gospel is released in a community it begins to exert its’ power there. Everywhere there is an open door for the gospel to be proclaimed, its’ power is the same – lives are transformed. The gospel itself is powerful and life changing (nothing needs to be added to it or taken from it, just proclaim it).

There is power in the proclamation of the gospel, but that does not mean it will always be well received by all. Paul was “declar(ing) the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison.” Paul is in chains because he was proclaiming the gospel to a lost world. God’s word will always have power to expose sin, and discern the true thoughts of the heart – but people will respond differently to that power of the truth. Some people may kneel before the Lord, repent of their sin, and follow Christ, others will pick up stones to throw at the messenger.

Some Bible scholars believe that Acts chapters 22-24 describes this same imprisonment. In Acts 24:5-6 the Jewish elders have beaten Paul and the Romans authorities have him in prison more to protect him from the mob, “For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.” Paul does not change the gospel based on how he thinks the audience will respond. He speaks the truth. Sometimes churches are brought into existence, other times he is punished.

So then we jump to Paul’s prayer request is that when he presents the gospel, “that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” Paul is in prison, probably chained to a guard – yet his mind is on his next opportunity to proclaim the gospel. Paul is asking for prayer that he may be set free again to preach.[5] For Paul, there were no devastating circumstances, only unique opportunities.

Nothing is so far gone that the prayer of the saints,

and the proclamation of the gospel can’t change. Don’t give up.

(v. 5) “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time,” – “As believers immerse themselves in the life of Christ, having put on the “new man” (Col. 3:10-11), their minds are renewed by God’s Spirit (Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:23). Wisdom will enable us to determine just how, in given situations, our new way of thinking, our new set of biblical values, should be put into effect.”[6] “It takes wise walking to win them to Christ.”[7] And Paul’s words of instruction “imply that believers are to be cautious and tactful so as to avoid needlessly antagonizing or alienating their pagan neighbors.”[8]

Earlier in Colossians Paul was praying for the church that they would be 1:9-10 “asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, . . .” Here in 4:6 Paul picks back up with this same idea, but now he is focusing them (and us) on the outside community. He has warned the church to distance themselves from false teachers, and from worldly influence in their lives – but the Colossian Christians must also stay engaged with their fellow citizens and seek to lead them to Jesus.

Christians are to walk the narrow path of being

“in the world but not of the world.”

 (v. 6) “making the best use of the time.”[9] – Greek uses a couple of words to indicate time; one is Kairos (used in v. 6) as in a duration of time, a season like harvest season, an opportunity. And Chronos refers to a specific measurement of time like days or hours.

In the context of Christians using wisdom to reach the lost community, and the original language has the idea of “buying up” time, as in “I need to purchase this segment of time, and make it my own.” There are ways that we spend our time that is wasteful, buy that time back and put it to godly use.

Also, Paul has been asking for prayer for “open doors” to share the gospel. Our wisdom that we need is that there will be moments presented to us, and we have an opportunity to share the gospel, so we need to seize that time – make the best use of that opportunity and not let it pass us by. Don’t waste time.

But we also can prayerfully plan out our days (Chronos), consider what is of greater value and make sure that gets accomplished. Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” So, we can plan out our days with wisdom, and there are unplanned things that happen (Kairos), and we seize the opportunity. Both require wisdom from God.

And in that moment, (v. 6) “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” – in our sharing the gospel with others, our way of talking and over all attitude should convey grace. It carries the idea of “pleasantness,” “attractiveness,” “charm,” and “winsomeness.”[10]

What we say preserves the relationship and draws a person closer; we should not use speech that decays the relationship and drives a person away. Speak the truth plainly, but without judgment and condemnation.

 1 Peter 3:15b gives a similar teaching, “. . . always being prepared to make a defense (to give an answer) to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, . . .”

 “know how you ought to answer each person,” – In Acts 16 Paul is going to a Gentile city where there are not enough Jews to even have a synagogue. Paul’s method of evangelism was to enter a town, figure out where the Jewish synagogue was and show them how Jesus fulfilled Scripture and share the gospel, but when he gets there –where he had heard there were Jews gathered to pray, there were only women who had gathered,

“And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.” What Paul had planned to do, now had to change. So in Colossians Paul asks for prayer, “which is how I ought to speak.” How you share changes, not the message, but the method. The seasoned-with-salt conversation must be appropriate for each person we speak to.

