Let God's Word Dwell Among Us.
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 18 viewsGet studied by the Bible. Live out it's truth together. (Colossians 3:12-17)
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Sermon delivered by Pastor Finn on Sunday, August 11, 2019 PENT 9 Text: “Let the Word of Christ Dwell Among Us”
Text: “Let the Word of Christ Dwell Among Us”
Reader’s Digest records an interesting conversation between three frustrated pastors. Three pastors got together for coffee one day and found all their churches had bat infestation problems. “I got so mad,” said one, “I took a shotgun and fired at them. It made holes in the ceiling, but did nothing to the bats.” “I tried trapping them alive,” said the second. “Then I drove 50 miles before releasing them but they beat me back to the church.” “I haven’t had any more problems,” said the third. “What did you do?” asked the others, amazed. “I simply baptized and confirmed them,” he replied. “I haven’t seen them since.” (Reader’s Digest, July, 1994, p. 64)
Reader’s Digest records an interesting conversation between three frustrated pastors. Three pastors got together for coffee one day and found all their churches had bat infestation problems. “I got so mad,” said one, “I took a shotgun and fired at them. It made holes in the ceiling, but did nothing to the bats.” “I tried trapping them alive,” said the second. “Then I drove 50 miles before releasing them but they beat me back to the church.” “I haven’t had any more problems,” said the third. “What did you do?” asked the others, amazed. “I simply baptized and confirmed them,” he replied. “I haven’t seen them since.” (Reader’s Digest, July, 1994, p. 64)
Of course, the underlying point of that joke really isn’t a joke at all.
Members of ours that slip away from the church concern us greatly, especially when that member is a member of your own family.
What’s the answer to that? Paul writes, () “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
Why should you listen today? This is really the key to the congregation’s overall health, and your faith life as the family of God. If you care about your congregation and want it to thrive along with the people in it, the people that matter t you and to God, then Paul says, here’s the key: Let the Word of Christ Dwell Among Us Richly.
Elders, I’d like you to especially tune into this: This verse really fits in well with the goal of your ministry to God’s people; it’s the same as
Paul’s stated goal in the first chapter of this letter: () “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present every mature in Christ.”
There’s a simple outline for the elder’s work, together with the pastor—look at the simple law/gospel outline of the Christian message.
- Warn God’s people about sin
- Teach and proclaim Christ as our Savior from sin.
That fits nicely with what Paul tells us today: “Let the Word of Christ dwell among you richly.” What that might look like in your life. What steps will you take to make that happen?
What that might look like in your life, and what steps you might take to make that happen…that the word of Christ might dwell among you richly. Rich in the sense of a fullness, plenteous--lots of it! I think of that person who loves antiques so that everywhere you look in their home you’re surrounded by a fullness of antiques. Or you bake a desert and you serve it to someone and they taste it a say, “Oh, isn’t that rich!” Or you think of the woman anointing Jesus with perfume and the scent of it filling the entire room. Let the Word of Christ dwell among you richly, Paul says, with a fullness, plenteous.
that the word of Christ might dwell among you richly. Rich in the sense of a fullness, plenteous--lots of it! I think of that person who loves antiques so that everywhere you look in their home you’re surrounded by a fullness of antiques. Or you bake a desert and you serve it to someone and they taste it a say, “Oh, isn’t that rich!” Or you think of the woman anointing Jesus with perfume and the scent of it filling the entire room. Let the Word of Christ dwell among you richly, Paul says, with a fullness, plenteous.
Let’s start with our motive for opening up a Bible in the first place.
() “This the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at my word.”
The writer to the Hebrews puts it this way: () “The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
I guess the obvious first reason to do that is that it’s God’s. And the second reason: it’s God’s Word. Paul says, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly.” Christ Jesus came in person to reveal His Father’s love to the world. Christ is God. When you pick up the Holy Bible it’s His Word, which makes it more than just a book. Elsewhere God says,
KEY POINT - The Bible’s unlike any other book because it’s God’s living and active Word. When you open it up, you’re not just going to be studying it—it’s going to be studying you!
Through the written and spoken Word of God his Spirit is at work in us deep down on the inside. He gets me looking at my inner thoughts and feelings about things I’m going through, as well as my thoughts and actions toward others. The picture of the Word at work here is of a sword penetrating joints and marrow and separating soul and spirit—if that sounds a little painful at first, it is. When God cuts me open to expose all my sickness and sin and stupidity, it does hurt! Since all of us have a sinful nature we can expect that reading the Bible is going to hurt sometimes as his law does its work in us. But the goal is always good—when we let the Word of Christ dwell among us richly God’s goal is always to get us to Jesus! Keep that in mind—the real goal of all Bible study isn’t just to get information; it’s for transformation—whether it’s the message about Christ in a sermon, or in Bible class, or in the articles and guided Bible studies in your “Forward in Christ” magazine, or “Meditations,” or our church newsletter—the goal in all of it is the same—to get us to Christ! So let the Word of Christ dwell among you richly in different ways--not just to study it, but to get studied by it, to be led daily to repentance for sins and to hold firmly to Christ and the forgiveness he earned for us on the cross.
ANOTHER KEY POINT - Notice how Paul tells us to hear and study the Word of Christ together, as a group—“Let the message of Christ dwell among you.”
Just me and Jesus is good sometimes, but the Bible was written to the gathering of God’s people. Letters were written to entire churches. Letters like James and the epistles of Peter and John were meant to be circulated among the churches, and then read and studied together with their called shepherd and elders of those churches and the heads of families.
Again, the writer to the Hebrews said, () “Don’t give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
50 years ago 42% of Americans went to church on a weekly basis. Now that number is down below 20%. Many who call themselves Christians say, “I don’t need church. I do just fine on my own; it’s just me and Jesus. I got a Bible and I read it and that’s just it.” God wants us to be connected to the ministry of his Word at a church where we can teach and admonish one another in the faith. The word that Paul uses here for “admonish” means literally to lay something on someone’s mind. The goal is loving correction—it’s about a change in attitude and your course of action in life. You can’t help your fellow Christians out like that or be helped by them if you’re separated from the congregation. One of the things our church constitution states is that as a member you willing place yourself under the authority of the public ministry of the Word here and God’s servants here like your Pastor and the elders.
Later, he says - () “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
So, if an elder or the Pastor calls on you or a loved one of yours, don’t think of it as trouble calling and knocking at your door—think of them as being just like Jesus who cares for your soul and is reaching out to you because they want you help you in your faith and be there for you in all things in a way that matters eternally.
Okay, so what will things look like in our life as the message of Christ is dwelling among us richly? Paul writes (SEE )
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved”--First things first--Christ’s Word dwells among us richly and we get daily reminders of that--“chosen people, holy and dearly loved”—what more do we need in life than that? “Holy” (because God forgives you of your sins) “dearly loved” (by God) and “chosen” (to belong to Him together in Christ Jesus). Everything flows from that! (Still in v.12) “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience...” (v.13) We live in a world where every day it becomes more and more obvious that it could use more of these virtues. Paul says, “Clothe yourselves” with these things. God gives us things like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience—they aren’t virtues that we work to accomplish—you work at them—but God works them in you first as we remember our Baptism and who we are as forgiven children of God and then simply be like that—it’s the power of Christ at work in you as you remember Christ for you. (vv.13-14) “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
“Bear with each other...Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
See the order there. You start with you and Jesus and then you take that and apply that to you and others.
