Lord’s Day Message
Topics: The testimony of Christian living (2)
Bible Verses: Col. 3:16~4:1
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Col. 3:16-17, KJV)
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. … Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. … Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 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.” (Col. 3:18, 20, 22-24)
Message Outline:
- A living filled with the words of Christ
- Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly
- To teach, admonish, give thanks and sing with the word of Christ
We need the light of the word of Christ to change our life. This cannot depend on our own will and effort. Here Paul encourages the saints to let the word of Christ dwell in them richly because this is the way for us to have a real change and testimony.
2. To speak and walk in the name of the Lord
If we have the rich word of Christ in us, we will have a close relationship with Him and be one with Him. This enables us to speak and behave as His representatives and to express Himself. This should be the testimony for every Christian.
3. Application and testimony in the family life
In our relationship with others, especially in the family, it shows the real condition of our life and living. The Christian living is not only in speaking but in doing, not only in knowledge but in reality.
Paul keeps adding the word “the Lord” in this passage, such as, “fit in the Lord”, “well pleasing unto the Lord”, “do it heartily, as to the Lord”, and etc. This indicates that our living is not under any ordinances, but in a living filled with the Lord. Such a living does not come from human admonishing or regulation, but from the grace of Lord’s presence, which gives us the reality in living.
Next Topics: Col. 4:2~18
Continuing in prayer and greetings
Announcements：
- After today’s meeting, we will have a fellowship regarding the young people serving. For all the serving ones and those are willing to serve please stay for the fellowship.
- Brother Patrick Li has arranged the weekly schedule for hall cleaning. Please take a look to see your schedule and if any questions, please fellowship with Brother Patrick.
- 10/2 (Chinese New Year) the church will hold another gospel meeting which will focus on singing and testimonies. We hope all the brothers and sisters can prepare and participate. A few families can come together, choose gospel hymns and share testimonies.
4. Please exercise ourselves to attend the meeting on time.
Intercession：
- Pray for 10/2 gospel meeting. May the Lord give every brother and sister a spirit of preaching gospel and open the hearts of all friends that they can receive the precious salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Pray that the Lord will give every brother and sister healthiness, peace and joy in our daily living. Also pray for those (the saints or the relatives) who have sicknesses. May the Lord heal the sick according to His will as well as comfort and strengthen the saints.
- Pray for those who travel or go back to home town in the summer break. May the Lord be with them and care for them.
- Pray for the new school year that all the young people can be kept and strengthened in the Lord.
Reference Materials:
When God puts two persons together as husband and wife, His intention is that there be submission and love between the two. He has no intention for them to discover each other’s faults or to correct each other. God has not made you a teacher or a master.
Once we are married, we have to learn to appreciate each other’s virtues. … This means that when the other person does something good, we must be sensitive to it. … It means that both must learn to appreciate the other person’s virtues, goodness, and beauty.
One also must exercise politeness in the family. … Please remember that problems at home often arise because of small matters. It is often at home that a person behaves with unbecoming manners. Most people think that they can throw away their manners because their wife or husband is so familiar to them. Please remember that the joy and pleasure of human relationships have much to do with manners. As soon as you throw away proper manners, the ugly side of human nature will surface.
A basic condition for marriage is self-sacrifice. Sacrifice means learning to please the other person. … Learn to discover what the other party likes. Learn to understand him and his views. Learn to stand on his side, and learn to understand him and yourself from his perspective. Learn to sacrifice your own feelings, your own opinions, and your own views as much as possible. Try to understand and know the other side. Pursue self- sacrifice and love. If you do this, you will have fewer problems in the family. (Messages for Building Up New Believers (2), Watchman Nee)
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