The Journey Church
Sunday, August 17
  • Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble
  • Death Was Arrested
  • No One Like The Lord (We Crown You)
  • Abide
  • Colossians 1:9–14 ESV
    9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
    INTRODUCTION
    After hearing of the Colossians’ faith, love, and hope, Paul constantly prays that they will fully understand God’s will. A consistent and frequent prayer life prompts Paul’s thanksgiving in verse three. In verses 9-14, Paul elaborates on his time spent in constant prayer for the Colossians.
    Paul begins by giving the nature or reason for his blessing. The phrase “Since the day we heard” pinpoints the particular reason Paul has in mind, referring back to verses 3-5, where Paul says, “Because we have heard of your faith and love that is based on your hope.” 
    One of the questions I often get as a pastor is, " How do I know God’s will for my life?” 
    We are looking for a clear road map from point “A” to point “Z.” However, this is not how God operates. Most of us fall into the trap of trying to circumvent God’s plan, forcing God’s hand by taking matters into our own hands. Here is how this generally works: We move ahead with our agenda and plans, then ask God later to come alongside what we have determined is best, asking Him to bless our efforts. It's a shocker when this never works out. 
    REASON FOR PAUL’S PRAYER
    That his readers would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will.
    Here, Paul is praying that they be described by knowing God’s “will.” This could refer to his unalterable redemptive plan in history or his preceptive will (i.e., his commands for his people to obey).
    God’s Preceptive will:
    The preceptive will of God relates to the revealed commandments in God’s law.
    This decree does not carry the immediate necessary consequences when God commands us not to steal. So, where the light can't refuse to shine in creation, we can refuse to obey God’s commands.
    In a word, we steal. We must be careful not to be lulled into thinking that God's preceptive will is divorced from His decreed will. It is not as if the preceptive will has no effects or consequences. 
    We may have the power to disobey a precept. We do not have the power to disobey it with impurity. His law remains intact whether we choose to obey it or disobey it. 
    When I was a kid, my friends and I used to love to draw mazes. We started simple, but eventually graduated to using graph paper to draw out elaborate, complex mazes to navigate.  Drawing them was a lot of work, but it was so entertaining to watch our friends attempt to navigate them and repeatedly have to backtrack and start over. Many Christians approach finding God’s will for their lives with a similar perspective. We are each easily convinced that God has designed a plan for us with many dead ends, as though we are mice making our way through some experimental process or maze. Whenever we come to a point where we do not know which way to go, we are forced to reverse our course and pursue a different path. This results in our wandering through life with uncertainty, second-guessing every decision, feeling frustrated at every wrong turn, and hoping that somehow we will reach our destination and finally find God’s will. 
    Discerning God’s will for your life was never meant to be like working through a maze. He designed it to be amazing! 
    So, how can we possibly know for certain what His will is for us, and what is involved in accomplishing His plan? 
    You are not alone if these questions still roam your mind at every waking and sleeping hour. This morning's passage teaches us how to determine God’s will for our lives, both individually and as a church. 
    God’s Redemptive plan permeates everything we say and do in the Christian life.
    Paul begins our text today by praying for the Colossians to come to know and understand God’s will. We must remember that Paul concludes that the Father alone qualifies the believer to share in the inheritance transferred to us, leading us out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of light. To move a step closer to knowing, understanding, and living out God’s will for our lives...
    We Must First Understand that…
    The Preeminent Christ Redeemed you to the Will of God.

    1. God’s Will is not a Puzzle to be Solved

    Much of our time is spent worrying about God’s plan and will for our lives, wringing our hands in worry over not knowing God's will. 
    The ability to know and do God's will is not some far-off fairy tale that we have to discover. It is a present reality that is already available to everyone. 
    Our ability to know, understand, and act on God's will hinges on our consistent prayer life. How much time do you spend praying that you would be filled with the knowledge of His will and understanding? 