 If you were to evaporate a ton of water from the Pacific Ocean, you would get approximately seventy-nine pounds of salt. A ton of Atlantic water would yield eighty-one pounds. And from the Dead Sea you would get almost five hundred pounds. As these statistics demonstrate, the earth’s bodies of water vary greatly in their degree of saltiness. So do Christians. Jesus said that we are “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13). But we all have different levels of “salt content.”

A few Scripture verses tell what it means to be “salty.” Salt enhances flavor (Job 6:6). Salt indicates purity in speech (Colossians 4:6). Salt symbolizes keeping a promise (Numbers 18:19). Salt speaks of goodness (Mark 9:50). Now, check your salt content. re you the kind of person who enhances the lives of those around you? Is your conversation pure? Do you keep promises? Are you characterized by goodness? An unbelieving world is watching and listening to you. What do they see and hear? Perhaps your life needs more salt.[11]

____________________________

[1] Douglas J. Moo, The Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2008) 320.

[2] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Colossians & Philemon (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Bible Institute, 1992) 180.

[3] T.K. Abbott, The International Critical Commentary, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistles to the Ephesians and to the Colossians (Edinburgh, Scotland; T&T Clark, 1946) 297.

[4] Moo, 322.

[5] Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Volume 4 (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1931) 509.

[6] Moo. 327.

[7] Robertson, 510.

[8] Frank E. Gaebelein, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 11 (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing House, 1978) 222.

[9] See also Ephesians 5:15-15 and he adds, “because the days are evil.”

[10] Gaebelein, 222.

[11] https://www.preceptaustin.org/colossians_illustrations_4#colossians%204

“6 Relationships to Power” Colossians 3:18-25, 4:1

“The Supreme Life”

A Sermon Series in Colossians

“6 Relationships to Power”

Colossians 3:18-25, 4:1

Introduction

In the previous chapters of Colossians Paul has instructed the church to avoid false teaching, and the letter itself is a response to these false ideas making their way into the church. Then Paul discusses how the church is to relate with one another as a result of them “Setting your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

And at the end of chapter 3 he moves from the church community to the family. Just like the church needs to get along, so we put off certain sinful behavior (slander, obscene talk, etc.) and put on godly behavior (like forgiveness, bearing with one another, etc.) In the family there are also things we can do to get along.

In the Roman culture there was a “household table,” or cultural expectation of how the home was to be, where the father exercised “patria potestas” or ‘paternal power.’ In Roman culture the father held the power of life and death over his household. When a child was born, it was presented to the father, the leader of the home, who then said whether they were to keep it, or expose it (abandon it in a remote area). That was a worldly and godless family – God is not present in that home, but what happens to the family and what power is present when Jesus comes in and sits down at the family table?

Paul has taught on equality, and there is a parallel passage in Ephesians where he said, “there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave or free, (neither male nor female),” there is only the one body in Christ. In response to this liberation teaching of Paul there seems to be false teachers who then teach that in Christ all earthly roles and responsibilities go away.

In today’s text Paul reminds the church that even though they are free in Christ, their role in their family (which is the foundation of all society) does not change. While the Romans view of the family may have way too far in one direction, Paul seeks to bring the church back to a view of the family that may have swerved too far in the other direction.

Men are still responsible to carry out the role of being men; women were to continue to carry out the responsibilities of being women, and children were still to be children, etc. Also, marriage does not go away – setting one’s mind on the things above, doesn’t mean you cease to be dad. Paul is reminding “Christians that certain institutions continued to exist in the new age (the church age) and that believers needed to relate appropriately to one another within these institutions.”[1]

God has called Christians to think about the things above,

while holding true to their relationships & responsibilities down below.[2]

Prayer

A Wife’s Relationship With her Husband (v. 18)

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

To submit, a person “voluntarily ‘put oneself under’ the authority or direction of someone or something else” Christians place themselves under the authority of the church (Eph. 5:24), humans to governing authorities (Rom. 13:1,5; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:18) Christians to their leaders (1 Cor. 16:16); young men to older men (1 Pet. 5:5), etc.

