Untitled Sermon (2)

Hello everyone and welcome. My name is Jake McCombie and today we will be learning from . Let’s Pray. Lord you are patient and worthy of all thanks and praise. We ask for Your Holy Spirit to guide us in developing into the unified community you have called us to. Lord You not only make it possible for us to even begin to reflect You, but You have also shown us how. Please soften our hearts to Your conviction and open our eyes to all that we have to thank You for. Amen.

So first, why unity? Paul says in v15 we were called in one body to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. And together we want to allow Christ’s peace to reign as king of our hearts. Together, allow Christ’s peace to reign as king of our hearts. This is not merely any peace, but Christ’s. It’s not religions peace, it’s not knowledge’s peace, not success’, not stability, but Christ’s peace. Paul says “let”, Christ’s peace already wants to rule, we have to learn how to let it. We don’t manufacture this for ourselves through exercise, yoga, vacations, or anything else. We don’t obtain in for ourselves, but we receive it from the One who give is. Not only that but we are to receive it "in one body!” We are doing this collectively. Together we allow Christ’s peace to rule our hearts. What does it mean to do this together when it seems like a personal experience? Here are illustrations of what that may look like: A wild horse is going to pull whatever direction it wants and run as fast as it wants while the rider yanks the reigns to steer. When the horse lets the rider have control there is peace. What’s more than that, imagine multiple horses with a carriage if they all do whatever they want the carriage will be out of control or not move at all. If they let the one at the reigns have full control, they can carry the larger load together. To take steps toward this vision I suggest two things. First, we need to continually be praying for the peace of Christ. We can do this alone and together for each other. Also, practically, there will be times when each of us will be interacting with someone who seems hostile or frustrated. We can naturally get sucked into an emotionally hostile state but if we pay attention, we can remember to let the peace of Christ reign in our heart.

Jesus established us as a community, a church, but it often seems insurmountably hard for us to live in the way He intends for us. Especially in honest moments of reflection and confession. Here is Paul takes a chance to explain some practical steps to living as a unified community and why we should strive for that at all. So, we have to ask, “What is so important about unity and how do we do it?” Today we will look at the “why”, the “how”, a tool from Paul, and then where we go from here.

Now that all sounds great but, how do we do it? Well, Paul tells us that too in v16. Christ does it. Together we want to allow the word of Christ to dwell within us. We want to let the Gospel abide in us

Now we have seen that we want unity because we were together called to the peace of Christ and that certainly sounds great but, how do we do it? Well, Paul tells us that too in v16. Christ does it. Together we want to allow the word of Christ to dwell within us. We want to let the Gospel abide in us. Let the Gospel be living in us. The gospel isn’t just a roommate that stays in us and uses the kitchen sometimes. When we let it richly abide in us it is living and active in us and through us. When we let the word of Christ dwell richly in us we will teach and instruct each other. We will be teaching why we believe and act out the Gospel in our live. We will be instructing what to do in situations. Here in v16 Paul tells us how to teach and instruct: He says, “in all wisdom.” We have to listen intentionally to discover the deeper need of the person we want to help. Teaching each other when there is need is a way to point to more of the Gospel and to unify our lives more fully around the Gospel. Another way Paul tells us to unify our understanding and expression of the Gospel is through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Think of musical worship at your church service. Everyone is gathered together, singing together to the greater comfort of all, thinking of similar thoughts directed by the song, and even breathing similarly due to the singing. What a beautiful way to unify our spirit around the Gospel. We have to want the Gospel to dwell in our Church friends as much as we want it in ourselves. That will move us toward not only unity in worship by also unity in teaching the Gospel, and unity in living the Gospel. Together we are called to the peace of Christ, together we teach and instruct each other how to understand and live the Gospel, and now in v17 Paul explains unity as something we do as individuals. Unity is something we do as individuals.

So first, why unity? Paul says in v15 we were called in one body (one body) to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. And together we want to allow Christ’s peace to reign as king of our hearts. Together, allow Christ’s peace to reign as king of our hearts. This is not merely any peace, but Christ’s. It’s not religion’s peace, it’s not knowledge’s peace, not success’, not stability’s, but Christ’s peace. Paul says “let”, Christ’s peace already wants to rule, we have to learn how to let it. We don’t manufacture this for ourselves through exercise, yoga, vacations, or anything else. We don’t obtain in for ourselves, but we receive it from the One who gives it. Not only that but we are to receive it "in one body!” We are doing this collectively. Together we allow Christ’s peace to rule our hearts. But what does it mean to do this together when it seems like a personal experience? Here are illustrations of what that may look like: Maybe you have seen a wild horse in person or on tv. A wild horse is going to pull whatever direction it wants and run as fast as it wants while the rider yanks the reigns to steer. Only when the horse lets the rider have control is there peace. What’s more than that, imagine multiple horses with a carriage. If they all do whatever they want, the carriage will be out of control or perhaps not move at all. If they let the one at the reigns have full control, they can carry the larger load together. To take steps toward this vision I suggest two things. First, we need to continually be praying for the peace of Christ. We can do this alone and we can do this together for each other. Also, in a practical sense, there will be times when each of us will be interacting with someone who seems hostile or frustrated. We can naturally get sucked into an emotionally hostile state but if we pay attention, we can remember to let the peace of Christ reign in our heart.

