(This Sermon was preached at Trinity Bible Church on August 11, 2002. This is the third of a series of sermons on the purpose of the local church. All Scripture references used in this sermon are based upon the NASB®, unless otherwise stated)
| This Sermon was written and submitted by: Joseph M. Willmouth, Pastor of Trinity Bible Church in Biloxi, Mississippi 39532. This contributed article is copyright protected, and the sole property of the contributing author. It may be freely copied and used provided the above credits are included. Document expiration: indefinite. |
16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
[Ephesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;]
Introduction: Over the last couple of
weeks, we have been looking at what the purpose of a local church is. In Ephesians
3:20-21, we found out that the ultimate purpose of a local church is
to glorify God in all that we do. Last week we looked at an illustration of
this in the first church in Jerusalem in Acts 2:42-47,
where we learned that the way we glorify God is by worshiping Him in a least
3 key areas: Exaltation - ascribing worth to God; Edification - the building
up of the body of Christ; and Evangelism - which includes not only our local
witness, but missions also.
This week, I want to focus in on the Exaltation
aspect of worship. Last week we learned that true worship isn't about externals,
but is about our internal relationship with God that begins in the heart
and finds it way out of us by us ascribing worth to God for all that He
has done. The Apostle Paul addresses this issue to the church in Colossae
because of the false teaching that was trying to bring in their man-made
traditions, religious rules, and human philosophies. They tried to harmonize
God's Word with their teachings (BEC).
To counter this false teaching, Paul instructs the Colossians on how they
are to conduct their personal lives, as well as when they gathered together
to Exalt God (BSF). I
want you to notice again this week that true worship begins with God's
Word in the heart of the believer and not by some other external means.
Transition: We Exalt God. . .
I. By Letting His Word Richly
Dwell Within You (v.16a; Eph.5:18).
1. Through teaching.
A. Paul calls upon believers to let the Word take up residence and be at home in their lives (MacArthur).Application: How can we become rich and wise in God's Word? First we need to do more than just read it or devotionalize it, but we need to study it daily (Acts 2:42) and commit it to memory; This was Joshua's instruction to the Israelites in Joshua 1:8, "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success." Also the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 119:11, "Thy word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against Thee." When we study God's Word, meditate upon it, and apply it to our lives, then it become a permanent part of our lives giving us wise direction for living and glorifying God.1) "the word of Christ"B. When we are yielded to God's Word and God's Spirit, then we can grow in our understanding of His word, apply it to our lives and share it with others.A) "the word," ("logos" {log'-os: n, nom, m, sg}); message, teaching, word, sayings, precepts.2) Paul says that God's Word is to make its home in our hearts.B) The word of Christ refers to the teachings of Christ as found in the Bible (BBC) and to a larger extent the whole Bible (John 1:1-14; 1 John 1:1; 5:7; Rev.19:9-13).
A) "let. . .dwell," ("enoikeo" {en-oy-keh'-o: v, imper, pres, act, 3per, SG}); dwell in and influence for the good, live in.(1) Imperative mood with Present tense: a command to "do it now and keep on doing it."B) "richly," ("plousios" {ploo-see'-oce: adj, adv}); richly, abundantly, in an abundant way.(2) As we saturate our hearts and minds with God's Word, and continually seek to walk in obedience to it, then the word of Christ is really at home in our hearts (BBC).
(1) We will discover how rich the Word is with spiritual treasures that give value to our lives (BEC).(2) Verse 16 is very similar to Ephesians 5:18-19.
(A) In his Letter to the Ephesians, Paul emphasized being filled with the Spirit; in his Letter to the Colossians, he emphasized being filled with the Word - But the evidences of this spiritual fullness are the same (BEC).- When a believer is filled with the Spirit he is joyful, thankful, and submissive (Eph. 5:19-21).(B) In other words, being filled with the Spirit and being filled with God's word are both requirements for living joyful, useful, fruitful lives (BBC).- When a believer is filled with the Word of God, he is joyful, thankful, and submissive (Col. 3:16-4:1).
- We shall not be filled with the Spirit unless we are saturated with God's word.- The study of God's Word will not be effective unless we yield up our inmost being to the control of the Holy Spirit.
