Worship Service 1/17/2021

Preacher: Jeremy Herbert

Theme: New Year

Texts:

• Colossians 3:1-17
• Colossians 1:1-4

Notes:

• Through our identity in Christ we experience unity
  • When the gospel is truly embraced it will transform every relationship
    • Example: Onesimus and Philemon
  • The Christian life, as described in Scripture, always envisions living within community–like a family
  • Don’t skip the introductions when you read the books of the Bible
    • They do contain common things
    • But they contain important things
    • Colossians 1, “…to the saints and faithful brothers…”
  • “Saint” — set apart for God; consecrated; holy;
  • Roman culture was comprised by many disparate racial, socio-economic, groups and subgroups
    • Jew, Greek, Scythian, barbarian, Roman citizen, slave
    • Paul declares that these are all one in Christ (Colossians 3:11)
  • Love is the bond/glue that keeps us connected to others when we don’t agree with others (Colossians 3:14)
• Through our community in Christ we are transformed
  • Paul makes it clear that if we are truly transformed, there are behaviors we must put off (Colossians 3:8-9)
  • The root of anger is bitterness
  • There are also behaviors that we must put on (Colossians 3:10-14)
  • These changes are not self-empowered, but Christ-empowered (Colossians 3:1)
  • We all want grace–but do we offer grace?
• Through the glory of Christ we can change the world
  • Paul commands husbands/fathers to behave in a new way that was entirely counter to the Roman culture
  • Husbands / fathers in Roman culture had near ultimate rights over their home and everyone in it
    • Paul tells husbands to love  their wives–and not to be harsh/angry/bitter with them (Colossians 3:19)
    • He tells fathers not to exasperate/discourage/provoke/embitter their children (Colossians 3:21)
  • The gospel eventually affected slavery in the Roman world
• Live it Out
  • Get real with where you are spiritually–ask those who know you well
  • Be specific about change in Christ this year
    • Not, “I want to grow”, but “I want to read my Bible every day,” or “I want to be kind to this person.”

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