COLOSSIANS: NAVIGATING THROUGH CULTURAL CHAOS

SLAVERY OF THE FAITHFUL COLOSSIANS Doug Brown audio, pdf, and power point karenvineyard.org

PEOPLE TRAFFICKING IS THE FASTEST GROWING MEANS BY WHICH PEOPLE ARE ENSLAVED, THE FASTEST GROWING INTERNATIONAL CRIME, AND ONE OF THE LARGEST SOURCES OF INCOME FOR ORGANISED CRIME. – UN OFFICE ON DRUGS AND CRIME

CULTURAL VALUESKINGDOM VALUES Defined by the cultureDefined by Scripture Culturally confinedBeyond cultural limits Time-bound truthTimeless truth Limited to context Transferable to any context LocalUniversal

STEPS TOWARDS REDEMPTION Were you a slave when you were called?... if you can gain your freedom, do so. 1 Corinthians 7.21 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body— whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free... 1 Corinthians There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free... you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3.28 Here there is no Gentile or Jew,... slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Colossians 3.11 Perhaps the reason... you might have him back forever— no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. Philemon 15-16

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters— yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. Luke “I do not accept praise from men... How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God.” John 5.41& 44

Our relationship with each other as founded in Christ takes priority over different social classes or the responsibilities under consideration.

SERVING CHRIST VIA PEOPLE With sincerity of heart... reverence for the Lord v.22 With all your heart... working for the Lord v.23 An inheritance from the Lord v.24 It is the Lord you are serving v.24 You have a Master in Heaven 4.1

SLAVERY OF THE FAITHFUL Conditional love – God’s love and favor depend on my behavior. Material blessings are a sign or spiritual strength so the more money I give to God the more He will give to me. I can work my way into God’s favor. Problems in my life are because of my sin. I must serve the church and others or God will be angry.

SLAVERY OF THE FAITHFUL I can never say “no”. I must serve the Pastor and church at all times to be acceptable. I must please people and the leadership no matter what I think or feel. This is a form of religious addiction which replaces God.

WHAT OR WHO YOU NEED WILL CONTROL YOU. Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the L ORD is kept safe. Proverbs 29.25

1. We fear people because they can expose and humiliate us. 2. We fear people because they can reject, ridicule, or despise us. 3. We fear people because they can attack, oppress, or threaten us. These three reasons have one thing in common: they see people as “bigger” (that is, more powerful and significant) than God, and, out of the fear that creates in us, we give other people the power and right to tell us what to feel, think, and do. Edward Welch, When People are Big and God is Small: Overcoming Peer Pressure, Co-dependency and Fear of Man

12 YEARS A SLAVE

You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 1 Corinthians So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8.36 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 1 Corinthians So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8.36