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This morning, as a concluding moment given to the third great end of the church (i.e. the maintenance of divine worship), I would have us give thought to Paul’s words of Colossians 3. In this chapter, Paul encouraged the Colossians to clothe themselves with five relational virtues, all of which were to be completed by love. Like the medieval monk of the ninth century, who wore a coarse, hooded-garment, known as a habit, the Colossians were to wear these five traits like clothing, but clothing tied together by the sacrificial love of Christ. Now, given this context, i) let us consider vs.15-17 of our passage; then ii) let us consider the “plural you,” which predominates throughout our passage, in order iii) that we might act to maintain divine worship.

First, in vs.15-17 Paul exhorted the Colossians: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” Seemingly, the Colossians were to allow peace to rule their lives, not unlike an umpire refereeing a game. That is, peace was to determine their actions or play, what was or was not within bounds. Moreover, this peace was to be experienced within the one body of Christ—it was a peace for all not for just a few, and from it was to come thanksgiving—those who were thankful to be living under the reign of Christ.
Likewise, as peace was to rule their hearts, Paul admonished them to let the word of Christ dwell richly among them. However, this indwelling-word Paul tied directly to teaching and instruction with wisdom, as well as to singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with thanksgiving. Thus the word of Christ was to significantly shape and direct their thoughts and their thanksgiving—the word of Christ was to shape their thankful worship. In sum, the peace of Christ and the word of Christ was to direct their thanksgiving, and that thanksgiving would be expressed in worship.

Now secondly, given these thoughts, let us consider a little word—namely, the word “you;” for in essence Paul wrote: you let rule, you let dwell. The word “you” is central to our passage; but it is a word difficult for us to hear, and that because it is in the plural. In other words, each of Paul’s admonitions might be better translated “you all” or “y’all:” “You-all let rule,” “you-all let dwell.” But for us, it is not only a matter of translation; rather, even if we read or hear “y’all,” because we place such a high premium upon our individuality, we immediately think that “I am to let rule,” that “I am to be thankful,” that “I am to let dwell.” Now there is some truth to this, but only to the extent that “all of us” act together. As an example, most of us seek “peace,” by which we mean a state of emotional tranquility experienced by the individual. Thus, when we read or hear Paul’s admonitions to let peace rule, we immediately conclude that this peace is to be my experience. For Paul, however, if I experience peace, I will do so only because we all experience peace. Clearly there is a tension here, but because we are so accustomed to thinking, hearing and acting in terms of the self rather than in terms of corporate-others, we will do well to let the pendulum swing greatly toward the Eastern or Asian view of life: what’s best for the community is more important than what’s best for the individual. To rightly hear Paul’s words, we need to hear them as directed to us rather than to me: primarily directed to us, secondarily directed to me.

Now thirdly this morning a question: How does Colossians 3 help us to better maintain divine worship? Admittedly, our passage does not explicitly speak in terms of worship; and yet, as I have considered the “plural you,” and, as I have considered Paul’s admonition regarding the word of Christ dwelling richly, the most natural context for these words is a gathering of believers in worship. In worship the word of Christ is to dwell richly; the peace of Christ is to rule. Moreover, from its worship a believing community is then to be characterized, like a team all wearing the same uniform, or by those all wearing the same relational habits of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and above all, the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. But as reiteration, I believe that these traits arise in community as the community worships together; for we become like the One we worship. Furthermore, as a corollary, these traits cannot arise, and the God of creation does not receive the thanksgiving due, when only part of the community gathers. Two Sundays ago, the Steelers would not have done well, if only part of their team had arrived in Detroit. Worship cannot be meaningful for me, if it is not meaningful for us all; but more importantly, most likely our worship cannot be pleasing to our Lord, unless we are all present.
Yes, I am encouraging us to be those who invite others (friends and family, as well as those members seldom among us) to share in worship. I know that “I am preaching to the choir—you’re already here, perhaps at great effort.” I’m not scolding us, as though we’ve done something wrong; nor am I suggesting that mere numbers means Christ-centered, thankful worship. And yet annually, following Easter Sunday, nearly all of us state: Oh! how good it was to have the sanctuary filled—the singing was wonderful; and yet in truth, the order and content of that service is not significantly other than most any other service.

Two words of encouragement: This week, pray that we might more and more experience the rule of Christ’s peace among; pray that we might become more and more thankful; pray that we might experience the indwelling word of Christ. And then secondly, encourage one other person (a family member, friend or church member) to join in next Sunday’s worship. But with you invitation, frame it not as an invitation to “come to church,” as though “church” is some spectacle to be seen; rather, frame the invitation as “come join our community,” a community which is seeking to exhibit habitually compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and love At a minimum, in order to maintain divine worship, we must gather together within the peace of Christ and under the word of Christ.