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. 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.

~~~~~~~~~~ ~ 3 rd person active imperative: a command form that is tough to translate ~ “Let” might be taken to imply passivity but the idea here is “Be making it happen!” “Dwell the word of Christ in you!” “And be thankful.” is a normal imperative...

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.~~~~~~~~~~ peace ~ rest; in contrast with strife, and denoting the absence or end of strife. shalom ~ means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord. Shalom comes from the root verb shalom meaning to be complete, perfect and full. peace with God ~ see 1:21-22; peace with each other ~ 3:11-14; Phil. 2; Eph 4:1-6; Gal. 5:22-26 unity of purpose and direction -> peace only thru Christ ~ Romans 5:1 acknowledges that Christ is in charge ~ Philippians 4:4-7

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.~~~~~~~~~~ rule ~ to be an arbiter in the public games; sit and act as umpire, be enthroned as decider of everything. (The umpire is in charge.) We know the ending. What are we pursuing? If God provided Christ for us, will he not provide everything else? Seeing that this is an imperative, ought anxiety be an option? Division? Conflict?

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.~~~~~~~~~~ Note the corporate nature – this is multi-individual. John 17:20-23 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Unity in Christ is a huge part of the will of God for his people. “Love one another.” John 13:34-35; 15:17

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.~~~~~~~~~~ We are one because of Christ. We are stuck with each other because of Christ. I Cor. 12 Disunity is a sign of hearts that are not unified with Christ, that are not focused on him. If we are taking Philippians 2 seriously at all, then disunity is not an issue. Philippians 2:1-4 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ~~~~~~~~~~ This is not a suggestion and carries the idea of continuing to be thankful. 2 Corinthians. Places the giver above oneself. Acknowledges dependence.

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. 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.~~~~~~~~~~ word ~ logos (not graphe or rema): this should not be thought of as the Bible, but rather the complete content of the person and work of Christ. The teaching and the dynamic content of that teaching. (Phil. 3:10-11) dwell ~ the idea of permanent residence and its subsequent interaction within the household. The indwelling of the word of Christ has a corporate affect on the whole body, as well as in the individual, being exhibited in the characteristics listed in the previous verses. Let another person come into your home and everything changes. Or a puppy; or a goldfish. The indwelling of Christ changes everything: all access.

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. 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.~~~~~~~~~~ Note that teaching is a corporate effort. We all need to be involved in teaching each other. The implication is that all are learning and communicating what has been learned. Teaching is the highest level of learning. (It is not just the pastor... ) “admonishing” ~ cautionary teaching. Beware! We are all looking out for each other. “wisdom” would imply that one knows what one is talking about...

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. ~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~ psalms ~ use of stringed instruments hymns ~ songs to praise deities (God) spiritual songs ~ song that edify, but are specifically “praise” in a pleasing way from your heart to God

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. ~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~ There needs to be, in the body of Christ, a consistent “making it happen” (intentionality) in regard to: Conflict dissolving (corporate & couples) Anxiety calming (corporate, individual and personal) Multi-individual submission to and recognition of Sovereignty Thankfulness, and not just directed to God A consistent interactive deepening of the person and work of Jesus Christ in our lives. A constant concern for the walk of others. (Not busybodyness.) A lot of music

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. 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.~~~~~~~~~~ Purpose: What is the ever-being-refined purpose of our lives? When in doubt, honor Christ. Intentionality...

Submit fully to the sovereignty and relax. Invite all of the fullness of Christ into you/us with all access. Stay involved with each other’s development. Keep on singing. When in doubt, honor Christ