Subject: (homiletical): What are some practical steps to living as a unified community and why should we strive for that?I. Together we want to allow peace to reign as king of our hearts (3:15). A. ExpositionNot merely any peace, but Christ’s2. "let” -Christ’s peace already wants to rule. We don’t manufacture this for ourselves3. "in one body” -we are also doing this collectivelyB. Illustrationa. Wild horse with one riderb. Multiple wild horses with larger loadC. ApplicationsPray for peace, individually and togetherNotice when someone seems hostile or frustrated and let Christ’s peace reign over us and not get sucked inII. Together we want to allow the word of Christ to dwell within us (3:16).A. Exposition1. Let the Gospel abide in us. not as the roommate you never see but an active member of the house2. “Teaching and admonishing” fill the gaps of “why” and “what” of actiona. “in all wisdom” is how we teach and instructi. we listen intentionally to discover the deeper need of the personb psalms, hymns, and songs express complexity where plainer language lacks and to unify B. Illustration Any sports movie: inspirational speech, playbook, how the coach prunes individual players, chant or school song C. Applications We have to want the Gospel to dwell in our Church friends as much as we want it in ourselves.III. Together we want every word and every action to be done in the name of Jesus. (3:17).A. Exposition1. Every word2. Every action3. The name of the Lord JesusThe phrase “the name of the Lord” is abundant in the Old Testamentspeak in, prophesy in, praise, call on, mention, walk in, call upon, seek refuge in, (do) for, fear, love, trust in, swear by, give glory to, bless you in, our help is in, give thanks to, blessed is he who comes in, cut them off in, blessed be, declare, built the house for, build a temple for, blessed the people in, cursed them in, built an altar in, fame concerning, because of, I will proclaim, minister in, take, blasphemeit comes, is a strong tower, and is to be praised.[attributes] majesty of, the place ofOne way to think of “the name of the Lord (Jesus)” is to think of His presence. Specifically of what we say and do in His presence. This is not a definition of “the name of the Lord” but a way to think about the idea. B. IllustrationLiving in the personal presence of our King C. Applicationsi. Gossipii. ConsumptionFoodMediaIV. Be thankful in all things (3:15-17).A. Exposition1. v15 Feeling stresses, frustrated, or anxious? These are the times we long to let Christ’s peace rule the most. One tool we have is being grateful.2. v16 “thankfulness in [our] hearts to God.” We acknowledge every gift is from God and are able to build each other up by teaching, not of our failures as many do, but of the greater blessing God has for our lives. Thankfulness begets thankfulness.3. v17 “giving thanks to God the Father through him”i. Thankfulness aligns our words and deedsii. Jesus helps us even in thankfulness, mediating our gratitude to God the Father.B. IllustrationThankfulness is our gravity, holding us together and keeping us grounded.It pulls one apple off the tree to the ground and holds it there, it’s also holding all the other apples at the same time.C. ApplicationsRemember every blessing and every opportunity is from God, every trial or struggle can be worked together for good, and through both highs and lows Christ is with us.V. ConclusionWe must invest in our Church community and take ownership of the health and atmosphere of each member of the body of Christ. We are to let the peace of Christ rule our hearts, actively build each other up, remembering to live each moment as if we are in the presence of Christ -because we are.

Together we want every word and every action to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus. The phrase “the name of the Lord” is a complicated concepted riddled throughout the Old Testament before the Phrase began to be used referring to Jesus. In the Old testament it is used 86 times. People speak in, prophesy in, praise, call on, walk in, fear, love, trust in, and declare “the name of the Lord.” Just to name a few. Rather than define the “name of the Lord” lets consider that two ideas are evoke by the person using the phrase, the reputation of the Lord and the personal presence of the Lord. For example, when we pray for healing we pray powerfully because we trust His reputation as Healer and we know His presence is near to us and near to the one in need. We can apply this understanding to every action we do and word we speak. We know God is personally present with us and we want our actions and speech to honor Him as if He is in the room, because He is. We live every moment in the Presence of our King. When we speak and act in the world we are ambassadors and every word and deed should accurately represent the one who sent us and honor their reputation. This can be hard to live out. There are two challenging areas we should think about here. First is Gossip. It could be something as simple as making a joke to a friend about someone’s shirt or haircut. Maybe you haven’t done this yourself but likely you have heard a friend do this. If the other person heard this or found it out, certainly they would feel alienated from those involved with the joke. Next is consumption.