    *God’s Will Has Been Disclosed

    If God’s will had not already been made available to us, Paul would not have prayed that we would know and understand God's will. Why would Paul pray for something that was not available for us to receive? 
    Note: Notice Paul uses the word “all” to identify spiritual wisdom and understanding. The other “all” designation is about power. 
    What does the word “All” refer to? It directs us to all those things that God has already revealed to us in scripture. 
    Most people take a discovery approach when determining God’s will for their lives. Like a tourist on a beach looking for lost treasures, they approach it with a spiritual metal detector, sweeping the detector around as they wander through life, hoping they stumble onto it. Yet when they uncover what they have found, they are often disappointed to see the equivalent of empty cans, tarnished objects, or worthless trinkets. This is like encountering a dead end in my maze, so they start the discovery cycle again and hope the following beep will be it.
    God did not design his will to be found this way, he would not design a plan for our lives and then hide it away where we could not find it. God’s will is more like a treasure map to follow than a metal detector.
    THE REALM OF KNOWLEDGE
    We must consider what the gnosis or knowledge of God is. 
    From such small beginnings grew the developed Gnosticism of the second century, which caused the churches many problems. 
    Gnostics offered an exceptional understanding of spiritual reality, immune from dissent or discussion, shared only by those similarly ‘in the secret’. But Paul will have none of it. In Christ, his friends at Colossae had already received full knowledge (Gk epignōsis). Bruce quotes Bultmann’s definition of epignōsis as ‘almost a technical term for the decisive knowledge of God which is involved in conversion to the Christian faith’.
    What do we know about God’s Fully Revealed Will?
    It is God’s Will for us to be Saved.
    1 Timothy 2:3–4 ESV
    This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
    We know that God’s will for us is salvation, and as Peter writes in 2 Peter 3:9, he also desires that none should perish. What are we doing to help others know the saving grace of God? 
    It is God’s will for us to be Sanctified
    1 Thessalonians 4:3 ESV
    For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;
    Scripture explicitly contends that God’s will for us is for us to be sanctified, that is, set apart as holy before God. 
    Ephesians 1:4 ESV
    even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
    It is God’s will for us to be Spirit-Filled
    Ephesians 1:13 ESV
    In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,.
    Our moment-by-moment surrender to his abiding presence in our lives is essential to God’s will for every believer.
    It is God’s will for us to stand
    Living in opposition to a hostile world toward God is firmly rooted in your faith. Christians are called to stand against the world by not conforming to its values and lifestyle, instead living a life that reflects God's will and encourages others to glorify God. They are to engage in spiritual warfare, equipping themselves with God's armor and relying on his strength to resist temptation and evil. (Romans 12:2) “Do not be conformed to the world but be transformed.”
    1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV
    Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
    It is God’s will for us to Walk in Obedience
    The statement "It is God's will for us to walk in obedience" highlights the biblical concept that following God's commands and teachings is essential for a fulfilling life and relationship with Him. Obedience is seen as an expression of love, a path to wisdom, and a means of experiencing God's blessings.
    Obeying God will Make you Wise
    Deuteronomy 4:5–6 ESV
    5 See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’
    It is God’s will for us to Suffer
    2 Timothy 3:12 ESV
    Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
    We also read in Philippians 1:29 “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,”
    We also read in Philippians 1:29, “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,”  God’s will has been revealed to us in His living book, the Bible. So, when Paul concludes that all spiritual wisdom and understanding have been given to us, he is speaking of those things we know are God’s will for our lives. The problem is that we spend so much of our lives trying to figure out God’s will for our personal lives that we miss and neglect the explicit things that we know God has planned for us to do here at ground zero. 

    *God’s Will Must Be Discerned

    Do you have a spiritually discerning Spirit and how do you get a spiritually discerning Spirit?
    While certain aspects of God’s will have been clearly revealed, more personal and particular elements must be discerned.
    What is discernement? We see it used in Psalm 119:66
    Psalm 119:66 ESV
    Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
    Jesus encourages us to be discerning and discriminating lest we cast our pearls before swine. (Matt.7).
    A remarkable example is on display in John2:24-25
    John 2:24–25 ESV
    But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
    Jesus knows what is in man’s heart and will not reveal himself to those who are not spiritually discerning.
    “Discernment is learning to think God‘s thoughts after Him, practically and spiritually; it means having a sense of how things look in God‘s eyes and seeing them in some measure “uncovered and laid bare.”
    Things we must understand about discerning God’s will

    a). Passive knowledge of God

    The "passive knowledge of God" refers to the idea that our understanding of God is not something we actively create or discover, but rather a gift from God himself through revelation. It's a receiving rather than a searching process.

    b.) Active Knowledge of God

    The "active knowledge of God" refers to a deep, personal, and experiential understanding of God that goes beyond mere intellectual comprehension. It involves a relationship with God, where one actively seeks to know, love, and serve Him, applying that knowledge to daily life and responding to His presence in the world. 
    The Active and Passive Will of God refer to two ways God is believed to act in the world. The Active Will is the will of God that is actively carried out, causing something to happen. The Passive Will is God's permission for something to happen, without directly causing it Therefore, we must carefully discern God’s will through prayer and the guidance of His Spirit. 
    We must confirm his will under his Word. We can evaluate its validity for our lives by the fruit it produces. Because God has graciously disclosed his will and provided everything we need to discern it, through Paul’s prayer in this passage, we can affirm the possibility of finding God’s will for our lives.

