Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

To see God’s will done on earth is to see God’s church come more under the influence and the power of God’s Word and thus his ways.

PRAY

We resolve to be mastered by Christ

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly

Paul gives the “word of Christ” as the essential content for the Christian and the Christian life.

What is this “word of Christ”?

Technically, it could mean the word that has been spoken about Christ or it could mean the word that is possessed by Christ, as in the actual verbal teachings of Jesus, the Messiah.

I believe it refers back to verse 1:5, which says, “Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel”.

It refers to the good news concerning Christ.

He is the content of the gospel.

It refers to the word concerning or about Christ.

It by implication includes all that points to him, describes him, comes from him and teaches his disciples to live for him in the Old and New Testaments.

It is the word of Christ that creates the proper perspective on life and provides the power to function properly in the body.

Those that neglect the word of Christ will be ineffective at best and hazardous at worst to the life of the body.

The command is to let the word of Christ dwell in you.

The mastery or the influence is to be housed within - Dwell in you - live in, means “the inhabitants” (LSJ s.v.

ἐνοικέω); as the rabbis later pointed out, he who dwells in a house is the master of the house, not just a passing guest

We are called to let the word of Christ live in us.

This is to be a constant and ongoing activity in our lives.

There should not be a season of our lives that we should not let the word of Christ take residence in us.

This is referring to that practical sowing of the word of Christ into our hearts in order to walk in holiness.

The dwelling most as individuals and as a community.

In what manner is the word of Christ to dwell in us?

Richly, in abundance; the influence of Christ in our lives is be overflowing

Richly - (richly) could also be translated“abundantly or extravagantly wealthy.”

The truths of Scripture should permeate every aspect of the believer’s life and govern every thought, word, and deed.

Usages of the word “richly”

There is a richness in “the word of Christ” which makes it an inexhaustible source of spiritual resource, intellectual stimulus, and personal and corporate challenge; but without the participants’ positive response its “indwelling” might be feeble rather than rich

We resolve to mutually instruct among the body

Teaching – instruct by word of mouth, provide instruction, to explain or expound a thing

There is a teaching gift bestowed on certain individuals such as pastors, however it is made clear by this verse that all Christians are responsible and sufficiently able to communicate important truth about Christ to their brothers and sisters in the body.

That is, if they let the word of Christ dwell in them richly.

What happens when teaching is neglected or weak?

We resolve to mutually advise within the body

Admonishing – warn, exhort, strongly encourage; Admonishing seems to differ from teaching.

Admonishing has the element of strong encouragement.

It is generally practical and moral, rather than abstract or theological.

There is a sense in which on is warning another about the danger of their current path.

“It’s fundamental idea is the well-intentioned seriousness with which one would influence the mind and disposition of another by advice, admonition, warning, putting right, according to circumstances” (Cremer).

We resolve to use skill with the body

In all wisdom - insight, deep understanding, represented everywhere as a divine gift, and including the idea of practical application, prudence, the ability to know and deal with people.

Wisdom is the skill to apply the truth to real life situation and circumstances.

It is to walk in the truth.

We need great skill when we are seeking to teaching and admonish one another.

Practical Application

How do we get the word of Christ in us?

It ought to be by all means available.

How do we know when the word of Christ is dwelling richly in us?

We will be like Christ.

His character will stamp us and his message will flow from us.

How should we teach each other?

We teach in humility as fellow learners still investigating the growing in understanding of our subject.

We teach as those who have not arrived in the full application of all we know.

We teach as those who know that the word of Christ is infinitely deep and inexhaustible in its ability to grant us additional insight.

How should we admonish one another?

Once again, with humility, we warn as those who are also in constant danger.

We encourage as those who are still in need of encouragement ourselves.

We build up as those who are also an incomplete building project.

We admonish in the hope that God would overcome our weaknesses and do something in the lives of those we love in truth with grace.

How do we possess all wisdom?

We stay near to the truth and avoid what is speculation.

We know our limitations?

We come to each other dependent on God to grant special skill and insight.

We stay focused on Christ is our wisdom.