Awe Matters to Church Life

Our country’s military has top tier special operation teams called Navy Seals, Delta Force, and 24th Special Tactics Squadron. These teams form a bond that is unbreakable. They are like a brotherhood. They are always looking out for the best for their teammates. In moments of tragedy, they rally around each other. In moments of joy they join in laughter. The trait of an unbreakable bond includes honor, integrity, honesty, and trust. These traits keep them safe when in battle and their lives are at risk.

Today, every Christian here this morning battles everyday in a war that rages against us. We as Christians are to have an unbreakable bond which has a foundation greater than any special forces team. Christ is the foundation. Christ is the person who brings unity to the church. Christ is to be who we seek daily. It is his character we are to live and his commands and precepts we are to obey and follow. The commitment of the Christian to the local church should be a total commitment. This is to be our lifestyle. A proper awe of God causes the Christian to live in such a way that the church becomes the focal point and priority of there daily and lifelong ethos.

As we continue to build on the truth we looked at a couple weeks ago of living with a daily awe of God we are going to look this morning how the level of our awe of God impacts and manifests in our relationship to the church. We are going to do this by looking at Colossians 3:12-17 (“12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”).

This passage deals with the character of the Christian and how each person is to live. Paul gives a list of traits that every Christian should consistently live or “put on” every day. They are to be an ingrafted part of their life. Colossians 3:1-11 deals with the overall focus of what we are in Christ and our over all focus of Christ being preeminent in the Christian’s life. He follows that in Colossians 3:5-11 about what we are to kill and put off in our lives. These are traits that have no room in the Christian’s life. These are traits that should have no part in the Christian’s life. If we are living with a proper awe of God these traits we are told to put off and put to death will not be manifested but instead our lives will manifest with what we are going to look at in our text this morning.

So our main truth this morning is...

A proper awe of God propels a committed life to the church.

We are going look at this two ways. One, Awe matters to our character within the church; two, it matters to our character before God. Our passage this morning lays out the attitudes and behaviors that characterize one who lives in awe of God.

I. Awe matters to our character within the church. (12-16)

Living with an awe of God impacts the character we live out among those that God has directed us to accomplish his plans and purposes. As already mentioned we must live a lifestyle that is different and one commentator described it as radical. God designed the believer to not free for self but rather to be totally involved with the church. Our ministry slogan if I can say it that way is joyfully magnifying Christ. In order to be the church member God has called you and I to, we must be radical in our behavior and in awe of God will aid in living just as such. In Colossians 3:12-16

Colossians 3:12–16 (NASB95)

12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

we find that what we are in Christ and how we are to live in Christ influences and manifests our awe of God. When these areas are not being manifested, we have an awe problem and it will impact our commitment to the church. Colossians 3:12 gives three descriptions of those in Christ.

What we are in Christ-

Because of what Christ sacrifice on the cross and his subsequent resurrection from the dead we are united in Christ. We are a new creation and a new person. We, the church, are a new community not bound by any differences in social status, ethnicity, or any thing we may want to draw the line on. Salvation is for all and in Christ. It is a new identity given to us. This identity is Christ. Here Paul describes the church as God described Israel in the OT. This does not equate the two but does show the strong relationship the believer has with Christ. Just as God chose Israel to be his people whom he loved and were to be separate and distinct from the nations and people around them, God has at this time in his providential and sovereign plan chose to use the church. He calls the church his chosen, separate, and beloved people. What about these impacts our awe of God?

Chosen - We do not deserve to be God’s child. Yet, because of God’s love, mercy, and grace, and because of nothing about us. God chose every believer to magnify Himself. It is only of God that you and I and every believer do not have to spend an eternity in hell. The fact that God chose you, if you are here today and have genuinely believed in faith that Jesus died for your sin and rose again, should pour an overflowing amount of awe into your heart and mind.