In this sense the wife “puts herself under” her husband in recognizing and living out an “order” established by God himself within the marriage relationship (and by extension, in the family of God, the church). Paul also puts it this way in 1 Corinthians 11:3, “the head of the wife is her husband.” – the husband as the “dominant” and “prominent” member of the family relationship, is to take lead in the marriage relationship.”[3]

There are three relationships mentioned; wives are to submit to their husbands, but children are to obey their parents, and slaves are to obey their master. Paul could have used the word obey with the marriage relationship, but he chose submit Submission is to recognize an order of relationships – it’s not about commands given and then followed (with no give and take, discussion, etc.).

The word Lord is mentioned several times before today’s text, but Lord is mentioned six times in these few verses at the end of chapter three. All of these relationships (wife, husband, child, parent, bondservant, and master) all deal with a response to Jesus being Lord of a Christian’s life – all of the relationships deal with authority and how we deal with it.

Then Paul adds, “as is fitting in the Lord,” – God has established the created order, where Christ is the head, the preeminent one, then in the family, husbands are the leader, then the wife – so when we follow this order of creation, then this order fits what the Lord created.

If you feel there is a stigma of inferiority attached to the idea of submission, Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:15 “Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.” Bringing children into the world is something only women can do. Men and women stand on equal footing before the Lord (see Galatians 3:28), yet they each play a different role, and have different responsibilities. Our world, especially today, tries to blur and join gender into some amalgamous being that God never intended.

A Husband’s Relationship With His Wife (v. 19)

19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.

The word for love here is agapao and it means a sacrificial, self-giving love that is modeled after the love that Jesus showed. The Ephesian parallel verse says, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,” Ephesians 5:25.[4]

It’s a covenant kind of love, continue to love (not a love of passion or emotion), but one of choice. “Paul commands the husband to see his wife as the weaker sex to be cared for while at the same time seeing her a fellow-heir of Christ (1 Pet. 3:7).”[5] The submission of the wife happens within the context of the husband’s love.

Paul is addressing the two issues that will cause problems in the marriage relationship. Women will tend to resist and fight against being under the “headship” of their husbands, and men will be prone to abuse their leadership role by not showing a Christlike love and being harsh with their wives.

2 Corinthians 6:14 “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness?” So, if a Christian woman marries a non-believer she is still expected to follow the order of creation, she is still expected to submit to her husband. But the non-believing husband cannot love his wife as Christ loved the church, nor can he lead them toward righteousness.

And if a Christian man marries a non-believer, she will not understand this order of creation and resist his leadership. The husband is still expected to love her with a Christ-like love, but she won’t understand his desire to lead the family toward Jesus – she will resist it.

So Paul tells the husband, “do not be harsh,” – the word for harsh here can be translated “to make bitter.” In the passage below a Father can do things that will cause a child to be provoked and disheartened. The same is true of a husband toward his wife. It’s hard to have trust (and therefore give up control to another person) if there is record of forceful control. People respond to love not overbearing dominance.

A Child’s Relationship to Their Parents (v. 20)

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

All people are to “honor your father and mother (Exodus 20:12).” Proverbs 30:17 gives a graphic picture of when children dishonor and rebel against their parents, “The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures.”

God warns that when children don’t obey their parents there are consequences; not even so much God punishing them, but the natural consequences of children who don’t respect authority will encounter authority and it won’t go well for them. This understanding of authority begins in the home, and with children obeying their parents. Then when they go out into the world, they are to obey the authority over them.

“for this pleases the Lord,” – This pleases the Lord because the home is the place where God has established for children to learn how to navigate life. They are being prepared to live a life that will cause less pain for the child, but it also helps them understand ultimately God’s authority over them. A child’s understanding of “Jesus is Lord” begins with the parental relationship (submitting and loving).

