Christian Responsibility

God has an encouraging word for you and me today to the Bible-based bruising of Dr. Don Wilton and a little extra today.

Okay, he's not little anymore young Rob Wilton. Now Dr. Rob Wilton, the son of Dr. Don Wilton, and today Dr. Don is inviting him to the pulpit to talk to us about responsibility. Christian responsibility in a moment Bible text to Colossians chapter 3, first Dr. Donald you know were here for you to pray with you right now at 866-899-WORD 866-899-9673 or let's connect online TW online.org that's TE W line.org were here for you 24 hours a day and have wonderful resources, including the one from Joni Erickson, Todd. I will talk about in just a few minutes but now Dr. Don and Rob Wilton.

I bought a wonderful wonderful thing to say to you today standing next to me is my oldest son Rob and I have Rob here with me today is an abundance of cost joy for me as a day for Karen as a mom for our family. Rob and Anna Beth are just deeply embedded in our hearts, but I am going to tell you there are four people with them that actually are a little bit of a higher plane then names a bolt Mac book and Nicole so they are here is will and I have been with us for a couple of days is just an exceptional joy. My son I don't know how to say this to you but you know in life and you going to find this and I pray this for you. You bring up your sons and your daughters as mom and I did and you grew up, born and raised in New Orleans and then when you were 12 years old we moved to a place called Spartanburg and you came with Greg and was Shelley and this is where you grew up amongst the most precious people in the world but you accomplish so many great things.

The greatest accomplishment was that you gave your life to Christ, you know, I watched Rob go off to college, accomplish great things play bold at college go on it. He's lost his degree and then get his doctorate.

I watched him meet and marry her most beautiful young lady Anna Beth who is so precious to us. The greatest thing Rob is that you Onset the call of God in today. Here you all at your age as an adult is a father and I'm your dead and you teach me my son you teach me every day I listen to you and I watch you and I'm inspired by you, Rob served for many years in New Orleans. God called him back then he Anna Beth prompted vintage church in New Orleans. An incredible ministry today. Then God called them out to gun soup along the North American Mission Board up into Pittsburgh and to establish a new work. They vintage pit. One of our church flaunts that we are engaged in. This is a reason why we give Rob not any does that.

But God is used in he's risen up as a leader preaching across the nation in pulpits from Preston would 35,000 member congregation across the nation.

Because God is given them a gift of proclaiming the gospel preaching the word. It's a joy to have your home.

My son and I love you and today I'm going to invite my son Rob to come and preach the word of God, and I told him a minute ago. I'm gonna sit there and I will pray as he preaches that every word which is God's word will not return void because you and I need to do business with the Lord Jesus. God bless you my son. I love you.

Let's open up our Bibles together to the book of Colossians to the book of Colossians. What an amazing setting.

And what an opportunity for us this morning to preach the word of God. It's always an extremely great blessing for me to be here back home. Man, I miss the beacon. I'll just be honest going to have to go so down on the plenty sometime later this week, but love you guys so much and not to be honest, these outdoor settings big chief. This is what we grew up in, that would rear back and pitch a fit and revivals all over the world and I love get the preach outside last week I had the privilege of tuning in with you as I know so many do through online and through the TV ministry here of The Encouraging Word and I got to hear an amazing message that dad preached from the book of Romans where we considered a Christians identity.

Today I want to preach on a Christians responsibility not just a Christians identity, but a Christians responsibility to whom much is given much is required. We have a great responsibility today to exalt the name of Jesus Christ. Now working a look at Colossians chapter 3 verse nine through 17.

So I want to go ahead and get ready. That's gonna be the core. The heart of our message today. But before we do that I want to rewind in chapter 3 and talk real quickly about identity again because Colossians chapter 3 verse one through four is another great summary like my dad preached last week from Romans three and Romans six about the identity that we have in Christ we are Christians we are followers of Christ. So look with me in Colossians chapter 3 verse one through four. Because this is another foundational biblical truth about what it means to be a Christian it says if then notice those words, if then, I pray you know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior here today. I pray that if you have not received Christ as your Lord and Savior that in a just a few moments, I would invite you which you received Jesus Christ. Would you surrender your life to him the day.

I believe that he is here that salvation is here.

If, then, in verse one, you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth, for you have died. That picture of baptism buried with Christ in death but raised to walk in new life here. It says, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ verse four was your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. I think especially today as we go to like the new president, especially when our country seems so divided, especially in a virus threatens our lives.

I want you to know and be reminded today of what Colossians 3 speaks to us about that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is in office. He is the incumbent, and he is seated at the right hand of God, a man. This is not about you and me.

In fact, I want you to know that if you hear any preacher preach more about you and me then Jesus not preaching the true gospel for the true gospel actually starts with you can't. I know that sounds really encouraging the day you can do it, but that's the gospel. The Gospels, you can't. But here's the good news. But Jesus did. And because Jesus did.

