Colossians 3:18-25 - The Soil and the Familial Root
Pastor Caleb Clark
September 8, 2024
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Main Topics Discussed
Introduction: The Gospel's Foundation and Paul's Turn to Family
Recap of Paul's message in Colossians: laying down the gospel as the foundation of the Christian life.
Transition: From general Christian transformation to a focus on the family unit.
Key points from last week: The gospel's soil produces transformed living.
This week’s focus: How the gospel shapes the family.
The Soil of a Transformed Life
The Gospel's Broad Aim:
The gospel reconciles all things, not just individuals, but communities, families, and structures.
Colossians 2: The reconciliation of all things to Christ.
The Gospel's Community Impact:
The gospel aims to redeem both individual lives and the broader communal life.
The family is the most immediate and profound context for communal redemption.
Understanding the Family's Design and Brokenness
God’s Original Design for the Family:
Created to love, care, and ultimately image God’s nature.
The family as an organic structure reflecting God's relational nature.
The Distortion of the Family Unit:
Sin’s entry through Adam and Eve disrupted the family’s design.
The result: A family unit that now struggles to fully reflect God’s glory.
The Family's Redemption in Christ
The family is redeemed through the gospel’s soil.
It is not a mere set of moral rules; it’s a transformation rooted in Christ's work.
Paul's Instructions for the Family - The Familial Root
Wives (Verse 18): "Submit to your husbands as is fitting in the Lord."
Submission is voluntary, not imposed; it’s an act of trust and alignment with God's order.
Key point: Submission reflects Christ's relationship with the church.
Not a demand for silence or inferiority but a willing participation in a God-ordained structure.
Husbands (Verse 19): "Love your wives and do not be harsh with them."
Love is the defining characteristic of biblical masculinity and leadership.
Christ's sacrificial love for the church is the model.
Key point: Husbands are called to be tender, caring, and selfless.
Children (Verse 20): "Obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord."
Obedience to parents is an outworking of the gospel's impact on young lives.
It represents submission to God’s established authority and training in godliness.
Fathers (Verse 21): "Do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged."
Parents should discipline with love, not in ways that crush or dishearten.
Key point: A father’s role is to nurture, encourage, and guide children without stirring up frustration or resentment.
Bondservants (Verses 22-25): "Obey in everything... work heartily, as for the Lord."
Applicable to modern work contexts; employees should work sincerely, as if serving Christ.
Key point: Our work ethic and attitudes reflect our service to God, not just to human employers.
Recognizing God's reward system: The ultimate inheritance comes from Christ, not man.
Masters (4:1): "Treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a master in heaven."
Employers/leaders should be just, fair, and compassionate, knowing they are accountable to God.
Key point: Leadership is exercised under God's authority.
Three Closing Applications
God Blesses Order in the Family:
A well-ordered family glorifies God.
The family reflects God's triune nature when everyone understands and fulfills their God-given roles.
Work and Authority: A Call for Integrity:
Employees: Work as unto the Lord, with integrity and dedication.
Employers: Treat others justly and fairly, recognizing God's ultimate authority over you.
The Gospel as the Only Hope for Family Redemption:
Moralism is insufficient; true transformation begins with a heart rooted in the gospel.
Only through Christ can families experience the redemption and transformation God intends.
Conclusion: The Power of the Gospel in the Family
The fruit of family redemption grows only in the soil of the gospel.
Challenge: Reflect on how the gospel's truth and love can transform your role within your family.
Prayer and Worship: Invite God to cultivate gospel fruits in your life and family.
Biblical References
Colossians 3:18: "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord."
Colossians 3:19: "Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them."
Colossians 3:20: "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord."
Colossians 3:21: "Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged."
Colossians 3:22: "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."
Colossians 3:23: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."
Colossians 3:24: "Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
Colossians 3:25: "For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality."
Colossians 2:9-10 (paraphrased): The idea that Christ is the fullness of God, which is connected to Paul's teaching about Christ's supremacy.
Colossians 3:1: "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is."
Reflection Questions
How does understanding the gospel as the foundation of all things challenge or change the way you view your family relationships?
In what ways have you experienced brokenness in your family, and how might the gospel offer hope and redemption in those areas?
How can you more intentionally reflect God’s love and nature in your role within your family, whether as a spouse, parent, child, or sibling?
What practical steps can you take this week to “work heartily as for the Lord” in your everyday tasks, whether at work or within your household?
How does recognizing Christ as your ultimate master change your perspective on authority and submission, whether you are in a position of leadership or under someone else's authority?
Daily Activities
Daily Prayer for Family Members
Activity: Spend dedicated time each day praying for each member of your family, asking God to shape their lives according to the gospel's transformation. Include specific prayers for your role in the family (e.g., as a spouse, parent, or child) and ask God to help you reflect Christ’s love and grace in your interactions with them.
Application: This activity helps you cultivate a heart of love and empathy, aligning your attitude toward family members with Christ’s love. By praying daily, you invite God to work in your relationships, bringing about genuine transformation and unity within the family.
Intentional Acts of Service
Activity: Identify one way you can serve each member of your family this week, without expecting anything in return. This could be helping with chores, offering words of encouragement, or spending quality time together. Focus on demonstrating Christ's sacrificial love through your actions.
Application: By serving your family, you practice humility and selflessness, embodying the love that Christ showed through His sacrificial service. This will strengthen your relationships and create an atmosphere of mutual respect and care, demonstrating the gospel's impact on your daily life.
Family Devotional Time
Activity: Set aside one evening this week to gather your family and read Colossians 3:18-25 together. Discuss how each person can live out their role within the family in a way that honors God, and share practical ways you can support each other in this journey.
Application: Engaging in family devotional time fosters spiritual growth and helps you collectively understand God's design for the family. It encourages open communication, deepens bonds, and provides a shared foundation for living out the gospel together.
Examine Your Work Attitude
Activity: For one week, consciously work "as for the Lord" in your job or daily tasks, regardless of your role. Focus on giving your best effort, being honest, and showing kindness to others. At the end of each day, reflect on how this mindset impacted your work and relationships.
Application: By approaching work with this perspective, you demonstrate integrity, diligence, and Christ-like character in all you do. This serves as a powerful witness to others, showing how the gospel shapes every area of life, including your work ethic and attitude toward authority.
Seek Reconciliation and Forgiveness
Activity: Identify any areas of conflict or tension within your family and take the initiative to seek reconciliation, even if you’re not at fault. Approach the situation with humility and grace, aiming to restore relationships and reflect the gospel's power of forgiveness and redemption.
Application: This activity allows you to practice Christ’s forgiveness and humility, breaking down barriers of pride or bitterness. It demonstrates the redemptive power of the gospel in real, tangible ways, bringing healing and renewal to your family relationships.
