Sermon Tone Analysis

*Intro*

How many of you have ever used Google Earth?

It is actually very fascinating software.

What is it?

Well, it is a virtual globe program which maps the earth by superimposing images obtained from satellite imagery and aerial photography.

It has a sky mode which enables you to look at stars and then you can zoom in as close as sometimes to the roof of your house.

Paul started out Colossians as declaring the Supremacy of Jesus Christ.

He was in “sky mode” in Chapter 1.

But now as we are in Ch 3, it has become “street mode.”

In fact, he has zoomed in further than Google Earth has, which is into your house!

Today we are continuing our series two-part series on what it means to have Jesus Christ Supreme in your house and work.

How can we demonstrate His Supremacy in our closest relationships?

Before we go on, I failed to mention last time how many references are made in this section to Jesus Christ.

Look at these references:

a)    Wives…fitting “in the Lord” Col. 3:18

b)   Children…”pleases the Lord” Col. 3:20

c)    Slaves…”fearing the Lord” Col. 3:22

d)   Whatever you do…”for the Lord” Col. 3:23

e)    Knowing that…”from the Lord” Col. 3:24

f)    You are serving “the Lord Christ” Col. 3:24

g)    Masters…”have a Master in Heaven” Col. 4:1

Catch the drift?

Jesus wants to be #1, Supreme, above everything else, in our home and work.

Everything must come under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

It also shows us that we cannot be all these things without His strength and grace.

Last time we looked at marriage and we said the Supremacy of Jesus Christ is demonstrated:

*I.      **In the marriage through submissive wives and loving husbands (Col.

3:18-19).

*

Let’s move further out to the next closest relationship.

The Supremacy of Jesus Christ is demonstrated:

*II.

**In the family through obedient children and nurturing parents (Col.

3:20-21).

*

Paul addresses children and parents next.

This suggests that they are in the congregation listening when this letter is being read.

One of the things I noticed that happens once children come into the picture is the neglect of marriage.

They told us when we first got married that it is no longer “me” but “we.”

Now with a daughter, it is no longer me or we, but she! Children are a blessing from the Lord (Ps.

127:3), but if the marriage is not right, it will affect your children.

Notice in all passages the marital relationship is mentioned before the parental relationship.

Illus: Have you ever been on an airplane and heard the fight attendant say, “For those of you traveling with small children, in the event of an oxygen failure, first place the mask on your own face and then place the mask on your child's face”?

I think that is wise advice on another level as well.

Lot of marriages are suffocating because parents are so consumed with putting oxygen masks on their children.

Make sure the oxygen of love is freely flowing in your marriage or the whole family will suffer.

Nothing in the text suggests an age here.

But the assumption is that these children are still in the home and under the parents’ supervision.

Therefore, I do not think this applies to those who have left their parents and started their own families.

Nevertheless, we are still told to “honor our parents,” which we should always do.

The measure and motive of their obedience is given.

The measure is “in everything.”

No exceptions?

Obviously like the commands to wives, if the parents are asking them to do something contrary to the Word of God, they are not to obey.

We must obey God first.

The reason why parents ask you to obey is to teach you about authority.

The child growing up not obeying their parents will likely not obey any authority: teachers, police, employers and anyone else who tries to exercise authority over them.

The motive is given as “this pleases the Lord.”

It is right to point children to the highest authority of their life, God, as early as you can!

A good place to get your life on track is your obedience to your parents.

Here is some application to children, which means all who are living under the authority of your parents currently:

1.     Do what your told.

2.    Do it completely.

Partial obedience is disobedience.

This is true for our relationship with God as well!

3.    Do it immediately.

4.    Do it whole-heartedly.

Eventually parents love to see children obeying gladly with a good attitude.

Here is some application to parents in this regard.

Ephesians tells us that parents need to bring up or train their children in the fear of the Lord (Eph.

6:4).

Part of this training is teaching them obedience.

We have to teach obedience, because a child is born in sin and they are good at disobeying.

You never have to teach a child to disobey.

They are born sinners.

Cute and cuddly sinners!

Listen to one writer describe the property laws of a toddler[1]:

1.

If I like it, it’s mine.

2. If it’s in my hand, it’s mine.

3.

If I can take it from you, it’s mine.

4. If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine.

5.

If it’s mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.

6.

If I’m doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.

7. If it looks just like mine, it’s mine.

8.

If I saw it first, it’s mine.

9.

If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.

10.

If it’s broken, it’s yours.

So we need to teach obedience.

How do you do that?

What does the Bible say?

Four quick things God gives you to teach your child to obey as long as they are under the roof.

1.

The Rod.

Contrary to cultural beliefs, spanking is encouraged in the Bible (Prov.

13:24; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15).

However, it must be age-appropriate.

Dr. Dobson, from focus on the family, says between age 18 months to 7 or 8 years, spanking is a good way to teach obedience.

It should never be in anger.

It should never be for mistakes, but for rebellion and deliberate disobedience like lying, refusing or disobeying.

It should never be on the face and it should never cause injury.

When there is a reason to spank, take the child alone, explain the reason, spank them and restore them by embracing them and reassuring them of your love.

The Lord disciplines those He loves (Heb.

12:6).

2.    Reproof.

Prov.

29:15.

This is using your voice to rebuke.

It is the deep voice, intense, fear producing, ominous, “don’t do that again!” in the face kind of warning to the child.

This is a powerful tool for training.