Now you can see he is the one who is seated at the right hand of the father. Jesus makes it possible in our new identity for us to seek the things that are of love in full confidence. While we live on earth you have died in your life is hidden with Christ now let's go to our main text Colossians chapter 3 of got a few points you'll make sure you take some notes down, especially single guys here today or take some notes down and impress some of the ladies that you vocally come here with when you take notes in church and makes you look holier than your neighbor.

And that's the point at church so makes a take some notes today. That's a lot of focus in on some to give you four points in regards to responsibility of what it means to follow Jesus Christ because as the church with our new identity. We have a mission on this earth in this passage we find for incredible responsibilities of our identity in Christ you're listening to The Encouraging Word Dr. Don Wilton typically today it's featuring Rob Wilton, his son, both men of God's take her straight to the Bible itself that is our source of encouragement. We take a pause here in the middle of the broadcaster because Dr. John insisted we remind you this is not just a presentation is a conversation and we love to pray with you and for you both. online@twonline.org that CDW online.org this phone number 8668998668999673 love to connect with you and many of you have asked how you can support us prayerfully and financially" by becoming an encourager.

Our nation is in Christ is in crisis. Time is short for estimates is around the gospel of Jesus Christ you join us in our endeavor to reach someone more becoming 6899 your brochure. The Encouraging Word is a you are a listener supported ministry for listening today activities message with Dr. Don son Rob Wilton called Christian responsibility. We have a responsibility towards the end of high school I had a few things going on that just shared with you my resume and always appreciate that. I wish I could take them with me around the country. He gives the best introduction and sets the bar way too high so everything from dad's introductions can be a letdown. From that moment, but I did have a few things going on in high school I was here dormant high school loved our youth group.

We are in the underground over in the main building where the hangar yet over there but we called the hangar and wheat we had not all these things that you guys have today but got a few things going on. Try to get good grades. Try to get that SAT score athletics, play basketball at a dormant high school about 40 pounds ago I was at the wind say all the time playing ball and just open it up man I miss those days as I would play basketball in the morning donates three double cheeseburgers from Wendy's and then I go back and ball agenda can't do that anymore. I was SA president of the school. I was headed. The boys state man.

We had tons of training for mirror-image choir tour Kentucky missions and men I had all these things going on at top of that I had my dad's yard to keep clean my my brother had asthma, so he couldn't help me in the yard. I had to do all the yard work. Asthma still is excuse when when dad calls for yardwork and and I'm telling you this. This is honest truth.

My dad had a riding lawnmower, but he marks in the garage where he left the riding lawnmower part because he did never let me use the riding lawnmower had use the push mower. He kept me accountable commitment, responsibility as Christians, as the church now more than ever we need to be reminded that as followers of Jesus Christ have been saved by the gospel of Jesus Christ we have been given so much incredible grace we been given so much incredible responsibility inherent Colossians chapter 3 verse nine through 17. I truly believe that the Lord Jesus Christ gives us a check message. If we are to raise the banner here Barnett Park in the heart of Spartanburg South Carolina for the name of Jesus Christ. What is our responsibility. What is our responsibility not just here in this moment right now for this hour, but what is our responsibility 24 seven number one taken notes. We are called to remove we are called to remove in verse nine of Colossians chapter 3 it says do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.

One commentary shares this as we are called to remove. If we are in Christ shares that according to the Roman empire. Custom one punishment for someone who had committed unlawful murder was to be sentenced to carrying around the body of a person that they had murdered. Eventually, this becomes a death sentence due to sickness and disease that one would get from the dead body.

The apostle Paul, as he wrote these words might of had this in his mind as followers of Christ, we are called to remove old self. If you have been raised with Christ live in Christ, set your mind on things above.

Stop living like your old self, what is the old self go back deeper into Colossians chapter 3.

Look at me in verse five Paul describes what the old ways are. If, therefore, anyone who is in Christ is a new creation old has passed, the new has come.

What is the old.

Look at verse five, Paul says, put to death. Therefore what is earthly in you sexual morality, impurity, passion, evil desire, covetousness which is idolatry on account of these the wrath of God is coming in these you to want Walt past tense when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away. So friends as I read these statements what's on your Facebook feed right now we are to put away anger, wrath, malice, slander seen. Talk from your mouth. This is the old self and our responsibility in Christ. Yes Christ Jesus done it for us. This is nothing that we can do outside of Christ, but in Christ Jesus Scripture is very clear that our responsibility is to remove everybody say remove number to renew and by saver new check out verse 10. Not only are we to remove, but were also to renew verse 10, Paul continues. He says, and have put on this form and to preach through the armor of God in Pittsburgh can't wait were called to put on spiritual armor of God. This we are to put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Romans 12 one through two is another one of my favorite scriptures that speaks to the response of ability of the Christian in Romans chapter 12 verse one it says I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, and what they for God's mercy on so they for God's mercy I don't I don't read these lists of the old self and walk around strutting in the presence of God. I fail over and over and over but yet God's mercy is far greater than my sin.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world remove, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. We have to put on the new self remove the old self renew.