    2. God’s Will is Motivated by His Ambition

    a.) We Must Long to Please Christ

    In our culture today, we often desire to know and follow God’s plan, but not for the right reasons. Many times, we want to know God’s will and plan for our own selfishly motivated desires. 
    The overarching desire is to bring us satisfaction or glory. The thing that motivates God’s ambition to reveal His will to us is to please Him, all for His glory and fame alone.
    We are called to walk in a way worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him. 
    Many people expect the Lord to give them what they desire, and some may even quote Psalm 37:4 to justify their expectations: “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.”
    But this misunderstanding portrays God as some cosmic genie who is obligated to grant us our wishes as long as we ask “in Jesus’s name.” What this verse actually means is that God will infuse our hearts with his desires when we learn to delight ourselves in what pleases him.

    b.) We Must Live to Please Christ

    Verse 10 highlights the idea that we are to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.
    Pursuing God’s will for our lives must be defined as comprehensively living in submission and surrender rather than living in comfort and convenience.
    It means our lives must be entirely and exclusively devoted to honoring him. We can’t live the selfish way we want to and hide behind sanctified excuses like, “Well, God knows my heart.” Our true desires will be revealed through our actual behavior as we embrace the ultimate purpose of following God’s will: pleasing Christ!

    3. God’s Will Has a Process for it’s Purpose

    In verses 10-12 Paul gives us the practical aspects of living a life that pleases God. It is impossible to please God apart from doing His will for our lives.
    The process of fulfilling God’s will: “bearing fruit” (v. 10), “growing” (v. 10), “being strengthened” (v. 11), and “giving thanks” (v. 12).
    The verbs of ongoing action provide us with practical steps in the process of fulfilling God’s will for our lives.

    *We are called to do Good Works

    Ephesians 2:10 ESV
    For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
    While some have argued that Paul is at odds with James. Some have said that Paul is the faith person and James is the work is the works person. I would say that this is untrue. The point both make explicitly is “show me a person’s works, and I will show you their faith or show me a persons faith, and I will show you their works.” James say’s in James 2:26 “Faith without works is dead.”
    Fruit overflows into the works in a believers life. You cannot assume that you are in God’s will if you are not actively working for the Kingdom of God. This is a 24/7 job for all believers.

    *We are Called to Grow Strong in the Lord!

    Ultimately, if we pursue paths that can be accomplished in our own strength and ability, then we have achieved something less than God’s will.

    *We are Called to Give Thanks

    Thankfulness will always bring us back to the one who inures the purposeful will of the Father in our lives.
    Our inheritance in Christ is imperishable. Matthew 6:19 “don’t lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…”
    Our inheritance in Christ is unspoiled
    Our inheritance in Christ is reserved.

    *We are Called to the Kingdom of Light

    We must relish in the Freedom that We have in God’s Will! The final 2 verses of this section expound on the Fathers word of Salvation to qualify his people for his service. Paul specifies the nature of Christ’s saving work, the means by which it will be accomplished shifting from the use of the second person pronoun “you” in v. 12 to the first person “us” in v. 13.
    This shift to the fist person would appear to be referencing his own personal testimony being blinded on the Damascus road and having what appeared as scales fall from his eyes when God used Ananias a high priest of Jerusalem to restored Saul’s sight.
    In verse 13 notice that Paul uses two complementary verbs to establish a stark contrast that reinforces the present reality of their sacred standing as God’s people. In the New American Standard we read that “He has rescued us,” where the ESV uses the word “delivered,” this speaks of the peril of our condition prior to Christ. The word used hear is usually attributed to Israel’s Exodus from Egypt.
    The parallel term, “transferred,” describes the sequential or simultaneous act of the Father in salvation reinforcing the vast insurmountable gulf that exists between the two conditions.
    Light and Darkness Cannot Coexist
    In the Bible darkness is commonly used to refer to the condition of a depraved world apart from God, both by the physical and spiritual metaphorical blindness used to characterize the lost.
    Jesus describes himself as “the light of the world,” (John 8:12), and he invaded the darkness of sinful humanity and could not be overcome by it (John 1:4-5). Christ rules and reigns over the kingdom of light. The transfer is from being citizen’s of this world with all that is controlled and ruled by Satan to being citizens of heaven with the other saints and members of the household of God.