1) "wisdom," ("sopha" {sof-ee'-ah: n, dat, f, SG}); wisdom, the ability to use knowledge for correct behavior, used here of wisdom gained through the word of Christ.2) "teaching," ("didasko" {did-as'-ko: v, part (imper), pres, act, nom, m, 2per, pl}); to teach, instruct.
A) The participle is used as an imperative (Vincent).B) Teaching is the imparting of truth (SL).
Transition: Not only will God's Word teach us and make us wise, but we are to use it. . .
2. Through admonishment.
A. Admonishing is the negative side of teaching (MacArthur).Application: Every Christian has a responsibility to his brothers and sisters in Christ concerning this matter. Teaching has to do with doctrine, whereas admonishing has to do with duty. We owe it to our brethren to share our knowledge of the Scripture with them, and to seek to help by practical and godly counsel. When teaching and admonishing are given in wisdom, they are more likely to find acceptance than when we speak with force but unwisely or without love (BBC). The key to biblical admonishment is our aim is to restore the individual to right relationship with our Heavenly Father; Galatians 6:1, "Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore ["katartizo" {kat-ar-tid'-zo}; thoroughly prepare something to meet the demands, to put in order, to restore to a former condition, mend, repair] such a one in a spirit of gentleness ["praotes" {prah-ot'-ace}; as a quality of gentle friendliness, gentleness, as strength that accommodates to another's weakness, considerateness]; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted."1) "admonishing," ("noutheteo" {noo-thet-eh'-o: v, part (imper), pres, act, nom, m, 2per, pl}); warn, admonish, exhort, instruct, as giving instructions in regard to belief or behavior.B. It means to warn people of the consequences of their behavior (MacArthur).2) The participle is used as an imperative (Vincent).
Transition: When the words of Christ become part of a believer's nature, they spring forth naturally and daily (BKC) and we will exalt God. . .
II. By Singing With A Joyful Heart
(v.16.b; Eph.5:19).
1. Through Psalms.
A. "psalms," ("psalmos" {psal-mos': n, dat, m, pl}); psalm, of a striking the chords of a musical instrument, of a pious song, sacred song.Transition: Not only are we to teach and admonish each other through the psalms, but also. . .B. This is a reference to the Psalms in the Old Testament that were originally song with musical accompaniment (Robertson).
2. Through hymns.
A. "hymns," ("humnos" {hoom'-nos: n, dat, m, pl}); a song of offering to God, hymn, song of praise to God, used to express thanksgiving.Transition: Paul now includes a third way in which we are to teach and admonish each other. . .B. This refers to songs which are sung in praise directed to God (APMDC).
- Hymns are not inspired in the same sense as the psalms (BBC).
3. Through spiritual songs.
A. "spiritual songs"Application: Now we have come to a very important section here because of what is happening in many churches across America today - churches are dividing over the issue of Music. Another important point to make about this division is that it is not over the content of the music, but rather the style of the music. Notice that Paul was only concerned with the content of the music, and not the musical instruments that were used or the style of the music. Look at the first part of verse 16 again, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with. . . psalms, hymns, spiritual songs. . . " QUESTION: What should be the believer's primary concern when it comes to music? BIBLICAL ANSWER: The music must be based upon the truth of God's Word - sound biblical teaching. It's ok to put God's inspired Word to music! It's ok to sing songs that teach us of God's wonderful truths! And it's ok to sing songs about how God has impacted our lives, according to Paul! The real problem today is that Christians are not discerning the correctness of the message of the song with how it lines up with what God's Word teaches. How can we truly worship God if we distort His Word? The only negative impact that any style of music really has upon our worship of the Lord is that it shouldn't be so loud that we can't hear ourselves sing or so fast that we can't breath - both of these issues would distract us from worshiping God because it forces us to think about other things. When it comes to the "music debate" if both sides would biblically evaluate the music that they are singing, there would be many favorite hymns and contemporary choruses that would be tossed out. Let's be biblically discerning when it comes to our music and instead of driving one another out of the church, lets drive out the that music which doesn't measure up to God's Word. Then lets sing joyfully, Psalm 33:1-4, "Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright. Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. For the word of the LORD is upright; And all His work is done in faithfulness." The point that Paul is trying to make here in Colossians and Ephesians is that we are to let the Word of God have this marvelous influence in our lives whether through direct teaching or by song.1) "spiritual," ("pneumatikos" {pnyoo-mat-ik-os': adj, dat, f, pl}); spiritual, pertaining to the spirit, pertaining to spiritual things or matters.B. This refers to songs which are spiritual in content (APMDC).2) "songs," ("ode" {o-day': n, dat, f, pl}); song.
