Repping for the Lord | Colossians 3:12-25

Takeaway Verse: Colossians 3:23

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people!

Story: Representing the Lord at the Rainbow Deli – tennis ladies.

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Transcription:

Welcome to The Bible for Busy People. I’m Erica Parkerson. This is the place where we meet up to read half a chapter of God’s word together, and remember how loved we are. Jesus extends an amazing invitation to us in the Bible. He says, come to me and I WILL give you rest. This is us RSVPing: Yes!! to that invitation. So take a deep breath and let’s get started.

This episode is called, “Repping for the Lord”. We’re about to dive into Colossians chapter three, the second half. Paul is still in jail writing to encourage the church in Colossi, people he didn’t even know. He’s also speaking to us, people he didn’t know. He didn’t know back when he was behind bars that one day you and I would be encouraged and receive his words that were inspired by God.

Before we dive in, and this is a good passage today, let’s go to the Lord and just dedicate this time to him. Father, we come to you in the name of Jesus. Oh, just saying your name lowers my blood pressure. We give you these next few minutes. Please open our eyes and our hearts to what you want us to see and understand from your word today. And just remind us how loved we are, in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Okay. Paul is writing from jail. He might as well be texting us. We’re gonna pick it up. Colossians chapter three, verse 12. Here we go, “Since God chose you, us, to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults” I know this isn’t easy “and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony, and let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.” What a beautiful image. “For as members of one body, you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” 

Thankfulness is a common theme throughout the Bible. It’s like, it’s something that I think you and I should focus on every day when we start feeling down, when we have a negative thought pull us, what are we thankful for in that moment? For me, sometimes I’ll just go Lord, thank you for this cup of coffee. Right? You can thank him for your dog, whatever it is that brings you joy. Think of it, when you start feeling negative. Let the message about Christ in all its richness, fill your lives. Let it fill your lives. Think of a coffee cup, filling up. Think of Christ filling your life. I just love that so much. 

Okay. “Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Wives submit to your husbands as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. Husbands love your wives and never treat them harshly. Children always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord.”

Here comes our takeaway verse, “Work willingly at whatever you do as though you are working for the Lord, rather than for people.” Whew, we’ll get to that in just a moment. “Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the master you are serving is Christ.” Ooh. “But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done, for God has no favorites.”

Let’s just go back to that takeaway verse 23, “Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were working for the Lord, rather than for people.” I wrote that at the top of my server pad when I waited tables, I was 18 years old. I worked at a place called, The Rainbow Deli and there was a group of ladies who came in, we called them the tennis ladies because they always came after practice or after games. And whenever they ran out of sweet tea, this was in North Carolina, they would shake their glasses and clink the ice at me. Oh, my goodness. It would drive me crazy. It was like nails on a chalkboard to me. So finally, to remember what the apostle Paul was telling me in this passage of scripture, I wrote verse 23 at the top of my waitress pad. And it helped to refocus me.

So maybe somebody at work is getting under your skin. Write that verse on a post-it note, take a screenshot of it and keep it as your screen on your laptop or your phone. Keep it in front of you. We can do it because you and I know we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. All right, tomorrow, we’re gonna dive into Colossians chapter four. We’re gonna wrap up Paul’s letter to the Colossians already. Can’t wait till tomorrow. 

Thank you so much for listening to the Bible for Busy People. If you need prayer or you’re ready to go a little deeper in your faith, we’ve posted some resources for you in our show notes. We’d love for you to share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review. It helps us reach even more people with the hope of Jesus. This podcast is part of Purposely, a podcast network designed with practical podcasts to help you find and live in God’s purpose for your life. Find more podcasts that will recharge you at onpurposely.com.