Sermon Tone Analysis

Let the Peace of Christ Rule

September 5, 2007

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.

And be thankful.”

Col 3:15

1. Literally this passage reads “And the peace of Christ, let it be acting as umpire in your hearts, into which also you were called in one body.

And be constantly thankful persons.”

2. It is called “the peace of Christ” because it is the peace He brings (John 14:27; Eph.

2:14).

3.

If we put on all the virtues, with love binding them together, will lead to peace between individuals and among the members of the body of believers.

To live in peace however, would not mean that suddenly all differences of opinion would be eliminated, but it would require that they work together despite their differences.

(Col 3:10-14)

4.

This kind of tranquility and cooperation can’t come from mere human effort.

It requires “the peace of Christ” to rule in our hearts.

We need God’s help to arbitrate and to get along with each other.

5.

The meaning for “rule” here is to umpire.

It was used to describe the activity of an umpire in deciding the outcome of an athletic contest.

6.

As believers we are to let Christ’s peace be umpire or referee in our hearts.

Peace will arbitrate, decide any argument, and thereby restrain any of the passions of the old nature that might threaten.

7. Peace will also settle any friction and strife so the believers can remain strong and unified.

Peace must rule hearts.

8.

The heart is the center of a person’s being, the center of spiritual and moral life.

If peace rules there, it rules every believer’s entire life and, by extension, the life of the church.

9.

This refers back to “the peace of Christ.”

The believers had been called to peace.

In one body refers to being a single organism.

The unity of the body of Christ is a strong reason for peace among the members, and the peace of Christ enables the members to be unified.

10.

And be thankful.

When believers have an overriding attitude of thankfulness and when they have constant gratitude in their hearts for all that God has done for them in giving salvation and making them part of Christ’s body, then other virtues to which Paul called them would be much easier to live out.

Such thankfulness would also make other relationships easier.

[As we will see when we get to verses 3:18–4:6]

11.

The peace of Christ guides believers in making decisions.

If you are a believer then when you are faced with a choice you should consider two factors.

First, is it consistent with the fact that you and Christ are now at peace (Rom 5:1) and thus on the same side?

Does it keep that oneness with the Lord that is the believer’s possession?

(1 Cor 6:17–18)

12. Second, will it leave you with a deep and abiding peace in your heart?

These two factors are also the two greatest deterrents to sin in the believer’s life.

Sin offends Christ, with whom he is at peace, and thereby shatters the rest and security in his heart.

13.

To maintain a peaceful heart one has to be thankful.

Thankfulness is a constant theme in Colossians (1:3,12; 2:7;3:15,16,17;4:2).

Gratitude comes naturally to believers in response to all God has done (Eph 5:20; Phil.4:6;1

Thess.

5:18; Heb.13:15), whereas ingratitude marks unbelievers (Rom.

1:21).

A spirit of humble gratitude toward God will inevitably affect our relations with others.

Peace and gratitude are thus closely linked.

14. "Let this peace rule in your heart—prevail and govern there, or as an umpire decide all matters of difference among you.’’—To

which you are called in one body.

We are called to this peace, to peace with God as our privilege and peace with our brethren as our duty.

Being united in one body, we are called to be at peace one with another, as the members of the natural body; for we are the body of Christ, and members in particular, 1 Co. 12:27.

Hidden in Christ

The saints of God are called His hidden ones - Psalm 83:3.

Why so?

Not only because they are hid in God's decree, and hid in Christ's wounds, but oftentimes God hides them in a time of danger and calamity.

He reserved to Himself seven thousand that had not bowed the knee to Baal.

The prophet knew not where there was one, but God knew there were seven thousand.

- Thomas Watson

Faith

It is the nature of faith to believe God upon His bare word...

It will not be, saith sense; it cannot be, saith reason; it both can and will be, saith faith, for I have a promise.

- John Trapp

GracePointe Baptist Church

2209 N Post Road

Oklahoma City, OK 73141

Phone: (405) 769-5050

http://www.gracepointeonline.com