Our scripture reading for this evening, to which I invite you to turn with me at this time, is found in the Book of Colossians, the third chapter, the epistle of the Apostle Paul to the church at Colossa, chapter 3. In our New Testaments, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, chapter 3. We have been studying over these summer months a brief series of messages, which I have entitled Practical Exhortations for God's People. As we have worked our way through this third chapter of Colossians, we have considered the theme of being heavenly minded. We considered the topic of heavenly mindedness. Secondly, we looked at what it means to be crucifying the flesh. Thirdly, we looked at Paul's exhortations to be clothed with the character of Christ. And now this evening, we conclude this series of messages under the heading, Completely Consecrated. Completely Consecrated. We read then, brothers and sisters, Colossians 3, verses 1-17. I draw your special attention to verses 15-17, as verses 15-17 will constitute our text for tonight. Colossians 3, beginning in verse 1, hear then the word of the Lord. Since then you have been raised with Christ. Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature, sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways in the life you once lived, but now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these, anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and is in all. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace, and be thankful. 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. 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. Thus far, the reading of God's Holy Word. And as always, brothers and sisters, I ask and urge you to keep your Bibles open and handy as we look to God's Word together at the close of this Lord's Day. Dear congregation of Jesus Christ, The story of Mary Magdalene in the sacred scriptures makes for an exceedingly fascinating study indeed. For example, in Luke chapter 8, verses 1 through 3, we read that as Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, the 12 were with him and also some women. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. Interestingly enough, Mary Magdalene is named among them. So too, in Matthew 27, verse 56, we find Mary Magdalene keeping watch at the cross. In Matthew 27, verse 61, we find Mary at the burial of Jesus. Matthew 28, we find her standing beside the empty tomb. And in John chapter 20, we read that after hearing one whom she believed to be the gardener say her name, Mary, she went to the disciples with the news, I have seen the Lord. Now friends, think about that. Think about that. Why do you suppose certainly by the grace and mercy of God, Mary Magdalene was so ready, willing, and eager to give such unqualified, consecrated commitment to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. By the grace and mercy of God, why do you suppose Mary Magdalene was so exceptionally seemingly eager, able, willing, to give unqualified, consecrated commitment to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Well, friends, at least part of the reason, no doubt, has to do with what we read about Mary in such passages as Mark 16, verse 9, and again in Luke 8, verse 2. Namely, that Mary Magdalene was one out of whom Jesus Christ had cast seven demons. Mary Magdalene was one out of whom Jesus Christ had cast seven demons. And so is it any wonder that this particular Mary, who was all too well aware of what it meant to be a slave to sin, is it any wonder that this particular Mary, who was all too well aware of what it meant to be enslaved by Satan, was so eager to completely consecrate her entire life to Jesus Christ? Think about that. But all my dear, dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, I ask you, should anyone, anywhere, who has ever committed their life to Christ, feel or be any different? Has anyone, anywhere, who has ever committed their life to Christ, should they be any different? Should you and I, who have trusted in Christ, be any different? Especially when we consider the fact, for example, that in 2 Corinthians 5.17, the Apostle Paul proclaims, therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone. The new has come. And again, in the words of the song which we sang so beautifully and powerfully just a few moments ago, Long my imprisoned spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature's night. Then I diffused a quickening ray, I awoke, the dungeon flamed with light. My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. Amazing love, how can it be that Thou, my God, should die for me. You see. And friends, that is why in just these three verses of our text, in Colossians 3, verses 15 through 17, in those three simple verses, the Apostle Paul mentions thankfulness, gratitude to God, no less than three times. In verse 15, he says, and be thankful. And in verse 16 he says, with gratitude in your hearts to God. And in verse 17 he says, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Consequently, my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, as we work our way through these few simple verses of Scripture together, we find that just as was true for the Christians at Colossus so many years ago, so too today. The Apostle Paul earnestly exhorts all of God's people here, there, and everywhere out of sheer gratitude for all that God has done for us and all that He has given us in Christ to increasingly be found completely consecrated, completely consecrated to the Lord. Now then, as we begin to work our way through the words of our text together, Let us notice that in this particular practical exhortation for God's people, first of all, we learn that we must be completely consecrated in our spirit. We must be completely consecrated in our spirit. For example, look at verse 15 then of Colossians 3 with me, if you would please. Here we read, let the peace of Christ. If you've got your own Bible, underscore that word peace. Very interesting term. Greek word is eirene, e-i-r-e-n-e, is how you would transliterate it. In fact, it's where we get our English word, irenic, from. Eirene is where we get irenic from. Now, Webster's Dictionary defines irenic as favoring or being conducive to peace. And eirene is the Greek equivalent of that Hebrew word many of us know so well, in fact, love, shalom. Shalom means peace, happiness, security, well-being, even salvation. And it says here, using the Greek version of Shalom, Irenae, let the peace of Christ. That is not just any peace, not a shallow peace, not simply a peace that is proclaimed but not possessed. It is the peace of Christ. It is the peace which Christ accomplished for us through His atoning sacrifice on Calvary's cross. In fact, turn to Romans 5 with me, if you would, just for a moment. