Meaningful Relationships

Series Intro

Life is full of questions. As a child we often had questions like:

“What would really happen if our Dad’s pulled the car over?”

“How long is Mom’s rope that she got to the end of it?”

As we got older those questions changed. As a parent I often wonder:

“If it is scientifically possible for my child to close the door when they come into the house?”

“Why do kid’s only remember they forgot to wear shoes once we get to our destination?”

In all seriousness though, we all have questions about life. As we get older these questions only seem to get more challenging and life changing. That’s why this summer we are going to examine how our faith offers powerful and hope-filled answers to some of life’s biggest questions.

This weekend we are going to begin by talking about the topic of relationships and specifically the question:

Question: Are meaningful/healthy relationships possible?

Relationships that will stand the test of time, the trials of life, the difficulties and hardships.

Now, I could simply give you a list of tips on how to build meaningful relationships, to make them stronger, how to make friends and influence people (good book by the way). The Bible does talk about this topic. However, the Bible talks about this topic in the context of a bigger conversation. A conversation that I would like us to look at in the book of Colossians.

Transition: Colossians was written…

It has a foundational truth that runs throughout the book –

Jesus is Lord of All

Colossians 1:15–17 TNIV

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Sovereign, in control of all things

Jesus Is the Giver of New Life

Colossians 1:21–22 TNIV

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—

Shows us the sharp contrast between the life of the believer before they began following Jesus and afterwards.

This new life in Jesus comes with one condition.

Colossians 1:23 TNIV

if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Faithfulness to the end is essential in following Jesus (cf. Matt. 10:22)

A condition that Paul writes in such a fashion that it l eaves no doubt in Paul’s mind that the Colossians fulfill it.

That is why Paul then encourages the Colossians this in…

Colossians 2:6–7 TNIV

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

There is the key to answering if meaningful relationships are possible.

And the question that I would like us to answer this morning from our text in Colossians 3

Question: What does it look like to live our lives for Jesus?

Transition: The rest of the book of Colossians is really going to be spent answering that question. In Chapter 2 Paul focuses on some deceptive teachings that were being taught at the time, each looking-good at first glance but upon deeper reflection only, they were each a mask covering the human-desire to live for self and all it’s deceitful pleasures. Following that, in our text in Colossians 3, we find the true answer the question, beginning with how we are to…

Colossians 3:1 TNIV

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

I. Focus On The Right Things

A. Focus Your Desires On Christ

“Hearts” = Desires

The same Jesus who conquered the grave and sits with authority in God’s presence

Encourages us to center our lives upon

Transition: Not only that, Paul continues on and tells us to...

B. Focus Your Minds On Christ

Colossians 3:2 TNIV

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Contrasting heavenly things that are eternal, to earthly things that are temporal (Facebook Marketplace - Red Green Show)

Encourages us to give careful attention to pursue Jesus and His ways

Matthew 6:33 TNIV

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Needs of this life that cause us worry, blessings that we long for

C. Why

Our hope is in Jesus

Colossians 3:3 TNIV

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Baptism is our identifying with Jesus death and resurrection

Jesus is our life, both now and forever

Colossians 3:4 TNIV

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Transition: Having died with Christ, this new focus, this new outlook on life allows us to look at life differently. It allows us to step-back and, look at life from a different perspective. A perspective that is beyond us, God’s perspective. Start to reflect upon how we are currently living. For this reason, we are challenged next to…

II. Deal with the Brokenness of Your Past

Colossians 3:5 TNIV

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

A. Brokenness That Affects Your Relationship With God

Lists some sinful practices of the past

Whats significant about these activities is that each…

In some ways speak to one’s sexual purity

Stressing the importance of bringing every area of our lives under the control and lordship of Jesus.

Directly affect our relationship with God and can easily take His place as the focus of our devotion – “which is idolatry”

2. Scary truths about them

Colossians 3:6 TNIV

Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.

God will suddenly intervene in human history and will hold everyone accountable.

Those who live evil lives will face final judgment.

Universal truth - in some fashion, we all once lived this life

Colossians 3:7 TNIV

You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.

Transition: The search for meaningful relationships starts with our relationship with God. Then we must face the...

B. Brokenness That Affects Your Relationship With Others

Colossians 3:8–9 TNIV

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

Each of these actions affect our relationship with other believers

None of these need further explanation

Illustration: Toothpaste tube - we know the consequences of our words

What does need explanation comes next, the reason why:

Colossians 3:9–10 TNIV

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

In the language of changing clothes (put-off, put-on), Paul describes the new identity we have in Jesus

“Since you have taken-off your old self” = Language past-tense, speaking of an event that has already occurred

Describes the change of our identity from:

Old-Self - Followed the selfish passions and ways of this world

New Self - Being transformed into the image of God

“Renewed” = Continual is continual as we slowly change our behavior to become more in line with our new identity.

The beauty of this is that, as we live this way there is no status distinction among God’s people

Colossians 3:11 TNIV

Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

No matter our differences, we are all united in Christ

Transition: If we practice, by the power of God, to rid ourselves of these vices, it will have a direct affect not only on our relationship with God but with other believers as well. Yet, following Jesus isn’t simply following a list of rules and regulations. For, we know in life that when something is removed from our lives, something else invariably takes it’s place. So, in the act of putting off these “vices” of our old lives as we deal with the brokenness of our past, we are called to…

III. Live Each Day Like Jesus

A. Focus On Ourselves First

Colossians 3:12 TNIV

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Couldn’t we all be a bit more compassionate, kind or humble.

B. Show Others A Little More Grace

Colossians 3:13 TNIV

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

“Bearing with one another” = Tolerance a person (not their teaching)

“Forgive”

One verse I know my kids are going to remember when they are older is Ephesians 4:32

Ephesians 4:32 AV

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

How do we do this? By showing as much grace as God showed us!

Colossians 3:14 TNIV

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

We love God by putting to death the old nature

We love God and others showing them grace

We do this by being guided by God’s Word (cf. v. 16)

Conclusion

Let’s go back to where we began in regards in our talk today.

The fundamental truth that underlies this entire letter is this: Jesus Lord Over All and The Giver Of New Life. As followers of Jesus, this truth is to direct how we look at the world, encouraging us not only To Deal With The Brokenness of our Past but Live Each Day Like Jesus.

Now, just think about that for a moment. If you were to live life this way, guided by this truth, how would affect the different relationships in your life?

You were to be in relationship with others who seek to live their lives this way, would you find the meaningful relationships that you seek? Of course, you would! For you would find out just how valued and loved you are by God as you are loved by His people! You would be challenged to live your life for something greater than yourself as you walk with others who seek to do the same. You would find yourself a part of something bigger than just you, part of a body with it’s many parts, moving together to change the world for Jesus. Part of something that doesn’t last for a moment but has a track record of changing peoples lives and the world for good for generations.

So, to answer the question: are meaningful/healthy relationships possible? Yes, they are and they are best found as you seek to live your life for Jesus every day, as “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” and watch “all these things shall be added to you.”

Pray