Untitled Sermon

The Supreme Life

New Life New Ways

Colossians 3:18-4:1

New life new ways. We have seen what God wants to do in our lives. With the new life comes new ways.

New life New ways in family: Vs.18-21

A. Paul starts with the wife. He says to submit as is fit in the Lord

B. When come to know Christ, can submit to Him and not a slave master submission. Its submission first to God then to the husband

C. Husband – love as Jesus loves. Put her needs above yours. This can be done with the new nature and the renovated heart. It’s not about self-assertion but rather self-giving.

D. When this is done, wonderful things happen in the home. God gets the glory.

E. Children – obey your parents. This pleases the Lord. Want to please God, obey your parents. The only time not obey, against the law or against Scripture

F. Peace reigns when children obey.

G. Parents – provoke not to anger, be discouraged = lose heart

a. Constant nagging or belittling a child. Children believe what they are told

b. Personality of child developed by age 3, after that, shaping them

H. Children are to be loved for who they are not for what they should be or ought to be.

I. Doesn’t mean absence of rules without consequences. Remember the switch, the paddle,

J. The warning is not to over do it because it hinders rather than helps.

New life new ways at work: Vs.22-25

A. Here we have new ways to work. Fear the Lord not your Master

B. Work as though working for the Lord. Employers should know that you are a servant of the King

C. No matter how mundane, do your best and you will receive the reward from your heavenly Father. I’ve had various jobs. Some with good bosses others not so good. 1 company allowed be to take extended lunch so I could preach at an elderly home for women once a week. Another, worked cleaning floors, carpets, windows, Never could please him. Always found something. One job, they hired someone, paid them more, and I trained him and he eventually took my place.

D. Servant = slave, Think of slave, think of slavery in America. People rounded up and brought here not by choice. Sold in the open market then oppressed and poorly treated. Done to enrich the owner. NT times – often the economic relief of the servant

E. Nt Slavery –

a. Needed assistance or couldn’t pay debts, might turn to servitude, often temporary servants would volunteer to stay with their masters after their time. They would become part of the family. Also, convicted of crime, not able to pay, become servant

b. Treated differently – Modern, no rights, inhumanely treated. NT times, treated humanely and regulated by Biblical law. Could choose to stay. Released when done with their possessions, allowed religious privileges and Sabbath rests, could celebrate religious holidays, Masters held accountable on how treated slaves, could be freed if not treated properly by masters. Had rights in the family and could share in the inheritance,

c. Pathways to freedom – family member could pay the debt, could pay off their debt, an injury could be a path to freedom[1]

d. As many as 2/3 of Roman Empire were slaves in the 1st century. 90% prior. Many being freed and Caesar wrote laws governing the process[2]

F. It was different and Paul encourages them to work wholeheartedly. Giving their all. Serving wholeheartedly when no one is looking. Ever cut slack while on the job and the boss is not around?

G. Slavery was a way of life for many. They went to their work and were encouraged to work and serve with all they had.

H. Are you working for the Lord? Fully engaged, giving it your all?

New life new ways in business: 4:1

A. Masters held all the cards. They could be harsh or humane

B. Paul exhorts especially Christian masters to be humane. Give what is due. Don’t hold back.

C. Treat your people fairly and squarely.

D. Notice Paul doesn’t come out and condemn slavery, but He does say they have rights too and deserve to be treated fairly.

E. He reminds them they have a heavenly Master. One who sees and knows. It is He in which they are to serve.

F. What happens when slaves and Masters serve the Heavenly Master. Everyone wins.

G. You may not have a Christian boss, but remember the words in Vs.23

H. God challenges us to serve to the best of our ability.

I. Some may say, I’m retired, I don’t have to worry about that any more…No, but you are still an employee of the Master. How you serve at home, church, around friends, family, while out and about all has an impact.

[1] www.coldcasechristianity.com/writings/fourdifferencesbetweennewtestamentservitudeandnewworldslavery

[2] https://bible.org/article/some-initial-reflections-slavery-new-testament