Colossians 3:18 - 4:1
The Village Church
Living in Unfair Power Structures
Exploring the concept of slavery in the context of the first century and its implications for the gospel message, including the varying conditions of slaves and the importance of obedience to earthly masters in light of God's judgment.
Pastor Eric Cepin brings to the forefront a profound understanding of Colossians 3:18-4:1 in a sermon at The Village Church. He meticulously breaks down the scripture into three distinct ideas: the list, the modifiers, and the special cases, ensuring that every facet of the verses is addressed in depth.
A significant point of discussion during the sermon revolves around the role of fathers. Pastor Eric underscores Paul’s message regarding the transformative power of the Gospel on the established power structures within household codes. Through Paul's writings, we see an illuminated path on how the Gospel reshapes, reforms, and recalibrates familial and societal relationships, making them more equitable and Christ-centered.
Vulnerability, as emphasized by Pastor Eric, emerges as an essential component. For each position within these household codes - be it a wife, husband, child, servant, or master - to undergo a genuine transformation, there must be an openness to change and the willingness to be guided by the Gospel. Vulnerability, in this context, allows the spirit of the message to permeate, modify, and elevate.
Furthermore, Pastor Eric points out the unique preaching of the Gospel as manifested in the relationships within the household. When a wife embraces submission, when a husband expresses his love authentically, when children and servants display obedience, and when masters prioritize fairness, the Gospel finds a unique voice. This harmonious embodiment of scripture isn't just a testament to individual transformations but becomes a powerful evangelical tool. This harmonization, born from the wisdom of Colossians 3:18-4:1, becomes a beacon that captures the attention of the broader culture, making them sit up, listen, and perhaps, find their path to transformation as well.
The Village Church’s sermon podcast is more than just a weekly message. It is an invitation into the great and ongoing story of God’s work in the world. Pastors Eric, Mark, Susan, Daniel, and other leaders open the Scriptures not as a collection of abstract ideas but as the living, breathing witness to God’s kingdom breaking into our midst. Each episode is a call—not merely to listen, but to take part, to step forward into the life of faith with renewed vision and purpose.
Week by week, the pastors and leaders explore the deep rhythms of Christian discipleship—prayer, fasting, generosity—not as isolated duties but as part of a larger, richer, and more beautiful whole. They unpack these ancient practices in light of Jesus himself, the one in whom heaven and earth have come together. But they also turn their attention to the realities of everyday life—relationships, finances, the struggles and joys of being human—demonstrating how the gospel is not merely about what we believe but about how we live as God's renewed people in the present age.
The Village Church
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