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Sunday 17 November 2002 - "Living as God's Chosen People" Col 3: 12, 17-21

(Summary of sermon by Friedel Stegen)

Col 3:12 "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering."

God has chosen us and not we Him. He has elected us because He wants to glorify Himself through us. God, in His glory and omnipotence, desires to glorify Himself through our lives.
He has put all into winning us and and has chosen us in his desire to make us pleasing to Him. Has Jesus, through His dying, saved you from your sins and changed you into a new being? If not, then cry to God to save you today. Our lives must belong to Him.

vs 17: "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God and the Father by him."
All we do and say must be done in the Name of Jesus. Then people will see the glorified Christ in you. Your being in the company of other people will bring the presence of Jesus into their lives. Is such a life possible? Well, that is why Jesus died and rose again.

vs 18: "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God."

From these glories of heaven, in the previous verses, we are suddenly brought back to our practical everyday lives. Here the Lord shows that His choosing us results in practical living in our relationships. Wives are to submit to their husbands. The Lord knows why this should be - wives are partners and helpmeets and extremely influential with their husbands and children. Husbands are to love their wives and not be harsh. Children are to obey their parents for this pleases God. By children obeying their parents we can see Christ in them. Fathers are not to embitter their children lest they be discouraged. Spend time with your children and explain things to them. Think of the understanding which God has shown you - now show your children that same understanding. Build up a trust relationship with your children. Your children must experience that they have a "home", a place of peace and rest, understanding, compassion and love.

God has chosen you and wants to glorify Himself through you.