Be Careful How You Use Your Authority (v. 21)

21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

In the Roman culture, fathers held the power of “patria potestas” or ‘paternal power.’ So it makes sense to say Fathers. But the context of the text is referring to the parent (or whichever adult) who has ultimate authority over the child.[6] Parents have a power of influence over their kids. Kids want their parents to be proud of them and they want to be trusted.

“provoke,” “To cause someone to react in a way that suggests acceptance of a challenge.” Paul is saying that children should not be disciplined to such an extent that they “lose heart.” Fathers can use their authority and power over a child to such an extent that it crushes the child’s spirit. Eventually, they just give up trying to please their parents and listen to their instructions because no matter what they do, it is never right, or never enough. They become discouraged.

Father is typically the one who encourages their children to take risks, do new things, face danger. Cut the log, ride the bike, start the business, etc. Mom typically embraces, gives comfort, and puts on the bicycle helmet.

So, Dads in your zealousness to push your children to do great things, don’t frustrate them with your drive or your discipline. Celebrate the little victories, tell them that you are proud of them. There needs to be discipline with poor choices but not so extreme that they quit trying. “The wayward branch must be bent with caution, not broken in the efforts of a rude and hasty zeal.”[7]

A Bondservant’s Relationship to Their Masters (vv. 22-25)

22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

So, if the family will last until eternity (wives, husbands, children and fathers), is slavery as an institution also endorsed and assumed to continue throughout time? Why is there no mandate from Paul against slavery? It seems like this is a perfect opportunity to forbid slavery and outlaw it in the church. Paul could have said, “slave owners, free your slaves.” “The apostles were not social reformers; they were first and foremost heralds of the good news of salvation in Christ.”[8]

Paul commands bondservants to work and do what they are told, “not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart” Don’t just work hard when they are around and watching you, but be sincere in your work. The word used for eye here is to be “single-eyed” – it is an eye focused and concentrated on one thing. When you are working, you are focused on sincerely accomplished the task you have been asked to accomplish. And heart captures our idea of heart and soul – put your heart and soul into the work.

We find that Lord is mentioned again, “fearing the Lord” – if you believe that Jesus is Lord (which the whole book is teaching us) then you have ended up a slave as a result of His command of everything – He is preeminent over all of creation. So while you have a heavenly master, you also are still a slave on earth – you still have an earthly master.

You may have your mind of heavenly things,

and you may be saved and a new creation,

but you still must navigate the harsh reality of this world.

Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery in Genesis 37:27 “Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. 28 Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.” Joseph moved from slave to second only to the pharaoh; and when his brothers came to Egypt trying not to starve, he reveals himself to his brothers.

Genesis 45:4-5 “So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.” You intended it for evil but God used it for the good. Joseph understands that his life as a slave, and all the hardships he endured was for a purpose. God used Joseph to save millions of lives from starvation and the salvation of his brothers (physically and spiritually).[9]

If you find yourself in a difficult situation, have a single-minded focus to do whatever you with a sincere and dedicated heart, “Fearing the Lord” because there is a purpose and plan for you being there. The point of the text is not whether slavery is wrong or should be abolished (Paul would say of course it should be) but when you find yourself in a position where you don’t have any power in your life, don’t let that be an excuse for not giving your all. Being a witness for Christ through your work.

“The Christian shoemaker does his duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship.” ― Martin Luther.

So in your work, we are to work “unto the Lord” and “You are serving the Lord Christ” because it is ultimately His plan that you are wanting to see succeed.

A Master’s Relationship to Their Bondservants (v. 4:1)

4 Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

The last family relationship is masters to bondservants – Slaves would have lived with their masters in the same family unit. Paul commands them to treat them “justly and fairly.” Or giving them what is due them. Because they hold all the power over another person’s life there would be a tendency to abuse that position. So, Paul reminds the slave owners that they have a master also – who shows no favorites.

 So if you are in a position where you hold power over people, treat them justly and fairly, and remember you have a master over you.

Conclusion

There once was a battleship that had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy weather for several days. The captain of the battleship was on watch on the bridge as night fell. The visibility was poor with patchy fog, so the captain remained on the bridge keeping an eye on all activities.

Shortly after dark, the lookout on the wing reported, “Light, bearing on the starboard bow.”