How patient and understanding has Jesus been with you. Be like that him and him, and her and her. Humility is the result of you understanding that even though you are by nature a poor, miserable sinner, that God still took time in eternity to lay his choice on you, and gave himself up for you on the cross, and then clothed you with his beauty and righteousness in Holy Baptism and gifted you in unique ways to serve him and to love others in ways that are special to you. And the fact He deals with all the members of your family and church family in the same way and sets the same importance on them, as you, ought to humble us and remind me the world doesn’t revolve around me, but instead that it’s all about Him and his grace and bringing Him glory. Worship Him in thanks Paul says, (vv.12,17) “through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts...And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Paul’s last words here remind us that there isn’t supposed to be a division between what happens here on Sundays and what goes on in our homes all the rest of the week or in our church meetings. In all of it—everything the Christian says and does—Christ is to accompany us—Christ and the words I speak to others go together—Christ and the way I treat my spouse and raise my kids, and work at my job, and spend my money, how I eat, drink and enjoy myself—it all flows out of the power of His Word at work in my heart to His glory—God grant this for Jesus’ sake, Amen.
=================================
Many of you already have a daily routine in place that’s working great for you—it can be as simple as what my wife and I are doing right now—and that’s just listening to a schedule of Bible readings on our smart phones each day that takes us through the Bible in a year—the one we have even repeats the most important parts twice. I mentioned Meditations and Bible class on Sundays already—I’ll be highlighting and mentioning even more new tools for Bible study in the next church newsletter as well as introducing leaders to ministry resources through WELS that will help us carry out the ministry of the Word and comr as a congregation soon through the WELS website.
What does that lead to? Paul describes the life of Christ this way—it’s something he lives out in you as you continue to live in him and his Word. Paul writes, Reader’s Digest records an interesting conversation between three frustrated pastors. Three pastors got together for coffee one day and found all their churches had bat infestation problems. “I got so mad,” said one, “I took a shotgun and fired at them. It made holes in the ceiling, but did nothing to the bats.” “I tried trapping them alive,” said the second. “Then I drove 50 miles before releasing them but they beat me back to the church.” “I haven’t had any more problems,” said the third. “What did you do?” asked the others, amazed. “I simply baptized and confirmed them,” he replied. “I haven’t seen them since.” (Reader’s Digest, July, 1994, p. 64)
Of course, the underlying point of that joke really isn’t a joke at all. Members of ours that slip away from the church concern us greatly, especially when that member is a member of your own family.
What’s the answer to that? Paul writes, () “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
Of course, the underlying point of that joke really isn’t a joke at all. Members of ours that slip away from the church concern us greatly, especially when that member is a member of your own family.
Why should you listen today? This is really the key to the congregation’s overall health, and your faith life as the family of God. If you care about your congregation and want it to thrive along with the people in it, the people that matter t you and to God, then Paul says, here’s the key: Let the Word of Christ Dwell Among Us Richly.
Elders, I’d like you to especially tune into this: This verse really fits in well with the goal of your ministry to God’s people; it’s the same as Paul’s stated goal in the first chapter of this letter: () “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present every mature in Christ.” There’s a simple outline for the elder’s work, together with the pastor—look at the simple law/gospel outline of the Christian message. Warning God’s people about sin and teaching and proclaiming Christ as our Savior from sin. Which, again, ties in perfectly with our verse today where Paul tells all of us to let the Word of Christ dwell among us richly. By the time we’re done today, think of what that might look like in your life, and what steps you might take to make that happen…that the word of Christ might dwell among you richly. Rich in the sense of a fullness, plenteous--lots of it! I think of that person who loves antiques so that everywhere you look in their home you’re surrounded by a fullness of antiques. Or you bake a desert and you serve it to someone and they taste it a say, “Oh, isn’t that rich!” Or you think of the woman anointing Jesus with perfume and the scent of it filling the entire room. Let the Word of Christ dwell among you richly, Paul says, with a fullness, plenteous.
Of course, the underlying point of that joke really isn’t a joke at all. Members of ours that slip away from the church concern us greatly, especially when that member is a member of your own family.
Let’s start, though, talking about our motive for opening up a Bible in the first place?! I guess the obvious first reason to do that is that it’s God’s. And the second reason: it’s God’s Word. Paul says, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly.” Christ Jesus came in person to reveal His Father’s love to the world. Christ is God. When you pick up the Holy Bible it’s His Word, which makes it more than just a book. Elsewhere God says, () “This the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at my word.” The writer to the Hebrews puts it this way: () “The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
The Bible’s unlike any other book because it’s God’s living and active Word. When you open it up, you’re not just going to be studying it—it’s going to be studying you! Through the written and spoken Word of God his Spirit is at work in us deep down on the inside. He gets me looking at my inner thoughts and feelings about things I’m going through, as well as my thoughts and actions toward others. The picture of the Word at work here is of a sword penetrating joints and marrow and separating soul and spirit—if that sounds a little painful at first, it is. When God cuts me open to expose all my sickness and sin and stupidity, it does hurt! Since all of us have a sinful nature we can expect that reading the Bible is going to hurt sometimes as his law does its work in us. But the goal is always good—when we let the Word of Christ dwell among us richly God’s goal is always to get us to Jesus! Keep that in mind—the real goal of all Bible study isn’t just to get information; it’s for transformation—whether it’s the message about Christ in a sermon, or in Bible class, or in the articles and guided Bible studies in your “Forward in Christ” magazine, or “Meditations,” or our church newsletter—the goal in all of it is the same—to get us to Christ! So let the Word of Christ dwell among you richly in different ways--not just to study it, but to get studied by it, to be led daily to repentance for sins and to hold firmly to Christ and the forgiveness he earned for us on the cross.
What’s the answer to that? Paul writes, () “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
And notice how Paul says to hear and study the Word of Christ together, as a group—“Let the message of Christ dwell among you.” Just me and Jesus is good sometimes, but the Bible was written to the gathering of God’s people. Letters were written to entire churches. Letters like James and the epistles of Peter and John were meant to be circulated among the churches, and then read and studied together with their called shepherd and elders of those churches and the heads of families. Again, the writer to the Hebrews said, () “Don’t give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
50 years ago 42% of Americans went to church on a weekly basis. Now that number is down below 20%. Many who call themselves Christians say, “I don’t need church. I do just fine on my own; it’s just me and Jesus. I got a Bible and I read it and that’s just it.” God wants us to be connected to the ministry of his Word at a church where we can teach and admonish one another in the faith. The word that Paul uses here for “admonish” means literally to lay something on someone’s mind. The goal is loving correction—it’s about a change in attitude and your course of action in life. You can’t help your fellow Christians out like that or be helped by them if you’re separated from the congregation. One of the things our church constitution states is that as a member you willing place yourself under the authority of the public ministry of the Word here and God’s servants here like your Pastor and the elders. Elsewhere Paul wrote: () “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
So, if an elder or the Pastor calls on you or a loved one of yours, don’t think of it as trouble calling and knocking at your door—think of them as being just like Jesus who cares for your soul and is reaching out to you because they want you help you in your faith and be there for you in all things in a way that matters eternally.
Why should you listen today? This is really the key to the congregation’s overall health, and your faith life as the family of God. If you care about your congregation and want it to thrive along with the people in it, the people that matter t you and to God, then Paul says, here’s the key: Let the Word of Christ Dwell Among Us Richly.