You can't live for Jesus. Though if you cannot receive Jesus. So once again I invite you today. If you're here today within the sound of my voice in downtown Spartanburg whether worshiping with us to The Encouraging Word online.

I would invite you today will you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. See he renews us through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

There's no chance of removing the old self.

If Jesus hasn't removed it for us and justified us with his righteousness. When was the moment that you gave your life to Christ to be saved is to be renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

As Christians we are called to be like him be renewed. Remove, renew, number three church, your neighbor and say this really loud rally rally here. It's very clear that a Christian's responsibility is to rally verse 11 it says this here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free Christ is all and in all one a message, especially in this day and age you realize how amazing it is that were united in this place. If I pass the microphone around and I gave everyone an opportunity to share their opinion on any subject. Today you know many different opinions we would get. I think it's an amazing thing.

It's a miracle of God and the greater the diversity when you find unity, the greater the miracle.

That's what Jesus Christ does for us. He gives us the ability to rally.

Paul wrote the church at Colossae. Nancy wrote the church at Colossae. You can study historically, this was a time when the church was unfortunately pretty divided in many ways city was divided in the church seemed to stick with the city. We cannot do this church.

We cannot be cultural in this moment.

It's time to be countercultural. It's time for us to show rally and not rally around each other rally around the gospel of Jesus Christ.

When Paul writes these things. He shares these different divisions, their racial divisions not Greek and Jew, there's religious divisions circumcise uncircumcised.

There's cultural divisions, barbarian, Scythian, their social division, slave and free men in the church is not called to be cultural were called to be countercultural.

Think about the division that's in our world today.

It's time for us church to focus on Christ to his all and in all normal human distinctions are overruled by one's union in Christ.

This is our responsibility. Remove, renew, rally, not really want you to nudge your neighbor and say this really loud this is our last point on the land the plane here redeem thereby say redeem.

Look at verse 12 through verse 17 verse 12 through verse 17 the apostle Paul gives us what we are to put on put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bearing with one another and if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Verse 16. This is what were called to redeem.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God and what ever you do have actually gone the seminary and gotten the doctor. Believe it or not, and in all those years of study. I've studied this word.

What ever you know what it means whatever that means everything is no such thing as putting on church putting off church no such thing is this is now the holy hour and the rest of the weeks mine what ever you do in word and deed to everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him we have a mission as followers of Jesus. A lot of our time and our mission is rejection of things we gotta put off we got a remove but a lot of it is the putting on of things and I'm so thankful for the power of the gospel to redeem all things. Aren't you a man. I noted that sin in your life is great. But Jesus is greater and he's in the business of redeeming all things, and he's also in the business of taking those who are redeemed to go out as salt and light in this world to be a mission of reconciliation and redemption for the world company all believe that nothing is impossible for God to redeem nothing. I know that he's done that for me. He can do the same for you here today.

So as we respond to this message today and as we come to a close. I pray that we will not just be hearers of Colossians 3. I pray that will be doers of the word.

I pray that this would be true in our lives.

But here's how want to close today. Let's not think about these responsibilities today as a mission or as a burden. I want us to think about this as a relational joy in this past year I got a little knock on my office door and in walks my Princess. I have four kids. Both Mac and Burke, boys would get an easy one syllable yelling names not yell at him for most of her life, but might not.

Then I named my Princess along name. I enjoy her name, way more.

Her name is Carolina McCall Carolina McCall comes and knocks on the door.

Daddy would you take me to the daddy daughter dance.

I said I don't know babe about a lot of things going on right, of course I'll take you to the daddy daughter dance church, thereby look at me, thereby listen to me this word from Colossians 3 today is not a burden, the responsibility I had the joy that I had of being able to take my baby, my Princess to show her daddy's waltz moves to show her love wasn't on describable joy in this responsibility that Jesus Christ is given to us because of his great love for us is an indescribable love and joy listen to the church don't work to earn your love for God out of your love for God to work. You show me someone that struggling to do anything for anyone and I'll show you someone with a heart problem. You do not need to call some sort of committee together to force me to do anything for that little girl, Lynn, and in the same way Jesus Christ has demonstrated his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us and he's called us by his grace to remove to renew to rally to redeem every head bowed and every eye close as we close our time of worship today correct in your own heart you beginning to close your eyes, bow your head and say okay I understand the need to renew to rally to pray with you about what God's during your heart to do today's the day for a new decision. A fresh commitment, and perhaps even a course correction.

Lord Jesus, I pray for friends there listening right now that they would not allow this moment of spirit leading to pass, but instead that we would all find ways to draw a line in the sand. Say no more. We are more focused for you and for some God. I think you better today saying yes to you Jesus as Savior and confessing that they believe that we believe that you are the son of God died on the cross of Calvary to save board rescue us in Jesus name, amen. Would love to discuss it more. This online NT online.org or call 86899967