“Is it steady or moving astern?” the captain called out.

The lookout replied, “Steady, Captain,” which meant they were on a dangerous collision course with that ship.

The captain then called to the signalman, “Signal that ship: ‘We are on a collision course, advise you change course twenty degrees.'”

Back came the signal, “Advisable for you to change course twenty degrees.”

The captain said, “Send: “I’m a captain, change course twenty degrees.'”

“I’m a seaman second-class,” came the reply. “You had better change course twenty degrees.”

By that time the captain was furious. He spat out, “Send: ‘I’m a battleship. Change course twenty degrees.'”

Back came the flashing light, “I’m a lighthouse. It’s your call.”

They changed course.

The captain holds the power;

what he does with that authority affects the lives of many people.

________________

[1] Douglas Moo, The Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2008) 296.

[2] Not exactly the same as “too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good.”

[3] Moo, 300.

[4] While Ephesians and Colossians have similar subject matter, they were written to address different situations, so “Despite the close relationship of Ephesians and Colossians, we have to be careful not to read what is said in Ephesians into the Colossians text.” Moo, 304.

[5] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Colossians & Philemon (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Press, 1992) 169.

[6] Moo, 306.

[7] Frank E. Gaebelein, General Editor, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 11 (Grand Rapids. Michigan; Zondervan Publishing, 1978) 219.

[8] Gaebelien, 219.

[9] For more on this topic see this sermon series, https://drewboswell.com/category/wilderness-the-life-of-joseph/

 

“Seek The Things That Are Above” Colossians 3:1-17

“The Supreme Life”

A Sermon Series in Colossians

“Seek The Things That Are Above”

Colossians 3:1-17

Introduction

My grandfather’s brother owned a hog farm and he lived less than a mile up the road from our family home. If the wind was blowing in the right direction you could smell the pig farm and man did it stink! Carlyle had a routine that when he finished his day of pig farming, he would strip down at his back door and go directly to the shower. Tootsie (his wife) would not let him come in unless he stripped down, and his clothes went right into the wash. He had to have a routine of taking off his stinky dirty clothes and taking a shower, then putting on clean clothes. Can you imagine coming in with pig stuff all over your clothes and sitting on the couch, lying in the bed, hugging his wife – we would say nope.

Today Paul is going to call Christians to take off the sin in our lives and put on righteous behavior because this is the process of living the life God has called us to. Living a godly life does not just happen – believers must make a concerted effort and be intentional about how we live our lives.

Prayer

Living the Christian Life Must be Intentional (vv. 1-4)

If (Since) then you have been raised with Christ (coresurrected), seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Up until this point in the book Paul has been warning the church about false teachers and for them not to allow themselves to be carried off with man’s traditions, teachings about elemental spirits and things that would corrupt the gospel (angel worship, works like being circumcised, etc.) Now Paul turns to what they should be doing, and he phrases it two ways, “seek the things that are above,” and “Set your minds on things that are above,” – Jesus says it this way Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness . . .”

“Believers “seek the things above” (keep on seeking, continuous) by deliberately and daily committing themselves to the values of the heavenly kingdom and living out of those values.”[1] It is an intentional orientation of the will. Also notice that there is a break between “where Christ is, (comma) and “seated at the right hand of God.” Jesus is in heaven, so we should focus our minds on where Christ is.

Paul gives four reasons why you should seek and think about the things that are above:

  1. Because You Are “In Christ.” There are several places where Paul just a few verses earlier combines the believer with Jesus. Colossians 2:11-15 “In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Here is 3:1 he says, “you have been raised with Christ” – Jesus rose from the dead overcoming sin and death, and now sits at the right hand of the Father. And in some way we go with Christ into eternity, as Paul describes as, “your life is hidden with Christ in God.” – It is hidden now because you are still alive, but when you pass from here to glory the secret will be told, you will be with Him in reality (not just in promise). If God hides you away, no thief can break in and steal you – you are well hidden by God until the proper time.