Okay, so what will things look like in our life as the message of Christ is dwelling among us richly? Paul writes, () “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved”--First things first--Christ’s Word dwells among us richly and we get daily reminders of that--“chosen people, holy and dearly loved”—what more do we need in life than that? “Holy” (because God forgives you of your sins) “dearly loved” (by God) and “chosen” (to belong to Him together in Christ Jesus). Everything flows from that! (Still in v.12) “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience...” (v.13) We live in a world where every day it becomes more and more obvious that it could use more of these virtues. Paul says, “Clothe yourselves” with these things. God gives us things like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience—they aren’t virtues that we work to accomplish—you work at them—but God works them in you first as we remember our Baptism and who we are as forgiven children of God and then simply be like that—it’s the power of Christ at work in you as you remember Christ for you. (vv.13-14) “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
“Bear with each other...Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” See the order there. You start with you and Jesus and then you take that and apply that to you and others. How patient and understanding has Jesus been with you. Be like that him and him, and her and her. Humility is the result of you understanding that even though you are by nature a poor, miserable sinner, that God still took time in eternity to lay his choice on you, and gave himself up for you on the cross, and then clothed you with his beauty and righteousness in Holy Baptism and gifted you in unique ways to serve him and to love others in ways that are special to you. And the fact He deals with all the members of your family and church family in the same way and sets the same importance on them, as you, ought to humble us and remind me the world doesn’t revolve around me, but instead that it’s all about Him and his grace and bringing Him glory. Worship Him in thanks Paul says, (vv.12,17) “through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts...And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”Reader’s Digest records an interesting conversation between three frustrated pastors. Three pastors got together for coffee one day and found all their churches had bat infestation problems. “I got so mad,” said one, “I took a shotgun and fired at them. It made holes in the ceiling, but did nothing to the bats.” “I tried trapping them alive,” said the second. “Then I drove 50 miles before releasing them but they beat me back to the church.” “I haven’t had any more problems,” said the third. “What did you do?” asked the others, amazed. “I simply baptized and confirmed them,” he replied. “I haven’t seen them since.” (Reader’s Digest, July, 1994, p. 64)
Elders, I’d like you to especially tune into this: This verse really fits in well with the goal of your ministry to God’s people; it’s the same as Paul’s stated goal in the first chapter of this letter: () “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present every mature in Christ.” There’s a simple outline for the elder’s work, together with the pastor—look at the simple law/gospel outline of the Christian message. Warning God’s people about sin and teaching and proclaiming Christ as our Savior from sin. Which, again, ties in perfectly with our verse today where Paul tells all of us to let the Word of Christ dwell among us richly. By the time we’re done today, think of what that might look like in your life, and what steps you might take to make that happen…that the word of Christ might dwell among you richly. Rich in the sense of a fullness, plenteous--lots of it! I think of that person who loves antiques so that everywhere you look in their home you’re surrounded by a fullness of antiques. Or you bake a desert and you serve it to someone and they taste it a say, “Oh, isn’t that rich!” Or you think of the woman anointing Jesus with perfume and the scent of it filling the entire room. Let the Word of Christ dwell among you richly, Paul says, with a fullness, plenteous.
Of course, the underlying point of that joke really isn’t a joke at all. Members of ours that slip away from the church concern us greatly, especially when that member is a member of your own family.
Let’s start, though, talking about our motive for opening up a Bible in the first place?! I guess the obvious first reason to do that is that it’s God’s. And the second reason: it’s God’s Word. Paul says, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly.” Christ Jesus came in person to reveal His Father’s love to the world. Christ is God. When you pick up the Holy Bible it’s His Word, which makes it more than just a book. Elsewhere God says, () “This the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at my word.” The writer to the Hebrews puts it this way: () “The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
The Bible’s unlike any other book because it’s God’s living and active Word. When you open it up, you’re not just going to be studying it—it’s going to be studying you! Through the written and spoken Word of God his Spirit is at work in us deep down on the inside. He gets me looking at my inner thoughts and feelings about things I’m going through, as well as my thoughts and actions toward others. The picture of the Word at work here is of a sword penetrating joints and marrow and separating soul and spirit—if that sounds a little painful at first, it is. When God cuts me open to expose all my sickness and sin and stupidity, it does hurt! Since all of us have a sinful nature we can expect that reading the Bible is going to hurt sometimes as his law does its work in us. But the goal is always good—when we let the Word of Christ dwell among us richly God’s goal is always to get us to Jesus! Keep that in mind—the real goal of all Bible study isn’t just to get information; it’s for transformation—whether it’s the message about Christ in a sermon, or in Bible class, or in the articles and guided Bible studies in your “Forward in Christ” magazine, or “Meditations,” or our church newsletter—the goal in all of it is the same—to get us to Christ! So let the Word of Christ dwell among you richly in different ways--not just to study it, but to get studied by it, to be led daily to repentance for sins and to hold firmly to Christ and the forgiveness he earned for us on the cross.
And notice how Paul says to hear and study the Word of Christ together, as a group—“Let the message of Christ dwell among you.” Just me and Jesus is good sometimes, but the Bible was written to the gathering of God’s people. Letters were written to entire churches. Letters like James and the epistles of Peter and John were meant to be circulated among the churches, and then read and studied together with their called shepherd and elders of those churches and the heads of families. Again, the writer to the Hebrews said, () “Don’t give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
50 years ago 42% of Americans went to church on a weekly basis. Now that number is down below 20%. Many who call themselves Christians say, “I don’t need church. I do just fine on my own; it’s just me and Jesus. I got a Bible and I read it and that’s just it.” God wants us to be connected to the ministry of his Word at a church where we can teach and admonish one another in the faith. The word that Paul uses here for “admonish” means literally to lay something on someone’s mind. The goal is loving correction—it’s about a change in attitude and your course of action in life. You can’t help your fellow Christians out like that or be helped by them if you’re separated from the congregation. One of the things our church constitution states is that as a member you willing place yourself under the authority of the public ministry of the Word here and God’s servants here like your Pastor and the elders. Elsewhere Paul wrote: () “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
So, if an elder or the Pastor calls on you or a loved one of yours, don’t think of it as trouble calling and knocking at your door—think of them as being just like Jesus who cares for your soul and is reaching out to you because they want you help you in your faith and be there for you in all things in a way that matters eternally.
What’s the answer to that? Paul writes, () “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
Okay, so what will things look like in our life as the message of Christ is dwelling among us richly? Paul writes, () “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved”--First things first--Christ’s Word dwells among us richly and we get daily reminders of that--“chosen people, holy and dearly loved”—what more do we need in life than that? “Holy” (because God forgives you of your sins) “dearly loved” (by God) and “chosen” (to belong to Him together in Christ Jesus). Everything flows from that! (Still in v.12) “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience...” (v.13) We live in a world where every day it becomes more and more obvious that it could use more of these virtues. Paul says, “Clothe yourselves” with these things. God gives us things like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience—they aren’t virtues that we work to accomplish—you work at them—but God works them in you first as we remember our Baptism and who we are as forgiven children of God and then simply be like that—it’s the power of Christ at work in you as you remember Christ for you. (vv.13-14) “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
First result when Christ’s Word dwell among us richly: you’re reminded how you’re his “chosen people, holy and dearly loved.” What more do we need in life than that? What more do you need to go on in life than that? “Holy” (because God forgives you of your sins) “dearly loved” (by God) and “chosen” (to belong to Him together in Christ Jesus).
f Christ first thing Paul mentions that result from
======================================================
Why should you listen today? This is really the key to the congregation’s overall health, and your faith life as the family of God. If you care about your congregation and want it to thrive along with the people in it, the people that matter t you and to God, then Paul says, here’s the key: Let the Word of Christ Dwell Among Us Richly.
