Sunday’s Comin’: Family Matters

Colossians 3:18-21 (NASB95)
18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.
20 Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.

If you turn on the TV and start surfing channels, it won’t be long before you come across a reality show: Big Brother, Survival, the Real World, Flavor of Love (every time I think of that one I want to throw up), The Bachelor and the list goes on. I think most of these reveal to us just how godless and relationally bankrupted we are as a society.

Yet, I can’t help but wonder what you would see if cameras were set up in my household. I’m not talking about during the first few weeks. No, I’m talking a month or two out when I have forgotten that the cameras are running. Would you see sarcasm? Selfishness? Disconnectedness? Or would you see a man who is striving to live a Christ-centered life in front of his wife and children?

The next two Sundays should be interesting. We will continue our study, Grace in Community, by looking at the family. Paul sets guidelines for each member of the family: wives be subject; husbands/ fathers love and don’t be bitter or provoke; children obey. It is easy to look at Colossians 3:18-21 and believe that we can center on these things only and have a great family. I believe it is impossible to achieve without the foundation Paul established in the previous verses.

He tells us that “We have put on the new self” which means we are submitted to God and His ways. Therefore, we have put on:

A. A heart of compassion

B. Kindness

C. Humility

D. Gentleness

E. Patience (long suffering)

F. We are forgiving

G. We are loving

These virtues should not only be displayed in activities outside the home, such as small groups, on Sunday mornings, in the grocery store, at sporting events, etc, but they are to be seen in the home also. We have put on the new self and we don’t have the privilege of taking it off when we go home.

Join us Sunday as we talk about Grace in Community: Family Matters

Will Dungee

Sunday’s Comin’

As you know, this summer I've been preaching three Sundays a month and taking the fourth one off. This has given several of the other pastors on staff here the opportunity to preach. We are blessed to have a staff with so many capable and gifted speakers! This Sunday, Ansel Talbert, who heads up our middle school program, will be preaching. I'm looking forward to hearing him and seeing all of you as well.
Have a great weekend,

Will Dungee

Read below for a little preview of what Ansel is going to share with us:
For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn-fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.
For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it-though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. 2 Corinthians 7: 5-11

I was talking with my brother yesterday when we ventured into “bright” ideas we had while growing up together. There were things we did that really have no explanation, and honestly were downright shameful. Some of those moments of shame really caused a feeling of weight or heaviness that, when we were younger, we couldn't seem to explain or shake.

Let me give you an example. When I was 6 and my brother was 4, I told him that if I dropped a log on his barefooted big toe that it would blow up like it does in Looney Tunes cartoons. He, being the younger impressionable one that wants to be just like big brother Ansel because big brother Ansel wouldn't drop a log on his toe if he hadn't already been through this hazing process, obliged to my request. To make a short story shorter, his toe did swell up and bleed and he cried and bigger footsteps started heading my way. But there was something that happened in me that I realized for the first time...the moment I let loose the log torpedo and it made a direct hit, I had this intense feeling of Why did I just do that!? That's my brother! Whom I love! Why!?! I couldn't shake that feeling of absolute grief and regret. I didn't know what to do with this new feeling. I just cried, which made it harder to lie when dad came around the corner.

So, let me ask you, “What do you do with this feeling of grief, or regret?” Because it still happens to everyone today. I'm 28 and there are still times where I ask myself, “Why did I just do that? Why?”

This Sunday we'll talk about grieving. How real, hard, makes-you-cry-sometimes grieving can be done well when we hold tightly to the grace of God in Christ.
See you on Sunday,

Ansel Talbert

Wednesday Check-In

Today's Wednesday Check- In is more of a word of encouragement than anything else. I have been blessed by people's desire to live in community through Christ-centered relationships. Communities which challenge them to grow in their dependence on Christ, marked by a life of obedience to scripture.

One of the ways to achieve this is to intentionally let the words of Christ dwell richly in our midst, teaching and admonishing one another. God's word is powerful and when we hold one another accountable to it, growth in Christ happens.

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Will Dungee

Fruit will come, hang in there!

Colossians 3:17 states that whatever we do or say, it is to be done in Jesus' name. In other words, it is all about Christ. We choose to live in godly community because of Christ. We live compassionately and lovingly because of Christ.

Below is a post from Marshall Benbow, Outreach Director here at Grace. He reminds us to rest in Christ. If you'd like to read more from Marshall, visit his blog at Joy in the Margins

Six weeks ago I preached on John 15, the parable of the vine and the branches (click here to listen/download). For my sermon I used a live tomato plant and an artificial Christmas tree, and I urged us to abide in Christ, in His life, and that if we did, fruit would come.

And then I took my tomato plant home and I waited and watched... and waited.... and watched.... as it bore flower after flower, but no fruit. I watered it. It was planted in good soil. But no fruit. Finally, in desperation, I went ahead and hung it upside down from our front porch, because I had planted it in a bucket for that very reason. More weeks went by, and still no fruit – flowers yes, but no tomatoes.

But this week ….. fruit! Small, barely able to be called tomatoes, but still, fruit! And I think that there is more to come.