    WE HAVE BEEN REDEEMED FOR A PURPOSE

    As God’s people we have a new position, a new purpose, a new perspective.
    Our eyes have been opened and we now can recognize the hopeless state of the world from which we have now been rescued. We are free from our slavery to sin and are now free to fulfill the greater purpose of God.
    We now have a heightened awareness of our responsibility to live as children of the light. Above all we must be faithful to proclaim the “light of the gospel” of King Jesus that penetrates the darkest dark, and even the greatest blinded hearts around us so that they too may be rescued. We have been redeemed for this purpose.
    You are now a part of the greatest rescue team the world has ever known. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5 that we are ministers of reconciliation to the world, we are ambassadors for Christ to those who are wandering and groping in this dark world of sin for answers.
    CONCLUSION
    Do you know what God is doing in your life right now? 
    Are you seeking the Lord and asking Him to reveal His will to you right now? 
    In all my years of serving the Lord, I have found that God does not desire to keep you in the dark. Yes, there are times I must walk by faith and not by sight, but even in those seasons of walking by faith, I can know the “ways of God.”
    God’s will for our lives was never intended to be a mystery for us to solve. Instead, he has provided everything needed to accomplish his plan faithfully. He has redeemed us from the world of darkness and given us the ability to discern and actively pursue His divine will accurately.  
    Psalm 103:7 ESV
    7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
    How do we grow in our knowledge of God’s will?
    Paul say’s it comes through “All spiritual wisdom and understanding.” This means that the “knowledge” of God’s will is not just knowing a few simple facts.
    Spiritual wisdom and understanding are the ability to apply Biblical principles to one's life. This gift is exclusively reserved for believers. If you halfheartedly follow Jesus, you will never have the great privilege of obtaining it. What Paul is talking about is a deep, thorough knowledge of God’s will for our lives. 
    This is only obtained through the study of God’s word. As we carefully and diligently learn more about God’s word, we learn more about God’s will for our lives.
    As God’s word becomes more dominant in our thinking and feelings, the will of God will come with it.  The redemption of the Lamb of God must become central in our daily thinking and feeling.
    A boy made a toy yacht, put a sail on it, and painted it red. He took it out and sailed it in a nearby stream, but for whatever reason, he lost the boat in the current of the stream. 
    He was brokenhearted at its loss. One day, the boy was passing a second-hand store in his village. He looked in the window, and his boat was for sale for 50 cents. He looked at it and said, " That's my boat, " so he approached the man behind the counter and said, " I want my boat back. I made that boat, put the sail on it, and painted it red.
    The man said someone brought the ship to me, and I bought it. If you want it back, you must pay the 50-cent sale price. So he gave the man the 50 cents and walked out of the shop with his boat. 
    As he cradled the boat in his arms, he said, “Little boat, you are twice mine.” I made you, I lost you, and Bought you back again.
    If you are a Christian here this morning, God says to you, “You are Twice Mine, I made you, I lost you in sin, and in Christ I qualified you, I rescued you, I redeemed you, and I have bought you back. 
  • Colossians 3:18–4:1 ESV
    18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. 1 Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
    Recap from last week
    Last week, we examined the results of the transformation that has taken place in our lives. We looked at how we have put to death the desires of the flesh and put on the righteousness of Christ. We discovered that the one thing that binds us all together as Christians is love. Not just any love but the love that has been so lavishly poured out on us by the Savior of the world. 
    Today, Paul is going to lay out the blueprint for our families to be all that God desires for them to be. 
    When Christ is Lord of our families then our homes will be built according to God’s plan and desires.
    God has built a foundational plan for the families the key is in the text is whether it is “in the Lord,” “pleases the Lord,” “fears the Lord,” or is “serving the Lord.”
    The Foundation we are Building On
    Perhaps one of Jesus’s most recognizable parables is the one he used to conclude one of the most recognizable sermons, the Sermon on the Mount.
    Jesus describes the foundation that he desires for all of His followers in Christ. (Matthew 7:24-27) He summarized his message and the importance of obeying his instructions by contrasting the wise and foolish builders. Possibly one of the most overlooked aspects of Jesus parable is what each of the builders were constructing. They were building a home.
    While obviously Jesus was describing the necessity of having a strong foundation for life that gains its stability from the word on which it's built, it's not being built on some generic structure in the community, an important government office, or even a house of worship. He was pointing towards the home, which is one of the most important and recognizable structures in a community. 
    It is a home to the family, protects that which is most cherished, serves as a place of personal rest and private refuge, and is the base of operations for everything else. Each “house” is equated to its respective builder and serves as the physical domain that essentially represents all of life.
    We live in a world and culture today where the home is constantly shifting, moving, and being fractured.  
    Just as it was for the builders in Jesus' parable, so it is with the homes we are building today. Not necessarily the physical structure, but everything it represents. And to Jesus' point, an attempt to build it on anything other than his word is futile and pointless. 
    Because everyone is going to experience the storms of life, from every direction, wind, rain, floods.
    Our ability to persevere and withstand these catastrophic events is contingent on what foundation we have built our house on, and where our strength comes from when the storms rage against our homes. 
    When Christ is the Lord of my family, my wife and I can build our home according to God’s design and desire. In this passage God provides the blueprint and gives us the necessary steps to build a home according to his plan.
    The problem in our homes and culture today is that we attempt to build our homes on our blueprint and then invite the Lord into our design.

