God’s Design for Relationships: The Workplace

Colossians 3:22-4:1

If we have new life with Christ, then we must embrace God’s design for workplace relationships.

1. We must embrace God’s design for Christian employees (servants).
2. We must embrace God’s design for Christian employers (masters).

Our purpose

Our purpose is to glorify God
upwardly through worship
inwardly through discipleship
outwardly through evangelism

August 28, 2008

Dear friend,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

One famous battlefield general was asked how he expected to subdue an enemy army that was many times larger than his force. “We must kill them all,” he answered. “Every last man of them!” His determined and terrible words likely send chills down our spines. What fierce and warlike thinking. Few of us could stomach the work, but I suppose that is what makes an effective general during a time of desperate conflict.

Thankfully, we are not all called to be warriors in this fashion. However, each Christian is called to another kind of battle. It is a battle against sin. Our King Jesus, who has died for our sin, is calling us to war. Having been set free from the eternal effect of sin (death and hell) the Christian is called to attack sin in his or her life which such vigor that it dies! This is not a battle against other people, rather it is an internal fight through which the believer turns away from those things that are displeasing to God and becomes increasingly more like the perfect sinless Savior. What kind of warrior are you? Are you fierce and determined in the battle against your sin?

“When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming” (Col. 3:4-6).

One more thing - you are not outnumbered, because your all-powerful Savior Jesus is on your side!

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder

God’s Design For Relationships: Children and Parents

Colossians 3:20-21

If you have new life in Christ, then you must embrace God’s design for children and parents.

1. You must embrace God’s design for Christian children (Col 3:20).
2. You must embrace God’s design for Christian parents (Col 3:21).

August 21, 2008

Dear friend,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

I have noticed in sporting events that competitors work hard late in the game. As the clock ticks down to zero, the losing side presses to score with the hope they can make up for lost time. Every second counts and in some cases even fractions of a second. Time is important. There is only so much of it available.

Life is not all that different than these contests. There is a limited amount of time for each of us. However, when was the last time you thought about the ticking clock of your life. For the non-Christian every passing second places you closer to an eternity of separation and judgment apart from Christ. This is why it is important for you to believe in him for salvation. The time is now.

“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart… because if you confess with you mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:8b-9).

For the Christian, every passing second places you closer to eternal joy with God in heaven. How then do you want to spend the time while you wait? Of course every person needs appropriate rest and recreation, but are we making the most of the clock? Will we be able to give a good accounting of the time we spend on this earth? Do we live for the moment or for eternity?

Friend, why don’t you make the words of Moses and Paul your own prayer for this week:

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may get a heart of wisdom. Help us to make the best use of the time.” (Ps. 90:12 and Eph. 5:16a)

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder

God’s Design for Relationships: Marriage

Colossians 3:18-19

If you have new life in Christ, then your life if going to be different.

Your new life in heaven is going to make an immediate difference in your life upon the earth.

1. You must look for God’s design in your relationships.
2. You must understand God’s design for Christian husbands.
3. You must understand God’s design for Christian wives.

August 14, 2008

Dear friend,

I have been following the careers of a handful of politicians and I noticed there are several public opinion polls designed to measure the performance of these leaders. Through a scientific survey and the use of an equation, each politician is assigned an “approval rating.” The more everyone approves of his or her performance, the hirer the rating. Now, I am all for accountability. I believe we ought to be responsible to and live at peace with others. However, the idea of constantly checking a poll to see what everyone thinks about you seems a poor idea to me.

Thankfully, the Christian is free from the need to do this. Our responsibility to others is not based on what they think about us, but on the commandments of God.

“If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Rom. 12:18). Also, because of our faith in the work of our Savior Jesus, we have a perfect approval rating in heaven. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Who will bring any charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who justifies” (Rom. 8:1,33).

Finally friend, it would be wise for everyone to be much more concerned about what God thinks than what man thinks.

“I tell you my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear Him who after he has killed has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him (Luke 12:4-5).

I wonder, what does God think of your thoughts, actions, and words today? Does he approve?

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder

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