ARE YOU ON THE GOSPEL SIDE?
Colossians 3:1-11
Discussions about church architecture are not usually among the everyday topics getting a congregation's attention. When it does come up, it is probably during some new building or renovation project where the focus is on the location of plumbing and power lines or the new kitchen. I bet few people spend much time worrying about the theological message our architectural design—or lack of--sends out.
But 'twas was not always so. Throughout church history the design of a sanctuary often revealed as much about its congregation's beliefs as the hymns and sermons heard inside that sanctuary. One common feature in many of our churches is the split podiums placed at the front of the sanctuary. That traditionally smaller one over there is referred to as the "lectern." Traditionally, that one was for lay people, worship leaders and song leaders. It was also where some churches still give announcements, put their guests, etc.
The other podium, the pulpit, is reserved for the Gospel reading, in fact, all readings of the Bible, and the sermon itself. Because of this tradition, the right side (it’s the right side from up here!), this pulpit side, has often been referred to as "the gospel side." THE GOSPEL SIDE.
Unfortunately for all left-handers, right-handedness has long been considered the "norm" in human beings. Lefties have been the butt of jokes and even ridicule. Did you know that the Latin term for left-handedness is “sinister?” For years, teachers believed they must make all children write with their right hands, regardless of the child’s preference. Only about 10% of the world’s population are left-handed, which may explain why we aren’t too sympathetic to problems they may encounter living in a right-handed world.
The church has always added to this cultural bias for seeing left as wrong and right as, well, "right," in part because of its respect for Scripture, which overflows in right-handed images of good. Throughout the history of Israel, God was identified as stretching out not the left but the right hand, the right arm, to save the stiff-necked, stubborn, hard-hearted people. The seat of honor at royal banquets and in heaven itself is designated as the one at the right hand of the ruler's throne. In this week's text, Colossians 3:1-11, we read that Christ is seated at that esteemed right-hand place of glory, “seated at the right hand of God.” I remember a joke from Sunday school class when I was in junior high about Christ being seated at God's right hand. The joke was that God must’ve been left-handed since Jesus was "sitting on the right hand of God the Father."
Anyway, to be on the right is to be in the right and to know you are under the protection of the God at whose right side you stand. The compact nature of Colossians—just 4 chapters--means that every verse is laced with layers of meaning. Unfortunately, some of the veiled references and code-words that were easily decipherable to the first century Colossians are not so readily apparent to 21st century readers. Our modern tendency is to miss these cultural messages woven into the text.
Chapter 3 begins by appealing to all those who have been "raised with Christ," that is, born again through baptism. But having experienced this new birth, there are now certain responsibilities that believers must begin to shoulder. Most basically: The author implores this church to "seek the things that are above," a place where Christ "is seated at the right hand of God."
Being on the "gospel side," being in the "right," brings a sense of peace and security those floundering out in left field can’t even imagine. No matter how numerous her enemies, Israel was always confidentially reassured by the image of God's right arm stretched out to encircle and protect her.
Let’s look at these words now, shall we? READ COLOSSIANS 3:1-11 This passage gives two distinct possibilities about Christ’s appearance on earth at the time of His Second Coming. Paul says that if believers have followed his counsel in 3:5-8 to "put to death whatever is earthly within you," –and he lists some examples--then they will enjoy seeing Christ in heaven one day. However, if the Colossians—and believers today as well--fail to get rid of all these negative actions and attitudes from their lives, then they will see the wrath of God coming at them. “On account of (sexual immorality, evil desires, greed, anger, and abusive language), the wrath of God is coming” (v 8-9).
ARE YOU ON THE GOSPEL SIDE?
The "gospel side" is not some dull and dreary sideline marked by grim harshness or boredom. Once the clutter of "such things" as "anger, wrath, malice, slander and abusive language" have been swept away from our lives there is room for a new abundance of joy, love and hope.