    1. We Must Dedicate Our Homes to the Lord

    Illustration: The Chair of Control
    Imagine your life as a room with a single chair in the center. That chair represents control—who calls the shots, who decides what’s right, what direction to take, and what values to live by.
    For most of us, we sit in that chair by default. We decide what’s best for ourselves. Even when we invite Jesus into the room, we often want Him close by but not on the chair. We might ask for His advice, want His blessings, and even sing songs about how wonderful He is—but we’re still the ones seated in control.
    But submitting to the Lordship of Christ means getting up from the chair, handing over the seat to Jesus, and saying,
    “You lead. You rule. I’ll follow—even when I don’t understand, even when it costs me, even when it goes against what I want.”
    It’s a daily choice to say, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). It’s not just letting Him into the room of your life—it’s letting Him take the throne.
    God establishes the family according to His order and plan. The family was not our idea from the beginning it was ordained and instituted by God in Genesis 2:18-25 the problem is that our society has moved so far away from God’s blueprint that our homes look very little like God’s intended plan.
    His plan for husbands and wives reflects the covenant relationship that the Lord has with His people.
    God’s Plan vs. Man’s plan
    God’s plan was one of intimacy, pro-creation, and unity.
    This is a Godly heritage that was intended to be cultivated within a monogamous relationship between one husband and one wife till death do us part. But, when sin entered the world the family unity was forever fractured under the weight of self-gratification, lies, and shame.
    The relationship between husbands and wives became strained, the covenant concept that marriage was intended to display became distorted, and the spiritual component of the home became contaminated.
    But, through the redemptive power of Christ God has provided a way for our homes to be redeemed.
    Some of you here this morning need your homes to be redeemed. Perhaps it is from past sin’s and failings of the parents; or present disunity and destructive actions that have led to catastrophic results.
    Paul now explains how our immediate families can be redeemed through Him.

    (a) We submit to His Lordship

    The word "submit" in Scripture has become a byword or a bad word in many Christian homes. 
    Illustration: The Umbrella of Protection
    Imagine a heavy rainstorm. The wind is blowing hard, and the rain is falling relentlessly. You’re outside without shelter—but someone hands you a large, sturdy umbrella. It doesn’t stop the storm, but under it, you’re protected. The umbrella doesn't represent weakness—it’s your safety, your covering.
    In Scripture, submission works like that umbrella. It’s not about being inferior or powerless. It’s about placing yourself under God’s ordained structure—whether that’s His Word, Christ’s leadership, or godly authority like in a family or church. The covering isn’t there to oppress but to protect, guide, and bless.
    Christ submitted to the Father (Luke 22:42): “Not my will, but yours be done.”
    Believers submit to Christ as the Head of the Church (Ephesians 5:24).
    Wives submit to husbands as to the Lord (Ephesians 5:22–24), not because they are less, but to reflect Christ and the Church.
    Husbands also submit to God in their role, loving sacrificially like Christ loved the Church.
    When we step outside that umbrella, we’re exposed—just like stepping out in the rain. But when we stay under God’s structure, we find safety, peace, and blessing, even in the storm.
    Unless the Lord builds the house it’s labors, labor over it in vein. (Psalm 127:1)
    For the Lord to build our homes we must establish it under His authority, under His blueprint.
    PRACTICALLY SPEAKING: Every aspect of our homes must be offered in submission to the Lord.
    Relationships - Routines - Values - Possessions

    (1). Making Christ the Center of your Home.

