Colossians 4:2-4 Christ Preeminent His power to reach others

Moravians’ Hundred-Year Prayer

When God was visiting the Moravians in the early days, they organized at Herrnhut two praying bands, one of men and the other of women, each with twenty-four members. These bands set apart one man and one woman to pray every hour of the day, so that the men in their place and the women in theirs were praying continuously during the twenty-four hours.

This double prayer, unbroken through every day, was maintained for a hundred years. During this period there emerged the Moravian Mission movement in which the missionary church grew three times as large as the home church. The Moravians were used to give new light on essential Bible truths to John and Charles Wesley, thus preparing them for the revival that swept England and reached America. Modern mission movement.

Wales revival began through lay people prayers. The result was such a moving of God that bars had to close because of no business. Even the donkeys used in the mines were confused and disobedient because they did not understand the commands without the barrage of cursing that use to accompany them.

Two old ladies got burdened for their pastor of a large church and told him that they were going to begin to pray daily for him for God to give him power in the pulpit. He preached the same sermons, but suddenly instead of maybe one or two people being saved, hundreds responded, marking the beginning of a ministry that sparked world-wide revival by D.L. Moody.

Prayer tops the list of characteristics of modern church planting movements.

If Christ is Preeminent above all things, would He not enable His people for the mission that He sent them upon? Of course He would! Of course He did.

Christ is Preeminent

His provides the power to reach others

I. His power to reach others: By dedicating oneself to prayer

A. Praying as an integral part of life Col 4:2a, Eph 6:18c

(ESV) Colossians 4 2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

(ESV) Ephesians 6 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

1. Lit. endure + intensifying prefix ---- continue with perseverance in prayer

a. Unmoveable – steadfast

1) Being persistent / constant in these things 2) Fellowship / worship of God 3) Need His involvement

2. Hold fast and not let go

a. Preeminent Christ - Your manner of life – praying – seeking from Him

b. I am insufficient / He is more than sufficient

c. A mark of dependence – Do I need Him? - reflected in my time with Him and whether I ask Him for empowerment

B. Praying with alertness Col 4:2b, Eph 6:18b

(ESV) Colossians 4 2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

(ESV) Ephesians 6 18 praying at all times … keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

1. Stay awake– not casual or lazy

2. Disciples failed at Gethsemene “could you not watch with me one hour

a. Physically / Spiritually – look for what needs prayer

3. Watchful – awake / vigilant / aware / seeking what needs to be prayed about

4. With faith / with a stability of trust / with a heart of contentedness

C. Praying with faith / contentment / trust Col 4:2c

(ESV) Colossians 4 2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

1. lit. alert with the attitude of thankfulness

2. Preeminent Christ – trusting and contended even in the face of need

3. With faith and joy / with a stability of trust / with a heart of contentedness of whatever His answer

II. His power to reach others: To be able to speak the gospel effectively

A. An essential for every person Col 4:3a, Eph 6:19a

(ESV) Colossians 4 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, …

(ESV) Ephesians 6 19 (pray for everyone) and also for me, …

1. Great Paul needed prayer

2. Source of his power – nothing possible without it / everything with it

3. Must be empowered

4. Never get beyond this

B. For opportunities to share Col 4:3b, Rev 3:7

(ESV) Colossians 4 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—

1. Note Paul’s need

a. Not to be released but to have ministry

b. Strength to do it even though it has already caused him problems (jail)

2. Preeminent Christ – seeking others to be saved (here in prayer)

3. For others doing evangelism (and oneself)

4. Opportunities for ministry

a. Favorable circumstances (note: can actually mean uncomfortable circumstances for the speaker (jail) but one that leads to favorable circumstances for the gospel)

5. How to pray

a. Create divine appointments

b. Bind the opposition / prevent distractions

c. Open hearts

1) Movement of the Spirit convicting and drawing people, readying their heart even beforehand

d. Emptiness of the lost

e. Responsiveness of the lost

6. How do you know – try the door

a. Open doors / opportunities to share with words the gospel

Revelation 3:7 Jesus as the One “who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens.”

b. When God opens – no one closes

C. For clarity of words Col 4:4a, Eph 6:19b

(ESV) Colossians 4 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

(ESV) Ephesians 6 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,

1. Essential to communicate the important aspects of the gospel

a. Know what is essential to speak – have a plan and scripture

2. Clarity to speak

a. Can work on being able to communicate clearly

b. A plan / study / memorize

c. More difficult than merely avoiding Christian words

3. Supernatural help in speaking what you know

4. Supernaturally work to be understood

a. Blindness of man – do not understand

b. Blindness of men – distorted understanding

1) About me working to God 2) About a God who does not know justice 3) About the church and religion / hypocrites and formalism and better than though attitudes

5. Supernaturally work to make the message appreciated

a. Valuing the message comes as the Holy Spirit works in the heart

6. Supernatural work to respond

a. Belief is more than knowing in one’s head but placing one’s trust

b. The Gospel is free and requires turning to God from the heart

D. For boldness to speak Col 4:4b, Eph 6:19b-20

(ESV) Colossians 4 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

(ESV) Ephesians 6 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly (fearlessly) to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,

1. Not an option - As I am obligated to – must speak

2. Need of boldness to speak in spite of fear / danger / consequences (it did for Paul)

III. His power to reach others: Taking personal action

Personally act by faith based upon the prayers

A. Live wisely to outsiders Col 4:5a

(ESV) Colossians 4 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

1. Walk – daily living / Life style

2. Live in light of those who are outside

a. Outsiders – those who do not know Christ – their souls are at stake

b. They are watching

3. Wisdom – using life skills

B. Live intentional Col 4:5b

(ESV) Colossians 4 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

1. Redeeming time – buy it up – seize the bargain

a. Preeminent Christ - Buy time / use it wisely toward unbelievers

2. Urgency / every moment matters / don’t waste time

a. Think about how you spend time with unbelievers - do it on purpose – with a purpose

3. Prayed for opportunities

a. Look for opportunities

b. Then seize the opportunities

c. Make opportunities

4. Example – build true relationships / show genuine concerns / be genuine ---- seek to share the truth of the gospel because this is exactly what they need / time is short / may have limited opportunities --- seek them out

C. Speak with grace Col 4:6a, Eph 4:15b

(ESV) Colossians 4 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, … 6 Let your speech always be gracious (full of grace), seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

(ESV) Ephesians 4 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

1. Preeminent Christ – Gracious / loving speech toward unbelievers

2. Words pleasing / not grumbling /hateful/selfish/not what deserved

3. Undeserved favor – don’t give people what they deserve – be kind – demonstrate love – restrain yourself –

4. A people-oriented (I care for you) manner

D. Using salty speech Col 4:6b

(ESV) Colossians 4 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, … 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

1. Truth stings but preserves

2. Preserving – giving the truth that preserves life

3. Tasty – giving truth that offers what is appealing

4. Substance enhancer – speak with truth that gives insight / meaning / purpose into life

E. But speak the truth Col 4:6c, Eph 4:15a

(ESV) Colossians 4 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, … 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

(ESV) Ephesians 4 15 Rather, speaking the truthin love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

1. Preeminent Christ – say what you should say in an appropriate manner

a. Jesus full of Grace and truth

b. Thoughtful content with purpose

2. Wisdom in speech – skilled speech

3. Customized to the purpose

4. Truth must be spoken