House Rules

ss=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'>1) 3-6-08…AM…SBC“House Rules”

Colossians 3:18-4:1

Introduction: Case Study (Case # 53 – Christian Counselor’s Casebook)

1- What is their greatest need at this point? Hope

2- How would a secular perspective attempt to meet this need?

3- How would you meet this need? Give them hope form God’s Word

Ø The role of hope in the process of sanctification cannot be underestimated. Consider what Scripture says about its many contributions to that process:

Hope produces joy that remains even through the most difficult trials (Prov. 10:28; Rom. 5:2–3; 12:12; 1 Thess. 4:13).

Hope produces perseverance (Rom. 8:24–25).

Hope produces confidence (2 Cor. 3:12; Phil. 1:20).

Hope produces effective ministry (2 Cor. 4:8–18).

Hope produces greater faith and love (Col. 1:4–5).

Hope produces consistency (1 Thess. 1:3).

Hope produces increased energy and enthusiasm (1 Tim. 4:10).

Hope produces stability (Heb. 6:19).

Hope produces a more intimate relationship with God (Heb. 7:19).

Hope produces personal purity (1 John 3:3). [1]

How do we inspire Hope?

By helping each other to Think Biblically

Think biblically about the specific situation
Think biblically about God’s character
Think biblically about the possibilities for good. – see the good in it all (glass ½ full)
Think biblically about the divine resources.
Think biblically about the nature and cause of the problem.
Think biblically about what they say and do

Ø Paul is giving instruction on how to manifest the Supremacy of Christ in the Home

1. connection to the theological portions of Colossians 1 & 2

2. change in focus from knowing to doing in Colossians 3 & 4

3. the theological position of the Supremacy of Christ is not a bare theological fact but instead it is a life-changing principle that must affect the hearts that occupy our homes.

Ø To pursue the “things that are above” is done specifically in this text by a wholehearted commitment to the daily duties of this world and doing them for the Lord’s glory.

Proposition: The Supremacy of Christ must lead us to shape the hearts that occupy our homes.

Ø Paul addresses the different “stations” within the home and gives a distinct pattern for his exhortation

1. he first of all lists the party being addressed (wives, husbands, children, fathers, slaves, masters)

2. then he states the command (all in imperative mood)

Imperative Mood:

· there is no more forceful way to give a command than the way Paul does here

· it is the difference between “someone needs to shovel the church” and “you go shovel the church”

· there is also a continuous aspect to these commands (present imperatives)

· Paul is saying literally saying, “I command you (w, h, c, f, s, m) to have specific patterns of behavior not just once but continually going forward from now on”

3. Paul then addresses the heart that occupy the home by giving the motivating factor in all of this

Transition: With that pattern in mind let’s look first of all at…

1) The Behavior of the Wives v18

A- Command: Submit to your husbands

1- Submit (ὑποτάσσεσθε)

a- 2nd person present imperative – strongest way to give a command in Gk

b- “to subject oneself, place oneself in submission” (WSNTDICT – Logos)

c- Although there is an ontological spiritual equality between men and women, there remain physical, positional and functional differences. There are designated functions for a husband and a wife which man cannot change because God has ordained them.[2]

d- Many argue that Paul’s teaching here reflects his chauvinistic, rabbinic attitude toward women. Such people seek to usurp the role of God and decide for themselves which parts of Scripture are inspired.[3]

e- Efforts to reverse or confuse the duties of wife and husband destroy the blessing each is to be to the other.[4]

Application: How can a married acknowledge the Supremacy of Christ in her life?

What does Submission look like? How would you describe it specifically to your girls?

B- Motivation: as is fitting in the Lord

1- Submission is to be done because it is proper according to the will of God revealed in Scripture

2- If he may be thought of as the “president,” she is the “vice-president.”[5]

Transition: For the next command and motivation we will have to employ some help from Ephesians 5:25

2) The Behavior of the Husbands v19; Ephesians 5:25

A- Command: 1) love your wives 2) Do not be bitter toward them

1- 2nd person present imperative – strongest way to give a command in Gk

2- In his description of the husband’s love in Eph 5:22ff., he clearly stated that the husband was to love his wife sacrificially.[6] - The model is Christ’s love for the church.

3- In light of this discussion, the husband’s love or lack of it does not relieve the woman of her responsibility toward him. Nor does the wife’s lack of submission relieve the husband of his responsibility toward her.[7]

4- The second command is a negative command challenging the husband not to embitter his wife

a- πικραίνεσθε - literally make bitter; of waters cause to be undrinkable; passive become bitter (RV 8.11); of the stomach sour (RV 10.9, 10); figuratively and passive become angry, become resentful, become bitter (CO 3.19)[8]

b- They must not display harshness of temper or resentment toward their wives. They are not to irritate or exasperate them, but rather to provide loving leadership in the home.[9]

5- The verb itself seems best understood in the New Testament to express a willing love, not the love of passion or emotion, but the love of choice—a covenant kind of love.[10]

B- Motivation: as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her Ephesians 5:25

1- The willing, covenant love in view here is the activity of self-sacrifice.[11]

Application: What two things can a married man do to acknowledge the Supremacy of Christ in his life?

What does self-sacrifice look like? How would you describe it to your boys?

