Relationships with Jesus at the Center

This past weekend at Eastbrook Church we continued our series, “Jesus at the Center,” by looking at a series of relationships highlighted in Colossians 3:18-4:1. While I wanted to give appropriate attention to the actual relationships, I also wanted to speak to the background behind these relationships, which fit within a framework often referred to as household codes.  We often lose some of the impact of these sections in relation to the ancient view of society and households as part of that, as well as the redemptive movement of the New Testament teaching.

You can watch the message here, following along with the outline below. You can also follow the entire series at our web-site, through the Eastbrook app, or through our audio podcast.

We Have Been Changed in Christ: Four Images of Who We Are Now
(Colossians 1:2, 18)

The People – new identity

The Family – new belonging

The Body – new joining

The Church – new beginning

We Have Been Changed in Society: The Church as a Community of Communities
(Colossians 3:18-4:1)

City-state (polis) and household (oikos) in the ancient world

The church as the new polis and our relationships as the new oikos in Christ

We Have Been Changed in Our Relationships: Households Transformed for the Lord
(Colossians 3:18-4:1)

Wives and Husbands – with the love of Christ

Children and Parents – for the honor of Christ

Servants and Masters – in the service of Christ