Calling Rules

Calling

Rules 

Rules, no one lives without them

We all have rules 

Ever play a game at someone else’s house?

Then you probably have heard of House Rules

Same game but two different ways of playing the game

We love the rules at our house, but hate the rules next door

Rules affect everything we do

Your Personal Rules are your principles and govern your conduct

The rules of a country or house you are in governs your conduct

Rules help you make choices

Imagine today you try to live by no rule or rules

This would in itself create a “new rule”, a rule to break or avoid rules

The point is this, you cannot escape rules

Colossians 3:15-17 not only gives us the rules but the reason for the rules

So Let the Peace of Christ Rule in your Heart Richly

Rules

Rules, no one lives without them.

We all have rules.

Ever play a game at someone else’s house?

Then you probably have heard of House Rules.

Same game, but two different ways of playing the game.

Rules are…

“One of a set of explicit or understood regulations

or principles governing conduct within

a particular activity or sphere.”

“control of or dominion over an area or people.”

We all have a love, hate relationship with rules.

We love the rules at our house,

 but hate the rules next door.

Rules affect everything we do.

Your Personal Rules are your

principles and govern your conduct.

The rules of a country or house

you are in, governs your conduct.

Rules help you make choices.

Imagine today you try to live by no rule or rules. 

This would in itself create a “new rule”,

a rule to break or avoid rules.

The point is this…

 You and I cannot escape rules.

We can’t escape making them

or living with the rules of others.

Yes, there are stupid rules.

Kids many times think Parent’s Rules

 are stupid until they become parents.

A home without rules, and the ruling

of those rules, is a house of chaos.

Like it or not we need rules to live life.

So let’s take a brief look at the Rules of Ministry…

   

The Rules of your Calling.

Colossians 3:15 through 17

give us some key rules for success..

 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.

Verse 15

Jesus said to His disciples…

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.

I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27

Jesus offers you and I peace in our hearts.

The trouble in the world around us

leads to a lack of peace.

 Too often we have to live and even

accept an external lack of peace.

But Jesus does not want you and I to allow the

external trouble to affect what is in our hearts.

God not only wants to give you

peace in your heart so you feel good…

The peace He gives is to rule in your hearts.

That word rule in Colossians 3:15

means to play the umpire.

The decisions you and I make should

come from the ruling peace in our hearts.

We, many times, don’t find peace in our hearts

and when that happens we need to pray.

Lack of peace in our hearts

comes from an internal struggle.

 Through prayer and God’s Word

we can find the peace Jesus offers us.

Colossians 3:15 goes on to say…

Since as members of one body

you were called to peace.

We are not alone, that in itself brings peace.

The Body of Christ is there to reach out

a hand or give an embrace when our

peace is challenged by turmoil and chaos.

It is important to remember that the scriptures tell

us in Deuteronomy 19:15 and 2 Corinthians 13:1…

  

"Every matter must be established by

the testimony of two or three witnesses."

Colossians 3:16 tells us…

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you

teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.

This verse is not only saying to get the

Word of God in you, but do it with others.

Teach each other, interact with

each other, around God’s Word.

Make each other rich with God’s Word…

 In doing so you will gain wisdom.

We all hate stupid rules.

So spend time with other believers in the

Word of God so you will gain the riches of wisdom.

Verses 15, 16 and 17 all tell us

an important Rule of Ministry…

And be thankful

Verse 15

And as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual

songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Verse 16

Giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Verse 17

Be thankful not only with gratitude in

your heart, but express it with your mouth.

Our face ought to express the peace in our hearts.

The peace Jesus gives to rule in

our hearts will not make us sad.

When peace is playing the umpire, making

the rules, you will have thanks giving and joy.

When the peace in your heart is expressed

in your face with a mouth of thanks giving…

 Others around you will

embrace the peace of Christ, too.

Even though others see our thanks giving

it is important to remember that the

thanks is to God the Father.

God the Father wants to rejoice

with you and over you…

The LORD your God is with you,

he is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

he will quiet you with his love,

he will rejoice over you with singing."

Zephaniah 3:17

Finally, verse 17 tells us…

  

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed,

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus

Do it all in the name of the LORD Jesus.

Al rules come from somewhere.

Rules need a ruler.

Making Jesus Lord is mandatory

to our calling and ministry.

We do not make up the rules.

Our rules come from the Lord of our lives.

Jesus must sit on the throne of our heart

in order to have peace in our heart.

Colossians 3:15-17 not only gives us

the rules, but the reason for the rules.

So Let the Peace of Christ

Rule in your Heart Richly.

Scripture Reading

Colossians 3:15-17 NIV

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 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. 17 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.