1) This could be expressions of Christian experience set to music and even of our thankfulness to God (SL).C. Paul wants us to not only sing with our mouths but with our hearts - his concern is that the heart agree with the mouth (MacArthur).- "thankfulness," ("charis" {khar'-ece: n, dat, f, pl}): that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, loveliness, grace of speech. (KJV = grace)2) This could also refer to religious poetry describing Christian experience (BBC).3) Spiritual songs were expressions of Bible truth other than in psalms and hymns, and where sung to address other believers (BEC).
1) "hearts," ("kardia" {kar-dee'-ah: n, dat, f, pl}); heart, the inner self; viewed here as the innermost part of your thoughts, passions, desires, affections, purposes.2) If the Word of God is not in our hearts, we cannot sing from our hearts (BEC).
- This shows how important it is to know the Word of God, for it enriches our public and private worship of God.
Transition: We not only exalt God when we allow His Word to make its home in our hearts, and sing of His wonderful goodness, but also we exalt Him. . .
III. By Being Thankful (v.17;
Eph.5:20).
1. Through our words and deeds (v.17a).
A. One way that we show our appreciation for what God has done for us is to conduct our lives as Christ's ambassadors (2 Cor.5:20a).Application: The goal of the Christian life is Christlikeness. Believers should so clothe themselves with Jesus Christ that when people look at them, they see Christ (MacArthur). In all relations of life, Christians are to act as Christ's representatives; obeying His word, trusting in His power, and to be devoted to His service. We should live Christ-centered lives, or in other words, all of life must be Christian (LBC). When we do this, then we glorify God's name in both word and deed. This brings us back to primary purpose of the church, that is to glorify God; Ephesians 3:21, "to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."1) In other words, to do everything in the name of Jesus is to act consistently with who He is and what He wants (MacArthur).B. William MacDonald says that "doing all in the name of the Lord" is an "all-inclusive rule by which to judge our conduct as Christians. The great test should be: Can I do this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? Would this be to His glory? Would I want to be doing it when He comes back again? Notice that this test should apply to the words we speak and to the deeds we do" (BBC).A) Bearing the name of Jesus is a great privilege, but it is also a tremendous responsibility (BEC).B) Bearing the name of Christ, means identification with Christ (BEC).
(1) As Christians we belong to Jesus Christ because He paid the price for our sins.C) All that we say and do should be associated with the name of Jesus Christ and govern our behavior - in both word and deed.(2) Christ's name also means authority.
(A) A man's name signed to a check authorizes the withdrawal of money from the bank.(B) The President's name signed to a bill makes it a law.
(1) If we permit anything into our lives that cannot be associated with the name of Jesus, then we are sinning.(2) We must do and say everything on the authority of His name and for the honor of His name.
- Paul expressed the same thought in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
Transition: Not only are we to be Christian in word and deed, but also. . .
2. Through a thankful spirit (v.17b).
A. "Giving thanks" points out that in everything we do we are to retain a sense of God's goodness and are to be careful to thank him (EBCNT).Application: It is a perpetual duty by those saved by grace and destined for the courts of heaven to give thanks to their heavenly Father for all the wonderful things He was done. Paul also expresses this in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."B. If we cannot give thanks, then we had better not do it or say it (BEC)!
Truths To Ponder:
1. Is God's Word at home in your heart?
A. Is it comfortable there, or does it feel like an un-welcomed stranger?2. When it comes to music we must remember that the most important thing is not the style but the biblical context.
