Legacy: Church Culture
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Colossians 3:12-17
Colossians 3:12-17
In our Church context, culture is a beautiful tapestry of learned and shared beliefs, language, norms, values, and symbols. It's a system that helps us identify ourselves and provides a comforting framework within our community.
What are some cultures in the Church we have come to believe?
Do they line up with God’s word?
Imagine Church culture as a warm, welcoming family home where everyone is valued and loved, while worldly culture is like a cold corporate office where individual worth is often overlooked in pursuing success and competition.
Paul urged the members of the Church to collaborate and embody Christ's teachings in all their actions. It’s not about individual achievements but everyone playing their part. This idea directly relates to the family unit. How can the Church operate effectively if the father isn't leading the household and teaching his family about God's word?
Paul illustrates three cultures the Church should live by:
We are God’s chosen people.
We have peace through Christ.
His message resides inside us.
We are God’s Chosen People:
We are God’s Chosen People:
What does it mean to be God’s chosen people?
A.W. Tozer explains that we now have a Power of Attorney for God where we can pray to Him, and He hears us. We can ask anything in Jesus’ name, and it shall be done. John 14:13-14
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
We will triumph over the enemy with Christ since He is King of kings and Lord of lords. Revelation 17:14
They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
The meaning behind being chosen is that God has chosen us through His Son, Jesus. Ephesians 2:19-20
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
A. We are greatly loved and holy. You are no longer unclean; you have been purified. You are not orphans; instead, you have been chosen to be part of the Royal family.
a. Fathers, are you teaching your family that they are of royal descent?
B. We are to clothe ourselves with these attributes:
1. Compassion: affection for others. Luke 1:78
Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,
2. Kindness: to provide something beneficial to others. What are you providing?
3. Humility: humble attitude of servitude. Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
4. Gentleness and Patience: Think of our children and grandchildren. Are we teaching them what this looks like by how we treat them? What we show them is how they will approach God, their Father. 1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
5. Bear with each other: ανἐχομαι: to endure- to suffer something difficulty with each other, lifting us during these times. Fathers, are we teaching our family the meaning of doing life together? Putting our needs in the Father’s hands while we help each other?
6. Forgive: Listen to the words of Christ: Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
C. Love is the one thing that binds all together! It covers a multitude of errors and sins, uniting the bride with the groom. His love for us led to the sending of His only begotten Son. Love conquers the enemy, not the love like the world, but like Jesus!
We have peace through Christ:
We have peace through Christ:
"Would you like to understand how this peace works? It differs from worldly peace, where peace depends on your circumstances. For example, having peace because you can pay your bills or your family is healthy. The peace we have in Christ cannot be taken away from us. Even when faced with the forces of evil, we can laugh because we remember who we belong to. Our victory is already secured through Christ, and we know the outcome!”
1. The peace that Jesus leaves us with rules our hearts. Unlike the world, this peace resides within us and protects us from worldly troubles and fear for all who believe in Him. John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
2. Peace resonates through gratitude to God. Acknowledge all He has done for you and reflect on what He has brought you through.1 Corinthians 15:57 Psalm 95:2
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
His message resides in us:
His message resides in us:
A. It's essential to let His word dwell richly in your lives. His message is living, so letting this Word fully occupy us is lovely. This living Word teaches and admonishes us, which can be truly meaningful.2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
B. Embracing this word in our lives grants us wisdom. 2 Timothy 3:17
so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
b. Paul wanted them to read the Psalms. Psalms allow us to understand that God has always been with His people through their difficulties.
c. His word residing in us is evident through our praises of Him.
d. The Spirit is bringing to us a heart of gratitude. Ephesians 5:19
speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,
e. We do everything in the Name of Christ. Ephesians 5:20
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Application:
Application:
1. We will keep pushing forward in our fight because we are not alone.
2. You can now experience a peace that surpasses all understanding.
3. Through Christ, we can accomplish anything. Philippians 4:13
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
