TOGETHER IN ADMONITION

Colossians 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.

Introduction Perhaps this week you have admonished someone, and perhaps you have been admonished by someone. An admonishment is a warning; it is to reprove or exhort someone. Have you ever noticed that most people do not like being told what to do? In the society in which we live, the common response when someone is admonished is, “You can’t tell me what to do! I’ll do what I want!” Because of our pride, we tend to rebuff correction and choose to do as we please.

We may have a tendency to protest against it, but the truth is that we all need admonishment. In fact, most of us would not be alive today if we did not heed warnings over the years for physical safety. Likewise, admonishments are necessary for growth in the Christian life. If you are a mature believer, you want to be admonished. In Colossians 2:1, we find the apostle Paul writing to the church in Colossae—a group of people he had never met in person.

According to Colossians 1:1, Timothy started this church while Paul was at Ephesus for two years. Paul wrote this epistle to the Colossians during his first imprisonment at Rome.

In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he was dealing with false teaching that had crept into the church. Throughout chapter 3, Paul challenges the church in the following areas:

• To seek heavenly values (verse 1)

• To abstain from earthly, sensual lust (verse 5)

• To put off the old man and put on the new man in Christ (verse 10)

• To respect one another (verse 11)

• To forgive and love one another (verses 13–14)

Finally, in verse 16, Paul challenges the believers to admonish one another.

If they were to stay on track in their Christian growth, they would need one another’s help. We, too, need to obey God’s instruction to admonish each other. And in Colossians 3:16, we find three truths that teach us how we can be effective in giving and receiving admonition: 1. The Message of Admonition Slide 1 For our admonishment to be effective, we must have the Word of Christ in us. Verse 16 of our text begins with “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.”

The basis and success of our admonishment is dependent on how thoroughly the Word of Christ is dwelling in us. The indwelling Word is what makes the difference between our admonishment being simple opinion or it being truly biblical and helpful.

THE SECURITY IN ADMONITION

Is Sure

The “word of Christ” refers to the revelation Christ brought into the world—the Bible. When the Word of Christ is the basis of our message, our admonishment is effective because God’s Word is sure. The Bible is true, trustworthy, and infallible. Because it is from God Himself, we can place our full confidence in it.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Is Sure Slide 1B

Must Be Settled

The Word of Christ not only needs to be present, but it also is to dwell in us. The word dwell translates from the Greek word enoikeō which means “to settle down in” or “to be at home in.” This means that the Bible is not to be a mere passing thought but the constant focus in our lives. If we are to be a good spouse, parent or boss at work, the Word of God needs to settle down and be a part of us. It needs to permeate our lives.

As George Müller said, “The vigor of our spiritual life will be in exact proportion to the place held by the Bible in our life and thoughts.”

But this is not just true for our own lives. Before we can give good advice or admonishment, we need to have God’s wisdom dwelling in us.

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. God instructs us to meditate on His Word “day and night.”

Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Many new age movements incorporate meditation for the overall well-being of the body, mind, and soul. Yoga, for instance, combines physical exercise and spiritual meditation to achieve personal wellness. Biblical meditation, however, is different primarily in its object. While New Age exercise focuses on emptying one’s mind or turning it inward to self-realization, biblical meditation focuses one’s mind on God and on His Word.

Biblical mediation is something like a ruminant, such as a cow or sheep that chews its cud. Because the animal can’t thoroughly digest the food it takes in the first time, the animal is designed to go over that food a second time, thoroughly extracting the needed nutrition.

This is how we should meditate on God’s Word. We take a passage we have heard preached or we have read or memorized and think on it, drawing application for our lives. This allows God’s Word to not only pass through our minds, but to permeate our thinking and beliefs. For God’s Word to “dwell in us,” we must study and know it thoroughly.

Jerry Bridges said, “As we prayerfully expose ourselves to the Scriptures, we begin to understand what God’s will is regarding our conduct and character. And then as the Holy Spirit applies His word to specific areas of our lives, and as we are obedient to His promptings, we begin to develop Bible-based convictions. Our values begin to change so change so that God’s standard becomes our delight and our desire.”

When we have God’s Word dwelling in us, we are able to admonish one another with wisdom and grace. In fact, our text verse continues that we are to let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly. The word richly translates from the Greek word plousiōs, which means “abundantly” or “extravagantly.” The Word of God should dwell in us so abundantly that it flows over in our speech and interactions with one another. Have you ever walked past someone wearing such an excessive amount of perfume that it overwhelmed your senses? That is the effect God wants when He instructs us to dwell in His Word richly.

He wants us to be so immersed in His Word that it flows out from the way we live and permeates every aspect of our lives. How do we let the Bible dwell in us richly? Four Ways the Bible Will Dwell in Us Discussion What are the regular ways you are hearing and receiving Scripture? How can you increase your intake of it? 1.

Hear It Matthew 13:9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Are you attentive to God’s Word? Do you listen when it is preached, or do you find yourself distracted?

Do you read it during the week? Do you give it entrance into your heart?