Transition: the next station in the home that is addressed by Paul is…

3) The Behavior of the Children v20

Ø this teaching to children and slaves is more forceful in nature that the command to the wives

A- Command: obey your parents in everything

1- The present tense of the imperative ὑπακούετε (be obedient) demands a continuous obedience.[12]

(This admonition is completely in line with such passages as Ex. 20:12; 21:15–17; Lev. 20:9; Deut. 5:16; 21:18; Prov. 1:8; 6:20; 30:17; Mal. 1:6; Matt. 15:4–6; 19:19; Mark 7:10–13; 10:19; 18:20; Eph. 6:1–3.[13])

2- Obedience is expected from the children of the house

3- Obedience is expected in all things

Application: What does the Supremacy of Jesus Christ mean (Colossians 1:15-20)?

How can children acknowledge the Supremacy of Christ in their lives?

What excuses are sometimes used for not obeying?

When might it be biblically appropriate to not obey your parents?

Ø the children are exhorted to obey their parents “in all things,” always subject to the limitation of Acts 5:29.[14]

B- Motivation: for this pleases the Lord

1- this phrase tells us of one specific type of conduct that glorifies God

2- this admonition would be included in the command of Romans 11:36 (have teen read)

Transition: the next station in the home that is addressed by Paul is…

4) The Behavior of the Fathers v21

A- Command: do no provoke your children in case they become discouraged

1- 2nd person present imperative – strongest way to give a command in Gk

2- in a bad sense make resentful, irritate, rouse to anger (CO 3.21)[15]

3- Fathers should create an atmosphere which will make obedience an easy and natural matter, namely, the atmosphere of love and confidence.[16]

4- They should bring up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).[17]

5- When fathers are unjust or overly severe, a spirit of sullen resignation is created in the hearts of their offspring. The children “lose heart,” thinking, “No matter what I do, it’s always wrong.”[18]

Application: Why would this attitude in the heart of the child so devastating to a father’s responsibility?

Masters and Slaves v22 (for more in depth study see sources on the book of Philemon)

1- The Roman tradition did not see slaves as inferior by nature – they saw them as morally human but the law saw them as property

2- As much as 2/3 of the Roman empire was slaves and

3- Jewish tradition allowed for slaves, but it regarded the enslavement of Jews by Jews as improper because a Jew was a slave to God

4- What was a slave?

· some were born into slavery

· some were sold into it – like children were to pay off a debt or improve the child’s situation

· some entered into it because of their debt to creditors

(there is no Gk term to distinguish between slave and bondsmen)

· some slaves were prisoners of war

· some gave themselves over to slavery to receive a better quality of life

5- Slaves had no right except what given to them by their owner

6- Our Western understanding of slavery is insufficient to interpret slave passages in Scripture

Ø As in the relationships between husbands and wives and parents and children, the principle of authority and submission is central to Paul’s thought.[19]

Ø Holding God and His will in high regard is the right motive. They are to work heartily (Putting their whole inner man into the effort), as for the Lord rather than for men, serving their master as they would the Lord Himself.[20]

Conclusion: v23-25; cf: 3:17

1- Contrary to societal thought, the chief end of man is not love himself. - Self-love has become the master of the soul

2- Each of these strong directives is to the hearts of those that occupy our homes

3- To obey these commands means that we must be serious about being God-centered in our homes

Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.[21]

4- If we believe in Scripture alone, Christ alone, Grace alone and Faith alone then logical implication of those points is the Glory of God alone

Do your house rules reflect submission to authority as is pleasing to the Lord?

How are you shaping the hearts that occupy your home?

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[1]John MacArthur, F., Jr, Wayne A. Mack and Master's College, Introduction to Biblical Counseling : Basic Guide to the Principles and Practice of Counseling, Electronic ed. (Dallas, TX: Word Pub., 1997, c1994), 189.

[2]Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary : New Testament, electronic ed. (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000, c1992, c1993), G5293.

[3]John MacArthur, Colossians (Chicago: Moody Press, 1996, c1992), 165.

[4]John MacArthur, Colossians (Chicago: Moody Press, 1996, c1992), 165.

[5]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:683.

[6]Richard R. Melick, vol. 32, Philippians, Colissians, Philemon, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1991), 313.

[7]Richard R. Melick, vol. 32, Philippians, Colissians, Philemon, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1991).

[8]Timothy Friberg, Barbara Friberg and Neva F. Miller, vol. 4, Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, Baker's Greek New Testament library (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 2000), 312.

[9]John MacArthur, Colossians (Chicago: Moody Press, 1996, c1992), 168.

[10]John MacArthur, Colossians (Chicago: Moody Press, 1996, c1992), 167.

[11]John MacArthur, Colossians (Chicago: Moody Press, 1996, c1992), 168.

[12]John MacArthur, Colossians (Chicago: Moody Press, 1996, c1992), 169.

[13]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 6, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of Colossians and Philemon, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 170.

[14]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 6, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of Colossians and Philemon, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 171.

[15]Timothy Friberg, Barbara Friberg and Neva F. Miller, vol. 4, Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, Baker's Greek New Testament library (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 2000), 171.

[16]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 6, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of Colossians and Philemon, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 172.

[17]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 6, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of Colossians and Philemon, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 172.

[18]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 6, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of Colossians and Philemon, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 172.

[19]John MacArthur, Colossians (Chicago: Moody Press, 1996, c1992), 172.

[20]John MacArthur, Colossians (Chicago: Moody Press, 1996, c1992), 172.

[21]The Holy Bible : English Standard Version. (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ro 11:36.