Bringing Heaven’s Atmosphere Home - Colossians 3

Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv

Introduction: Why Your Home’s “Thermostat” Matters More Than the “Thermometer”

This morning we continue our message series entitled “Stronger Families Through Christ.” We need stronger families in today’s world where families are under attack. God desires everyone to be part of a family. Even if you have no physical family, you can be part of our church family.

We are brothers and sisters in the Lord here at Life Church. The attacks against family come in two forms, either external attacks or internal attacks. This morning we’re going to focus on what goes on within the home or family. Every home has a thermostat and a thermometer.

The thermometer only reports the temperature that already exists, but the thermostat sets the temperature. Many families live like thermometers, reacting to the atmosphere around them. If the day is calm, they feel peaceful. If schedules tighten or conflict arises, the temperature of the home instantly shifts.

The mood of the moment determines the spirit or atmosphere of the home. That is the fallen condition of the heart. We reflect what surrounds us rather than setting our minds on what is above us. We mirror the world, instead of manifesting the presence of Christ.

Today I’ve entitled our message: Bringing Heaven’s Atmosphere Home.

Matthew 6:10 (ESV) Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Heaven has an atmosphere that is wonderful. We must pray to bring heaven’s atmosphere into our homes and world.

Philippians 4:7 (ESV) And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

God’s heavenly peace does more then sooth our hearts, it stands guard. When His peace rules our hearts, it begins to reset the thermostat of our homes.

Romans 12:2 (ESV) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

When Christ renews our minds, our homes begin to sound different than the world around us. Words soften and gratitude rises. The spiritual atmosphere shifts from heavey to fresh because the Holy Spirit is at work within us.

Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

This is heaven’s atmosphere in everyday family life. Love when the schedule is crowded. Patience when the keys are missing. Gentleness when tempers flare.

Self-control when stress is high. Christ sets the temperature, and the whole home feels it. This is what we’re going to learn from Colossians 3 today. When our hearts are set above, our homes begin to reflect heaven.

When Christ rules your heart, His presence will transform your home. So, let’s see how to bring heaven’s atmosphere home.

Set Your Heart on Heaven

Colossians 3:1–2 (ESV) If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

If we have been raised with Christ, which means we are followers of Jesus, that is our identity. If we belong to the risen Christ, then our desires and thought must rise with Him. This new mindset determines how we see our family life. When we fix our minds on what is above, our hearts are lifted out of anxiety.

Peace begins to rule the atmosphere of the home. The direction of our mind is on heaven first, seeking to bring heaven to earth.

Colossians 3:3 (ESV) For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

To be hidden in Christ is to find safety and rest. Your old identity and its pressures no longer define you. The heart that knows it is secure in God can stop striving for control. Parents can lead with calm instead of fear.

Children can learn that peace begins in a heart that trusts God completely.

Colossians 3:4 (ESV) When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

This verse speaks of the return of Christ ushering in the age to come. This eternal focus brings peace to the present. Our daily frustrations look different when seen through the lens of glory. The hope of Christ’s return inspires patience, joy and purpose in the midst of ordinary routines.

Families who look toward heaven live lighter, freer, and kinder toward one another.

Application: Begin Each Day by Setting Your Mind Above

Perhaps your tendency is to focus on your earthly problems and ask for heaven’s help. There’s nothing wrong with asking for God’s help, but let’s make our focus on things that are above. Begin each morning by praying together, Jesus be the center of our home today. Replace complaints with thanksgiving and joy.

Keep your mind focused on heaven by memorizing a verse of Scripture. Perhaps Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Let your focus be on bringing heaven down to your home, work and city. Set Your Heart on Heaven.

Put Off the Old and Put On the New

Colossians 3:5–7 (ESV) Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.

Christ not only lifts our focus, He changes our habits. What we wear spiritually is what our families feel emotionally. Paul calls believers to deal firmly with sin, to put it to death in your life. These destructive attitudes and desires poison relationships and pollute the atmosphere of the home.

When we entertain sin, peace disappears. The home that longs for heaven’s atmosphere must be intentional about removing anything that dishonors Christ.

Colossians 3:8–9 (ESV) But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.

Here we have a list of attitudes that suffocate love and joy in the family. Angry words, gossip, and dishonesty wound deeply. Paul tells us to throw them off completely. They are all part of the old self and the way it lived.