B. Many Christians today fail to experience true worship because they haven't taken the time to let God's Word be at home in their lives.
A. We must remember that the reason why we are singing is to exalt God, not our own feelings.3. Worship begins with God's Word entering your heart and working it's way out through words, and deeds.
B. If music is creating division in a church and the music is biblically sound, then the problem isn't the music but the hearts of the people.
A. Are you representing your Lord well in both your speech and your actions?
B. Or have you been acting as your own ambassador
Verse 16.
- "let. . .dwell," ("enoikeo" {en-oy-keh'-o: v, imper,
pres, act, 3per, sg}); dwell in and influence for the good, live in.
-- Robertson: To make one's home, to be at home.- "the word," ("logos" {log'-os: n, nom, m, sg}); message, teaching, word, sayings, precepts.
-- Vincent: The word spoken by Christ.- "Christ," ("Christos" {khris-tos': n, gen, m, sg}); Christ = "anointed," the Son of God, the Messiah.
-- Vincent: The participle is used as imperatives.- "and," ("kai" {kahee: conj, coord}); and, also, even, indeed.
-- Vincent: The participle is used as imperatives.- "one another," ("heautou" {heh-ow-too': n, pron, acc, m, 2per, pl}); yourselves, ourselves, each other,
-- Robertson: The Psalms in the Old Testament originally with musical accompaniment.- "hymns," ("humnos" {hoom'-nos: n, dat, m, pl}); a song of offering to God, hymn, song of praise to God, used
-- Vincent: A psalm was originally a song accompanied by a stringed instrument. The idea of accompaniment passed away in usage, and the psalm, in New-Testament phraseology, is an Old-Testament psalm, or a composition having that character.
-- Robertson: Praises to God composed by the Christians like 1Ti 3:16.- "spiritual," ("pneumatikos" {pnyoo-mat-ik-os': adj, dat, f, pl}); spiritual, pertaining to the spirit, pertaining
-- Vincent: A hymn is a song of praise
-- Vincent: Paul adds the term spiritual. The term may, as Trench suggests, denote sacred poems which are neither psalms nor hymns, as Herbert's "Temple," or Keble's "Christian Year." This is the more likely, as the use of these different compositions is not restricted to singing nor to public worship. They are to be used in mutual Christian teaching and admonition.- "songs," ("ode" {o-day': n, dat, f, pl}); song.
-- Robertson: General description of all whether with or without instrumental accompaniment. The same song can have all three words applied to it.- "singing," ("ado" {ad'-o: v, part (imper), pres, act, nom, m, 2per, pl}); to the praise of, to sing, to produce
-- Vincent: This is the general term for a song of any kind.
-- Vincent: The participle is used as imperatives.- "with," ("en" {en: prep, dat}); in, by, with.
-- Robertson: In God's grace (2Co 1:12). The phrase can be taken with the preceding words. The verb aido is an old one (Eph 5:19) for lyrical emotion in a devout soul.- "in," ("en" {en: prep, dat}); in, by, with.
-- Robertson: Without this there is no real worship "to God." How can a Jew or Unitarian in the choir lead in the worship of Christ as Savior? Whether with instrument or with voice or with both it is all for naught if the adoration is not in the heart.- "God," ("theos" {theh'-os: n, dat, m, sg}); God, the supreme Divinity. (KJV = the Lord)
Verse 17.
- "and," ("kai" {kahee: conj, coord}): and, also, even.
- "whatever," ("pas" {pas: adj, pron, acc, neut, sg});
all things, everything, the whole. (KJV = whatsoever)
- "do," ("poieo" {poy-eh'-o: v, subj, pres, act, 2per,
pl}); to make, to do, undertake, bring about, construct, form.
- "in," ("en" {en: prep, dat}); in, by, with.
- "word," ("logos" {log'-os: n, dat, neut, sg}); of speech,
word.
- "deed," ("ergon" {er'-gon: n, dat, neut, sg}); work,
anything done or to be done, a deed, action.
- "do all," ("pas" {pas: adj, pron, acc, neut, pl});
all things, everything, the whole.
- "in," ("en" {en: prep, dat}); in, by, with.