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, chapter 5, verses 1 and 2. Here the Apostle Paul declares in Romans 5, 1 and 2, Therefore, since we have been justified, declared not guilty in God's heavenly court, boys and girls, you know the term, if God views me just as if I'd never sinned because I'm clothed in the righteousness of Christ by grace alone through faith alone. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. We have peace with God through the shed blood of Christ on Calvary. But not only so. Remember, friends, as I will mention from time to time, when you look at the cross of Christ, there's not only a vertical beam symbolizing, as it were, our reconciliation with God, there is a horizontal beam symbolizing, as it were, our reconciliation, our peace with one another in Christ. If I turn to Ephesians 2 with me, if you would, please, just for a moment. Ephesians 2, verses 14 and following, it's almost as if Paul wants to pick one of the most difficult examples he could find of how any two people could become united, reconciled in Christ. And so he addresses the situation of Jew and Gentile. In Ephesians 2, 14 and following, Paul writes concerning Christ, for He Himself is our peace. who has made the two one, and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace. And in this one body, to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near. For through Him, we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. And brothers and sisters, that is why earlier on in our study of Colossians 3, we highlighted the content of verse 11 where Paul says here that is in Christ, there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and is in all. There is no barrier that can keep two people from reconciliation if they are both in Christ. Now get this, it is that peace, Paul goes on to say, which must rule. It's not just a passing habit or a fleeting thought which we ought to have, a doctrine which we mouth with our words. It says here in verse 15 that that peace of Christ, let the peace of Christ rule. The Greek word literally means, and some of you may have this in a footnote, umpire. Boys and girls, what's an umpire? Young people, what does an umpire do? An umpire calls balls and strikes. An umpire makes sure that the rules of the game are followed. It's a term that was used in the Greek Olympic Games in Paul's day. And he uses that word here, it's translated rule in the English, but it literally means umpire. It is that which is to make the decision. It is that which is to decide the outcome, if you will, to make sure that things are carried out a certain way. The peace of Christ is to rule or umpire Where? In your cardiac, that's where we get our word cardiac from, in your hearts. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Now, we might protest. We might like our, I had a young man say to me several years ago in my ministry here, I won't name him, he's moved away. He said, Pastor Kuchen, I don't get mad. I get even." He wasn't addressing me, he was talking about somebody else. He said, I don't get mad, I get even. Is he allowing the peace of Christ to rule in your hearts? But if I were to say that to him, he might say, well, why should I? Well, the answer is given here in the rest of our text. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since or because as members of one body you were called to peace, you see. And so, in Romans 12 verse 18 for example, the Apostle Paul exhorts us by saying, if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace. with everyone similarly in Romans 14 verse 19 Paul writes let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification and finally on this score in first Thessalonians 513 the Apostle Paul gives God's people this very simple and succinct command he writes live in peace with each other live in peace with each other friends think about that think about that You know, recently I read the account of two monks who had been living together in the same monastery for many years. And they had lived together for these many years in great peace and harmony. Well, finally, the sheer monotony, the sheer routine of their lives sort of got the better of one of them. And he said to the other, let's break out of our dull routine. Let's break out of our dull routine and let us do as the world does. This fellow monk replied, well, what does the world do? His friend said, well, for one thing, the world quarrels, the world quarrels. The other monk said, well, how does the world quarrel? His friend said, See that stone? Pick it up, set it between us and say, that is mine. So not wanting to disappoint his longtime friend and companion trying to accommodate him, the other monk took the stone, he set it between them and he said, that is mine. All of a sudden, the monk who had tried to initiate the quarrel was overwhelmed with a feeling of fraternity and love and companionship with this long-time friend and brother. And having had his mind so saturated with the Word of God for so many years, he simply said in response, my brother, if the stone is thine, keep it. If the stone is thine, keep it. Question. Is that how you respond? So how do I respond when we end up in a quarrel with someone, when there's a conflict, when it seems as if there's an argument brewing, no chance perhaps of of reconciliation. Is that the way, men, we respond to our wives in heated moments, perhaps in the home, or ladies, that you respond to your husband, or parents, that we respond to our children? And I know, honor your parents and obey your parents. I know all that. You understand the principle I'm addressing. What about coworkers? What about classmates? What about friends? What about other family members? And what about especially each other? as members of the one body of Christ, you see. It's what God would have us do. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Since as members of one body, you were called to peace. As I was prayerfully pondering that particular portion of our text, brothers and sisters, you know what came to my heart and mind? It was Hebrews 12. And if you would turn there with me, just go several pages to the right, please. Right before the book of James, Hebrews 12, verses 14 and 15. We have to pray that the Holy Spirit would imprint these words on the heart and mind of every professing believer in Jesus Christ. all the healing that would take place. Hebrews 12, 14 and 15. The author says, Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy. Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. That is why the Apostle Paul says, let the peace of Christ rule umpire in your hearts, since as members of one body, you were called to peace and be thankful. First of all, as Christians, our text teaches us, brothers and sisters, that we are to be completely consecrated in our spirits, completely consecrated in our spirits. Ah, but notice. Secondly, our text teaches us that out of sheer gratitude to God for all that He's done for us and all that He's given us in Christ, we must be completely consecrated in our speech. Completely consecrated in our speech. Look at verse 16 of Colossians 3 with me, if you would please. Here we read, Let the word of Christ That is, the sacred scriptures, special revelation, Genesis to Revelation. Let the Word of Christ, which the Apostle Peter says in 2 Peter 1.21, never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. And by the way, that word carried along in the original language is the same word used in Acts 27, I think it is, where the Apostle Paul is about to be shipwrecked, and it says they cut the anchors and everything, and they let the ship be driven along by the wind. That's the way in which the Holy Spirit drove along the holy men of old, the prophets of God, to pen the sacred Scriptures. Let the Word of Christ Dwell, it's a command, it's an imperative, it has a sense of ongoing action. Keep on allowing this Word of God to dwell, remain, abide in you richly. not miserly, not just in bits and pieces, but we must allow the Word of Christ to dwell in us richly, filling us to overflowing, as it were, especially remembering the fact that in 2 Timothy 3.16, Paul writes, all Scripture is God-breathed, it is theanoustos, it is inspired of God, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, stay with me here now, as you teach, that is, in order to instruct, and admonish, that is, in order to confront and correct, one another with all wisdom. And as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Now friends, think about that. Think about what we have just read there. And take note of something very interesting. I didn't catch this in the English, in the NIV, but I did catch it in the original language, and I also saw it's brought out better than this in some of the other translations which you may be using tonight. The point is this. The Apostle Paul, as we read verse 16, is not separating using the Word of Christ in a speaking way, and after addressing using the Word of Christ with words to teach and admonish one another, and then he goes on to a completely another topic and says in effect, and by the way, in your singing, but rather in the original language, and again, some of the translations you may be using, it becomes very clear that Paul is including the singing of Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs as part of the means by which We teach and instruct and admonish. Is that understandable? It's a very important point. It's very interesting. In fact, writes Reformed Bible commentator William Hendrickson, and I quote, listen carefully, please. It has been said that next to scripture, next to scripture itself, a good salt or hymnal is the richest foundation of edification. Not only are its songs a source of daily nourishment for the church, But they also serve as a very effective vehicle for the outpouring of confession of sin, gratitude, spiritual joy, and rapture. They are a tonic for the soul and promote the glory of God. They do this because they fix the interest upon the indwelling Word of Christ and carry the attention away from that worldly cacophony by which people with low moral standards are being emotionally overstimulated." or in much simple and succinct fashion, writes Calvin, God would have the songs of Christians to be spiritual, not made up of frivolities and worthless trifles, end of quote. Think about that. Now friends, that begs the question, does it not? When you or I seek to teach or admonish, when you and I seek to instruct or correct anyone about anything, What do we use as our source book of truth? For example, if you or I are trying to instruct or admonish to teach or correct anyone about anything, do we, for example, use the latest philosophical or psychological ruminations of a Dr. Phil or an Oprah Winfrey? Or do we use the unchanging and eternal truth of the Word of God, of the Word of God? Boys and girls, young people, seniors, moms and dads, brothers and sisters, listen. What kind of music do you listen to? What kind of music do you listen to? I caught a portion of the Republican National