Back to the Bible When the Word of God Is at Home in You Colossians 3:16-17; Ephesians 5:18–6:9 When the Word of Christ dwells richly in us, it changes what we know, how we worship, how we relate to others, and how we live. 1. The Word Controls Your Life The word “dwell” means to live in, to reside, to be at home. “richly” carries the idea of abundantly or extravagantly. Ephesians 5:18–19 The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to help you act like you are in the presence of the Son of God. “Do I read the Bible?” versus “Does the Bible rule me?” Don't measure the Bible's influence in your life by how much Scripture you have heard. Measure it by how much Scripture has changed you. 2. The Word Produces Worship In Your Heart When the Word gets into the heart, worship comes out of the heart. Worship is about what is true about God. 3. The Word Changes Your Relationships Colossians 3:16–4:1 If the Bible is truly at home in your heart, it will eventually show up in the way you treat people. The Word doesn't stay inside the church building. It goes home with you. It goes to work with you. It enters your marriage. It affects your parenting. It changes how you treat people. 4. The Word Produces Gratitude Colossians 3:16–17 Biblical gratitude is centered in God's character, not our circumstances. 5. The Word Governs Everything You Do Colossians 3:17 What Does “In His Name” Mean? It means to act consistently with: • who Jesus is • what Jesus desires • what honors Jesus When the Word is at home… It CONTROLS your life. It PRODUCES worship. It CHANGES your relationships. It PRODUCES gratitude. It GOVERNS everything you do.