Together we want every word and every action to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus. The phrase “the name of the Lord” is a complicated concepted riddled throughout the Old Testament before the Phrase began to be used referring to Jesus. In the Old testament it is used 86 times. People speak in, prophesy in, praise, call on, walk in, fear, love, trust in, and declare “the name of the Lord.” Just to name a few. Rather than define the “name of the Lord” lets consider that two ideas are evoke by the person using the phrase, the reputation of the Lord and the personal presence of the Lord. For example, when we pray for healing we pray powerfully because we trust His reputation as Healer and we know His presence is near to us and near to the one in need. We can apply this understanding to every action we do and word we speak. We know God is personally present with us and we want our actions and speech to honor Him as if He is in the room, because He is. We live every moment in the Presence of our King. When we speak and act in the world we are ambassadors and every word and deed should accurately represent the one who sent us and honor their reputation. This can be hard to live out. There are two challenging areas we should think about here. First is Gossip. It could be something as simple as making a joke to a friend about someone’s shirt or haircut. Maybe you haven’t done this yourself but likely you have heard a friend do this. If the other person heard this or found it out, certainly they would feel alienated from those involved with the joke. Next is consumption. Not only the food we eat but also the media we watch and hear. Every decision is done in the presence of the Lord. Do our actions honor His reputation?

Now we have seen that we want unity because we were together called to the peace of Christ and that certainly sounds great but, how do we do it? Well, Paul tells us that too in v16. Christ does it. Together we want to allow the word of Christ to dwell within us. We want to let the Gospel abide in us. Let the Gospel be living in us. The gospel isn’t just a roommate that stays in us and uses the kitchen sometimes. When we let it richly abide in us it is living and active in us and through us. When we let the word of Christ richly dwell in us, we will teach and instruct each other when in need. We will be teaching why we believe and act out the Gospel in our lives. We will be instructing what to do in situations. Here in v16 Paul tells us how to teach and instruct: He says, “in all wisdom.” We have to listen intentionally to discover the deeper need of the person we want to help. Teaching each other when there is need is a way to point to more of the Gospel and to unify our lives more fully around the Gospel. Another way Paul tells us to unify our understanding and expression of the Gospel is through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Let’s think of musical worship at your church service. Everyone is gathered together, singing together, thinking of similar thoughts as directed by the song, and even breathing similarly due to the singing. What a beautiful way to unify our spirit around the Gospel. We have to want the Gospel to dwell in our Church friends as much as we want it in ourselves. We have to want the Gospel to dwell in our Church friends as much as we want it in ourselves. That will move us toward not only unity in worship by also unity in teaching the Gospel and unity in living the Gospel.

Luckily Paul gives us a tool in every verse of this passage. Everytime He tells us the how, why, or what to do, he tells us thankfulness is our aid. In v15 we may be feeling stressed, frustrated or anxious and longing for Christ’s peace to take over. Gratitude may be our doorway to recognize His peace. In v16 we have “thankfulness in [our] hearts to God.” We acknowledge every gift is from God and can build each other up by teaching, not of our failures, but of the greater blessing God has for our lives. Thankfulness brings thankfulness in others. In v17 thankfulness aligns our words and deeds as we are “giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Here we see that Jesus even mediates our thankfulness and we don’t have to thank Him without His help either. Thankfulness is our gravity, holding us together and keeping us grounded. It pulls one apple off the tree to the ground and holds it there, it’s also holding all the other apples at the same time. We can apply thankfulness by remembering every blessing and every opportunity is from God, every trial or struggle can be worked together for good, and through both highs and lows Christ is with us.

Together we are called to the peace of Christ, together we teach and instruct each other how to understand and live the Gospel, and now in v17 Paul explains unity as something we do as individuals. Unity is something we do as individuals.

Let’s conclude by remembering we must invest in our Church community and take ownership of the health and atmosphere of each member of the body of Christ. We are to let the peace of Christ rule our hearts, actively build each other up, remembering to live each moment as if we are in the presence of Christ -because we are. Let us also give thanks in all things because only through Christ can we be both individuals and collective unified by His presence.

