ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH SERMON OUTLINES
Christ-exalting Behavior In A Christian Home
Text: Colossians 3:18-21 IBCSS August 26, 2007
Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar
Christian life is a consecrated life that must be lived by faith with deep commitment to portray Christ-likeness day-to-day for the glory of God. The believers’ precious faith must be fully guarded, carefully preserved, excitingly lived by and clearly spoken of. It should be prayerfully shared to others so they may be led to the saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Every Christian should get involved in preserving the true image of Christianity in this confused and sin-darkened world. Many professing Christians, through their carnal mindset and preference, are distorting the true Christian principles. Unknowingly, they are becoming partakers of the works of darkness instead of righteousness. It’s high time for genuine Christians to stand up, not only to tell the truth, but to live by it without compromise.
The best place where we could show our uncompromising belief and practice is in our own home. We strongly believe that a strong Christian home truly contributes strength to a local Church. A strong and powerful Church is undoubtedly composed of God-fearing families. We really need such strong Church today to spread the Gospel of Christ without guile and to influence the changing world with the unchanging Word of Truth.
Believers’ behavior in every Christian home must be carefully examined with the help of the Word of God and such rewarding move should not be delayed for the sake of the Truth. It is so sad that many families today are being led to unthinkable broken homes because of their indifferent attitude toward Bible principles.
If we really love our home, our behavior toward one another should be Christ-exalting. We must make a commitment to God to live a holy life so others may see the message of truth through our well-lived life. Christian home members must exalt Christ in their home the way God wants them to exalt His Name.
(I) Wives’ Submission To Their Own Husbands
Colossians 3:18 Ephesians 5:22-24
-Wives must exalt Christ through their godly attitude toward the Truth
For most wives, the matter of submission to their own husbands is being taken as light thing in the corner; but the Bible seriously teaches in Colossians 3:18, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.” (KJV) Often times, the wives become the dominant character in the home when they perceive the slackness of their husbands, but the Bible teaches that wives who submit to their own husbands are doing what is right before God.
One thing most wives overlook every time they usurp authority over their husbands is the “Spiritual Message” they need to convey to the world. In Ephesians 5:22-24, it is written, Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. (KJV) Wives’ submission to their husbands is not a mere domestic rule made by man, but a God-given principle with spiritual significance.
World-friendly principles are on the rise in this disoriented world and even professing Christians are being enticed to embrace such ungodly precepts; but she who follows God’s Word will have a blessed home that could be a guiding light to the lost.
(II) Husbands’ Love For Their Own Wives
Colossians 3:19 Ephesians 5:25-29
-Husbands must exalt Christ through their unquestionable love for their own wives
How shameful, but true, that many husbands nowadays could not even differentiate love from lust. No doubt, they become destroyer of homes instead of home builder. Such heart-breaking situation in marriage would come to our homes if we don’t guard ourselves from fleshly lust. We need the Word of God in guarding our homes from destructive sin. (See Psalm 119:11) In Colossians 3:19, it is written, Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. (KJV) True love grows stronger and it will never fade. Such love is Christ’s love for the Church.
In Ephesians 5:25-29, it is written, Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: (KJV)
A husband who is ignorant of the spiritual significance of marriage will be an easy prey of the devil. The main reason why a husband becomes unfaithful to his own wife is because he fails to give value to the sanctity of marriage. He fails to project Christ-likeness in his married life, and as a consequence, his home suffers much.
May our marriage truly convey the spiritual message God wants us to tell to the lost and dying world. We are really in great need of Christian couples who have the burning desire to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ through their married life. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it.
(III) Children’s Obedience To Their Parents
Colossians 3:20 Ephesians 6:1-3
-Children must exalt Christ through their absolute obedience to their parents
Disobedient children don’t exalt Christ in their lives. Disobedience to parents is rebellion against God-given authority in the home. It does not only grieve the parents, but most of all, it grieves the Holy Ghost. Colossians 3:20, commands, Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. (KJV) Children must obey their parents for their own good and for the glory of God.
Many may be wondering why children today are becoming more rebellious than before, but if we honestly examine our ways in dealing with them, we will also realize that most of us are not using Bible principles anymore in guiding them to grow physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Parents have a very sensitive role in lifting up their children to a God-pleasing life. Children must see Christ through their parents’ lives so they may be inspired to walk righteously for the glory of God.
In Colossians 3:21, it is written, Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. (KJV) There are many ways fathers could lead their children to discouragement. Through unbiblical way of handling matters in the home, through unchristian dealings with the wife, foul and abusive words and ungodly lifestyle could trigger their children to anger and discouragement.
Many fathers overlooked their God-given responsibility to their children because they think that providing the physical needs of their children is all their duty as fathers. In Ephesians 6:4, it is written, And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (KJV) This verse makes us realize that the father has the responsibility to educate, train, counsel, warn and discipline his children in the way of truth. We are confident that strict adherence to such Biblical principle will lead our children to a God-pleasing life.
On the part of the children, they must do what the Bible says so they will have a peaceful, blessed life. In Ephesians 6:1-3, it is written, Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. (KJV) What wonderful promise from God.
May we prayerfully and carefully train our children in the way they should go. In Proverbs 22:6, it is written, Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (KJV)
As we see the world getting worst, may we not forget what we have learned from the Word of God. The devil wants to destroy our families in a shameful way, but keep in mind that we are on the Lord’s side and His loving-grace is sufficient for us to use in times of trouble. Having a deep commitment to live a holy life is “a must” for every member of our family so we may exalt the Lord Jesus Christ through our God-given home till He Comes.
In Colossians 3:23-25, it is written, And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. (KJV)
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