Colossians 1:8-23 The Preeminence of Christ in Prayer

An appropriate way to start today’s sermon is to read a soldier’s comment about his praying.

A Soldier’s Prayer

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,

I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health, that I might do great things,

I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy,

I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,

I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,

I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am among all men, most richly blessed

It is so much not that the things this soldier prayed for was wrong. But that he did not pray for the things that were better.

We often concentrate our pray for the things that meet what we feel we need or that others need. Perhaps we should look at the greater priorities as well. Perhaps we should pray for the things that are truly essential as well.

We need to especially pray as Christ would have us pray. That was the way Paul prayed. As he began his letter to the Colossians, he prayed for them. Even in His prayer it is about Christ. That they might know Him. That they might be empowered by Him. That Christ would be preeminent in their lives.

It’s about the preeminence of Christ in our prayers. A focus on what He desires for us and others.

I. It’s about Him in Prayer: Praying for you To know Him Col 1:9

(ESV) Colossians 1 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

A. Praying about others

To know Him / His will

B. To Be mature in spiritual living

II. It’s about Him in Prayer:Praying for you To live pleasingto Him Col 1:10

(ESV) Colossians 1 10 so as to walk in a manner worthyof the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

A. Live worthy of the Lord

1. What He has done

Reflect well on Him

B. Being fruitful in life

1. Character transformation to be like Him

Impacting others to come to Christ

2. Becoming more intimate in our knowledge of Him

III. It’s about Him in Prayer: Praying for you To persevere with power Col 1:11

(ESV) Colossians 1 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;

A. Strengthenedby Him

1. Not enough strength in ourselves – can’t do anything

ALL POWER – radical power --- to result in endurance

B. In face of time/difficulty

1. It will be hard

C. Joyousin the endurance

1. Upbeat perspective

IV. It’s about Him in Prayer: Praying for you To live in the victoryalready ours Col 1:12-13

(ESV) Colossians 1 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

A. In a spirit of thankfulness to the Father Col 1:12a

1. Appropriate attitude

B. Who qualified us to share the inheritance Col 1:12b

1. Make the cut – accepted to the college

C. Deliveredalready Col 1:13a

1. Already delivered – no question

D. Transferredto a new kingdom Col 1:13b

1. Live in a new place

V. It’s about Him in Prayer: Praying for you to Just think on Him Col 1:12b-13

A. As the source of redemption Col 1:14a, 20-22

(ESV) Colossians 1 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. … 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

1. Because of Him --- Redeemed / forgiven / reconciled / blameless

B. As the very image of God Col 1:15a, 19

(ESV) Colossians 1 15 He is the image of the invisible God, … 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

1. He is God – the exact image – coin stamp

C. As preeminent over creation Col 1:15b-17

(ESV) Colossians 1 15 … the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through himand for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

1. Firstborn rights

Created all things

2. Created for His sake

Preeminent over all things

3. Still holds it all together

D. As preeminent over the church Col 1:18

(ESV) Colossians 1 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

1. The head of the church – Preeminent

VI. Christian living

(ESV) Colossians 1 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for agesand generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.