God’s Design for the Family

What this episode covers

Blank Outline Filled in Outline Colossians 3:18-21 If you’ve been with us, we’ve been going through the book of Colossians and Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae. Let me give you a little bit of background and context here, and then we’re going to jump into our topic this morning. So, Paul, the Apostle Paul, is under house arrest in Rome. He actually stays there for two years. He’s awaiting trial. He doesn’t know if he’s going to live or die. And while he’s there, he’s able to receive visitors. A fellow by the name of Epaphras makes a 1,300-mile journey. Think about that in the first century. It would have taken him weeks or maybe months. 1,300-mile journey from Colossae to visit the Apostle Paul. And the reason he did that is because some things were happening in the church at Colossae. Now, Paul had never been to this church. Paul had never met these people. Epaphras was the pastor. And so, there were some problems within the church, some doctrinal problems about who is Jesus, some other problems about legalism and other things that were going on. And so Epaphras tells the Apostle Paul that, and the Apostle Paul writes this letter to correct the doctrinal error about who Jesus is and also to encourage them. So, the first two chapters are more doctrinal. When we get to chapters three and four, it’s more practical application. In other words, if you’re a follower of Jesus, if you’ve received Jesus as your Savior, here’s the question, how should we then live? That’s what this discipleship was all about after those police officers come to know Christ. Okay, what difference should this make in my life? And so, Paul writes in chapter three, verse one, since then you have been raised with Christ. Okay, this is how you’re to live. Set your hearts and your minds and affections on eternity. That’s the priority. And then he goes on through the text here and he tells us to put off some things. This is the life change, the sanctification process. Put to death therefore sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed. And he goes on to list 10 things. And then last Sunday, we looked at the next section of chapter three where he tells us who we are in our new position in Christ. We’ve been chosen. We’re now positionally holy when God looks at us. He sees us as justified, just as if we’ve never sinned. And he also sees us as dearly loved. And then he talked about a new practice, clothe yourselves. Here’s the characteristic traits that we’re supposed to incorporate into our life. Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience. And finally, he talks about, as we’ve closed last Sunday, our new purpose. And that was found in verse 17. Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. So now we have a new purpose. It’s not living for self and our own selfish desires, but it’s what, to glorify God. And to do everything we do in his name and to glorify him. Well, this morning, just in the next 25 or 30 minutes, we’re going to look at Colossians 3. And we’re going to look at verses 18 and 19. And then next Sunday, we’re going to look at verses 20 and 21. And this is entitled, God’s Design for the Family. God’s Design for the Family. And so, God gave us three divine institutions. He created the family, marriage. That’s Genesis 2, verse 24. Therefore, shall man leave his father and mother, cleave to his wife, they shall be one flesh. Marriage and a family is God’s idea, God’s plan. He also instituted government. Romans 13:1, the powers that be are ordained of God. And government is God’s idea. To seek justice, to prevent evil. And then thirdly, the church. Well, it’s no surprise that whatever God creates and institutes that we have an enemy that wants to push back and destroy. And so, this morning, we’re going to look at God’s design for the family. And think about that for the next few minutes here. Let me, by way of intro

Distinct summary based on available episode metadata or transcript content.