6 August 2023 PM – Colossians 3:16 – Col23 – Scott Childs
Introduction: Why are so many people in our society overweight? Genes and sedentary work may contribute, but I believe the main reason often comes down to their choice of diet. The same is true about spiritually unhealthy Christians. They are spiritually unhealthy because of their choice of mental diet.
Transition: This evening we are going to focus our attention on the first nine words of Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly”. As we do, I want to help you discover what it means, why it is important and how to obey it.
1. What does this phrase mean?
a. The word of Christ
1) Christ is the living Word, who spoke God’s Word.
2) In the parallel passage (Ephesians 5:18-19), the Holy Spirit, the Author of the Word, is the subject.
3) The Bible reveals God’s mind to us.
b. Must dwell inside you
1) To dwell is to inhabit. It is to take up one’s residence in, to make one’s home among (Rogers).
2) This phrase has a strong emphasis on “inside”. The root word means to dwell in. This word has “in” as its prefix. Then the words “in you” follow it. Christ’s spoken word, the Holy Spirit’s inspired Word, the Holy Scriptures, MUST dwell inside you. This is a command. You must cause the Word to dwell inside of you.
3) God’s Word must be IN your heart and feel comfortably at home deep inside your heart. God and His Word are holy, and they will not dwell in you if there is competition with sin, the flesh, worldliness, pride, etc.
c. Richly
1) This word means richly or abundantly. It modifies the quantity or extent of the dwelling.
2) What made Solomon rich? [Lots of money and possessions.] What makes a cherry cheesecake rich? [Lots of sugar and cheese.] What makes a goldmine rich? [Plenty of gold.] What makes a happy marriage relationship rich? [An abundance of love and kindness.] What then will make the Word of Christ dwell in you richly? [Lots of time reading, studying and meditating on the Word.] It will not happen any other way! How abundantly does God’s Word dwell in YOUR heart?
2. Why is letting the Word dwell in us so important?
a. God commands us to do it.
1) Let the word of Christ dwell is a command.
2) It is not a suggestion nor an option.
3) This is the oft-neglected command! Many Christians do not obey this command.
b. It is important because it provides many benefits.
1) By reading the Bible, we will learn to fear God, obey Him and do His will, Deuteronomy 17:18-19.
2) It will help us avoid sin, Psalm 119:11.
3) Bible study enables Christ to answer our prayers, John 15:7.
4) It will aid in giving us victory over Satan, 1 John 2:14.
5) If obeyed, it will make us prosperous and successful, Joshua 1:8.
6) Meditating on the Word will make us fruitful, Psalm 1:2-3.
7) It will give us direction in life, Psalm 119:105.
8) Studying it will enable us to avoid shameful ignorance, 2 Timothy 2:15.
9) It will teach us doctrine, 2 Timothy 3:16.
10) It will reprove us when we do wrong, 2 Timothy 3:16.
11) It will correct us, to get us back on track, 2 Timothy 3:16.
12) It will instruct us in staying right with God, 2 Timothy 3:16.
13) It will complete and equip us to serve God, 2 Timothy 3:17.
14) Bible knowledge will increase our faith, Romans 10:17.
15) Reading the Word will prompt believing, John 20:30-31.
16) Studying the Old Testament will admonish or warn us, 1 Corinthians 10:11.
17) Studying the Old Testament will comfort and give us hope, Romans 15:4.
18) God promises to bless those who read the Bible, Revelation 1:3.
19) Obeying God’s Word will lengthen our lives and give us peace, Proverbs 3:1-2.
20) We will discover wondrous things, Psalm 119:18.
21) God uses His Word to clean us, Psalm 119:9.
22) Careful Bible study will enable us to discern between truth and error, Acts 17:11.
23) Bible study will give light and understanding, Psalm 119:130.
24) Jesus quoted the Bible when tempted and so should we, Matthew 4:4.
25) God wants to use His Word to sanctify us, John 17:17.
26) Psalm 19:7, Its law [instruction] is perfect, converting the soul. It is complete and entire. Nothing can be taken from it nor added to it without corrupting it. Its words work to turn a sinful soul back to God.
27) Psalm 19:7, Its testimony [witness] is sure, making wise the simple. It is faithful and reliable. It will never lead you astray.
28) Psalm 19:8, Its statutes [rules] are right, rejoicing the heart. God’s rules are right, straight, fitting and proper. The Bible’s rules keep us on God’s right path in life that will give us joy in this life and for all eternity. There is joy in obeying God’s rules.
29) Psalm 19:8, Its commandment [demand] is pure, enlightening the eyes. God’s one overall command is “Be ye holy” (Lev 20:7; 1Pe 1:16). That command is pure and clean because God is pure. It enlightens our eyes to our sinfulness. It also enlightens our eyes to God’s expectations and gives us direction.
30) Psalm 19:9, Its fear [awe-inspiring quality] is clean, enduring for ever. Its fearful qualities are clean morally, ethically and ceremonially. The Bible has no corrupt motives. The Bible will never lose its awe-inspiring quality because it is God’s Word. It is for every generation and every culture.
31) Psalm 19:9, Its judgments [decisions] are true and righteous altogether. God always makes right decisions every time. They are reliable. The Bible will never tell you to do something that is not right.
These are a few of the benefits of letting the Bible dwell in us, but …
3. How can we let the Word of Christ dwell in us?
a. It starts with a choice. You must want to!
1) James tells us, (James 4:8) “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.“
2) The Bible was sweet to the Psalmist, and it can be to you as well. (Psalms 119:103) “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!“
b. We must make it a daily priority to read the Bible.
1) We saw this earlier with the king (Deu 17:18-19).
2) Schedule a quiet time and place, every day.
c. We must take the time to study the Bible.
1) Proverbs 2:1-5, receive, hide, incline, apply, cry after it, seek, and search
2) 2 Timothy 2:15, diligently study the Word.
d. We must select portions of Scripture for meditation.
1) (Psalms 1:2) “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.“
2) (Psalms 119:97) “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.“
3) (Psalms 119:148) “Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.“
e. We must memorise key scriptures.
1) Psalm 119:11
2) Memorisation is hard, but it is rewarding.
Conclusion: You have just seen 31 reasons you ought to let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. If you have not been reading, studying and meditating on the Word of Christ every day, will you choose to change this evening? Change will not be easy. The devil will oppose you. You may need to change your mental diet. Set aside the social media, games, entertainment and any other hindrance and begin letting the Word of Christ dwell in you RICHLY. However, if you do, your spiritual health will immediately begin to improve. You have God’s Word on it!
