The Way Forward

Psalm 148 / Col 3:12-17

Intro:

written // Ephesians

written from prison

Written to turn focus onto heavenly, rather than earthly matters

Colossians 3:1 ESV

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Who We Are - v12

God’s Chosen Ones; Holy and Beloved

Psalm 148:14 ESV

14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the Lord!

The continuation of a godly lineage

Exodus 6:7 ESV

7 I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

Revelation 21:3 ESV

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

Church Family, for all who are in Christ: We are His people. He has raised us up. He has made us to be wholly His.

Bear with me… v13

The grounding of forgiveness is God’s grace:

We are not worthy or righteous of ourselves

He forgave because He chose to do so

God is and will be judge

Withholding forgiveness is both sin, and self-injurious

Put on Love - v14

ABOVE ALL ELSE

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:24–25 ESV

24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

The Peace & Word of Christ - v15-16

First notice the word: LET

The Peace of Christ: That Peace which Christ secured, that is only extended to and experienced by those united to Christ in faith - THIS should be the deciding factor (rule in our hearts). THIS is where we find powerful and lasting unity.

The Word of Christ: Both the gospel of Jesus (the narrative and purpose of His life, death, and resurrection) and His teaching - THIS should dwell in us richly; spilling out in the way we treat each other & our expressions of worship.

Give Thanks - v17

Changing to the active verb DO & GIVE

Our whole lives are to be oriented towards, in submission to God

Continuing in EVERYTHING we do: give thanks

How?

Psalm 148:14 ESV

14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the Lord!

Church Family, the way forward in our age is not different from how 1st Century Believers were to live.

We find and claim identity in Christ, as the children of God

We recall God’s grace and forgiveness to us, and extend it to others; bearing with one another

We seek Harmony through Love, enabled by God

We live in the assurance of peace with God, thru Christ, and study the Word that it may dwell richly in us

We live FOR God, being thankful for All He has done, is doing, and will do - and we do this TOGETHER in Christ