Donald J. Shelby tells of a phrase he heard when growing up that was uttered when "someone filled your coffee cup or ice tea glass to the rim, loaded your plate with food or served you a heaping dish of fresh fruit or homemade ice cream." The phrase was: "Now that's what I call gospel measure." Shelby is quoted saying, "I remember wondering as a small boy how people could use the Bible to measure or weigh such things, and then I learned how the phrase came from Jesus' promise in Luke 6:38: 'Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.' Yes, that's gospel measure - pressed down, shaken together and running over."
The second half of verse 38 says, “The measure you give will be the measure you get back.” So gospel measure is about extravagance, being able to come back home, and generously more than you need. Gospel measure is the Psalmist singing, “you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5b). It is the apostle Paul proclaiming, “O, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!....For from him, and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11: 33,36) Gospel measure is the farmland grown high and as far as the eyes can see with corn stalks. Gospel measure is a sunset with hues of reds, pink, blue, orange and white.
We’ve already seen and experienced the things of this world. It is time for us to “put to death whatever in (us) is (worldly). We have the very power of Jesus Christ in our hands now if we’ve been raised with Him and died to our old selves. Paul says here that our lives are hidden with Christ (v. 4). Hidden. We are concealed and safe with Christ. And this is not a future hope, this is already fact.
The Christian’s real home is where Christ lives. That should give us a different perspective on our lives here on earth. We need to look at our lives from God’s perspective and to seek what God desires, putting the priorities of heaven into our daily living. The more we see life around us as God sees it, the more we will live in harmony with his teachings.
This passage from Colossians doesn’t beat around the bush. Paul lists 10 things that will keep us from seeing Christ sitting at the right hand of God: sexual immorality, indecency, lustful desires, any kind of evil desires, greed, anger, wrath, malice, lying, and abusive language. These are the things that Christian is not. If we fail to live our lives ethically, we will be confronted by God's wrath.
Now, that’s pretty scary to me, because who among us has not been guilty of at least one thing from Paul’s list? Are you willing to be sponged out, erased, canceled, made nothing? Are you willing to be made nothing? If not, you will never really change. That’s why we come together once a week to worship among others of like minds—to remind ourselves and hold each other accountable to follow the ways of Jesus Christ. We all need that weekly reminder. That’s why I nag you to read your Bibles throughout the week—for the promises, for the warnings, for the guidance in how God wants us to live.
In closing, I ask: Have you heard about the minister who found out the theological meaning of what it means to be on the gospel side? He dreamed that he had died and was standing in front of the Pearly Gates. St. Peter told him he needed 100 points to get in.
"Well, I was a minister for 47 years," the minister announced proudly.
"That's nice," answered Peter. "That gets you one point."
"One point? That's all I get?" the minister exclaimed. "Just one point for 47 years of service."
"Yes, that's correct," replied Peter.
"I visited shut-ins every chance I got."
"One point."
"I worked with the youth, and you must know what that is like."
"One point."
"I developed a number of recovery programs."
"One more point. That makes four points. You need 96 more."
"Oh, no!" the minister cried in a panic. "I feel so helpless, so inadequate. Except for the grace of God, I don't have a chance."
St. Peter smiled and said: "Grace of God - 96 points. Come on in."
That's where it is for most of us, slugging it out day by day, trying to make ends meet, and to be as good as we can at what we do, and to use what we have responsibly, trying to be honest and kind and just. When we are true to our conscience, which is guided by the Holy Spirit, God's kingdom comes to us just where we are, living quite ordinarily, carrying on patiently.
PLEASE PRAY WITH ME: Startle us, O God! Startle us with the wild improbability of what we say we believe. Startle us with the incredible beauty and goodness of the affirmations this place, and our being in it this morning, represent. Amen.
BENEDICTION: May you sweep away the clutter of anger, resentment, spite, bitterness, and abusive language from your lives so there is room for a new abundance of joy, love and hope. Go now with purpose, and God will honor your dedication. Amen.
