Sermon: Household Rules by Rev. Jessica Johnson
Date: September 15, 2019
Key Scripture Passages: Colossians 3:18-4:1
Sermon Notes:
Introduction: Family Matters
In any society, the family unit is the stabilizing force. It is said that if the family falls, then society would fall right after it. This was true in biblical times, just as it is now. Ancient households included more than the nuclear family. Everyone that was under the authority of the head of the household would be considered part of the household. This would include extended family, servants, guests, etc. This also could potentially include the fellow-believers of Christians who would meet at their homes as the local church body. While the heads of the households were more commonly men, there is evidence that some households were led by women.
In the previous passage in Colossians, Paul talks about new life in Christ. He goes into detail about things that we should remove from our lives, like anger and hate, and things that we should put on, like love and compassion. It is immediately followed by this list of rules for households. Codes of domestic behavior were not uncommon. The difference with Paul’s was that he was focusing on Christian households, and he told them that the relationships between the members of the household had to be appropriate for what Jesus would have wanted. He was talking directly to believers and adding phrases like “fitting in the Lord” or “pleasing to the Lord”.
Husbands and Wives (Colossians 3:18-19)
Colossians 3:18-19 (ESV) states: “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.”
There are a couple radical things about these two verses. First, it is interesting that Paul starts with speaking to the women. The Gospel puts men and women on equal footing before Christ. Women were no longer 2nd class citizens. However, God is a God of order, and Paul affirms the family order. Even though the Gospel shook things up, and we still need to preserve the family unit.
Second, wives are commanded to submit to their husbands. This is not something that is done to them. This is an action; something they chose to do for themselves. Submitting yourself to someone is about trust, trusting in their leadership. Before I got married, I made the decision that I would never get married to someone, unless I was willing to submit to them. This doesn’t mean that I don’t have a say. I certainly give my opinion and insight. This means that I have placed my faith and trust in my husband that he will make the best decisions about our family and our household, especially if for some reason, I can’t make decisions.
Third, God knew what we were going to struggle with in our relationships. Women would want the authority and would challenge anyone in power over them, including their husbands. In turn, husbands would struggle with showing love. Husbands need to love their wives. A wife will be more willing to submit to his leadership if she feels supported by and cared for by his love. Paul’s point in all of this is that the relationships within the household need to be done with Christian love, mutual support, and mutual respect.
Parents and Children (Colossians 3:20-21)
Colossians 3:20-21 states: “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
Paul’s next section is about the relationship between parents and children. He tells children to obey their parents, according to the what would please the Lord. If children do not grow up learning to obey and respect the authority of their parents, then they will not obey or respect the authority of anyone else.
Then, Paul tells fathers to not irritate their children to the point of being unreasonable or disheartening. Children should obey their parents, but parents should conduct themselves in matter worthy of being obeyed. Parents should raise their kids up in in a loving and nurturing home and in the instruction of the Lord. Children need to be encouraged and taught!
Masters and Slaves (Colossians 3:22-4:1)
The last section, Colossians 3:22-4:1, which states: “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. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.”
In the third section, Paul specifically addresses servants or slaves that are Christian. In our society, we do not have slaves. But the same sort of principles applies between a manager and their employees, or anyone that works above you or for you.
On one hand, if their master is a Christian, then spiritually, they are equals in Christ. There would still be the order in the household, but they would treat each other as fellow Christians. If the master was not a Christian, then the servant was supposed to serve faithfully and see it as an opportunity to share Christ with their master. Paul also told them to think of it as if they are serving the Lord, and they should continue to do what is right, despite the spiritual condition of their master. In other words, the servant was to serve faithfully, regardless, and to be mindful of their master’s spiritual beliefs.
Final Thoughts
Many people today would have trouble with this passage. First, they do not like the idea of making women being submissive. Yet, they miss the whole point that this is not a passive thing done to women, but rather an active choice that women make.
Second, people would have a hard time with the servants’ passage. You have to remember two things. First, the church at the time was a minority group. They had no political sway to make any changes to society there. Also, the church at the time was solely focused on proclaiming the Gospel and converting more believers to Christ. They were not focused on social action.
Remember, this passage immediately follows Paul’s list of how to be a new creation under Christ passage, and this list of attributes that we should strive for as we follow Christ. Paul told the Christians at the beginning of Colossians 3 what the nature of a Christian was like with those lists of things we should put off and things we should put on. Now, with these household rules, Paul is telling us how to put them into action in our daily lives. Our families, our households, they are who we interact with the most every single day. This is where we need to get our relationships right first. We need to view these relationships and approach them as is pleasing to the Lord. It all starts within ourselves and then within our homes.
