On our journey do we listen to the guidance we are given?
Every day we are given guidance by friends, family, work colleagues, “agony aunts on TV”, papers & by God. How do we decide what is right and what is wrong – what is “man” inspired and what is “spirit” inspired.
As Christians we are advised to read out Bibles every day – how many of us aspire to do this and don’t? more on this in Col 3:5-10
why do we recieve and give advice?
Does it stop us making mistakes?
What can we learn from the early church that will help us better understand – what advice does Paul offer us as Christians striving to live as Christ would have us live.
Read or listen to Colossians 3:
Tag line to remember : set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (3:1)
Does this remind you of anything ?
What about the “Lord’s prayer” “Our Father in heaven . . . your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt 6:9-10).
Why do you think Paul re-enforced this particular point to the young church?
Why is this important to us as church and individuals today?
Look at Col 3: 5-9 why does Paul state in this list fashion, of the old self in such an explicit way?
Do you see verses 9 & 10 as encouragement &/or a correction to the young church?
A change of point of reference – read Col 3:11
The Message: Col 3:11 Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.
Trend setting guidance, fashion sense from Paul …….
The Message:
(Col 3:12) So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.
(Col 3:13) Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.
(Col 3:14) And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
so what is Paul saying to you in this?
So where is the Christian Harmony?
Col 3:15 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness.
Col 3:16 Let the Word of Christ–the Message–have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God!
The focus of how we go about our daily lives…..
Col 3:17 Let every detail in your lives–words, actions, whatever–be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
So, to end … What is God saying to you in all of this?
Time to listen…………..PAYER AND REFLECTION TIME NEEDED
This last week’s Bible study was a study in the art of dodging the rain while BBQing the odd sausage and burger. As was tradition with our house group we entered into the spirit of “Summer” by bring to an end this session by meeting round the BBQ. You will be glad to hear that there was no singing round the “camp fire”.