Elders, I’d like you to especially tune into this: This verse really fits in well with the goal of your ministry to God’s people; it’s the same as Paul’s stated goal in the first chapter of this letter: () “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present every mature in Christ.” There’s a simple outline for the elder’s work, together with the pastor—look at the simple law/gospel outline of the Christian message. Warning God’s people about sin and teaching and proclaiming Christ as our Savior from sin. Which, again, ties in perfectly with our verse today where Paul tells all of us to let the Word of Christ dwell among us richly. By the time we’re done today, think of what that might look like in your life, and what steps you might take to make that happen…that the word of Christ might dwell among you richly. Rich in the sense of a fullness, plenteous--lots of it! I think of that person who loves antiques so that everywhere you look in their home you’re surrounded by a fullness of antiques. Or you bake a desert and you serve it to someone and they taste it a say, “Oh, isn’t that rich!” Or you think of the woman anointing Jesus with perfume and the scent of it filling the entire room. Let the Word of Christ dwell among you richly, Paul says, with a fullness, plenteous.
“...Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Today in God’s Word He says, () “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Everything for the health of a congregation and the people in it is in the verses before us today—as we get into this part of Paul’s letter to the Colossians realize what his goal is…He wants us to be close to Jesus, to see our need for Jesus and then live like Jesus. And notice what he says makes that happen—it’s when you let the message of Christ dwell among you richly. Rich in the sense of a fullness, plenteous--lots of it! Think of the person that loves antiques and everywhere you look in their home you’re surrounded by a fullness of antiques. Or you bake a desert and you serve it to someone and they taste it a say, “Oh, isn’t that rich!” Or you think of the woman anointing Jesus with perfume and the scent of it filling the entire room.
Let’s start, though, talking about our motive for opening up a Bible in the first place?! I guess the obvious first reason to do that is that it’s God’s. And the second reason: it’s God’s Word. Paul says, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly.” Christ Jesus came in person to reveal His Father’s love to the world. Christ is God. When you pick up the Holy Bible it’s His Word, which makes it more than just a book. Elsewhere God says, () “This the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at my word.” The writer to the Hebrews puts it this way: () “The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
The Bible’s unlike any other book because it’s God’s living and active Word. When you open it up, you’re not just going to be studying it—it’s going to be studying you! Through the written and spoken Word of God his Spirit is at work in us deep down on the inside. He gets me looking at my inner thoughts and feelings about things I’m going through, as well as my thoughts and actions toward others. The picture of the Word at work here is of a sword penetrating joints and marrow and separating soul and spirit—if that sounds a little painful at first, it is. When God cuts me open to expose all my sickness and sin and stupidity, it does hurt! Since all of us have a sinful nature we can expect that reading the Bible is going to hurt sometimes as his law does its work in us. But the goal is always good—when we let the Word of Christ dwell among us richly God’s goal is always to get us to Jesus! Keep that in mind—the real goal of all Bible study isn’t just to get information; it’s for transformation—whether it’s the message about Christ in a sermon, or in Bible class, or in the articles and guided Bible studies in your “Forward in Christ” magazine, or “Meditations,” or our church newsletter—the goal in all of it is the same—to get us to Christ! So let the Word of Christ dwell among you richly in different ways--not just to study it, but to get studied by it, to be led daily to repentance for sins and to hold firmly to Christ and the forgiveness he earned for us on the cross.
“Holy (because you’re forgiven) and dearly loved (by God in Christ Jesus),
Let the Word of Christ dwell among you richly, with a fullness, plenteous. By the time we’re done today, think of what that might look like in your life, and what steps you might take to make that happen.
And notice how Paul says to hear and study the Word of Christ together, as a group—“Let the message of Christ dwell among you.” Just me and Jesus is good sometimes, but the Bible was written to the gathering of God’s people. Letters were written to entire churches. Letters like James and the epistles of Peter and John were meant to be circulated among the churches, and then read and studied together with their called shepherd and elders of those churches and the heads of families. Again, the writer to the Hebrews said, () “Don’t give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
50 years ago 42% of Americans went to church on a weekly basis. Now that number is down below 20%. Many who call themselves Christians say, “I don’t need church. I do just fine on my own; it’s just me and Jesus. I got a Bible and I read it and that’s just it.” God wants us to be connected to the ministry of his Word at a church where we can teach and admonish one another in the faith. The word that Paul uses here for “admonish” means literally to lay something on someone’s mind. The goal is loving correction—it’s about a change in attitude and your course of action in life. You can’t help your fellow Christians out like that or be helped by them if you’re separated from the congregation. One of the things our church constitution states is that as a member you willing place yourself under the authority of the public ministry of the Word here and God’s servants here like your Pastor and the elders. Elsewhere Paul wrote: () “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
“Bear with each other...Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” See the order there. You start with you and Jesus and then you take that and apply that to you and others. How patient and understanding has Jesus been with you. Be like that him and him, and her and her. Humility is the result of you understanding that even though you are by nature a poor, miserable sinner, that God still took time in eternity to lay his choice on you, and gave himself up for you on the cross, and then clothed you with his beauty and righteousness in Holy Baptism and gifted you in unique ways to serve him and to love others in ways that are special to you. And the fact He deals with all the members of your family and church family in the same way and sets the same importance on them, as you, ought to humble us and remind me the world doesn’t revolve around me, but instead that it’s all about Him and his grace and bringing Him glory. Worship Him in thanks Paul says, (vv.12,17) “through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts...And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
“Forgive and the Lord forgave you.” See the order there. You start with you and Jesus. You don’t start with you and then jump to you and others. If you go to a Christian bookstore or some churches, you see all these book titles or hear all these sermon series about how to be a better husband, a better father, better wives, better mothers, kids, employers, employees. But when you pick up the Bible the first goal isn’t to be a better this or a better that—it’s not just to improve your life in different ways—but to get closer to Jesus.
So, if an elder or the Pastor calls on you or a loved one of yours, don’t think of it as trouble calling and knocking at your door—think of them as being just like Jesus who cares for your soul and is reaching out to you because they want you help you in your faith and be there for you in all things in a way that matters eternally.
But before that, let’s think about our motive for opening it up the Bible and listening to what it says in the first place?! First of all, it’s God’s. And the second reason: it’s God’s Word. Paul says, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly.”
put you first, even though
======================================================
Okay, so what will things look like in our life as the message of Christ is dwelling among us richly? Paul writes, () “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved”--First things first--Christ’s Word dwells among us richly and we get daily reminders of that--“chosen people, holy and dearly loved”—what more do we need in life than that? “Holy” (because God forgives you of your sins) “dearly loved” (by God) and “chosen” (to belong to Him together in Christ Jesus). Everything flows from that! (Still in v.12) “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience...” (v.13) We live in a world where every day it becomes more and more obvious that it could use more of these virtues. Paul says, “Clothe yourselves” with these things. God gives us things like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience—they aren’t virtues that we work to accomplish—you work at them—but God works them in you first as we remember our Baptism and who we are as forgiven children of God and then simply be like that—it’s the power of Christ at work in you as you remember Christ for you. (vv.13-14) “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
the world doesn’t revolve around you
“Bear with each other...Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” See the order there. You start with you and Jesus and then you take that and apply that to you and others. How patient and understanding has Jesus been with you. Be like that him and him, and her and her. Humility is the result of you understanding that even though you are by nature a poor, miserable sinner, that God still took time in eternity to lay his choice on you, and gave himself up for you on the cross, and then clothed you with his beauty and righteousness in Holy Baptism and gifted you in unique ways to serve him and to love others in ways that are special to you. And the fact He deals with all the members of your family and church family in the same way and sets the same importance on them, as you, ought to humble us and remind me the world doesn’t revolve around me, but instead that it’s all about Him and his grace and bringing Him glory. Worship Him in thanks Paul says, (vv.12,17) “through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts...And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Of course, the underlying point of that joke really isn’t a joke at all. Members of ours that slip away from the church concern us greatly, especially when that member is a member of your own family.
