Flourishing Family
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Tim Chang
Sermon Series: Maturing in Christ
Colossians 3:18-21 (ESV)
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
Sermon Outline
1. Trusting God’s Design
Genesis 1
Day 1: light/darkness >> Day 4: sun, moon, stars
Day 2: sky/water >> Day 5: birds/fish
Day 3: land/vegetation >> Day 6: animals/humansGenesis 1:27 – God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
2. Obeying God’s Calling
[18] Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
[19] Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.
[20] Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
[21] Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
3. Relying on God’s Power
[18] Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
[19] Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.
[20] Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
[21] Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, your design for the world is good and orderly. You intended for flourishing and harmony, yet we have failed to live according to the callings you have given us. Instead of seeking the good of others, we pursue our own power and selfish ambition. Too often we allow others to struggle so that we might benefit. Forgive us for not trusting your design, following your calling, or relying on your power. Lord Jesus, you are the rightful head and authority over us. You gave up your life so that we might flourish. Help us to trust your leadership. By the power of your Spirit, make us people who seek the flourishing of others and bring honor to your name. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What connected with you from the sermon or the passage?
How does seeing creation as ordered and not random shape how you think about God?
Why do you think people today often assume that hierarchy automatically means inequality? How can there be equality but difference?
What parts of Paul’s teaching do you think would have felt counter-cultural then, and what parts feel counter-cultural today?
How might the principles of this household code shape how the different generations in the church care for and relate to each other?
Living out these callings often requires putting someone else’s needs before our own. Why do you think sacrificial love in relationships can feel so costly?
Why is our relationship with Jesus essential for living out these roles well? Consider the qualifies that Paul uses: e.g. “as is fitting in the Lord” and “for this pleases the Lord.”
What do you sense God calling you to do from this passage?