Holy - what a privilege to be chosen to be set apart to serve and magnify God. The creator of the universe and our Father. He is our protector and guide. He has given us His Word to give us principles and commands by which we can follow to live the set apart life he desires of us. He positionally has declared us holy and practically called us to live that fact out. We should be in awe that God desires a relationship with us and has laid out for us how we can live holy as well as giving us a person to daily come alongside us in the Holy Spirit. We do not have to live set apart alone. For God has chosen the institution of the church to provoke us to love and good works. Through the strengthening of the Spirit in the inner man we can live holy. When we see this truth, that God has given the church to be different from the world and live Christlike encouraging one another to do so, we cannot but sit and stand in awe of God’s grace and love as he has not left us alone because he knew we could not do it alone!

Beloved - here Paul uses this designation of beloved. The word is a form of agape. It is detailing that the Christian is loved unconditionally by God. It is this love of God for you that brings about sadness when you sin. If sadness is not their than you have an awe problem. The God who created the world LOVES YOU! He is your father! Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:14 (“14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;”) discusses that God’s love for us compels us to action. As such it also then produces an awe of God and that awe then will manifest in a love for God children as we are all apart of God’s family.

See as we understand what we are in Christ and allow our awe of God to be what it should be it will produce in us a proper commitment to live out what we are to live out as we are in Christ.

How we are to live in Christ -

Compassionate - literally, “bowels of mercy”; the bowels in the ancient world referred often to the seat of a persons emotions, i.e. love. In this verse it is referring to love that includes mercy. We need to live tender-hearted and compassionate to one another. Over the last 20+ weeks Pastor has shared with us from Romans 12 the traits of genuine love and the importance of developing them in our lives. Awe of God matters to developing genuine love in the church. Is your awe problem impacting your commitment of love to others in the church? Are you failing to show loving mercy to others by holding on to a grudge?

Kind - We need to be kind to one another! Ephesians 4:32 (“32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”) gives us the basis for that forgiveness and kindness—it mimics Christ’s actions to us! Remember David and his kindness to Mephibosheth and rather than doing what was the norm and condemning him as being a part of a condemned family, he showed love and grace. Kindness needs to be a part of our lives. Kindness often times we treat as needing to be reciprocal. It is not the case. We need to be having a proper awe of God as it will help us be aware of the Spirit leading us to the moments in every interaction and often before we interact on how we can show kindness.

Humble - Philippians 2:5 “5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,” uses the word mind to refer to our attitude. Colossians 3:2 “2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” tells us to set our minds eternally where Christ is. Life is not about ourselves! It is all about God. It is a true, not inflated, estimate of one’s character and abilities (Martha King, An Exegetical Summary of Colossians, 2nd ed. (Dallas, TX: SIL International, 2008), 258.). God has called you and I to serve the church and not just in the idea of formal ministry but truly serving the church…i.e. the people!

Meek - It expresses itself in being considerate of others and in being willing to give up one’s rights (Martha King, An Exegetical Summary of Colossians, 2nd ed. (Dallas, TX: SIL International, 2008), 259.). It involves not be a harsh person. It involves not holding grudges and resenting.

Are you struggling with have a gentle spirit toward others or are you finding yourself holding a grudge against someone. A meek person does not allow frustration to boil into grudges or better yet an all out fight. When we live with a proper awe of God, God gives us the ability and His Holy Spirit to help us in respond in meekness toward those with whom God has called us, His church.

Patient - Self-restraint. It means enduring patiently in the face of wrong done to us by others and not retaliating, refraining from acting in anger [Lt, Mrt, NTC, WBC]. It is not taking vengeance quickly [Alf, ICC], giving an offender time to repent, forbearing in the face of any kind of provocation (Martha King, An Exegetical Summary of Colossians, 2nd ed. (Dallas, TX: SIL International, 2008), 259.)

All to often we all struggle with patience. When we have in improper awe of God we find ourselves vulnerable to spiritual attack. We need to put on patience and live with a proper and consistent awe of God.

Enduring - put up with one another, to forbear, to tolerate; it is loving others in spite of their faults.