When you pick up the Holy Bible it isn’t just another book. () “This the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at my word.” Elsewhere the writer to the Hebrews says, () “The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Today in God’s Word He says, () “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Everything for the health of a congregation and the people in it is in the verses before us today—as we get into this part of Paul’s letter to the Colossians realize what his goal is…He wants us to be close to Jesus, to see our need for Jesus and then live like Jesus. And notice what he says makes that happen—it’s when you let the message of Christ dwell among you richly. Rich in the sense of a fullness, plenteous--lots of it! Think of the person that loves antiques and everywhere you look in their home you’re surrounded by a fullness of antiques. Or you bake a desert and you serve it to someone and they taste it a say, “Oh, isn’t that rich!” Or you think of the woman anointing Jesus with perfume and the scent of it filling the entire room.
Rich in the sense of a fullness, plentious, lots of it! I think of the person that loves antiques and everywhere you look in their home you’re surrounded by a fullness of antiques. If you’re a cook you might add richness to a dessert with lots of butter and sugar. Same thing if you like your food spicy and you add to its richness that way. You might get into candles or potpourri that fills the room with that scent.
Let the Word of Christ dwell among you richly, with a fullness, plenteous. By the time we’re done today, think of what that might look like in your life, and what steps you might take to make that happen.
imagine what that’s going to look
But before that, what’s our motive to open up the Bible and listen to what it says in the first place?! Keep in mind that when you pick up the Holy Bible that it isn’t just another book. Elsewhere the writer to the Hebrews says, () “The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
But before that, what’s our motive to open up the Bible and listen to what it says in the first place?!
When you pick up a Bible keep in mind that it isn’t just another book. Elsewhere the writer to the Hebrews says, () “The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
First, let’s ask ourselves, Paul has in mind ’s picturing in his mind means when says, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly?”
Don’t pick up the Bible like a college student in a course called, “The Bible as Literature,” you’re not reading the Bible for the right reason. Confirmation students and their parents who just want to “get through it” and get on with life,
this book—just to get academic information about God—it’s good to study the scriptures diligently—but not just for information--Satan doesn’t lack for information about God—in fact he knows the Bible better than you do—what he knows about God though, makes him shudder in unbelief.
is full of guidelines for Christians in the world. But that’s not our main motivation for picking up this book—just to get academic information about God—it’s good to study the scriptures diligently—but not just for information--Satan doesn’t lack for information about God—in fact he knows the Bible better than you do—what he knows about God though, makes him shudder in unbelief.
The Bible is full of guidelines for being better husbands and wives, parents, workers in the church, and Christians in the world. But that’s not our main motivation for picking up this book—just to get academic information about God—it’s good to study the scriptures diligently—but not just for information--Satan doesn’t lack for information about God—in fact he knows the Bible better than you do—what he knows about God though, makes him shudder in unbelief.
Dont’ have the mentality that I’m going to study the Bible to get ammo to show someone else you’re right and they’re wrong.
And don’t open the Bible with the mentality that I’m going to go there just to get ammo to show someone else I’m right and they’re wrong!
And don’t be that Confirmation student or parent that just do it because they have to and just do it to “get through it.” Or don’t go to God’s Word with the mentality that I’m going there just to get ammunition to show someone else I’m right and they’re wrong, or to convert your Baptist, Catholic or Methodist relative to the Lutheran faith.
Don’t be that Confirmation student and parents that just do it maybe because they have to, or just want to “get through it” and then get on with life. Or don’t go to God’s Word with the mentality that I’m going there just to get ammunition to show someone else I’m right and they’re wrong, or to convert your Baptist, Catholic or Methodist relative to the Lutheran faith.
Don’t be that Confirmation student and parents that just do it maybe because they have to, or just want to “get through it” and then get on with life. Or don’t go to God’s Word with the mentality that I’m going there just to get ammunition to show someone else I’m right and they’re wrong, or to convert your Baptist, Catholic or Methodist relative to the Lutheran faith.
The Bible good literature, the Bible does help us judge between right and wrong and false versus true teaching, but the main reason we need to pick up God’s Word and make it a rich part of our life, is that we die without it—people don’t realize it but being in God’s Word is a matter of spiritual life or death! God spoke through Moses who said, (Deut 34:46-47) “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day…They are not just idle words for you—they are your life.”
He doesn’t just want us to study the Bible, but He wants us to be studied by IT!
Elsewhere, the writer to the Hebrews said, () “The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
In other words, when you open God’s Word, you don’t just study it—it studies you! These words are the living Word of God through which the Spirit works on us deep down on the inside. The picture here is of a sword penetrating joints and marrow and separating soul and spirit sounds painful, and it is, in part. When God cuts me open to expose all my sickness and sin and stupidity, it hurts! The Spirit gets me to check my inner thoughts and actions. There’s a part of our hearts that still sinful, so expect that reading the Bible is going to hurt sometimes, as the Spirit works in you through the preaching of the law in a sermon, or in Bible class, or in the articles and guided Bible studies prepared by Pastors and your fellow Christians in the Forward in Christ magazine, or our church newsletter. We come together around God’s Word not just to study it, but to get studied by it, to repent and hold each other accountable and lovingly point each other to Jesus.
The point: Bible study isn’t just for information; it’s for transformation. So, don’t just study the Bible. Get studied by it—AND--Paul would also say, hear and listen and study God’s Word together, as a group—“Let the message of Christ dwell among you”—plural—just me and Jesus is good sometimes—but the Bible was written to the gathering of God’s people. Letters were written to entire churches—letters like James and the epistles of Peter and John were meant to be circulated among the churches, and then read and studied together with their called shepherd and elders of those churches and the heads of families. Again, the writer to the Hebrews said, () “Don’t give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
The Bible was written to the gathering of God’s people. Letters were written to entire churches—letters like James and the epistles of Peter and John were meant to be circulated among the churches, read and studied together with the called shepherds and elders of those churches and the heads of families. 50 years ago 42% of Americans went to church on a weekly basis. Now that number is down below 20%. Many who call themselves Christians say, “I don’t need church. I do just fine on my own; it’s just me and Jesus. I got a Bible and I read it and that’s just it.”
50 years ago 42% of Americans went to church on a weekly basis. Now that number is down below 20%. Many who call themselves Christians say, “I don’t need church. I do just fine on my own; it’s just me and Jesus. I got a Bible and I read it and that’s just it.” God wants us to be connected to the ministry of his Word at a church where we can teach and admonish one anther and encourage one another in the faith.
The word that Paul uses here for “admonish” means literally to lay something on someone’s mind. The goal is loving correction—it’s about a change in attitude and your course of action in life. You can’t help your fellow Christians out like that or be helped by them apart from this gathering of believers we call the church. One the things our church constitution states is that becoming a member also means you willing place yourself under the authority of the public ministry of the Word here and God’s servants here like your Pastor and the elders.
If an elder or the Pastor calls on you or a loved one of yours, don’t think of it as trouble calling and knocking at your door—think of them like you you think of Jesus reaching out to you and encouraging you in your faith and being for you there in your faith.
Okay, so what’s that going to look like then in our life when we let the message of Christ dwell among us richly?
What does that lead to? Paul describes the life of Christ this way—it’s something he lives out in you as you continue to live in him and his Word. Paul writes, () “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
======================================================
Remember the first goal of being in the Word—it’s about knowing Jesus and being taught and corrected by Jesus in faith. “Forgive and the Lord forgave you.” See the order there. You start with you and Jesus. You don’t start with you and then jump to you and others. If you go to a Christian bookstore or some churches, you see all these book titles or hear all these sermon series about how to be a better husband, a better father, better wives, better mothers, kids, employers, employees. But when you pick up the Bible the first goal isn’t to be a better this or a better that—it’s not just to improve your life in different ways—but to get closer to Jesus.