2. Handle It

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Every Christian is a believer priest who is able to read and understand the Bible for himself. As Christians, we are to be students of God’s Word. We should study it carefully and learn to apply it faithfully.

3. Hide It

What is the most helpful method you have found for memorizing Scripture?

Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

When we memorize Scripture, we have it on hand to use against temptation that comes our way during the day. We also have it available to occupy our thoughts so that we can meditate on it throughout the day.

4. Hold It

Philippians 2:16 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

We are to hold forth God’s Word for others to see—like a person holding out a flashlight for the benefit of others in a dark place. Some of the strongest Christians are those who are active in sharing their faith. As they witness for Christ, people ask questions, which drives them to study God’s Word more. In time, they are grounded in the knowledge of biblical doctrine which they have gleaned through study over the years. You and I are to be men and women of the Word, and when we are, we will also be men and women of wisdom. Notice that our text verse says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” Wisdom is the ability to use knowledge correctly. It is to discern what is right and true in all areas of life. This wisdom only comes by the Spirit’s application of His Word. When God’s Word dwells in us, it leads us to godly wisdom because we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:13,16 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

How are you doing in the message of admonition? Do your admonishments to others reveal a love for and understanding of God’s Word? Does the Word dwell in you richly and come out in your interaction with others? Are you growing in your Bible knowledge so that you are able to apply it to life situations and help someone who is going astray? We will not have the relationships God intended us to have unless we are allowing God’s Word to dwell within us and help us to lovingly admonish one another.

1. THE SECURITY IN ADMONITION

2. THE SERVICE IN ADMONITION

Slide 2

As the Word of God settles in our hearts, we can begin this ministry of teaching and admonishing. This is because when our hearts and minds are saturated with God’s Word, we cannot help but overflow with biblical truth in our interactions with others. We will be a better parent, spouse, friend, neighbor, boss, or employee because of it. All of us are to be in the ministry of teaching and admonishing.

Teaching

Verse 16 speaks of “teaching and admonishing one another.” This teaching refers to imparting instruction. The tool we use for teaching is God’s Word. Our methodology may vary—we may have crafts in the children’s classes that we wouldn’t use in the adult services, we may conduct family devotions differently than we would in a church service, we may illustrate a truth differently in a personal conversation than we would in an adult Bible class—but the core of every teaching encounter should always be communicating the truth of the Bible to each individual.

And this teaching is not just for adults. Concerning the teaching of children, D. L. Moody said, “It is a masterpiece of the devil to make us believe that children cannot understand religion. Would Christ have made a child the standard of faith if He had known that it was not capable of understanding His words?” What are our goals for teaching God’s Word? Our first goal is simple: to impart instruction. 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: The inspiration of God means the Bible is supernaturally God-breathed. This incredible

1. Doctrine refers to what is right.

2. Reproof is pointing out what is wrong.

3. Correction teaches us how to get our lives right with God.

4. Instruction in righteousness shows us how to stay right in our lives.

In addition to imparting instruction, teaching also instills doctrine into the life of a believer. Doctrine is not something that is only relevant for theologians or pastors. Rather, doctrine is important to every Christian’s life.

In Acts 2:42, we see that doctrine is the foundation of the early church. Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine…

It is cause for concern that not every Christian knows enough of the Bible to lead someone to the Lord, teach biblical forgiveness, or even show what the Bible teaches about clear doctrines such as the existence of Heaven and Hell. We need to be grounded in doctrine by which we lead our lives.

Teaching

Admonishing

Discussion: What are a few spiritual or life topics in which you wish you knew more Scripture to be able to teach or admonish others? Where could you begin in studying those topics?

At the beginning of the lesson we learned that admonishing means “to exhort, reprove, or caution; to warn of the consequences of wrong behavior.” There is a saying that a good leader can step on your toes without messing up your shine. Though it is not an easy task, leaders must admonish someone whose conduct is detrimental to the work of God.

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Do you chafe when someone corrects you of your misconduct or poor attitude? When someone loves you enough to admonish you, their care is a gift to you. The admonishment is meant to help you. God commands us not only to teach doctrine but also to admonish people when they are living contrary to doctrine. Admonishing is the negative side of teaching; it is the warning against sin and false teachings. We need this kind of admonition in both the church and the home. Regarding admonition in the church, the apostle Paul told Timothy that it was his responsibility as a pastor to provide admonishment as part of his ministry.

Suggestion Share a personal experience of a time when you needed admonition and the results—positive or negative—of how you received or applied it.

2 Timothy 4:2–4 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. Paul also wrote to the members of the church at Ephesus that they, by speaking the truth in love, could help one another grow in spiritual maturity.

Ephesians 4:14–15 KJV 1900

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

We need to be taught and admonished by the Word of God in order that we might be anchored in truth, not “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine.” Whether we receive a warning from the pulpit or a friend, we would be wise to listen to it than to brush it off with an “I’ll do it my way” attitude.