    Is Prayer and Scripture grafted into the normal rhythm of your home?
    Are decisions big or small made seeking God’s will and plan?
    What is the atmosphere of your home? (is it peace, love, forgiveness, and grace?)

    (2). Discipling Within the Walls

    Parents are spiritual leaders, not just caregivers or providers.
    Children are taught to love and obey, not just obey well.
    Family culture incorporates repentance, reconciliation, worship, and biblical truth.

    (3). Letting Go

    Submission means saying: “God, this home is yours. Interrupt our plans. Use our space. Shift our schedule. Teach us through inconvenience.”
    It may mean rearranging routines, inviting people in, or letting go of perfection.
    (when do we make excuses for not showing spiritual leadership in our homes, because it is difficult, or not convenient, or uncomfortable. We make excuses for not having our families in community with the church, or having regular bible study and prayer in our homes)
    “as is fitting to the Lord”
    Notice that the word Lord is used 6 times throughout our text (3:18, 20, 22, 23, 24; 4:1 [“Master”]), and each of the relationships includes at least one reference to him. This clearly identifies Christ as the ultimate leader of our families. But while most believers would acknowledge his authority, we often struggle with the practical implications of this for each of our roles.
    First, submitting to his leadership at home means that he assigns specific roles to us. 
    The roles of husbands, wives, and children were all originally established by God and for God’s glory. Even though these roles are distinct in God’s blueprint for the family they all have equal value before God, and all of their particular functions are vital within God’s infinite design and plan.
    “Submitting to the Lord means that our roles are ultimately accountable to Him.”
    But our responsibility and faithfulness are not contingent on their obedience.
    In other words, a wife’s unwilling spirit does not negate a husband’s responsibility to love her and not be harsh. Likewise, a wife’s devotion to her husband cannot be determined based on his level of commitment to love her well. Similarly, children’s submission to their parents is not optional.

    (b) We Serve with His Love

    The overarching disposition of everyone of His servants is “Love.” John 13:35
    John 13:35 ESV
    35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
    While the overarching mission of every follower of Christ is Service. The questions we should all ask in relation to our families is: How can I faithfully love and serve you today?
    Apart from love, even our best efforts are most checked boxes fail to meet God’s intention or design for the family.
    The redeeming love that transforms our hearts must be evident through our kind interaction with one another and in the duties we willingly perform for our families. The selfless love that we share as a family allows it to flourish; it will enable us to have harmony and peace in our homes. 

    2. We Must Dwell Together in Harmony

    We were meant to share and provide some of the greatest avenues of harmony and happiness we are made to enjoy.
    What does it look like to Dwell with Harmony in the Lord?

    (a). Wives Should Respectfully Lift up their Husbands

    When God instituted the first and closest of all human relationships in the Bible He said that it was not good for man to be alone and therefore He created Him a helper suitable for Him. He provided Adam with Eve and brought her to Him as His wife.
    This original design provides God’s good design and intention for marriage. The word submit has historically been misunderstood and interpreted in our culture today as misogynistic and outdated.
    They believe the term 'sanctions abuse' or use it to justify dismissing Scripture as culturally confined or outdated. Others have taken on the term as a license for authoritarian leadership at home, demanding obedient servitude from the wife. Both of these extreme views completely misinterpret the meaning. 
    This is Where:

    Hyper-Individualism Clashes with God’s Design

    Western culture, in particular, places a strong emphasis on autonomy, personal freedom, and self-expression. The idea of yielding to another’s leadership or following a higher authority is seen as oppressive or outdated.
    Truth: In God's kingdom, freedom comes through surrender, not resistance. True life is found in laying down our rights, just as Jesus taught:
    “Whoever wants to be first must be last, and the servant of all.” — Mark 9:35
    The term submit is not a term that subordinates the wife to lesser in being, quality, or worth.
    Practically speaking wives who choose not to lovingly submit to their husbands also fail to lovingly submit to God.
    Philippians 2:5–8 ESV
    5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
    Note: If the Son is simultaneously equal with the Father and submissive to the Father, then equality and submissiveness can co-exist also in human relationships.
    The Enemy and Submission
    Satan's deception in the Fall (Genesis 3) deeply distorted humanity’s understanding of submission, both to God and within human relationships. Here’s how:
    (1) Satan Presented Submission as a Loss of Freedom
    In Genesis 3:1-5, Satan questioned God's command, subtly suggesting that obedience to God was restrictive:
    “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1)
    He framed God’s authority as oppressive, not loving.
    He implied that true freedom and fulfillment come from breaking free of God's rule — essentially saying, “God is holding out on you.”
    This resulted in humanity seeing submission to God not as trust and safety, but as limitation and bondage.
    (2) Satan Encourages Autonomy over Trust
    Satan’s temptation in Genesis 3:5 is that you will be like God
    “He enticed Adam and Eve with Self-Rule instead of God’s rule. The idea that they could determine what is good and right for themselves.
    Submission became associated with inferiority, and pride replaced humility. This fostered a spirit of rebellion and self-sovereignty.
    (3) The fall Corrupted Human Relationships
    Before the fall human relationships were marked by mutual honor and respect. After the fall human relationships were marked by a broken dynamic that would plague marriages. Genesis 3:16
    Genesis 3:16 ESV
    16 To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.”
    Notice that this was not a command but a consequence - submission was now tainted by struggle for control, dominance and resentment.
    (4) The Gospel Reclaims Submission
    In Christ, submission is redeemed and redefined. It's modeled after Jesus Himself:
    “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death…” (Philippians 2:8)
    Biblical submission is not about inferiority but about trust, love, and order — both in our relationship with God and with one another (Ephesians 5:21).