- "name," ("onoma" {on'-om-ah: n, dat, neut, sg}); name.
- "Lord," ("kurios" {koo'-ree-os: n, gen, m, sg}); Lord,
master, one having legal power over, sovereign.
- "Jesus," ("Iesous" {ee-ay-sooce': n, gen, m, sg}); Jesus =
"Jehovah is salvation," Joshua, Jesus.
- "Giving thanks," ("eucharisteo" {yoo-khar-is-teh'-o:
v, part (imper), pres, act, nom, m, 2pr, pl}); to be grateful,
be thankful, give thanks, expressing gratitude.
- "through," ("dia" {dee-ah': prep, gen}); through, by means
of, by reason of, on account of. (KJV = by)
- "Him," ("autos" {ow-tos': n, pron, gen, m, 3per, sg});
him, himself, he.
- "God," ("theos" {theh'-os: n, dat, m, sg}); God, the supreme
Divinity.
- "Father," ("pater" {pat-ayr': n, dat, m, sg}); father,
the originator and transmitter of.
Study References
APMDC - A Pastor's Manual on Doing Church,
Mal Couch Editor.
BBC - William MacDonald, Believer's Bible
Commentary.
BEC - Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible
Exposition Commentary.
BSF - Bible Studies Foundation (http://www.bible.org/).
BKC - John Walvoord & Roy Zuck, The
Bible Knowledge Commentary (New Testament ed).
EBCNT - Zondervan's, Expositor's Bible
Commentary, New Testament.
LBC - Liberty Bible Commentary on the
New Testament.
MacArthur - John MacArthur's New Testament
Commentary: Colossians.
SL - Expository notes on Galatians, by
Dr. Thomas Constable, (http://soniclight.com/).
Greek References
. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, by Walter Bauer,
augmented by William F. Arndt & F. Wilbur
Gingrich, 2nd Ed., University of Chicago Press,
Chicago IL, 1979
. The Analytical Greek Lexicon of the New Testament, by Wigram,
Associated Publishers & Authors Inc (APGA),
Lafayette IN, 1980.
. Bible Works 4.0 for Windows, Hermeneutika Bible Research Software,
Big Fork MO., 2nd edition.
. The Complete Word Study Bible & Reference CD, by Dr. Spiros
Zodhiates, AMG Publishers, 1997.
. Do It Yourself Hebrew And Greek, by Edward W. Goodrick, Multnomah
Press, Portland OR., 1980.
. Essentials Of New Testament Greek, by Ray Summers, Broadman
Press, Nashville TN., 1950.
. Greek Enchiridion, A Concise Handbook of Grammar for Translation
and Exegesis, by William G. MacDonald,
Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody MA., 1998.
. The Interlinear Greek-English New Testament (The Nestle Greek
Text), by Rev. Alfred Marshall, D.Litt, Zondervan
Publishing House, Grand Rapids MI, 1958.
. The New Analytical Greek Lexicon, Wesley J. Perschbacher,
Editor, Hendrickson Publishers, 1996.
. New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, by
Colin Brown, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand
Rapids MI, 2001.
. The New Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon, by J. H. Thayer, APGA
Lafayette IN, 1981.
. Quick Verse 7.0 for Windows, Parsons Technology Inc, 2000.
. Syntax Of The Moods And Tenses In New Testament Greek, by
Ernest De Witt Burton, Kregel Publications, Grand
Rapids MI., 1978.
. Theological Dictionary of The New Testament (Abridged), by
Geoffrey W. Bromiley, Gerhard Kittel & Gerhard
Friedrich Editors, Willaim B. Eerdmans Publishing Company,
Grand Rapids MI, 1992.
. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, by W.
E Vine, M.A., Mac Donald Publishing Company,
McLean Virginia.
. Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 1 the Epistles
of James, Peter, and Jude, by Marvin Vincent,
AGE'S Software, Albany OR., ver.2.0, 1997.
. Word Studies in the Greek New Testament, by Kenneth S. Wuest,
Willaim B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand
Rapids MI, 1988.
. Word Pictures in the New Testament, by Archibald Thomas Robertson,
Broadman Press, Nashville TN, 1930.