That’s what God wants first for us—everything flows from that—through the message of Christ you are brought to Jesus—taught by Him in His Word, you receive correction and and being taught and corrected by Jesus in faith.
All the time, our first goal in getting into church and into God’s Word is to get back to Jesus. Want to be a good wife—look at how the church, His bride responds to her heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus. Want to be a better parent—look at how God is Jesus’ Father and deals with you. Get to Jesus. Get to Jesus. Good Bible study the Holy Spirit leading us and pushing us to Jesus so we see what He’s done for us and then He leads us to imitate Him. () “Holy (because you’re forgiven) and dearly loved (by God in Christ Jesus), Paul says, “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
God doesn’t want you and me to pick up the Bible just to prove our point, or make stuff up about God, or find justification for my own sin. That’s what happens when Christians separate themselves from the church, or pastors stay away from pastor’s conferences and studies in their circuit. We can hurt ourselves and others with the Word. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God said his Word is like a hammer and like fire. It’s powerful. You don’t let kids play with hammers and fire. God wants us to be careful with his Word and to be connected to the ministry of his Word here at church.
live together in it’s truth. () “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
So, don’t just study the Bible. Get studied BY IT, and, Paul would also say, live together in it’s truth. () “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice, too, by the way how Paul says to study the message of Christ, together.
But notice how what Paul says about God’s Word here and living His Word are things he says we’re meant to do together! () “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
The very things we grasp individually by faith through the Spirit’s work in us, teaching and instruction in his Word is also meant to be lived in connection with others and to benefit others: loving your neighbor, using your gifts, serving others, witnessing, teaching and correcting one anther.
Lots of problems occur when whacked out people distance themselves from the church, and from all authority and correction of a church. That’s where we get cults, crusades and slavery. “Let the message of Christ dwell among you...as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom,” Paul says.
In the church with your pastor—and pastor with his people—together as fellow Christians we teach and encourage each other in the faith—it’s always a two way street! In Bible class here at Grace there’s a lot of sharing going on as we help each other in our faith and help each other address the concerns we have together in life.
I can be taught and admonished here in a group that cares about me as a fellow believer.
live together in it’s truth. () “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Remember the first goal of being in the Word—it’s about knowing Jesus and being taught and corrected by Jesus in faith. “Forgive and the Lord forgave you.” See the order there. You start with you and Jesus. You don’t start with you and then jump to you and others. If you go to a Christian bookstore or some churches, you see all these book titles or hear all these sermon series about how to be a better husband, a better father, better wives, better mothers, kids, employers, employees. But when you pick up the Bible the first goal isn’t to be a better this or a better that—it’s not just to improve your life in different ways—but to get closer to Jesus.
Again, notice where Paul starts. (v.12) “Therefore, as God’s chosen people,” —start there—with Jesus who said, () “Remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Again, see how that goes: Jesus first, and then the fruit follows. Jesus is how you and I get straightened out, from the inside out as the Word dwells among us, here, connected to each other at church. He names our sins. Not just “sinful by nature...in thoughts, words and actions,” but real things that displease God and affect others, like adultery, and cheating, and lying, gossiping, hard-heartedness and pride, arguing about things that don’t really matter in the home and at church and not letting them go. Want things to go better at home or in the church? Want to be a better husband, or wife, then remember how Jesus treats you first. “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
All the time, our first goal in getting into church and into God’s Word is to get back to Jesus. Want to be a good wife—look at how the church, His bride responds to her heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus. Want to be a better parent—look at how God is Jesus’ Father and deals with you. Get to Jesus. Get to Jesus. Good Bible study the Holy Spirit leading us and pushing us to Jesus so we see what He’s done for us and then He leads us to imitate Him. () “Holy (because you’re forgiven) and dearly loved (by God in Christ Jesus), Paul says, “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
===================================================
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice, too, by the way how Paul says to study the message of Christ, together.
But notice how what Paul says about God’s Word here and living His Word are things he says we’re meant to do together! () “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
The very things we grasp individually by faith through the Spirit’s work in us, teaching and instruction in his Word is also meant to be lived in connection with others and to benefit others: loving your neighbor, using your gifts, serving others, witnessing, teaching and correcting one anther.
Lots of problems occur when whacked out people distance themselves from the church, and from all authority and correction of a church. That’s where we get cults, crusades and slavery. “Let the message of Christ dwell among you...as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom,” Paul says.
In the church with your pastor—and pastor with his people—together as fellow Christians we teach and encourage each other in the faith—it’s always a two way street! In Bible class here at Grace there’s a lot of sharing going on as we help each other in our faith and help each other address the concerns we have together in life.
It’s for this reason that God spoke through Moses saying, (Deut 34:46-47) “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day…They are not just idle words for you—they are your life.”
Here’s the first thing: He doesn’t just want us to study the Bible, but He wants us to be studied by IT!
I can be taught and admonished here in a group that cares about me as a fellow believer. The word that Paul uses here for “admonish” means literally to lay something on someone’s mind. The goal is loving correction—it’s about a change in attitude and your course of action in life. You can’t help your fellow Christians out or be helped like that apart from this gathering of believers we call the church.
=========================================================
Colleges offer courses entitled, “Reading the Bible as Literature,” but if that’s all you’re doing is looking for a good read, and then setting down soon after when you get bored, then you’re not reading the Bible for the right reason. Don’t pick up either just because you want to be a better husband or wife, or parent, or better employer or employee. The Bible is full of good guidelines for those things, but that’s not our main motivation for picking it up. Don’t pick it up just for information that you can use to win and argument or convert someone else to Christianity, or in my case, just because I have a sermon due--Satan doesn’t lack for information about God—in fact he knows the Bible better than you or I do—what he knows about God though, makes him shudder in unbelief. And don’t be that Confirmation student or parent that just do it because they have to and just do it to “get through it.” The Bible good literature, the Bible does help us judge between right and wrong; it can help us in our relationships and marriage; it can help us discern between truth and falsehood, but the main reason we need to pick up God’s Word and make it a rich part of our life, is so that we can meet with our Savior, Jesus Christ. He comes to us in his Word. He convinces us our sin and of his grace and forgiveness. He uses his Word to draw us to Himself and keeps on that narrow road that leads to eternal life in heaven. That’s why God spoke through Moses once saying, (Deut 34:46-47) “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day…They are not just idle words for you—they are your life.”
What do I mean by that? Studied BY the Bible? The Bible is more than just a best-seller. Christians know that it’s more than just a good read. We were talking about this in Bible class last Sunday. Moses said, (Deut 34:46-47) “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day…They are not just idle words for you—they are your life.”
So then, the Bible is more than just a best-seller. It’s more than just a good read. Reading it is a matter of spiritual life or death. Jesus said, () “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.”
() “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.”
() “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.”
Think of Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones? () Israel had no life until the Spirit animated them and gave them life by his life-giving Word. Apart from his Word Jesus said we are like branches that are broken off the vine, wither and are thrown into the fire. That’s what will happen to the Christian’s faith apart from the life-giving Word of God. It’s like that plant you forget to water and it slowly dies. There’s a peace lily I watch during the week here at church over in the corner of our entrance way. Slowly, day by day, it starts to wilt. By Friday or Saturday it’s really bad and so me or Bonnie started watering it—one of you must’ve been doing it during the vacancy!
That’s what will happen to the Christian’s faith apart from the life-giving Word of God. It’s like a plant that you don’t water and it slowly dies. I watch during the week here at church and there’s this peace lily over in the corner of our entrance way. Slowly, day by day, it starts to wilt. It’s really bad by Friday and Saturday—everyone know which plant I’m talking about—Bonnie and I weren’t sure who was watering so we’ve been saving it before Sunday.
