The Christ-Filled Home: Vocation and Authority

Colossians 3:22-4:1

About the Sermon

In this sermon we come to a passage that raises all kinds of questions in our minds. Paul will address first century bondservants and masters about how fullness in Christ transforms their roles and relationship. What was this institution? How does it relate with the institution of slavery practiced in America’s history? How does it relate with present day boss and employee relationships? With some careful listening we’ll find much profit in the shrewd and beautiful works of Colossians 3:22-4:1.

About the Series

Is Christ enough for us? Speaking of Christ, Paul writes, “in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him” (2:9, 10). He is. The message of the book of Colossians is that spiritual fullness is found in Christ and Christ alone, and this fullness leads to fruitfulness and a life fully pleasing to God (1:10). Like the church at Colossae, the church in our age faces a pernicious threat. Not always the threat of outright doctoral heresy, but the subtle addition of religious sounding but worldly solutions to the problem of sin. It might even sound something like, “Do not handle. Do not taste. Do not touch” (2:21). Instead, Paul offers us the only way to true maturity: “Him we proclaim . . . that we may present everyone mature in Christ” (1:28).
Is Christ enough for us? Speaking of Christ, Paul writes, “in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him” (2:9, 10). He is. The message of the book of Colossians is that spiritual fullness is found in Christ and Christ alone, and this fullness leads to fruitfulness and a life fully pleasing to God (1:10). Like the church at Colossae, the church in our age faces a pernicious threat. Not always the threat of outright doctoral heresy, but the subtle addition of religious sounding but worldly solutions to the problem of sin. It might even sound something like, “Do not handle. Do not taste. Do not touch” (2:21). Instead, Paul offers us the only way to true maturity: “Him we proclaim . . . that we may present everyone mature in Christ” (1:28).

Sermons in the Series