2) Because Your Previous Sin Led to Death – “you have died,” –

3) Because Christ Returns You Will Be With Him In Glory – “and your life is hidden with Christ in God,” and “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory,” –

Living the Christian Life Requires Putting Things Off (vv. 5-11)

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.[2] 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Paul has told the church that they are to have a heavenly mindset, so they should then be eager to get rid of things that don’t reflect that heavenly mindset. “Put to death,” – mortify, “to treat something like it is dead.”[3] (v. 7) describes them as once “walking in them” and “living in them.” You are either living in an action or you are treating it like its dead. (v. 9) Paul says, “now you must put them all away.”

(v. 5) Paul says to put to death “what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” The word used for idolatry here points back to the previous list, and it is covetousness because you want more and more of these experiences. It is the increasing desire for more and more pleasure experiences that it then becomes an idol on their lives.

This is the progression of sin in our lives – it begins with something outside of God’s Word and plan for your life, because of this it leads to impurity in your life, then it creates within you a desire for it, which leads to wanting more and more of it, to the point to where you bow down to, it controls your life.

 Seeking after earthly things leads to idolatry in your life

and judgement upon your church.

In v. 6 we have another reason (number 4) to be intentional about our walk with Jesus. 4) Just in case you think sin is not that big of a deal Paul adds, “On account of these the wrath of God is coming.” Our minds must be on the things above because the wrath of God is coming. Our lives, words, actions (within the church and without) all impact the world around us, and while we may be forgiven and have a place in eternity, those around us may not have chosen Christ yet.

“God’s true people are guaranteed deliverance from wrath (1 Thess. 5:9; Rom. 5:9), but at the same time, they are repeatedly warned that persistent sinful behavior will bring God’s judgement.”[4] And again this is given in the context of those that belong to the church. What you do in private (or maybe not even in private) affects the church as a whole. If you say, “My sin is private – it does not affect others” that is not true. And if you say, “Then I will hold on to my sin but not belong to the church because I don’t want it to affect others,” then it is idolatry and an offense to God.

(v. 8) “But now you must put them all away,” and “you have put off the old self,” – “This is a metaphor for clothing, replace the filthy rags (sexual immorality, passion, etc.) with “have put on the new self,”

(v. 8) “anger, wrath (rage), malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another,” All of these deal with speech, and what you say. These ways of using language should never be used by those who are walking a new life in Christ.[5] They are given as a group pointing to the same idea of how Christians are to communicate with other Christians. “obscene talk” – or filthy language, literally shameful words, in the context of referring to another person. The things that come out of your mouth come from your heart. Jesus explains it this way, Matthew 15:18, “ . . . what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart,”

You are not showing love and Christ likeness when you rage, in anger, and say things against someone with the intention to harm their reputation, or curse at them with vulgar words – cussing them out and then lying about it.

“which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” – At the beginning of time before the fall, humanity had a knowledge of God. Genesis 1:26 “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” This knowledge of God was lost when sin came into the world. As the believer puts on a new self he will progress towards true knowledge of God.

It is through our relationship with Christ that we learn how to live in relationship with God and His creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” Every human is made in the image of God, and everyone loses what that means because of sin. But when a person is saved, that knowledge is restored as they grow in their relationship with Him.

(vv. 9-10) We are not trying to put on the Greek or the Jew, it’s not about appearing circumcised or uncircumcised; we are not trying to be the ideal barbarian, or Scythian, slave or free – the image we want to put on is one of our Creator, we put on Christ. Our identity is Christ not where we are from, how much money we have, or our race. So racial distinctions disappear (no Greek or Jew), class distinctions disappear – in the church there were slaves, free, slave owners, freedmen all in the same church. It is our identity with Jesus that strips away any distinctions.

Living the Christian Life Requires Putting Things On (vv. 12-17)

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,

(v. 12) “Put on then” – In order to have a change in your life, whatever a person takes off, needs to be replaced with something else, and Paul gives that which you should put on. Also, this list are virtues that will foster community and give the church cohesion (whereas the above list of vices causes division and splinters the church). This is a list of things the Christians is to put on, but it is not a list isolated from their relationship in the church – it is a list of how to live life out as a church. Here again is the assumption by the apostle that the Christian is associated and an important part of the local church.