Forgiving - we need to be forgiving one another. We do not hang on to wrongs. To hang onto wrongs is a sure way to hinder God’s working in your life and the life of the church.

Harmonious Love - It is genuine love, love which realizes the condition of a person and resolves to act on behalf of that person (Martha King, An Exegetical Summary of Colossians, 2nd ed. (Dallas, TX: SIL International, 2008), 264.)

The biblical truth of genuine love and all its facets that God has taught us over the last few months is what is above all or the outer part of the garment. Love is what is interlaced and foundational to all of these virtues.

Genuine love matters to the one another relationships and each persons commitment to the church!

What we are to let rule our hearts -

Peace of God - We are to let the peace of God rule and reign in our hearts. God uses his word to bring about the peace among others. God does not desire non-peaceful acts from those whom he has chosen. We can have a peace in every situation if we rely on Christ. Peace comes from adhering to the gospel.

We can live at peace knowing that God has forgiven us. We can be at peace because the Holy Spirit reside. Truly the gospel gives peace and comfort to all who accept it. Without sacrificing principle, believers should relate to one another in a way that facilitates and demonstrates the peace that Christ has secured for them (cf. Rom. 14:19). (Douglas J. Moo, The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 2008), 283.

It is this peace we were called to as the church is one body. The gospel is not only individual in its calling but also corporate. You and I as Christians have the responsibility to live as one body. Paul also touches on this in Ephesians 4:4 (“4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;”). The peace we have through salvation is what is to reign in our lives together as a church body. We also see the importance of this in Ephesians 2:14 (“14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,”).

Thankfulness - Believers who are full of gratitude to God for his gracious calling (v. 15a) will find it easier to extend to fellow believers the grace of love and forgiveness and to put aside petty issues that might inhibit the expression of peace in the community. (Douglas J. Moo, The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 2008), 285.)

In all these texts the point is that God has chosen his people not simply to be his people but to live a certain kind of life. That life is bound up with the calling and cannot be separated from it. (Douglas J. Moo, The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 2008), 284.) We must take seriously God’s plan for us as His children chosen by Him to serve him and to joyfully magnify him. We must take seriously the local church. The relationships we have with God are manifested through the church. These traits give traits on how we as Christian’s are to live among the church.

What are we to let reside in our lives -

The Word of God must be residing in our lives. When the Bible is not front and center in our life, we have an awe problem. As Christians, a interesting reality unfolds in relation to God’s Word. We trick ourselves into thinking we are living with God’s Word as the priority of how we live yet we are rarely in it on a daily basis to read, study, memorize, and meditate.

Seeking Things Above: A Study in Colossians (Lifetouch Series) The Unity of the Church

God’s people, both individually and collectively, must give the word of Christ ample room and free reign in the homes of our hearts. To “dwell . . . richly” does not convey the idea of hosting a guest only in certain rooms because we are embarrassed by the mess everywhere else! The revelation of Jesus Christ must inhabit every square inch of our lives.

Seeking Things Above: A Study in Colossians (Lifetouch Series) The Unity of the Church

the Word of Christ is preeminent in the ministry of the church, it becomes a mutual source of joy for the church and the glue that holds the community together.

Seeking Things Above: A Study in Colossians (Lifetouch Series) The Unity of the Church

God’s Word enables us to detect teaching that is infiltrating and disrupting the congregation (Col. 2:8).

Instruction and admonition are not the responsibility of a pastor alone, however. We are to enrich one another through Christ-centered congregational singing. Music is a means for the message of Christ to take deeper root in the community. These types of songs include psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (3:16).

So I ask the question, can we truly say it is front and center in our lives when we are not digging into God’s Word as God’s Word tells us and illustrates for us?

Sure, we can live with according to its principles but only as far as we have been in God’s Word. You cannot say you are living a God’s Word detailed life if you are never in God’s Word. Our relationship with God, our awe of God hinges greatly on our relationship with God’s Word. Paul here in verse 16 places a strong emphasis on the importance of God’s Word indiviudally and corporately.