Some of you may be struggling to see Spirit fruit in your life. You’ve been doing your best to rest in Christ, to trust Him as your life, but there’s nothing to show for it. Hang in there. Remain in Christ, and fruit will come.

You may feel like you have been doing everything in your power to remain, but life is just getting more and more away from you, that your world has been turned upside down. Hang in there, and remember - it took turning upside down for my tomato plant to bear fruit, too.

Remain in Christ, and you will bear fruit.

Marshall Benbow

Sunday’s Comin’

Last night was my small group's meeting night and my wife planned for us to meet at Center Park downtown. I was exhausted from a hard day…actually a hard week and really wasn't longing to hang out. Don't tell the people in my small group, but my introvert nature was crying out for me to just go home and sit. But I couldn't - we have a commitment. So somewhere close to 6:15 pm I headed toward downtown.

Have you ever had a day when you felt like you just couldn't do community, maybe a week…month…or year? When I look at Colossians 3, I notice that Paul is instructing the Colossians on how to live in community through godly relationships. The assumption which he seems to be making is that we are to be in community. So, he lays out these guidelines to help us:

1. Be compassionate
2. Be kind
3. Be a person of humility
4. Be gentle
5. Be a person who forgives
6. Be loving

The truth is that unless you become a hermit who lives in a cave high on a mountain, you will be in community in some way or another. There isn't anything wrong with having some alone time, but we are not to live there. We need each other; God set it up that way.

So, I drug myself to meet my small group, but something happened when I got around them. I became joyful and the weights I was carrying seemed to fall off. There is something about being in a loving God-centered community. Paul encouraged the Colossians to let the words of Christ dwell in them richly (Colossians 3:16). What happened last night is that I was a part of a community where God's word is exalted and dwells richly in the midst.

When we choose not to pursue godly community, we miss out. God delights in believers teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in our hearts to God.

If I had just gone home I would have missed out on a blessing. So, pursue godly community where God and His word are exalted. You will be blessed.

This Sunday we will continue to talk about Grace in Community, focusing on Colossians 3:16, 17.

Will Dungee

Living in Community

Hey everyone, I hope you are doing well. Today I’ve linked a blog post entitled, Cavities and Community, from Josh Patterson from the Village Church.

As you read it keep in mind Colossians 3:1-17.

Colossians 3:1-17 (NIV)
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Will Dungee

Wednesday Check-In

Colossians 3:11-17 (NIV)
11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

How have you been doing this week with putting on the new self? We are called to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love. We are also to let peace rule in our hearts and allow the word of Christ to dwell richly in our midst. But why do we do this? What is our motivation? Do we do it because we want people to see how Christ-like we are? Or do we do these things in hope that it will change a friend or family member? If we are not careful, we can do godly things for the wrong reasons.

Our motivation is Christ. Whatever we say or do, it is done in His name. Another way of saying this is on His behalf. Colossians 3:11-17 is summed up in a way that covers every aspect of life. Every activity is to be done in obedience to the Lord Jesus and is to be accompanied by the giving of thanks to God the Father through him.^[1] All that we say and do should be associated with the name of Jesus Christ. By our words and our works, we should glorify His name. If we permit anything into our lives that cannot be associated with the name of Jesus, then we are sinning. We must do and say everything on the authority of His name and for the honor of His name.^[2]

We live having put on the new self so that Christ may be exalted.

Will Dungee

---

^[1]Carson, D. A. (1994). New Bible commentary : 21st century edition. Rev. ed. of: The new Bible commentary. 3rd ed. / edited by D. Guthrie, J.A. Motyer. 1970. (4th ed.) (Col 3:12). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill., USA: Inter-Varsity Press.

^[2]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt. (Col 3:17). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.

Live Intentionally Covered With The New Self.

Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Today’s devotion is just a reminder to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love.

This is a continual process…We don’t live this way over night. Understand that it takes intentionality and the transforming work of God’s Spirit.

Will Dungee

Sunday’s Coming: Grace in Community

This Sunday, I will begin a new series, Grace in Community, which will carry us through the rest of the summer in the book of Colossians.

I've tried to think of some clever message for you today to excite you about the idea of being a church that lives in community, but the truth of the matter is, relationships are messy and hard. Yet God calls us the body of Christ. He expects us to not only be nice to one another, but to be one in Him. His will for us is that we are intentionally compassionate and kind to each other. We are to give others the gifts of humility, gentleness, and patience. While keeping in mind that He has forgiven us, we then gladly extend forgiveness to others.

As I write this I keep thinking about the TV show, Dirty Jobs. I always wonder why anyone would sign up for some of those jobs. I keep thinking one day I will hear someone confess, “ I didn't sign up for this dirty job, it was a court order. This is my sentence.” The world could ask us the same question, why do we live the way we do? Even though there is great gain in submitting to God's plan by living this way, that isn't why we do it. That isn't our focus. We live in this way simple because it is God's desire.

So join us this Sunday as we take a real look at living in community, God's way.

Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Dressed for Success

Colossians 3:11-14 (NIV)
11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Last weekend, my family and I were invited to a friend’s house for a fourth of July celebration. We had a great time and had the opportunity to meet other families who were also invited.