 “chosen ones, holy and beloved,” These three terms are standard ways of describing Israel in the Old Testament. But instead of choosing or electing His people from one nation, now God chooses them from the world (Jew and Gentile). Holy means to be set apart for God’s purpose, and beloved means greatly loved. So God has chosen you, set you apart for His purposes, and He greatly loves you – in light of these things consider your sin.

 1 Peter 2:19-20 puts it like this “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

1) compassionate hearts,

literally translated as bowels, the seat of emotion, be moved to the core of who you are towards people 2) kindness, goodness, gracious acts 3) humility, Philippians encourages us to show humility in that we view others value as being above our own, and looking out for the interest of others, 4) meekness, not being overly impressed with one’s sense of self-importance, 5) and patience, kindness refers to our basic approach to people, and patience refers to the kind of reaction we should display toward them.

6) 13 bearing with one another

Literally means “holding yourselves back from one another.”[6] Or “put up with one another.” This is the first step in establishing community within the church. We all have our ideocracies – so put up with the strange and annoying stuff we all do. Paul has also mentioned people from different religious backgrounds, people from different regions and socio-economic levels. These differences need to be overlooked for the bigger mission,

7) and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

One step further than just putting up with one another, we actually forgive each other. Jesus says it like this as part of the Lord’s prayer, “. . . and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors . . . For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:12, 14ff). God has forgiven our sins, so we should also (as we are in Christ), forgive others (specifically others within the church).

8) 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

If Paul is referring to putting on this list of things, around all of it is a belt. What holds it all together is love. Put on love – it is an intentional decision to choose love. When everyone puts on love, there is harmony.

9) 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.

The peace that we let rule in your hearts is the same idea as an umpire – when the ball moves across the plate he has to make a decision (strike or foul, inside or outside the line). When life comes your way, and you have to decide how to react, Paul says, “let the peace of Christ” decide – choose the peace of Christ (instead of anger, wrath, slander, etc.) Paul highlights “peace” as one of the key blessings of Christian experience.

“to which indeed you were called in one body” – God calls men to serve as pastors, but He also calls people to join churches. Those at Colossae were called into one body (the body of Christ), and together with all their challenges, putting up with one another, forgiving one another, together they were to reach their area of responsibility for Jesus. If you are a believer God is calling you to join a church, to get plugged in (to follow this list of virtues) and find your place of service. We are one unit – one body (where Jesus is the head, and the gospel is our mission).

10) And be thankful. There is peace that comes from knowing that in all of life’s struggles, you are where you are supposed to be, doing what God has called you to do. And in that place – be thankful. Thankful within the body of Christ.

11) 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

(v. 16) references when they gather for worship there was to be the teaching of God’s Word (let it live within you richly), and putting God’s Word to music, adding new music or songs of praise – and as you worship let your hearts be thankful. How can those who have not experienced the salvation of Jesus, and the life change that he brings – sing the songs of the Lord? They can sing the songs, but there is no thankfulness in their soul.

The reaction that drives the worship service is thankfulness to God. We must be careful not to try and drive our worship services with worldly methods.

12) 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Everything, including what we say and what we do, should be governed by the consideration of what it means to live in the realm of the risen Christ.

Conclusion

After serving a prison sentence, prisoners are released. They are set free from bondage since their time has been served. After they come out of jail, they take off their prison clothes and put on new clothes. These clothes suit the new life they have begun. The same is true for Christians we have been set free from the bondage of sin. We are no longer prisoners to it. We have started a new life. Therefore, we should once and for all throw out the old clothes of death and put on the new clothes of life. After Jesus rose from the dead, He had no use for His grave clothes so He left them in the tomb. He now lives in the garments of righteousness and life. Since believers have been raised from the dead we too should put on the clothes of righteousness. We should practice what we are in principle.

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[1] Douglas J. Moo, The Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eermans Publishing Company, 2008) 246.

[2] See also Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 4:29-31.

[3] Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Volume IV (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1931) 501.

[4] Moo, 259. See also Hebrews 12:5-6

[5] My comments on the importance of godly speech, click here

[6] Robertson, 504.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith." Ephesians 2:8

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