Follow Along with the Message

More Than Theoretical

Pastor Tom Lundeen

Note Colossians 3:17

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

Paul wants them back then and us today to understand following Jesus and embracing His truth isn’t just about learning facts in a classroom to pass a course, but it’s all about seeing and   how Jesus, by His Spirit and His truth, can radically change our lives and transform our relationships.

1. It Was More Than Just a Theory for  Personally

Note Colossians 4:10b-11, 7-9, 12-14

To have Jewish and non-Jewish people not just being civil and polite to each other, but actually regarding them as  and family members was unheard of in the Roman Empire (note Colossians 3:11, 15).

And there is a significant  for Paul, Barnabas, and Mark (note Acts 13:13; 15:36-40).

Note Colossians 4:10 and 2 Timothy 4:11

Paul  what he preached (note Colossians 3:12-15).

Genuine spirituality is always evident  in how we relate to people.

2. It Was More Than Just Theory for the  in Colossae

Note Colossians 4:7, 9

Onesimus was a  to a Christian man (Philemon) in the Colossian Church.

Paul’s letter to Philemon…tells the story of these 2 individuals and how Jesus transforms individual lives, , and even cultures.

Note Philemon 4-5, 8-11

Useful = Onesimus

Note Philemon 12-16

Paul powerfully  the institution of slavery in this short, personal letter:

• He calls Onesimus his child ( of God).
• He has a strong  with him (Philemon 12).
• It’s a whole new relationship (Philemon 15).
• Philemon and Onesimus will now have a brand new, transformed  (Philemon 16).
• And instead of being  as a slave, he’s now a beloved brother…in the Lord.

Note Philemon 17

Paul  Onesimus’ debt, but also reminds Philemon of his debt (spiritual/eternal) to Paul (note Philemon 17-19).

So here in front of the whole Colossian Church stand 2 men, who according to the  norms of the day, were not close to equal, and one of them could be put to death for what he had done.

But because of who Jesus is and what He’s done (note Colossians 2:13-15; 3:11), personal lives and relationships can be totally changed because the forgiveness Jesus provided for them  into our other relationships (note Colossians 3:13-15, 22-4:1).

And sometimes we need to help of another brother/sister to help  this reconciliation and transformation (note Philemon 1b-2; Colossians 4:17).

Am I focused OUT?:

• The Scriptures aren’t just theory, or one  out of many.
• God’s truth and the Holy Spirit have the  to change our minds and hearts and transform every relationship we have.

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