Together we want every word and every action to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus. The phrase “the name of the Lord” is a complicated concepted riddled throughout the Old Testament before the phrase even began to be used to refer to Jesus. In the Old testament it is used 86 times. People speak in, prophesy in, praise, call on, walk in, fear, love, trust in, and declare “the name of the Lord.” Just to name a few. Here, rather than define the “name of the Lord” let’s consider that two ideas are evoked by the person using the phrase. Two idea to help us think about “the name of the Lord” are: the reputation of the Lord and the personal presence of the Lord. For example, when we pray for healing, we pray powerfully because we trust His reputation as Healer, and we know His presence is near to us and near to the one in need. We can apply this understanding to every action we do and every word we speak. We know God is personally present with us and we want our actions and speech to honor Him as if He is in the room, because He is. We live every moment in the Presence of our King. We live every moment in the Presence of our King. When we speak and act in the world, we are ambassadors and every word and deed should accurately represent the One who sent us and honor His reputation. This can be hard to live out. There are two challenging areas we should think about here. First is Gossip. It could be something as simple as making a joke to a friend about someone’s shirt or haircut. Maybe you haven’t done this yourself but likely you have heard a friend do this. If the other person heard this or found it out, certainly they would feel alienated from those involved with the joke. Next is consumption. Not only the food we eat but also the media we watch and hear. Does our YouTube history honor the Lord? Remember every decision is done in the presence of the Lord. Do our words and actions honor His reputation? It is important to remember at this point that Christ carries this burden as well. He calls us to His peace, sends the word of Christ to dwell in us, and put us in community to build each other up in the Gospel.

Together we want every word and every action to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus. The phrase “the name of the Lord” is a complicated concepted riddled throughout the Old Testament before the phrase even began to be used to refer to Jesus. In the Old testament it is used 86 times. People speak in, prophesy in, praise, call on, walk in, fear, love, trust in, and declare “the name of the Lord.” Just to name a few. Here, rather than define the “name of the Lord” let’s consider that two ideas are evoked by the person using the phrase. Two idea to help us think about “the name of the Lord” are: the reputation of the Lord and the personal presence of the Lord. For example, when we pray for healing, we pray powerfully because we trust His reputation as Healer, and we know His presence is near to us and near to the one in need. We can apply this understanding to every action we do and every word we speak. We know God is personally present with us and we want our actions and speech to honor Him as if He is in the room, because He is. We live every moment in the Presence of our King. We live every moment in the Presence of our King. When we speak and act in the world, we are ambassadors and every word and deed should accurately represent the One who sent us and honor His reputation. This can be hard to live out. A challenging area we should think about here is consumption. Not only the food we eat but also the media we watch and hear. Does our YouTube history honor the Lord? Remember every decision is done in the presence of the Lord. Do our words and actions honor His reputation? It is important to remember at this point that Christ carries this burden as well. He calls us to His peace, sends the word of Christ to dwell in us, and put us in community to build each other up in the Gospel. We just let Him work.

Luckily Paul also gives us a tool in every verse of this passage. Every time he tells us the how, why, or what to do, he tells us thankfulness is our aid. In v15 we may be feeling stressed, frustrated or anxious and longing for Christ’s peace to take over. Gratitude may be our doorway to recognize His peace. In v16 we have “thankfulness in [our] hearts to God.” We acknowledge every gift is from God and can build each other up by teaching, not of our failures, but of the greater blessing God has for our lives. Thankfulness brings thankfulness in others. In v17 thankfulness aligns our words and deeds as we are “giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Here we see that Jesus even mediates our thankfulness and we don’t have to thank Him without His help either. Thankfulness is our gravity, holding us together and keeping us grounded. It pulls one apple off the tree to the ground and holds it there, it’s also holding all the other apples at the same time. We can apply thankfulness by remembering every blessing and every opportunity is from God, every trial or struggle can be worked together for good, and through both highs and lows Christ is with us. Christ holds us.

Let’s conclude by remembering we must invest in our Church community and together take ownership of the health and atmosphere of each member of the body of Christ. We are to let the peace of Christ rule our hearts, actively build each other up through the indwelling of the word of Christ, remembering to live each moment as if we are in the presence of Christ --because we are. Let us also give thanks in all things because only through Christ can we fully be both individuals and collective, unified by His presence.

Untitled Sermon (2)

Colossians 3:15-17

Colossians 3:15-17

Introduction

Introduction

Purpose: To help the Church understand how and why to live in unity.

Purpose: To help the Church understand how and why to live in unity.

Untitled Sermon (2)

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Colossians 3:15-17

Colossians 3:15-17

Introduction

Introduction

Purpose: To help the Church understand how and why to live in unity.

Purpose: To help the Church understand how and why to live in unity.