The Holy Spirit helps us learn a new tone, a tone of gentleness, honesty and grace that fills the home with life instead of tension.

Colossians 3:10–11 (ESV) And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

The new self is not like a costume you put on for a day. The new self is a work of renewal from the inside out. Christ changes how we think, speak and relate to others. In Him, pride and prejudice vanish.

Everyone in the home or church family is equal under His love. The new heavenly atmosphere is shaped by His image, by Jesus Himself. Put off the old and put on the new.

Application: Practice Repentance and Renewal Together

God’s Word makes it clear that you have no reason to say that you can’t change some habit. We are commanded to put off the old self with its practices and put on the new self which is modelled after Christ. That doesn’t mean that we won’t fail from time to time. When that happens, the new self will repent both to God and to the person you’ve hurt.

You may want to have a time weekly with the family to forgive, pray and reconnect. Teach each family member to say: I was wrong, please forgive me, and I forgive you. If you’re having trouble putting off some type of addictive behavior or you have a family member who is addicted to a substance or a behavior, get help. Our Tuesday night recovery meeting is not just for substance abuse, but the biblical principles taught will help set you free from any addiction.

Get prayer for yourself or a family member whatever the addiction may be and God will begin to work to bring freedom. As you see improvement in a child or a spouse at putting off the old and putting on the new, encourage them. You’re helping bring heaven to earth in your home and in our church family.

Let Christ Rule and Dwell

Colossians 3:12–13 (ESV) Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive

Now we go into detail about what we should put on of the new self. These are the main traits that breathe life into the atmosphere of a family. Compassion softens hard edges. Humility breaks cycles of pride.

Forgiveness keeps small offenses from becoming walls. Families that practice these virtues create warmth where resentment used to live. Of this list the most important one is forgiveness. We have been forgiven by the Lord Jesus and so we must forgive others.

Jesus taught that if we don’t forgive others, then we won’t be forgiven. Forgiveness for every believer is essential and freeing.

Colossians 3:14 (ESV) And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Love is the glue of the gospel life. It holds the family together when life gets messy. Love is not a feeling, but a daily decision to act for another’s good. When love flows, harmony follows.

When we have love for one another, all the other character traits follow.

Colossians 3:15–17 (ESV) And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The peace of Christ must be allowed to rule, to make the call. That means that when we have a decision and put it before the Lord, He will give us peace about how to make that decision. If there is no peace with either option, don’t move forward until you have the peace of Christ. Being thankful to God and others keeps that peace alive.

The Word of God must dwell in us, to take up residence, not visit. A home filled with Scripture and worship will sound and feel different. And when we do everything in His name, even ordinary routines become acts of worship. What does it mean to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus?

To do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus is to do everything for Him and as His representative. We do nothing for ourselves or by ourselves, it must all be for Jesus. And our passage for today ends with the instruction to give thanks in everything that we do to God the Father.

Application: Let Peace Rule, Let the Word Dwell

Establish a regular time for the family to read God’s Word together and encourage everyone to read God’s Word daily. God’s Word will remind you of how to let Christ rule and dwell in your life and home. Find ways to express your love for each family member and for the Lord. Practice thankfulness, first to God and secondly to others.

Don’t be anxious about the future or tough decisions. Let the peace of God guide your thinking and decisions in every circumstance. Let Christ Rule and Dwell in your home.

Conclusion: Set the Thermostat Through Christ

We started with that simple picture of the thermostat and the thermometer. The thermometer only reflects the temperature, but the thermostat sets it. Every home has both. The question is: which one are you living like?

For many of us, our homes have felt more like thermometers, reacting to stress and busyness. But Christ invites us to something better. Through Him, we can set the spiritual temperature of our homes, not just report it. When you set your heart on heaven, you’ll lift your family’s focus.

When you put off the old and put on the new, you make room for kindness, forgiveness and love. When you let Christ rule and dwell, peace and thankfulness begin to fill the atmosphere. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it starts with a choice. To let Christ rule your heart so His presence can shape the atmosphere of your home.

Parents, your tone sets the temperature more than you know. Children, your words add warmth or chill. Couples, your grace toward one another can shift the entire house. But when Jesus rules, the atmosphere changes.

So, as you step into this week, remember, you don’t have to react to what’s around you. You can set the thermostat through prayer, gratitude and love. When Christ rules your heart, the atmosphere changes to heaven’s.

📘 Continue the Journey

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