Christ in Every Relationship

Text: Colossians 3:18–4:1 Theme: The lordship of Christ transforms relationships in marriage, family, and work. Key Cross-References: Ephesians 5:22–6:9; 1 Peter 2:18–25; Joshua 24:15

Introduction: Christ at the Center of Every Relationship

Take your Bibles and turn with me to Colossians chapter 3. We’ve been walking through this wonderful letter under the theme “Christ Above All”

We’ve been walking through the book of Colossians, seeing how Christ is supreme — over creation, over the church, over our salvation, and now Paul brings it home — quite literally.

After declaring that Christ is “all and in all,” Paul shifts from doctrine to daily duty. It’s as if he’s saying, “If Jesus is truly Lord of your life, then His Lordship must show up in your home, in your marriage, in your parenting, and even in your workplace.”

Paul was writing to a church surrounded by a culture that believed religion was private, but real life — home and work — were secular. But Paul says, “No, Christ is Lord of all.”

Friend, if Jesus is not Lord of your home, He’s not Lord at all. Christianity that doesn’t work at home doesn’t work. This passage reminds us that the Lordship of Jesus transforms our relationships from the inside out.

Colossians 3:18–19 NKJV

18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

I. Christ in the Marriage Relationship (Col. 3:18–19)

Paul begins with marriage because the home is the heart of society. When marriages are out of order, families fracture. But when Christ is Lord of the marriage, love and respect flourish.

I want you to notice two things here:

A. The Wife’s Role — Submission with Honor

“Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands as is fitting in the Lord.” Now, that word submit has been abused and misunderstood. It does not mean inferiority. It means voluntary order under authority — just as Christ submitted to the Father.

Submission is not about losing your value; it’s about displaying Christ’s humility. It means respecting your husband’s God-given role as leader, trusting that your obedience honors Christ above all.

B. The Husband’s Role — Love with Sacrifice

“Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.” The command to the husband is not to rule, but to love — and the model is Christ’s love for the church.

That’s not selfish love, that’s sacrificial love. It’s love that listens, protects, provides, and serves.

Paul says, “Don’t be bitter.” In other words, don’t be harsh, cold, or critical. When a husband loves like Jesus, and a wife honors like Jesus, the home becomes a living picture of the gospel.

When God made Eve from Adam’s rib, He didn’t take her from his head to rule over him, or from his feet to be trampled by him, but from his side — near his heart — to be loved by him.” That’s the picture of biblical marriage: a man and woman walking side by side under the Lordship of Christ.

A marriage filled with Christ will not be a tug-of-war for control, but a duet of grace — where love leads, and respect follows.

Colossians 3:20–21 NKJV

20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

II. Christ in the Family Relationship (Col. 3:20–21)

“Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”

A. Children — Obedience That Pleases the Lord

Paul says, “Children, obey your parents in all things.” That means kids show their love for Jesus by obeying mom and dad. Obedience isn’t just about rules — it’s about relationship. When children obey their parents, they are learning to obey God’s authority.

B. Fathers — Leadership That Encourages, Not Exasperates

“Fathers, do not provoke your children.” Fathers, you can crush your child’s spirit with harsh words or constant criticism. Encourage them. Speak life into them. Model what faith and love look like.

If your children see Christ in your patience, prayer life, and priorities — they’ll learn to love the same Savior you serve.

“A Christian home is not a place where there’s no noise or trouble — it’s a place where Christ is at the center.” Children learn what God is like by watching their parents. When a father shows patience, kindness, and love, he paints a living portrait of the Heavenly Father.

Additional Illustration: A little boy once prayed, “Lord, make me the kind of man my daddy is.” That same night, his father knelt beside his bed and prayed, “Lord, make me the kind of man my boy thinks I am.” That’s what Paul envisions — a home where parents lead with grace and children respond with faith.

Friend, when Christ rules the heart, He brings peace to the home. A Spirit-filled parent produces Spirit-filled children.

Colossians 3:22–4:1 NKJV

22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. 1 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

III. Christ in the Workplace (Col. 3:22–4:1)

Now Paul moves from the home to the workplace — from family to function. Whether you’re the boss or the worker, the Lordship of Jesus makes all the difference.

He tells servants (or employees), “Don’t just work when someone’s watching. Work sincerely, from the heart, as unto the Lord.”

A. Workers — Serve with Integrity

Paul says to the bondservant — the worker, the employee — “Obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.”

In other words: work like Jesus is your boss. Don’t just show up — shine. Don’t just work for a paycheck — work for a purpose. Every honest job becomes holy when it’s done for the Lord.

There’s an old story about a street sweeper in a big city who whistled every day while he worked. Someone asked, “Why are you so happy sweeping these streets?” He replied, “Because I’m not sweeping for the mayor — I’m sweeping for my Master.” Friend, when Jesus is Lord, every task — no matter how small — becomes an act of worship.

B. Employers — Lead with Fairness

Then Paul says to masters, “Give your servants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.” If you’re a boss, a manager, or leader — remember that you’re under divine authority. Treat people with dignity. Pay them fairly. Lead them kindly.

Why? Because you represent Christ to those under your care.

IV. Christ, the Lord of All Relationships

When you take all of this together, Paul is showing that Christ’s lordship transforms every human relationship.

He brings love to marriage.

He brings order to the family.

He brings integrity to the workplace.

And ultimately, He brings unity to His church — one body under one Lord.

Friend, when Jesus is Lord in your home, your work, your church, and your heart — there will be peace. His peace rules, His Word dwells, and His Spirit empowers.

That’s what the world needs to see — Christ in you, the hope of glory, lived out in everyday life.

Transition to the Lord’s Supper

As we prepare to come to the Lord’s Table, remember: The same Christ who calls us to live for Him is the Christ who died for us.

He gave His body and His blood so that we could be forgiven, transformed, and brought into His family.

If there’s any relationship that needs mending today — in your marriage, your family, your workplace — bring it to the cross. Before you take the bread and cup, take a moment to forgive, to confess, to surrender.

Because at this Table, all of us come the same way — not as masters or servants, husbands or wives, but as sinners saved by grace.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, Thank You for showing us that faith isn’t just for Sunday — it’s for every day. Help us to make You Lord of our homes, Lord of our marriages, Lord of our work. Where there is tension, bring peace. Where there is pride, bring humility. Where there is hurt, bring healing.

Teach us to love as You love, to serve as You served, and to live in such a way that others see You in us. May our homes be havens of grace and our work be acts of worship. We pray this in Jesus’ name — Amen.

Invitation

Before we observe the Lord’s Supper, I invite you to respond. If you need to come to Christ — do it today. This is a time for self-examination, confession, and thanksgiving — a time to reflect on His great love and the sacrifice that purchased our redemption.

As we sing, come to the altar, or pray where you are. Then we’ll gather around the Table as one family under one Lord.

Communion Transition Line

As we prepare our hearts to observe the Lord’s Supper, let us remember the sacredness of this ordinance. The bread represents the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, broken for us on Calvary. The cup represents His blood, shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Let us partake with humility, gratitude, and reverence, proclaiming together: “Jesus Christ is Lord.”