Supreme: Rules for Engagement
TItle: Rules for Engagement
Text: Colossians 3:18-4:1
Target: “If our faith doesn’t work at home, then our faith doesn’t work” (Anonymous)
I. The Submission of A Wife: “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” (Vs. 18)
A. Doesn’t mean Inequality: Equal before God, for all must submit to God’s Authority.
B. Doesn’t permit oppression: Not property or possession, but to be viewed in value and worth.
C. Does speak to provide Support: Empowering Spiritual Headship the husband.
II. The Selflessness of a Husband: “Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.” (Vs. 19)
A. Sacrifice for her: “love her as Christ loved the church” (5:25)
B. Sanctify her: “washing of water with the word” (5:26)
C. Sustain her: “love their wives as their own bodies” (5:28)
D. Satisfies her: “but nourishes and cherishes” (5:29)
III. The Sentiment of a Child: “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” (Vs. 20)
A. Explanation of Obedience: “children, your parents in the Lord, for this is right” (Ephesians 6:1)
1. Given by God to be authority.
2. Come under the authority, to listen, learn and be led. (Proverbs 1:8, 6:20)
B. Expectation of Honor: “Honor your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you” (Ex. 20:12)
IV. The Sensitivity of a Father: “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” (Vs. 21)
A. Definition of Provoke: stir up, irritate, exasperate, or nagging.
B. Descriptions of Provoking: (unfair comparisons, unkind comments, unclear standards, unexplained discipline, unrighteous example, uptight control, unified identity)
V. The Service of an Employee: “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.” (Vs. 23)
A. Work Heartily: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,” (Vs.23)
B. Rich Reward: “knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Vs. 24)
C. Never Overlooked: “For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.” (Vs. 25)
VI. The Stewardship of a Supervisor: “Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.” (4:1)
A. Be the Example: Say as you say, do as you do.
B. Clarify the Expectation: Clarity is Kindness
C. Speak with Exaltation: Call people up, not just out.
D. Compensate within Exhortation: Marketplace Value.
Takeaway: The best leaders were first followers. For one steward authority, if there is no willingness to be under authority.
From This Series
Supreme: Rules for Engagement
11.17.23