Raised with Christ: The Acts (Part 3) | Resources
Sermon Text: Colossians 3:15–17
“And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (CSB)
Devotional
As a child, I watched my mom wake up early with her coffee and devotional time with God. This remains her habit daily, and just recently, I have realized the why behind her habit. In one word: peace. Peace quite literally “rules her heart.”
My mom was diagnosed last year with stage four terminal cancer, and I have watched how she lives. I have often wondered, does she have anxiety about the diagnosis? I know some of you have been in and could be in similar situations, and it is hard to watch and know there is nothing you can do to fix it. But, as I have watched my parents, I know they both have tremendous and unexplainable peace that stems from their walks with God.
In a recent conversation with my mom, she shared that her fullness of joy and peace comes from spending time in the presence of God, her Creator and Sustainer. “It’s His fullness of joy.” The Word of Christ clearly is at home in her, and she is grateful for life and true peace in suffering because she walks with God.
When we spend time daily in the presence of God, letting His Word dwell in us, the Spirit will change us. And His fruit, thankful hearts, and true worship will flow from us. I pray you are able to get alone in God’s presence and experience His fullness today.
Thank you, Jesus, for your humility in coming to earth and sending us your Spirit so we can experience supernatural peace, thankfulness, and joy.
“Let your heart be still.”
And with peace be filled.
And linger in His presence,
In His fullness of joy.”
Discussion/Reflection Questions
1. Did the peace of Christ rule your heart this week? If not, why not?
2. Thankfulness is mentioned three times in this section. Do you naturally bend towards being thankful or complaining?
3. Go around the room and say one thing you are thankful for to encourage one another.
4. Did the Word of Christ dwell richly among you this week? If not, why not? If so, what have you been studying lately?
5. What do you have going on this week? How can you do that this week in the name of the Lord Jesus?
Memory Verse
“Let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 (CSB)