Christianity at Home - Alan Raven

Sermon from Alan Raven***Please note, the recording quality of this sermon is not good due to technical issues. We apologise and hope you are able to understand it the whole way through.***Colossians 3:18-2118 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.The central message of Colossians can be summed up with Col. 2:6 which says: “as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him”. What does it involve for us to rely on Christ and let Him be Lord of our lives? Scan Colossians 2:6-3:17. Colossians 3:18-4:1 teaches us about how the Lordship of Christ plays itself out in the home. Three relationships at home include: wife-husband, child-parent, and slave-master (part of the ancient household). Why are these relationships (especially the first two) so vitally important in our context and culture? What does it do to the church’s Gospel witness when Christians fail at home? Conversely, what does it say to the world when Christian homes are healthy and happy places? Looking at Colossians 3:18-21, what is God’s will and role for each of the following: wives, husbands, children, and parents? Also read the parallel passage in Ephesians (5:22-6:4) for further insights. Focussing on what Colossians states rather than what Ephesians adds, what is the essence of each person’s role, and how do they complement one another? In the sermon, two practical suggestions were made for each person/role:Wives: Accept/respect your husbands as heads. And be their helpers/companions to attend to their needs.Husbands: Be gentlemen who are attentive and listen to your wives. And do your part in the family.Children: Tell your parents what happens in your lives. And practice forgiveness toward your parents.Parents: Ask forgiveness for provoking your children. And have as your ultimate parenting goal to show your kids Christ in the Word and through your life. Which of these suggestions do you think God is calling you to put into practice or improve on? Is there anything else that you feel convicted about? Commit these to the Lord in prayer. Follow through on what you have committed to the Lord, trusting Him to give you the grace to do it.