Convention this past week on television, and I happened to catch the speech by Republican vice presidential nominee Congressman Paul Ryan. And if you did, you may recall that he made sort of a passing joke. He made a humorous comment about the songs that he listens to on his iPod, as opposed to the ones that are on the iPod of Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who is a generation older. But friends, regardless of which generation, age-wise, you or I may be from, my question remains the same. What kind of music do you listen to? What kind of music do I listen to? What kind of songs do we sing? Maybe when we're alone, driving in the car, jogging, working, perhaps out and about somewhere. Think about that. Friends, these are critically important questions. And the reason is because of the powerful and profound effect which music can have on our hearts, minds, and souls for good or for evil, or for evil. For example, turn in the Old Testament with me, if you would please, just for a moment, to 1 Samuel, chapter 16. Samuels, the kings, the chronicles, that'll get you in the area after the Pentateuch and Joshua and so on. 1 Samuel, chapter 16. In 1 Samuel 16, verse 14, first of all, notice what we read. Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul. and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. Drop down to verse 23, same chapter, please. Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play and relief would come to Saul. He would feel better and the evil spirit would leave him. And friends, apparently from what we learned from the biblical text, that playing did not even include words. And I'm bringing that up because if you compound the music with the words, the effect is even more dramatic. It is even more profound. It is even more powerful. Producing either a spiritually soothing and edifying and God, glorying God, glorifying effect on God's people. Such as we find, for example, in Acts 16.25, when about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God in prison. Or the words compounded with the music can have an evil effect on us by which Satan seduces us into sin and soils, if not completely destroys, our souls. It's true. It's absolutely true. Consequently, the point that the Apostle Paul is making back here in the words of our text is that the words we speak and the words we sing must be saturated with the word of Christ. They must be saturated with the word of the living God. Because thereby, we, by God's grace and spirit, will be found ever more faithful in fulfilling this practical exhortation for God's people to be completely consecrated to Christ, completely consecrated to Christ. Well, friends, let's go back to our text one last time together, where thirdly and finally, our text teaches us that we must be completely consecrated in our strength, completely consecrated in our strength. Look at verse 17 with me, if you would, please. Here, Paul writes, and whatever you do, nothing is exempted, nothing is accepted, whatever you do. In your labor or in your leisure, in your housework, or in your homework, personally, professionally, privately, publicly, nothing is exempted. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus. That is, as someone who has been saved by Him and is now living as a representative of Him, you see. 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. And of course it needs to be through Him, because Jesus said in John 14, verse 6, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me, you see. And then even though these verses weren't part of our Scripture reading, if you'll drop down, brothers and sisters, to verses 23 and 24, Paul picks up on that very same theme when he says, whatever you do, Work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward, it is the Lord Christ you are serving. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. As Christians, concerning whatever we do, we must be consecrated to Christ in our strength. You know, friends, some years ago, I read the account of a time when the famous German conductor and composer Mendelssohn visited the cathedral at Freiburg. And hearing the great organ being played, he went up into the organ loft and he asked if he might be permitted to play. Well, the cathedral's organist was rather jealous of his instrument, and at first he refused. But upon persistence, he finally gave permission for his guests to play the organ. As this man, whom he did not know, began to play, the cathedral's organist stood there in ecstatic wonderment as the colossal thunder of the organ reverberated through this massive cathedral. And after a few moments he could stand it no longer and he put his hands on the shoulder of the inspired musician seated before him and he said, wait, wait, he said, who are you? What is your name? Mendelssohn, his guest replied, And virtually overcome with emotion, the cathedral's organist cried out, Oh, oh, I cannot believe it. How close I came to refusing to let Mendelssohn touch this organ. Think about. My friend. And brother, my sister in Jesus Christ. The you and I ever. sinfully, foolishly, perhaps pridefully, pompously, similarly, refuse to let Christ have complete control of all that we have and all that we are. Oh, my dear, dear friends in the Lord, listen. As you and I go forth from this place, by God's grace, and to the end of allowing Christ to bring the most colossal thunder and the most magnificent harmony out of our lives for His glory. In our spirits, in our speech, and in all of our strength, let us go forth completely consecrated to the Lord. Amen. Let's bow our heads and our hearts together before Him. O Lord, our God, in the words of the sacred songwriter, may each and every one of us be able to sincerely say in our hearts, take my life and let it be I consecrated, Lord, to Thee. Take my moments and my days. Let them flow in endless praise. Let them flow in endless praise. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.