I watch during the week here at church and there’s a peace lily in the corner of the narthex
Think of that plant’s need for water, and think about your faith and your soul that way, too—as something that you need to water regularly or it dies! And just to water it once a week...Is that what Paul had in mind when he says, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly?!
Let me ask you: What’s your motive for reading the Bible? If you just
Again, remember our true motive for reading the Bible—it’s not out a fear of dying—even though God does talk about it that way in the Bible--his Word isn’t just something that’s a part of our life—it is our life! To neglect God’s Word is to neglect your own soul. Skipping church or saying who needs Bible study with your Pastor or time in personal Bible study is too despise God’s Word. It is a damnable sin against the Third Commandment where God commands us to not despise his Word but to gladly hear and learn it. Let’s be direct about this. Jesus calls Himself the Word, so to neglect it is to Him.
are missing the critical fact that God’s Word is our life!
So when Paul tells us to let the message of Christ dwell richly among us, let’s look at it that way. When you come to the Word, you come to Him. Stay away from the Word is to neglect Him and to stay away from Him.
So, what happens when we open up the Bible for the right reasons?
You want to know what happens
Actually, He doesn’t just want us to study the Bible, but He wants us to be studied by IT!
What do I mean by that? Studied BY the Bible?
And the powerful tool that God gives us and wants to dwell among us richly is the gift of his almighty Word.
Notice how Paul says to study the Word. He says to do it together. The Bible was written to the gathering of God’s people. Letters were written to entire churches—letters like James and the epistles of Peter and John were meant to be circulated among the churches, read and studied together with the called shepherds and elders of those churches and the heads of families. 50 years ago 42% of Americans went to church on a weekly basis. Now that number is down below 20%. Many who call themselves Christians say, “I don’t need church. I do just fine on my own; it’s just me and Jesus. I got a Bible and I read it and that’s just it.”
But notice how what Paul says about God’s Word here and living His Word are things he says we’re meant to do together! () “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
The very things we grasp individually by faith through the Spirit’s work in us, teaching and instruction in his Word is also meant to be lived in connection with others and to benefit others: loving your neighbor, using your gifts, serving others, witnessing, teaching and correcting one anther.
Lots of problems occur when whacked out people distance themselves from the church, and from all authority and correction of a church. That’s where we get cults, crusades and slavery. “Let the message of Christ dwell among you...as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom,” Paul says.
Lots of problems occur when whacked out people distance themselves from the church, and from any authority and correction. That’s where we get cults, crusades and slavery. “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom,” Paul says. In the church with its pastor and elders, and fellow Christians I can be taught and admonished. The word that Paul uses here for “admonish” means literally to lay something on someone’s mind. The goal is correction—it’s about a change in attitude and your course of action in life. You can’t help your fellow Christians out or be helped like that apart from this gathering of believers we call the church.
In the church with your pastor—and pastor with his people—together as fellow Christians we teach and encourage each other in the faith—it’s always a two way street! In Bible class here at Grace there’s a lot of sharing going on as we help each other in our faith and help each other address the concerns we have together in life.
I can be taught and admonished here in a group that cares about me as a fellow believer. The word that Paul uses here for “admonish” means literally to lay something on someone’s mind. The goal is loving correction—it’s about a change in attitude and your course of action in life. You can’t help your fellow Christians out or be helped like that apart from this gathering of believers we call the church.
And the powerful tool that God gives us and wants to dwell among us richly is the gift of his almighty Word. Elsewhere, the writer to the Hebrews said, () “The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
In other words, when you open God’s Word, you don’t just study it—it studies you! These words are the living Word of God through which the Spirit works on us deep down on the inside. The picture here is of a sword penetrating joints and marrow and separating soul and spirit sounds painful, and it is, in part. When God cuts me open to expose all my sickness and sin and stupidity, it hurts! The Spirit gets me to check my inner thoughts and actions. There’s a part of our hearts that still sinful, so expect that reading the Bible is going to hurt sometimes, as the Spirit works in you through the preaching of the law in a sermon, or in Bible class, or in the articles and guided Bible studies prepared by Pastors and your fellow Christians in the Forward in Christ magazine, or our church newsletter. We come together around God’s Word not just to study it, but to get studied by it, to repent and hold each other accountable and lovingly point each other to Jesus.
The point: Bible study isn’t just for information; it’s for transformation. God doesn’t want you and me to pick up the Bible just to prove our point, or make stuff up about God, or find justification for my own sin. That’s what happens when Christians separate themselves from the church, or pastors stay away from pastor’s conferences and studies in their circuit. We can hurt ourselves and others with the Word. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God said his Word is like a hammer and like fire. It’s powerful. You don’t let kids play with hammers and fire. God wants us to be careful with his Word and to be connected to the ministry of his Word here at church.
So, don’t just study the Bible. Get studied BY IT, and, Paul would also say, live together in it’s truth. () “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
hen, what happens next happens spontaneously, as a fruit of faith—we want to sing together and serve one another in faith in Christ Jesus.
It’s easy for people to miss what God wants to happen here in church, or when you hear a sermon, or read the Bible when you’re at home.
Pentecost 1 (Trinity) Faith that trusts in the One True God
Pentecost 2 Faith that trusts in God’s great power
Pentecost 3 Faith that trusts in God—even in the face of death
Pentecost 4 Faith that trusts in God after contrition and repentance
THE BELIEVER FOLLOWS CHRIST…
Pentecost 5 Followers of Christ expect persecution
Pentecost 6 Followers of Christ understand the call for total commitment
Pentecost 7 Followers of Christ support kingdom work
Pentecost 8 Followers of Christ love their neighbor
Pentecost 9 Followers of Christ listen when God speaks
Pentecost 10 Followers of Christ pray boldly
Pentecost 11 Followers of Christ know that earthly wealth is meaningless
Pentecost 12 Followers of Christ find true treasure in trusting God’s promises
THE BELIEVER HEARS JESUS’ WARNINGS…
Pentecost 13 The Word doesn’t bring peace, but division
Pentecost 14 The door to heaven is narrow
Pentecost 15 The first will be last…humble yourselves
Pentecost 16 Count the cost of discipleship
THE BELIEVER GROWS IN CHRISTIAN CHARACTER…
Pentecost 17 Christians love the lost like Christ
Pentecost 18 Christians have a right relationship with worldly wealth
Pentecost 19 Christians find real wealth in heavenly treasure
Pentecost 20 Christians do their duty
Pentecost 21 Christians live a life of thanksgiving
Pentecost 22 Christians are persistent in prayer
Pentecost 23 Christians serve God above all
Pentecost 24 Christians know that Jesus is the Savior of Sinners
A couple weeks ago I shared some quick facts about the Church and church-going people. 50 or so years ago, it used to be that 42% of people attended church each week. Today that number is about 20% and falling. The number aren’t pretty. Just for a moment, consider these trends in the WELS. This graph shows that from 1967 right on through to the mid 80’s WELS saw an increase in communicant membership. That’s something very few church bodies can say. In the early 2,000’s we were blessed with as many as 4,000 adult confirmations per year. The problem is that since the year 1986, WELS also averaged 8,000 backdoor losses every year. That’s almost a quarter of a million people! A large number of those backdoor losses tended to be younger members. Add to that steady increase of older WELS members dying and going to heaven and the steady decrease in baptized members since the 70’s, and WELS isn’t looking any younger, especially when it comes to churches without schools and churches in rural areas.
