Colossians: Proclamation and Warning

Preached on 3.15.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.  29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. Colossians 1:28-29 ESV

“Him”             Clear reference to Christ-the reason for Paul’s ministry.
“we proclaim”           Big word, means to announce.

P: As followers of Jesus, our proclamation should be Jesus.

CHURCH:

1. This is why we lead with the Bible do the type of teaching we do.
2. This is why we stay out of politics and other potential distractions.
3. This is why we try to always tie everything back to Jesus and the Gospel.

INDIVIDUALS:

1. Am I proclaiming anything about the faith?
   • If not, why not? (Fear…Lack of knowledge…Don’t know how…?)
   • What needs to change?
2. What am I proclaiming?
   • Jesus or …something else?
   • Testimony: How bad I was or how good God is? Superchristian?
   • The ‘Jesus test’ : How often do you specifically say Jesus (not just God)? Listen to what you say. Ask a friend/spouse/coworker.
3. How do I proclaim Jesus?
   • Make sure you have the Gospel right.
     • Sin. Separation. Jesus. Restoration.
     • Specific Outlines:  Do vs. Done, Bridge to Life, etc.
     • Turn from sin and Trust in Christ.
     • He is our only hope.
   • Within the context of ‘relationship.’
     • As much as you can develop in the time you have.
     • Recognize God’s sovereignty in your spheres of influence.
   • With gentleness and respect.
   • With spiritual sensitivity and good-naturedness.
   • With humility and without self-righteousness.
   • With conviction, clarity and boldness.
   • With anticipation of pushback and potential suffering.
   • With belief in the power of the Gospel, expectation of God to move.
   • In word AND deed.  (eg. Medical Clinic, Sat. Mar. 28, 10-2 PM).

“warning everyone”    Warning those who aren’t yet following Jesus, also gently admonishing/rebuking about life and practice.

P: Warning/admonishing those both outside and inside the faith is part of our proclamation of Jesus.

CHURCH:

1. This is why we talk about sin and hell and not just ‘your best life now.’
2. This is why we practice redemptive church discipline if we have to.
3. This is why we seek to ‘speak the truth in love’  (Eph. 4:15) to one another.

INDIVIDUALS: (Speaking the Truth in Love-Do the Right Thing the Right Way)
As we proclaim Jesus, do we ever warn anyone about not following Jesus?

• If not why not?

How To Warn Someone of the Danger of Rejecting Jesus:

• See everything from ‘Proclaiming Jesus’
• Make sure you have the right goals in mind-God’s glory and their good.
• Make sure you see the gravity of the situation-eternity for their soul.
• Make sure they see the gravity of the situation-speak as strongly as the situation calls for as the Holy Spirit leads.
• Stress the provision of Jesus as God’s provided escape.

Does anyone ever admonish/gently rebuke me? If not, why not?
Do I ever gently rebuke anyone? Do I know how to do this the ‘right’ way?

How To GIVE an Admonishment/Rebuke: (Speaking the Truth in Love)

1. Make sure you have the right goal in mind-God’s glory and their good.
2. Pray for wisdom about how _____ needs to be handled. Get counsel.
3. Recognize your tendency toward conflict-avoidance or ‘crushing.’
4. Pray that God would prepare you, purify your heart and motives and that He would prepare their heart to hear what needs to be said.
5. Make sure the person knows you love them and want the best for them.
6. Speak to the person the way you would want to be spoken to (Golden Rule). Find personal parallels with your own life and struggles.
7. Speak clearly (no confusion) & encouragingly.  Think OREO.
8. Remind them of the hope of the Gospel for us to change and grow.
9. In the moment, be careful of your tone, body language, and ‘wimping out.’
10. Follow up. (Especially on difficult conversations.)

How To RECEIVE an Admonishment/Rebuke:

1. Be open to what God is doing in the situation. “What is God saying here?”
2. Look for the heart of the person rebuking you.  Think UNCUT DIAMOND.
3. Recognize that we are all sinners and all have blind spots.
4. Remember Prov. 27:6 “Faithful are the wounds of a brother…”
5. Recognize the role of community in the process of our growth.

The strength we need to ‘proclaim Jesus,’ ‘warn everyone’ and receive correction all flows from the Gospel.

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Commentary, Life Application Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, Messages by Darrin Patrick, John Piper, Tim Keller, Word Pictures by AT Robertson