    (b). Husbands Should Sacrificially Love their Wives

    The role of husbands here is commanded to love our wives. The complementary verse is Ephesians 5:25 explains the depth and extent of our love towards our wives.
    A husband must be willing to set aside his own desires, needs, and wants for the sake of His wife. What are you willing to sacrifice?
    Your Wife is a Gift from God
    Gentlemen, when you see your wife, do you see her as a gift from God? It was God who brought the woman to man and gave her to him to Love, Honor, and cherish, until death do us part. Husbands are responsible for the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of their wives.
    You must be devoted to caring for them and promoting their spiritual growth and sanctification. If your wife is not spiritually growing in her relationship to Christ, that is on you, gentlemen. Ephesians 5:26-29
    Ephesians 5:26–29 ESV
    26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,
    Several years ago, I was convicted that I was not completely fulfilling this command in my wife. I began to challenge my wife with memorizing scripture together. We are currently working on the challenge to memorize the top 100 verses that Christians should know.
    I challenge and encourage all men here to be bathing their wives in the word of Christ. How many conversations have you had with your wife on scripture this week? How often do you share with your wife deep spiritual things? That is on you men, you will all be held accountable to God.
    “do not be harsh with your wives”
    When a husband faithfully loves his wife he will not be bitter towards her.
    This practical description of the appropriate treatment also forbids demeaning leadership that takes advantage of a wife’s willing submission

    (c). Children Should Humbly Listen to Their Parents

    The instruction in this verse is directed to those who are young and continue to live under the supervision and provision of their earthly parents.
    Notice that the instruction is for Children to obey their parents in everything.
    Disobedient children are one of the more disagreeable and alarming signs of decay in a Christian culture.
    It means that biblical sanity is on the way out, and it is particularly distressing when propagated in the name of kindness and progress. No wonder that sensible Dr Spock had second thoughts!
    (1) Obedience honors God’s design for the family.
    Paul affirms the biblical structure where parents have been given the God-ordained role of nurturing, guiding, and disciplining their children (see also Ephesians 6:1-4). Children are told to obey because:
    a. It's part of learning respect, trust, and submission to God’s authority.
    b. It creates order, protection, and harmony in the home.
    c. It prepares them for a lifetime of walking under God’s authority.
    “in everything”
    It can cause some difficulty, however, it should not be that difficult. Remember all of our submissions and mandates in this passage are unto the Lord and His governance over our lives. 
    In everything means in all areas under the parents’ rightful authority
    This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive nature of obedience—it’s not selective. However, it's not absolute in the sense of violating God's commands. If a parent were to require something sinful or abusive, obedience to God must come first.
    “it pleases the Lord”
    There is nothing that brings greater pleasure to the Lord than our obedience.
    (d) Parents Should Faithfully Lead their Children
    God holds parents accountable for how they raise their children. Paul specifically discusses the relationship between fathers and their children. 
    The responsibility of children to obey their parents is intended to foster a teachable spirit that enables parents to fulfill their duties.
    Guidelines for Raising Children in a Christian Home
    First, in a home that honors Christ, parents should disciple their children.
    Your children are more likely to come to Christ because of the example you set for them. If mom and dad prioritize regular Bible study, your children will likely see it as necessary. If Mom and Dad consider regular time in corporate worship as of primary importance, then your children will probably find it important. 
    Scripture places the primary importance of spiritually raising your children on the shoulders of the parents. Ephesians 6:4 “4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
    Second, in a home that honors Christ parents should discipline their children.
    While our culture villainizes parents who admonish their children, Scripture teaches that discipline is one of the most important aspects of parental love (cf. Prov 13:24). Correction is necessary as children learn right from wrong, and it teaches them the reality of consequences for their sinful choices. This certainly is not a license for emotional or physical abuse by parents. We know in Hebrews 12:5-11 we are told that God disciplines those He loves.
    If you as parents lack discipline in your home and are too permissive to your children it does not show true love but, a lack of love. Parents should discipline their children in a way that fosters love, trust, and a desire to follow Him.
    Third, in a home that honors Christ, parents should not Discourage their children.
    This is an overbearing parent who frustrates or continually brings their children to the point of irritation or frustration. Practically speaking, it incorporates a legalistic standard that demands perfection, placing unreasonable expectations and constantly berating their children. 

