Colossians 3:12-17
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Following Jesus means every relationship we have is in our relationship with Him.
Meaning for word “Whatever”:
- Each and every part that applies
- One piece at a time
- Viewing the whole in terms of the individual parts.
LOOK AT THE PICTURE FROM EVERY INDIVIDUAL PART.
WIVES
(NLT) 18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord.
(MSG) 18 Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master.
SUBMIT: Under God’s
Galatians 3:26-28 – New Living Translation
26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.[b] 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile,[c] slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
When a wife submits to her husband, she acknowledges God’s plan in all He has created.
HUSBANDS
(NLT) 19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.
(MSG)19 Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don’t take advantage of them.
LOVE: Actively doing what the Lord , with Him (by His power and direction).
Hebrews 12:14-15 – New Living Translation
14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.
Even When…
When a husband loves his wife, he is practicing for the sake of his wife.
CHILDREN
(NLT) 20 Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord.
(MSG) 20 Children, do what your parents tell you. This delights the Master no end.
VS. HONOR
Obey: Conditional to Your Situation
Honor: Remember your rank and order as fitting to the Lord.
Ephesians 6:2 – New Living Translation
2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise…
When a child respects his parent’s , he is respecting God’s order of authority in other areas of life.
FATHERS/PARENTS
(NLT) 21 Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.
(MSG)21 Parents, don’t come down too hard on your children or you’ll crush their spirits.
Parents can provoke their children by being…
What if bad behavior is provoked by my actions?
Colossians 3:12-17
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
SLAVES/SERVANTS (Employees)
(NLT) 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord.
(MSG) Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best.
REMEMBER…
(NLT) 23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. 25 But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.
(MSG)
Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.
Receiving Our Reward
Matthew 6:5 New Living Translation
5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.
MASTERS (Bosses)
Colossians 4 – New Living Translation
4 Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven.
(MSG) And masters, treat your servants considerately. Be fair with them. Don’t forget for a minute that you, too, serve a Master—God in heaven.
The new resurrection way of life frees husbands and wives, parents and children, co-workers, and neighbors to honor God and to bless others by living the life God for us.
Colossians 4:2-6
2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.
5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.