Follow Along with the Message

Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho...

Pastor Tom Lundeen

...when Jesus is first place in our lives and everything we do or say is for His  alone, it will have a positive impact on every relationship and personal encounter we have.

Note Colossians 3:17

Paul spends more time writing about slaves and masters and their  to each other and to God than he does writing about wives, husbands, children, and parents combined in Colossians (note Colossians 3:22-4:1).

1.  in the Roman Empire

Slavery has impacted every generation, every , every culture, every nation, and every people group from the beginning of human history until today. 

Chances are very high that somewhere in your  was someone who was once enslaved. 

About 25% of Rome's population were slaves. 

While not regarded as sub-human, they were seen as  and had no personal rights. 

Paul never condones slavery nor  against slave owners. 

But he clearly was subtly and  undercutting slavery in all his writings (note 1 Corinthians 7:21-23...). 

2.  Plan for Work

Many of us have the mistaken idea that work itself is a necessary evil and result of the  of human sin.

 sin entered the world, God gave human beings work to do (note Genesis 2:15).

God Himself is  working (note John 5:17).

The reason why work is often hard, , and not always fun/fulfilling is the result of the curse of human sin (note Genesis 3:17-19).

Working is consistently portrayed as a Christian  (note Ephesians 4:28 and 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12). 

3. So What's the Relevance of Colossians 3:22-4:1 for Us Today?

...research show  of our life ( hours) will be at work, how we navigate our workplaces and colleagues and managers and bosses and employees is a huge issue for any Jesus follower. 

A.  All of us are   doing our work for Jesus (note Colossians 3:22-24; 4:1; 3:17) - ...it's important for every Jesus follower to recognize that our lives aren't divided into  and . It matters that we have a good work  and that we always seek to do our best, because our ultimate performance review comes from Jesus - and our greatest  comes from Him (note Colossians 3:24).

B.  Jesus followers are  on the outside, but we are the  inside (note Colossians 3:11; Galatians 3:26-29).

Am I focused OUT?

• In Jesus there is ultimate .

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