See awe of God matters to how faithful we are to God’s Word among the church.

We are to be teaching and admonishing each other with God’s Word! It is too easy for our discussions with each other to relate to so much of our life without God’s Word being central. How often do we take the time to discuss what God has taught us on a Sunday with our spouses on the way home or over lunch or even in the evening before bed? How often do we take the time to discuss the teaching we have heard on Sunday with our children regardless of whether they were in the service? What about calling or texting others in our church with scriptural encouragement? God has placed a desire on our church leadership and a small group of our church with making this real in developing intentional, redemptive relationships with others in the church by regularly meeting with another member of the body to teach and admonish one another. What is it that stops you no matter the mode from investing your life intentionally in someone else on a regular basis? What scripture shows is that the one another life is so much more than just saying I am praying for you. It is so much more than talking with someone once a week for 15-20 minutes. The church is one body unified to glorify God!

We also see in this verse that as God’s Word is to dwell in our lives and we are to teach and admonish one another, Paul in this verse gives us a means on doing that—singing and showing gratitude.

Seeking Things Above: A Study in Colossians (Lifetouch Series) (The Unity of the Church)

The direction of the congregation’s singing is towards “one another” and “to the Lord.” This makes singing both prophecy and worship. Music becomes a form of prophetic communication when believers are engaged in singing truth to one another.

Seeking Things Above: A Study in Colossians (Lifetouch Series) (The Unity of the Church)

Music becomes a form of worship when the singing is a heartfelt expression of adoration and gratitude for the grace of Christ. Through both avenues, speaking and singing, oneness in Christ is cultivated in the community.

Awe matters in our one another relationships! Our awe of God impacts how you and I relate with one another. It impacts the character we live out within the church! Awe matters also to our character before God. Verse 17 can be described as a summary statement encompassing everything that has come before it in Colossians 3:1-16. It encapsulates the how of living out Christ as preeminent among one another. Let’s look at it!

II. Awe matters to our character before God. (17)

This verse could be summarized as we must do everything for Christ! Our relationships for one another are for Christ. Our focus on eternity is for Christ! So does Paul really mean everything?

Do everything in order for Jesus to be magnified.

In the original construction of this verse, you can actually read it as saying “in everything whatever, in/by word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” This is similar language that Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 10:31

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NASB95)

31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

This rings similar also to the idea of 2 Corinthians 5:14 “14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;” As believers we have something that compels us to live. In 2 Corinthians it is the love of God through his death and sacrifice in our place. In Colossians 3:17 “17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” it is the entire person of Jesus Christ.

This verse stresses that everything and every part and every action is to be placed under the authority of Christ. It is to be done to glorify Christ, to magnify Christ. It has the connected thought of Paul describing the believer as an ambassador of Christ.

What are you not doing in the name of the Lord Jesus? Where are you failing to do all to the glory of God?

Daily give thanks to God for everything.

In the end, God’s grace calls for our daily attitude of gratitude! Our lives need to be infused with gratitude to God. This manifests in more than just verbal. Our gratitude must work itself out through our daily actions. If we act ungrateful we have an awe of God problem.

Thanksgiving is coming up. We have our thanksgiving service coming up. It is a designed opportunity for you to share gratitude with one another for how God has been working in your life.

Conclusion

So, where are you in your evaluation of these virtues in your life? Our awe of God matters to our engagement in the church. We are not just talking about the ministry of program invovlement. This morning is digging deeper than that, our text this morning has laid out character traits that are to impact one another. We are one body and these traits bring unity and cohesion to the church. Each one of us must be striving to grow and live these truths daily. Our awe of God or lack there of will manifest itself in our total or partial commitment to the Church. See, our commitment to Christ’s church reveals our commitment to Christ himself.

Commitment to the church is not what comes natural but what through the power of the Holy Spirit on the basis of our salvation in Christ we have been called to do among one another. Put off the sinfulness in our life that only hinders and hurts the church and put on Christian virtue because God awesomely chose and saved us from an eternity in hell separated from God forever!