By Mike Dawson
Pastor Emeritus, First Baptist Church, Columbia
Focal Passage: Colossians 3:18-4:6
Sometimes I teach an old yet fun way to remember the order of four New Testament books, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians. Using the first letter of each book, G, E, P, C, I say the phrase “Gentiles Eat Pork Chops.” You may know a couple of other phrases to help us recall the order; but all of them are equally silly!
I mention that to say (seriously) what a blessing it’s been to study “P.C.” — Philippians and Colossians — over the past three months. I’m a bit sad that today’s lesson brings us to the end of such an inspiring, enriching study.
Bible readers generally know that all of the books mentioned except for Galatians were ‘prison epistles.’ They were letters written from a Roman jail by the Apostle Paul who was imprisoned for preaching the Gospel. Both Philippians and Colossians follow a similar format, the first part of each letter dealing with doctrinal matters and the second part teaching practical things.
Mike Dawson
In today’s lesson from Colossians 3:18 through 4:6, Paul writes some very practical truths. I noted in Colossians chapter one that the word ‘relationships’ is not found in the Bible (because there was no such word in those days), but the idea of relationships is all over the Bible. This is certainly one of the places; notice our topic is “The Gospel and Relationships.”
The Good News (the Gospel) is that Jesus came into the world to seek and save us who were lost, and that He died on a cross to pay the sin-debt we all owed, and that He rose from the dead and is willing to save any of us who repents and receives Him: that Gospel truly transforms relationships:
… at home, 3:18-21.
It’s not hard to be a submissive wife to a loving husband; together the two will produce obedient children who are consistently blessed by parents encouraging them (particularly dads who do so). That’s what I call “the formula for a functional family,” and that’s what Paul describes in these four verses.
… at work, 3:22-4:1.
This passage does not endorse the slavery that was practiced in the days of Roman rule. Paul speaks here of employees and employers. A “bondservant” was one who willingly worked (like an employee) for his “master” (like an employer or boss). Paul was saying, “Don’t be a clock-watcher at work — be a God-watcher; work as unto the Lord.”
A sweaty coal-stoker in an ocean liner was overheard singing, “Oh, you gotta get a glory, In the work you do. Sing or tell a story, Teach or shovel coal; But you gotta get a glory, Or the job lacks soul!” Employers and employees, do business by The Book, and ‘get a glory’ in your work!
…“at large,” 4:2-6.
Our world is desperately in need. Paul gives three solutions for such desperate conditions out there:
(1) Prayer is the key, verse 2-4. Pray for the preachers. Pray for open doors to the Gospel. Pray for witnessing words.
(2) A godly lifestyle can help, verse 5. Unbelievers are watching, and time is fleeting; live right, starting right now!
(3) ‘Grace-full’ and ‘salt-flavored’ answers can win them to Christ! Verse 6. B&R — Dawson is pastor emeritus at First Baptist Church, Columbia, and also serves as transitional interim around the state.
