Misc. - "What Now?" - Colossians 4:2-6

“What Now?”

Col 4:2-6.

We’ve been looking at how the church in Colossae was having to navigate through the pressures from the world.

The world was distorting the Gospel.

The world was distorting the person/work of Christ.

So Paul writes to them to say, “Jesus is enough.” “Jesus

Since Jesus is enough, you are made NEW!

Since you are made new, let that impact your speech, prayer life, and witness.

Personal Prayer/Devotion

Purposeful Prayer/

Practical

I want to begin by...

Paul explains that Jesus is supreme! He’s greater than human philosophies. He’s greater than tradition.

The right way to live in this world is to focus on heavenly things.

Colossians’ theme built around Jesus being supreme:

Chapter 1: Jesus is God

Chapter 2: Jesus Conquers by his Cross

Chapter 3: Jesus is in Authority

Chapter 4: Jesus is the message

Colossians 4:2–6 ESV

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 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. 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Illustration:

The question then becomes, what do we do now?

1. Continue in Personal Prayer

Colossians 4:2 ESV

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

This point is one that we can easily nod our heads in agreement, say amen to, but quickly bypass as something of value.

This point is a very practical command straight from God Himself.

Quick reminders of prayer:

1. Prayer is powerful because you are asking God to do what only God can do.

2. Prayer is a reminder of how dependent we are on God.

3. The Christian life begins with prayer (prayer of faith/repentance), and it continues in prayer (walking daily in prayer)

4. Prayer is our power source.

“God has called ordinary people to live in an extraordinary way for Jesus.”

We cannot possibly live in power without a prayer life.

Our prayer life needs to be on that has three labels on it:

a) Our Prayer Life should be Persistent

“continuing...” or “devoted”

This is when we give complete attention to something.

Matthew 6:9–13 ESV

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Actively:

Worshipping

Trusting

b) Our Prayer Life Should be Perceptive

“… and watch...”

Keep your spiritual eyes opens to the things of God.

Why should we be aware?

Because of our enemy

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Nehemiah 4:9 ESV

9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.

2. Because of the Hope we have:

Opportunities to witness and serve.

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas have that run in at prison. You probably know which story I’m talking about -

We often times point out that Paul and Silas worshipped in prison, but sometimes we forget that they also watched in prison.

Think about the jailer - seconds from ending his life, and spending an eternity in hell:

“STOP!!! We are here and we have HOPE!”

c) Our Prayer Life Should involve Praise

With thanksgiving.

32 times Paul said, “thanksgiving” or something along those lines.

Where is Paul? Jail.

2. Cooperate in Purposeful Prayer

Colossians 4:3–4 ESV

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.

Prayer is something I have really tried to be better and more disciplined about in my own life.

After Paul encourages believers to pray, he gives some requests.

I have heard some crazy prayer request - mainly because I work with middle schoolers.

Now, not long ago I was walking passed our middle school boys SS class and I noticed that Alex Tribec was on the white board.

Paul’s request includes:

a) Open Door

when is the last time you heard someone in a SS class pray for an open door?

“Oh, you mean an open door so you can get out of prison… yeah you got it!”

No! I’m talking about an open door of opportunity!

1 Corinthians 16:9 KJV 1900

9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

2 Corinthians 2:12 KJV 1900

12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

Paul had experienced open doors and opportunities!!

Ephesians 6:19 KJV 1900

19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Now He is praying for more!

Colossians 4:3–4 KJV 1900

3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

b. Open Declaration

I believe when Paul prayed for doors to be opened, he began to realize how vital each door was - and his role through it all:

Philippians 1:12–13 KJV 1900

12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

Then God continued to open up doors:

Acts 28:30–31 KJV 1900

30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

What’s the benefit of cooperating in prayer together?

Unity.

Accountability

What is your prayer request for your life?

3. Consider your Personal Practice

One day a farmer grabbed his shot gun to shoot at a flock of pesky crows. Unfortunately, he didn’t see his sociable parrot that had joined the crows. After firing a few shots, he walked over to the fallen birds and was surprised to find his parrot badly ruffled with a broken wing. When the farmer’s children saw the injured bird, they asked, “Dad, what happened?” The farmer simply replied, “Bad company.”

Scripture often warns us to avoid harmful influences. Regardless of our age or spiritual strength, over time, unwise influences will negatively affect our walk with the Lord. Satan is determined to pull us into sin and wreck our lives, and he often uses wrong influences to accomplish his goal.

a. Walk in Wisdom

Proverbs 1:7 KJV 1900

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Wisdom is taking what you know (about God, life, His Word) and applying it to your life.

1. Description of Wisdom

In order to walk in wisdom, you must:

Remember what’s been done for you. - Christ Jesus on the cross

Remember what’s been done to you. - He makes you different!

2. Direction of Wisdom

Toward “them which are without.”

Outside Christ

Outside Hope

Outside Peace

Outside of Forgiveness.

Paul is talking about the lost!

3. Determination of wisdom

Buying up the time… whenever you sense it… GO!

Make the most of every opportunity!

The story is told about a barber who had just been gloriously saved in an old-fashioned revival meeting. The next morning at work he wanted to share his new faith and witness to the lost. A customer came in, and the barber began to shave him. He was trying to muster up the right words to say. Finally as he stood with his razor poised over the man’s throat he asked, “Are you prepared to meet God?”

b. Speak with Salt

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament Chapter 4

The salt of holiness must always flavor our speech. Old Testament Jews used salt in their sacrifices, symbolizing purity and the preservation of that which is good. The Greeks called salt charitas—grace—because it gave flavor to things. Our speech must not be corrupt (Eph. 4:29); salt (God’s grace) holds back corruption. A thoughtless word of criticism, a questionable remark, an angry word—any of these could tear down in a minute whatever Christian testimony others have tried to build up.

“Redeeming the time” (v. 5) means “buying up the opportunity.” As Christians, we must be alert to seize every opportunity to witness for Christ and win others.