In 1986 two electrical engineers in the control room at the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site were “playing around” with the machine in what the Soviets later described as an unauthorized experiment. They were trying to see how long a turbine would “free wheel” when they took the power off it. To perform the test, the engineers had to turn off six separate computer-driven alarm systems. When they did that, warnings were issued instructing them to re-engage the power supply. They ignored all six warnings, and what took place next was the greatest nuclear disaster in history.3 This tragic incident began simply with two people repeatedly refusing to heed warnings.

In the context of the church, how many times have we turned a deaf ear to warnings given by our pastor or a friend? It is most unfortunate that we have harmed the cause of Christ numerous times by failing to heed warnings given by those who love us. Don’t let your life be a nuclear waste. Don’t ever suffer a meltdown just because you were too proud to receive admonishment.

Not only are we instructed to admonish one another in the church, but Scripture also teaches that admonishment should take place in the family.

Ephesians 6:4

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The Bible teaches that Christian fathers ought not to stir anger in their children. Instead, they are to

"bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." In our society, we see many parents who are weak at admonishing their children.

Perhaps fearful of hurting their child's feelings or perhaps simply in oblivion or laziness, parents don't set and hold firm guidelines in areas such as entertainment, friends, activities, dress, or even academics. Contrary to the popular saying, it takes a parent, not a village, to raise a child. But that parent must be engaged in his or her biblical responsibility.

Admonishment is a part of biblical, healthy relationships. If you truly love someone, you will not remain apathetic and let them harm themselves.

As Christians, we need to have the courage-both in our homes and in the church to correct someone lovingly in the Word of God.

1. THE SECURITY OF ADMONITION

2. THE SERVICE OF ADMONITION

3. THE SONGS OF ADMONITION

Slide 3

In addition to personal and corporate teaching, there is another means of admonition specifically given to us as Christians. Verse 16 says, "teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Music

slide 3A

Music is a form of expressing worship. When we sing a song with lyrics such as "Rescue the perishing, care for the dying," the song admonishes us to save souls from Hell by sharing the gospel with them. When we sing the lyrics "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, O what a foretaste of glory divine," it confirms what the Bible teaches about who we are and what we have in Christ.

Psalm 100:1–2 KJV 1900

1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness: Come before his presence with singing.

Psalm 30:4

Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Since music is a form of expressing worship, it is important that we seek a melody that is discern-able and lyrics that are doctrinal. This ensures that the songs we sing are biblically based.

Notice the three categories of music our text mentions:

Psalms

This refers to putting Scripture to music. Of course, the book of Psalms itself was a songbook for the Jews. Some of the songs we sing in church

have words directly from Scripture (often from Psalms), and some are songs completely comprised of a verse or passage. The Word of God will always exalt and bring praise to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Hymns

Hymns are expressions of praise to God for who He is and what He has done. It is thought that some portions of the New Testament, such as Colossians 1:15-20 and Philippians 2:6-11, were originally hymns sung in the early church. Our modern-day hymns express worship to God.

Spiritual Songs

The Greek word for spiritual is pneumatika, which means "of the spirit." Spiritual songs express in song the testimony of what God has done for us.

They also serve to admonish us and strengthen our faith when they contain true doctrine from

God's Word.

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A Barna study found that the focus in modern church music is often not on proclaiming the truth about God or to God, but rather on personal entertainment. "Most Americans go to church to satisfy or please themselves, not to honor or please God." A much larger percentage of Americans claim that they attend worship services for personal benefit and pleasure than to worship and know God.

Our entire concept of worship must line up with God and His Word. The central focus of real worship is the preaching of the Bible, and the music of our worship should support the preaching of God's Word. There needs to be doctrinal harmony in the preaching and singing. In Revelation 5:9-10, we see that the church was singing about the blood of Jesus-a significant doctrine of the Bible.

MUSIC

GRACE

Music can teach and admonish us, but it needs to be done in a particular way. Verse 16 tells us the attitude with which and the audience to which we sing.

First,

the Bible instructs us to sing "with grace in your hearts." Grace is a disposition the Holy Spirit creates in our hearts. We are not to sing mechanically but to worship God with joy and feeling.

There should not only be the right kind of songs but also the right spirit in singing them. Both are important to the Lord.

Second,

we are to sing with grace in our hearts "to the Lord." Our singing is not a show, but an offering of praise to God. Our audience is one. When the singing is generated from both the Spirit and the Bible, it will always focus on and be meant for the Lord.

Conclusion

Admonishment may not be something we naturally embrace, but it is necessary to protect our doctrinal purity and personal walk with the Lord.

As Christians, we ought to admonish one another in love.

When our admonition is based on the Word of God, it is sure.

For our admonishment to be effective, our lives must to be saturated in the Word of God.

God wants us to take the ministry of teaching and admonishing seriously. Are we admonishing fellow believers in the church and our children according to God's Word? Admonishment serves as a warning against sin and false teachings, and it is meant to anchor believers in God's truth.

Finally, where God has instructed us in teaching and admonishing, He has also shown us the means to do this ministry-through music and grace. Do we sing biblical songs with the spirit of grace to the Lord? God is interested in the way we worship Him and wants it to be in line with His

Word.

Let the Word of God dwell in us richly, and be ready and willing to admonish someone in love.