TEXT:  Col. 3:18-4:1

INTRODUCTION:

A.      BACKGROUND FROM LAST WEEK.

          1.       "Put off," earthly members, them all the old man with his doings.

          2.       "Put on" New man like God, a heart, love.

B.      THIS REPENTANCE, NEW BIRTH, WILL EFFECT OUR RELATIONS.

I.      OUR RELATION TO ONE ANOTHER AND THE WORD.

A.      PEACE OF CHRIST - DERIVES FROM FAITH( vs. 15 ).

          1.       It'll rule( 2 Cor. 5:7;  Rom. 14:23 ).

          2.       Derives from an active faith( Phil. 4:6-7 ).

B.      CALLED IN ONE BODY( vs. 15;  Acts 5:42 ).

          1.       Implies association( Rom. 12:9-10 ).

          2.       Implies cooperation( Rom. 12:4-5 ).

C.      THE WORD IS TO DWELL IN US( vs. 16 ).

          1.       Implies knowledge( 2 Pet. 1:3;  3:18 ).

          2.       Implies meditation( Psa. 1:1-2 ).

          3.       Implies practical application( Psa. 119:105;  Heb. 5:12-14 ).

          4.       It will spill over to others( Col. 3:16 ).

D.      OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD CHRIST( vs. 17 ). 

                                      Submission and Appreciation.

II.     HUSBANDS AND WIVES( vs. 18-19 ).

A.      WIVES ARE TO BE IN SUBJECTION.

          1.       As is fitting.

                   a.       Adam was first formed( 1 Cor. 11:3, 8-10 ).

                   b.       Adam was not beguiled( 1 Tim. 2:11-14 ).

          2.       Eph. 5:22-24.  As unto the Lord, as Christ is head.

                   a.       All authority( Col. 3:17 ).

                   b.       We are told to obey elders, but( 1 Pet. 5:3 ).

          3.       1 Pet. 3:1-6.  In a tough situation.

B.      HUSBANDS, LOVE YOUR WIVES ... BE NOT BITTER.

          1.       Eph. 5:25ff.  Compares to Christ's headship.

                   a.       Includes Christ's love - Sacrifice.

                   b.       What gave Jesus the right?( Heb. 5:8-9 ).

          2.       Loving your wife is loving yourself( Eph. 5:28-31 ).

          3.       1 Pet. 3:7.  That your prayers be not hindered.

III.    CHILDREN AND PARENTS( vs. 20-21 ).

A.      CHILDREN, OBEY YOUR PARENTS.

          1.       God's order( Eph. 6:1 ).  "In the Lord."

          2.       Why?

                   a.       Parents wisdom thru experience( Prov. 3:1-4;  Eph. 6:2-3 ).

                   b.       Parents motivated by love and desire for what's good.

B.      FATHERS, PROVOKE NOT YOUR CHILDREN.

          1.       Eph. 6:4.  To wrath, God's wrath, that they be not discouraged.

                   a.       Either by abuse.

                   b.       Or neglect.  Nurture them.

                             - chastening( Prov. 13:24;  22:15;  23:13-14 ).

                             - admonition( Prov. 22:6 ).

          2.       Awesome and difficult responsibility.

IV.   SERVANTS, MASTERS - EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES.

A.      NOT THE SAME, MAJOR DIFFERENCES.  SOME THINGS APPLY.

B.      SERVANTS OBEY ( vs. 22 ).

          1.       Not hypocritically  -  sincerity.

          2.       Who are we really working for?( vs. 23-24 ).

          3.       God will recompense( vs. 24-25 ).

          4.       1 Pet. 2:18.  Tough situation.  If you can't obey, you can quit.  Don't

                    pretend.

C.      MASTERS, RENDER JUST AND EQUAL( 1 Tim. 5:18 ).

          1.       Not to use threats or abuse( Eph. 6:9 ).

          2.       What if he does?( Eph. 6:9 ).

V.    FINAL EXHORTATION - IN CHRIST.

A.      CONTINUE IN PRAYER.

B.      CONTINUE IN CONCERN FOR OTHERS.

C.      REDEEM THE TIME.

CONCLUSION:

A.      THE BEST LIFE IS IN CHRIST.

B.      ARE YOU IN CHRIST?( Gal. 3:26-27 ).