I.      Col 3:15

A.  Depending on the original texts being used, some of them say, “Let the peace of CHRIST rule in you hearts.”

B.  Now the word “RULE” in this verse literally means, “To be an umpire, to decide, determine, to direct, control, rule.”[1]

1.    In other words, we are to let God’s peace on the inside lead us and guide us.

2.    We are to be lead be the spirit of God.

3.       Look at ROM 8:16

a)    In other words, this verse is saying that the Spirit of God testifies to our own spirit that we are the children of God.

b)    The point being is that the Holy Spirit will speak to our spirit. He will lead us and guide us from His Spirit to our spirit. 

C.  Here again we have the present imperative again which means continuous action.

1.    We are to continue to let the peace of God RULE in our hearts, now and forever. 

D.  Paul goes on to say in Col 3:15, “to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”[2]

1.    The closer believers are to Christ (and His likeness), the closer they are to each other.[3]

a)    The closer we are to Him the more we realize that we are one body and one family.

b)    We are one body, but sometimes we don’t act like it.

(1)  Sometimes we shut out someone that is in our family, in our church and we don’t even realize it.

(2)  How do we shut them out? I don’t make fun of anyone, I don’t treat anyone badly. We do it by not talking to them, by ignoring them.

c)     We are to be concerned about every member in the body of Christ.

(1)  Especial, those of us in our own church. If we can’t take of our own, how are we going to minister to the world.  

2.    Paul goes on to say in Verse 15, that “we are to be thankful.”

a)    This is a very common phrase that Paul uses.

(1)  The Spirit of God must consider a thankful attitude very important. [4]

(2)  We must always have an attitude of gratitude.

3.    1 Thess 5:18 says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”[5]

II.   Let’s go on to COL 3:16

A.  1st of all this verse sounds a lot like Eph 5:18-19. (turn there)

1.    Col 3:16 says, “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,” (same thing)

2.    However, Eph 5:18 says, “Be filled with the spirit.”

B.  Now turn back to Col 3:16 he says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.”[6]

1.    The Word of Christ is the Word of God.

a)    The early apostles were guided by the Holy Spirit of God to record the Words of Christ, and they were inspired to write God’s Word.

2.    The words of the Bible, God’s written Word, are to dwell in believers, by study, meditation, and application of the Word.

a)    It then becomes a permanent abiding part of one’s life.

b)    When the words of Christ become part of a believer’s nature, they spring forth naturally and daily in psalms (songs from the Book of Psalms), hymns (other songs of praise), and spiritual songs (as opposed to secular odes) and as the NIV puts it “with gratitude.”[7]

C.  Now the Word of God can be abiding in your heart in another way and that is thru a spoken Word of God.

1.    God is going to speak to your heart and Paul says “Let the Word of Christ or the Word of God dwell in your heart richly.”

III. COL 3:17

A.  There are 2 things that I want to talk about this verse

B.  1st Verse 17 is an all-inclusive rule by which to judge our conduct as Christians.

1.    Young people today especially have a difficult time deciding whether certain things are right or wrong.

2.    This verse, committed to memory, can prove to be the key for unlocking many of these problems.

a)    The great test should be: Can I do this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ?

b)    Would this be to His glory?

c)     Could I expect His blessing to rest on it?

d)    Would I want to be doing it when He comes back again?

3.    Notice that this test should apply to the words we speak and to the deeds we do.[8]

C.  The 2nd thing is that what ever we are doing we should do it as though we are doing it for the Lord Jesus Christ.         

WOLCC Thurs. 9/11/2003

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[1]Strong, J. (1996). The exhaustive concordance of the Bible : Showing every word of the test of the common English version of the canonical books, and every occurence of each word in regular order. (electronic ed.) (G1018). Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship.

[2]The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 (Col 3:15). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[3]Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[4]MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (electronic ed.) (Col 3:15). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

[5]The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 (1 Th 5:18). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[6]The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 (Col 3:16). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[7]Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[8]MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (electronic ed.) (Col 3:17). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.