Live together in it’s truth
A couple weeks ago I shared some quick facts about the Church and church-going people. 50 or so years ago, it used to be that 42% of people attended church each week. Today that number is about 20% and falling. The number aren’t pretty. Just for a moment, consider these trends in the WELS. This graph shows that from 1967 right on through to the mid 80’s WELS saw an increase in communicant membership. That’s something very few church bodies can say. In the early 2,000’s we were blessed with as many as 4,000 adult confirmations per year. The problem is that since the year 1986, WELS also averaged 8,000 backdoor losses every year. That’s almost a quarter of a million people! A large number of those backdoor losses tended to be younger members. Add to that steady increase of older WELS members dying and going to heaven and the steady decrease in baptized members since the 70’s, and WELS isn’t looking any younger, especially when it comes to churches without schools and churches in rural areas.
A couple weeks ago I shared some quick facts about the Church and church-going people. 50 or so years ago, it used to be that 42% of people attended church each week. Today that number is about 20% and falling. The number aren’t pretty. Just for a moment, consider these trends in the WELS. This graph shows that from 1967 right on through to the mid 80’s WELS saw an increase in communicant membership. That’s something very few church bodies can say. In the early 2,000’s we were blessed with as many as 4,000 adult confirmations per year. The problem is that since the year 1986, WELS also averaged 8,000 backdoor losses every year. That’s almost a quarter of a million people! A large number of those backdoor losses tended to be younger members. Add to that steady increase of older WELS members dying and going to heaven and the steady decrease in baptized members since the 70’s, and WELS isn’t looking any younger, especially when it comes to churches without schools and churches in rural areas.
Reader’s Digest records an interesting conversation between three frustrated pastors. Three pastors got together for coffee one day and found all their churches had bat infestation problems. “I got so mad,” said one, “I took a shotgun and fired at them. It made holes in the ceiling, but did nothing to the bats.” “I tried trapping them alive,” said the second. “Then I drove 50 miles before releasing them but they beat me back to the church.” “I haven’t had any more problems,” said the third. “What did you do?” asked the others, amazed. “I simply baptized and confirmed them,” he replied. “I haven’t seen them since.” (Reader’s Digest, July, 1994, p. 64)
While there’s no silver bullet when it comes to reversing these trends in the WELS, the Apostle Paul reminds us of something that gets to the heart of the answer in a very way today. Paul says, () “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another...”
Remember the first goal of being in the Word—it’s about knowing Jesus and being taught and corrected by Jesus in faith. “Forgive and the Lord forgave you.” See the order there. You start with you and Jesus. You don’t start with you and then jump to you and others. If you go to a Christian bookstore or some churches, you see all these book titles or hear all these sermon series about how to be a better husband, a better father, better wives, better mothers, kids, employers, employees. But when you pick up the Bible the first goal isn’t to be a better this or a better that—it’s not just to improve your life in different ways—but to get closer to Jesus.
Let the Word dwell among you richly. What’s Paul talking about here? In a word, Bible study in all its various forms, whether you’re talking about personal Bible study, or group Bible study, or the study and learning that takes place in a Lutheran Elementary School, or Sunday School. It’s through the spoken Word of God and the lessons that are read in church that the Word dwells among you richly.
Notice how God wants His Word to dwell among us—it’s a group thing that he'
While there’s no silver bullet when it comes to reversing these trends in the WELS, the Apostle Paul reminds us of something that gets to the heart of the answer in a very way today. Paul says, () “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another...”
Again, notice where Paul starts. (v.12) “Therefore, as God’s chosen people,” —start there—with Jesus who said, () “Remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Again, see how that goes: Jesus first, and then the fruit follows. Jesus is how you and I get straightened out, from the inside out as the Word dwells among us, here, connected to each other at church. He names our sins. Not just “sinful by nature...in thoughts, words and actions,” but real things that displease God and affect others, like adultery, and cheating, and lying, gossiping, hard-heartedness and pride, arguing about things that don’t really matter in the home and at church and not letting them go. Want things to go better at home or in the church? Want to be a better husband, or wife, then remember how Jesus treats you first. “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
but real things that displease God and affect others around us, like adultery, and cheating, and lying, gossip and pride, and hard-heartedness, and arguing about things that don’t really matter in the church and not letting them go.
All the time, our first goal in getting into church and into God’s Word is to get back to Jesus. Want to be a good wife—look at how the church, His bride responds to her heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus. Want to be a better parent—look at how God is Jesus’ Father and deals with you. Get to Jesus. Get to Jesus. Good Bible study the Holy Spirit leading us and pushing us to Jesus so we see what He’s done for us and then He leads us to imitate Him. () “Holy (because you’re forgiven) and dearly loved (by God in Christ Jesus), Paul says, “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
not just to fill our head with information, either, but for transformation--then all these other things happen as fruits of faith.
Let the Word dwell among you richly. What’s Paul talking about here? In a word, Bible study in all its various forms, whether you’re talking about personal Bible study, or group Bible study, or the study and learning that takes place in a Lutheran Elementary School, or Sunday School. It’s through the spoken Word of God and the lessons that are read in church that the Word dwells among you richly.
an increase in communicant member in the WELS . That’s something very few church bodies can say. In the early 2,000’s WELS was blessed with as many as 4,000 adult confirmations per year. Lately, though, since the 2,000’s the numbers have been declining. Did you know that since the year 1986, right along with all those gains in communicant membership, WELS has averaged 8,000 backdoor losses every year. That’s almost a quarter million people! A large number of those losses tended to be younger members. Add to that fact that the number of elderly WELS members who are dying and going to heaven is increasing steadily, while the number of births and baptized members has steadily decreased since the 1970’s. Which is why many of our WELS churches, especially the ones without schools, and churches in rural areas, are looking older.
Notice how God wants His Word to dwell among us—it’s a group thing that he'50 or so years ago, it used to be that 42% of people attended church each week. Today it’s about 20% and falling.
50 or so years ago, it used to be that 42% of people attended church each week. Today it’s about 18% and falling.
Just for a moment take a look at a few membership trends in the WELS. This graph shows an increase in communicant member in the WELS from the year 1967 right on through the middle of the 1980’s. That’s something very few church bodies can say. In the early 2,000’s WELS was blessed with as many as 4,000 adult confirmations per year. Lately, though, since the 2,000’s the numbers have been declining. Did you know that since the year 1986, right along with all those gains in communicant membership, WELS has averaged 8,000 backdoor losses every year. That’s almost a quarter million people! A large number of those losses tended to be younger members. Add to that fact that the number of elderly WELS members who are dying and going to heaven is increasing steadily, while the number of births and baptized members has steadily decreased since the 1970’s. Which is why many of our WELS churches, especially the ones without schools, and churches in rural areas, are looking older.
There’s an increasing number of people who just don’t go to church on a weekly basis.
But lately the numbers have been trending downward, reaching the lowest numbers since the 1980’s.
ership every year. The only problem is that at the same time, the number of baptisms were drastically declining, while the number of deaths was increasing (especially as Baby Boomer genenation have been congregations in the WELS have been losing
Let the Word dwell among you richly. What’s Paul talking about here? In a word, Bible study in all its various forms, whether you’re talking about personal Bible study, or group Bible study, or the study and learning that takes place in a Lutheran Elementary School, or Sunday School. It’s through the spoken Word of God and the lessons that are read in church that the Word dwells among you richly.
The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
50 or so years ago, it used to be that 42% of people attended church each week. Today it’s about 20% and falling.
My wife was in Busch’s Grocery Store this week, and you how when you’re in the produce aisle once in a while and all of a sudden you’ll hear the sound of thunder and then the water begins to spray automatically on all the vegetables.
Notice how God wants His Word to dwell among us—it’s a group thing that he'