Challenge: Read Colossians 4 every day this week.
Date: September 15, 2019
Key Scripture Passages: Colossians 3:18-4:1
Sermon Notes:
Introduction: Family Matters
In any society, the family unit is the stabilizing force. It is said that if the family falls, then society would fall right after it. This was true in biblical times, just as it is now. Ancient households included more than the nuclear family. Everyone that was under the authority of the head of the household would be considered part of the household. This would include extended family, servants, guests, etc. This also could potentially include the fellow-believers of Christians who would meet at their homes as the local church body. While the heads of the households were more commonly men, there is evidence that some households were led by women.
In the previous passage in Colossians, Paul talks about new life in Christ. He goes into detail about things that we should remove from our lives, like anger and hate, and things that we should put on, like love and compassion. It is immediately followed by this list of rules for households. Codes of domestic behavior were not uncommon. The difference with Paul’s was that he was focusing on Christian households, and he told them that the relationships between the members of the household had to be appropriate for what Jesus would have wanted. He was talking directly to believers and adding phrases like “fitting in the Lord” or “pleasing to the Lord”.
Husbands and Wives (Colossians 3:18-19)
Colossians 3:18-19 (ESV) states: “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.”
There are a couple radical things about these two verses. First, it is interesting that Paul starts with speaking to the women. The Gospel puts men and women on equal footing before Christ. Women were no longer 2nd class citizens. However, God is a God of order, and Paul affirms the family order. Even though the Gospel shook things up, and we still need to preserve the family unit.
Second, wives are commanded to submit to their husbands. This is not something that is done to them. This is an action; something they chose to do for themselves. Submitting yourself to someone is about trust, trusting in their leadership. Before I got married, I made the decision that I would never get married to someone, unless I was willing to submit to them. This doesn’t mean that I don’t have a say. I certainly give my opinion and insight. This means that I have placed my faith and trust in my husband that he will make the best decisions about our family and our household, especially if for some reason, I can’t make decisions.
Third, God knew what we were going to struggle with in our relationships. Women would want the authority and would challenge anyone in power over them, including their husbands. In turn, husbands would struggle with showing love. Husbands need to love their wives. A wife will be more willing to submit to his leadership if she feels supported by and cared for by his love. Paul’s point in all of this is that the relationships within the household need to be done with Christian love, mutual support, and mutual respect.
Parents and Children (Colossians 3:20-21)
Colossians 3:20-21 states: “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
Paul’s next section is about the relationship between parents and children. He tells children to obey their parents, according to the what would please the Lord. If children do not grow up learning to obey and respect the authority of their parents, then they will not obey or respect the authority of anyone else.
Then, Paul tells fathers to not irritate their children to the point of being unreasonable or disheartening. Children should obey their parents, but parents should conduct themselves in matter worthy of being obeyed. Parents should raise their kids up in in a loving and nurturing home and in the instruction of the Lord. Children need to be encouraged and taught!
Masters and Slaves (Colossians 3:22-4:1)
The last section, Colossians 3:22-4:1, which states: “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. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.”
In the third section, Paul specifically addresses servants or slaves that are Christian. In our society, we do not have slaves. But the same sort of principles applies between a manager and their employees, or anyone that works above you or for you.
On one hand, if their master is a Christian, then spiritually, they are equals in Christ. There would still be the order in the household, but they would treat each other as fellow Christians. If the master was not a Christian, then the servant was supposed to serve faithfully and see it as an opportunity to share Christ with their master. Paul also told them to think of it as if they are serving the Lord, and they should continue to do what is right, despite the spiritual condition of their master. In other words, the servant was to serve faithfully, regardless, and to be mindful of their master’s spiritual beliefs.
Final Thoughts
Many people today would have trouble with this passage. First, they do not like the idea of making women being submissive. Yet, they miss the whole point that this is not a passive thing done to women, but rather an active choice that women make.
Second, people would have a hard time with the servants’ passage. You have to remember two things. First, the church at the time was a minority group. They had no political sway to make any changes to society there. Also, the church at the time was solely focused on proclaiming the Gospel and converting more believers to Christ. They were not focused on social action.
Remember, this passage immediately follows Paul’s list of how to be a new creation under Christ passage, and this list of attributes that we should strive for as we follow Christ. Paul told the Christians at the beginning of Colossians 3 what the nature of a Christian was like with those lists of things we should put off and things we should put on. Now, with these household rules, Paul is telling us how to put them into action in our daily lives. Our families, our households, they are who we interact with the most every single day. This is where we need to get our relationships right first. We need to view these relationships and approach them as is pleasing to the Lord. It all starts within ourselves and then within our homes.
Challenge: Read Colossians 4 every day this week.
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