During dinner, one of the mothers began to share a recent challenge she had with her oldest daughter concerning clothes. I hear that this is a touchy topic in many household where there is a 13 year old teenage girl. As you probably guessed, the teen wanted to wear an outfit that the mom didn’t agree with her wearing. The teen changed clothes and went to school only to change into the other outfit when she was out of her mom’s sight. She would have gotten away with it, but she forgot to change back before she got home.

I loved hearing how this mother addressed her daughter’s disobedience.  As she shared, I was struck by something she said, “Clothes are so important to young girls”. I can’t help but think about the above passage.

Paul was telling the Colossian church that the character you wear is important. He challenged them to take off the old self, but put on the new self. He was challenging them to clothe themselves differently.

What Not to Wear

We are to take off all evil practices: anger, wrath, malice, slander, perverted and abusive speech, lying, sexual immorality, lust, and greed. Colossians 3:5-9. We are not to practice these things. We are to discard them like old dirty, worn clothing.

What to Wear

We are to now dress in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, forgiveness. This beautiful garment is held together by love. Colossians 3:12-14. This is our uniform. This isn’t something that we put on when we think others are watching. We wear the clothes of godly character at all times.

Will Dungee

Wednesday Check-In:

Image via Wikipedia

I have enjoyed talking to some of you about last Sunday's sermon. I've been really blessed by people's realness, sharing that it has been hard to stop sinful ways. They want to stop, but lack the knowledge on how to stop.
It is good to know that Paul struggled with the same thing Look at his words to the Roman Christians, “So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can't. I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don't want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life-that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God's law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.” (Romans 7:14-25, NLT)
Paul struggled like us. He even cried out, Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? I've seen people who love God, but are miserable because of the sin in their life and rightly so. Yet they can't seem to break the sinful cycle.
God's word is God's word…He means what he commands. We are to lay aside our old ways. There is no one without excuse. No one can say, he doesn't mean me.
So, is there an answer? Yes! Paul goes on to say, “Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” He knew that he could place his life, his whole life, into Jesus' care. Jesus is able to change our ways. Let's look to Him.

Will Dungee

Last Sunday, I talked about the clip, “Stop It”, from Mad TV. It stars Bob Newhart and Mo Collins. It is great for a laugh. Enjoy.

Put on the New Self: Making a Change

Colossians 3:5-10 (NIV)
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Today, a large portion of the world is watching the memorial service for Michael Jackson, the king of pop. Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, blogs and other social networking sites are alive with short messages, detailing the wide range of ever-changing emotions. Truly, Michael’s death has impacted the world. Michael Jackson, a man of great talent and ambition who never seemed to really be comfortable in his own skin, has the world saying good bye.

As I mentioned, Michael didn’t seem at peace with who he was when the music stopped. He seemed to desire to be something different…someone different. How many times have we looked at our lives and said, “I don’t like what I have done, or become”? I believe that is why so many can identify with his song, Man in the Mirror.

I'm starting with the man in the mirror,

I'm asking him to change his ways…

I'm gonna make a change;

For once in my life, it's gonna feel real good,

Gonna make a difference,

Gonna make it right.

The challenge is that a change doesn’t start by looking at me…It begins with beholding God; seeing His righteousness, mercy, truth, compassion and love. As we look at Christ, we, then and only then, realize that we need to change and that we cannot bring it to pass. Through Christ’s redemptive work, we can put off the old self and put on the new self. So let’s not start with the man in the mirror, let’s start with the Creator of the man and the mirror.

Will Dungee

Sunday’s Comin’: Independence through Dependence

Normally I would post this on Friday, but due to the holiday I decided to post it a day early.

Colossians 3:5-10 (NIV)
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

This weekend, we will celebrate our independence from Great Britain with cookouts, parties, and fireworks. We will laugh, watch kids play, eat hot dogs, and enjoy the company of family and friends.

Independence is a great thing. To be free from whatever of whoever bound us is cause for celebration.

We, as Christians, should also celebrate our independence; not yearly, but daily. Because of Christ, we experience a wonderful freedom. We are free from the bondage of sin, But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:17-18, NASB95).

Paul was sharing with the Colossian church that they are free from lying, idolatry, rage, perverted language and so on.

But how do we live this truth out in our lives? We must remember that our independence from sin comes from our dependence on Christ.

This weekend, as you celebrate our national independence, take time to also celebrate your spiritual dependence on Christ and His work.

Will Dungee

Wednesday Check-In: Eyes Fixed on Christ

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

On Sunday, Davy preached a powerful sermon from Hebrews 12:1-3. He did a wonderful job of using illustrations and word pictures to help us understand the truth in these passages.

The thing that stuck with me was the reminder that we are to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. By fixing our eyes on Christ we are able to throw off everything that hinders and avoid the sin that entangles us.

Paul likened our Christian walk to a race; there are things that can slow us down and ensnare us. But just as a runner fixes her eyes on the finish line we are to fix our eyes on Christ. By doing so, we are able to avoid obstacles which would cause us to stumble and fall.

Let's Look Upward: living our lives with our eyes fixed on Christ.

Will Dungee