    (e) Believers should diligently Labor for their Masters

    The final domestic relationship that we should seek harmony in is between slave’s and masters. It must be stated that Paul is in no way advocating slavery.
    Some have misunderstood his failure to condemn the institution or his refusal to endorse rebellion against it as an implicit endorsement.
    But Scripture is clear that discrimination of any kind (social, political, or racial) and inhumane treatment of others is ungodly and unacceptable. The gospel meets us in the circumstances of life, and it teaches us how to respond. Paul’s instructions for slaves and masters changed the perspective of their respective positions, focusing on their roles and responsibilities as service to the Lord

    3. We Should Display our Hearts for the Lord

    The greater principle that Paul is teaching us in this passage is that whatever we do not do it for the eyes of man (as way of eye service) but we do it for the eyes of the Lord of all creation. We do it with a complete sincerity of heart for the Lord.
    We display our hearts for the Lord not merely by outward actions, but by a life that flows from inward devotion, love, and surrender.
    (1) Consider the Difficult situations of Life
    Whenever the perfect standard of scripture meets the imperfect lives of people, tension arises that makes faith necessary and obedience difficult. 
    Therefore, we must be diligent to teach the truth of God’s word with mercy by those who have been affected by the tragedy of heartache, family dysfunction, and or marital misfortune.
    All through Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he brings us back to the redemptive nature of Christ that reconciles us to God. He meets us where we are, in desperate need of our messed-up lives. 
    (2) Consider the Difficult Seasons of Life
    Even when we desire to lead our homes in a way that honors God first and best we know that every marriage and every family will experience difficult times.
    Some seasons are notoriously difficult for families. 
    When our families experience times of emotional grief in the loss of loved ones or situational instability with a job change or relocation, the additional stress and required adjustments can be especially difficult. Additions to the family, such as new children or parental challenges with existing children and grandchildren, can also result in difficult times that require us to renew our devotion to our families and our roles and responsibilities.
    CONCLUSION
    The assumption in Jesus' parable about the wise and foolish builders is that our homes have endured a barrage of torrential rain and storms. 
    The assurance is that those who build their lives according to God’s blueprint and plan can withstand life’s onslaught when it comes their way. 
    According to Jesus, when we build our homes on the uncertain and unstable sand of the world’s principles and philosophies, our houses will collapse. Many of us have witnessed or endured the collateral damage of such tragic family downfalls. But when Christ is the architect and his Word is the foundation, our homes will be established on the immovable rock that will not allow our houses to be destroyed.
    The conclusion of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount describes the consequences of not building our lives on the foundation of His word. Earlier in His message, Jesus explains the impact that believers are intended to have on the lost world around us. The effect of the testimony we have is through transformed and changed lives. I’m sure there are many of you here this morning who can attest to how God has redeemed your marriage, how God has redeemed your children, and how God has redeemed your careers.
    We read the familiar passage about being salt and light concerning the house as an essential feature. (Matt. 5:15) The assumed use of the lamp is that it would give light to all who are in our house today. This not only affects those who live in our house, but as those in the house are forever transformed it serves as a city on a hill where the light cannot be hidden. 
    Redeemed households become beacons of light that shine the gospel to the lost world around us.

    How is Your House Shining like a beacon of light in the world?

      • Isaiah 2:1–5ESV

      • Hebrews 1:2ESV

      • 1 Peter 2:5ESV

      • Isaiah 2:6–9ESV

      • Isaiah 2:10–19ESV

      • Psalm 113:4ESV

      • Isaiah 2:20–22ESV

The Journey Church
mark@thejourneykilleen.com
3616557125
http://www.thejourneykilleen.com
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