Peace Presbyterian Church

“Stewardship of the Heart”

Our fall sermon series is on Colossians 3, on being faithful stewards of our hearts. Paul invites us in 3:2 to “set our hearts on things above, where Christ seated at the right hand of God.” The word here for heart refers not only our physical heart, but to all of whom we are as a person. Who or what is our life focused on, rooted in, grounded in? Who or what do we live for? Paul encourages us to live lives centered on Jesus.

In our society today, we too easily and frequently focus on outer or external behavior. God, however, sees into every crevice, nook and cranny of our souls and God is concerned with every part of us, including the parts of us that no one else knows about or sees. God calls us to practice a stewardship of the heart so that we will learn to dedicate all of our lives to Him, not just what can be seen on the surface.

“We do this so we can begin to enjoy the fullness of life only Jesus has to offer”

One key aspect of this stewardship of the heart is fully moving into and completely embracing Christ’s gift to us of new life in Him. New life and the fullness of life can be found in Jesus alone. Paul says this in 3:3-4 about Jesus, “who is our life.” and in who is our “life now hidden.” Paul tells us in 3:5 to literally “put to death our earthly nature.” We do this so we can begin to enjoy the fullness of life only Jesus has to offer. Paul uses this terminology to reinforce the seriousness of our sin and of our great need to be like Jesus.

Instead of living for ourselves, we can now live new lives in and for Jesus. Characteristics of this new life that can be found only in Christ are: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, forgiveness, love, unity and peace (3:12-15). We learn to do everything as Paul says in 3:17, “whether in word or deed...in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” The key is to realize that we simply cannot live in a manner that glorifies God unless we are filled by His Spirit. In fact, in our new lives in Christ, we are now called to glorify God alone, sola Gloria dei, to seek God’s will rather than our own will, to be Christ-centered rather than self-centered.

Stewardship of the heart encourages us to invite the Holy Spirit to completely fill us, to change us and to lead us in learning to be more like Jesus. The total depravity of our minds, hearts and souls means that we cannot become like Jesus on our own and we cannot earn or merit our own salvation. We need to trust in God and to seek Him wholeheartedly in order to fully set our hearts on Christ.

“We can only grow in Him as we lose ourselves in Him, lost in wonder, worship and awe”

Our world and our lives are full of many distractions. If we want to be faithful disciples of Jesus, we must make our relationships with Him a priority. Just as with any human relationship, we must commit to spending regular and quality time with the Lord, listening to Him, soaking in His presence and love and sharing with Him our hearts and fears. We can only grow in Him as we lose ourselves in Him, lost in wonder, worship and awe.

In this season, I invite you to join me in pondering how each of us and how our church family corporately can enjoy a renewed stewardship of the heart, where our hearts are set on Christ alone. Such a stewardship will result in a steady and lasting change in our lives, as we grow spiritually in becoming more like Jesus. As the author of Hebrews says in 12:1-2, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God..”

Love in Christ,
Pastor Brian

Sermons for October 2007
A Study of Colossians 3
Setting our Hearts on Christ

October 7, 2007:     “Being Compassionate like Jesus”
    “Exodus 34:1-7; Matthew 9:36; Colossians 3:12
    “Communion Sunday

October 14, 2007:     “Being Kind like Jesus”
    “Isaiah 63:7-14; Colossians 3:12; 2 Peter 1:7

October 21, 2007:     Being Humble Like Jesus
    “2 Chronicles 7:14-16; Philippians 2:3-8; Colossians 3:12

October 28, 2007:     “Being Gentle Like Jesus”
    “Philippians 4:4-7; Colossians 3:12; Matthew 11:28-30

During the month of October we will continue to study the Third Chapter of Paul’s Letter to the Colossians in reflection on how we can set our hearts on Christ and on how we can enjoy new lives in Him. When provided, please read and reflect on the Scriptures ahead of time in preparation for hearing and responding to God’s Word as it is read and proclaimed.