A Prayer For Believers

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ. By the will of God and Timothy our brother. To the Saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in colossi. Grace to you and peace from God, our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Give thanks to the God and father of our Lord. Jesus Christ praying always for you. Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus. And if your love for all the saints, Because of the Hope, which is laid up for you in heaven of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel, which has come to you. As it has also in all the world and is bringing forth fruit as it is also among you since the day, you heard and knew the grace of God in truth. As you also learn from epafras. Our dear fellow servant who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf. Who also declare to us, your love in the spirit. For this reason. We also since the day, we heard it, do not cease to pray for you. and ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding And you may walk worthy of the Lord fully pleasing him being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. That's bright. their late father, Lord, we just Love you this morning. Please be ever gracious to me this morning. Little Ray of your light penetrate God, this the darkness of my understanding. God, I pray that you just give me confidence in the power of your gospel this morning. Grant me Clarity and understanding and then proclaiming the truth of your word. God, I pray that you just edify your church to the power of your holy word this morning. God, I pray that you just fill me with the same Grace and anointing power. and I may preach your word boldly and with, Authority. Deliver those God that are under the bondage of seeing this morning. For the furtherance of your kingdom. We Worship You, Lord. I asked all this and your son's name Jesus. Amen.

By way of introduction, I think it's good sometimes to take a brief glimpse into the scene surrounding this epistle.

And I've always found that it helps in establishing the context for which it was written. The year is around, 62 ad. And the Apostle Paul has now Journey to the city of Rome. This comes just after being Shipwrecked for about 3 months off the island of Malta. And after arriving in Rome, the scripture tells us that Christians came from as far as 40 miles away to greet him. And Paul was greatly encouraged and thankful for their Fellowship. We are told in the book of Acts and 28:16 that he resided in Rome under house arrest

Why well? Long story short. He was Paul was hated by the Jewish leadership.

In the prior months, leading up to him coming back to Rome. Paul was taken hold of by Jewish leaders in the temple, and they nearly beat him to death. He was saved by Roman soldier. However, he was placed in Chains and put in the prison for quite some time.

Through various hearings with the high court. and even Agrippa himself, ultimately, Paul was released. so upon his return to Rome Paul finds himself under close, watch And according to the scriptures, he was held in the state of house arrest for two solid years. Scholars agree that it was during this time that Paul wrote the epistle to the church at colossi. And including three other Epistles, Ephesians, Philippians and Philemon.

Recognized by some as the prison Epistles, okay? No, he was under house arrest. We also see in the book of Acts that Paul received all who came to him, So, even though he was not able to come and go freely, he was permitted to have visitors.

Needless to say he made the most of his time. Doing the Lord's work. As we see in Acts chapter 28 and verse 31. Paul was preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things, which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence. No one forbidding him.

so, Paul writes this letter, To the Christians living in this small city of colossae. Geographically colossae is located about 10 miles Southeast of the city of laodicea. That is in modern-day turkey.

It's not too far from the epicenter of this last earthquake. And just as a little note, it was destroyed by an earthquake several times. Okay, it's been happening over there, all alone. How to get together with hierapolis and layout of SeaTac Lot C. Made up a Tri-City area of trade. And we see in verse 7 & 8 of this chapter that their minister epafras is there and wrong with Paul discussing the Affairs of the church.

Paul knows that colossi was mostly a pagan City. With strong Jewish intermingling. And the Packers has made people aware that the colossian church was corrupting their Christianity with elements of mysticism and legalistic judaism's. And this error has been labeled by some as the colossian heresy. The colossian heresy gnosticism has reared its ugly head. In this church, false teachers had made Superior philosophical knowledge, their goal. And it has led to conceit. static Vision rules and regulations and even to the point of worshiping angels,

much of what was going on in Colossians Church, could be compared Too much of the pragmatism practiced in churches today.

Although the heresy claimed to be teaching Christ, what it was actually teaching, was that Christ Alone was not enough.

Wasn't enough instead, it claimed that they needed Christ, plus whatever fill in the blank. well, if we could just just teach Christ plus this or if we could just teach Christ plus that Gnosticism is mansfeld philosophical view that we can know more than what God has prescribed and revealed and his word for us to know.

We can attain into a higher and physical and emotional experience Christ. Yes.

But there is more. Screams the Gnostic.

Listen, this church have moved to the point of worshiping angels. Christ was no longer the preeminence.

And that my friends is Dangerous Ground.

I would dare to say that if Paul he sits down to write this letter, if he were, if we were in the apostolic times and we had an apostle that would write the letter to the church. I would dare to say that most churches would spit upon the letters, w am up and throw them away. You don't know what you're talkin about, Paul? Who are you? Telling me God can reveal things to me. Just like you can you that was not the system. That's what was happening.

But Paul like he normally does in his letter, starts out in verses 1 and 2 with his greeting and he starts out like he does with a citation or greeting and we singing this greeting that Timothy is also present.

Then immediately after his greeting we see that Paul establishes an affirmation of thankfulness and love regarding their faith in Christ Jesus as well as their love towards one. Another look at Colossians chapter 1, verses 3 and 4. He says we give thanks to the God and father of our Lord. Jesus Christ. Praying. Always for you since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints.

These three Divine Grace's, Faith love. Hope should always be abounding in the hearts of the Believers. They should be so evident in The Believer as to be spoken of him. Consequently heard of even by those who have never seen us,

Paul was lifted and encouraged by what has been revealed to him concerning this church at colossian, even though there was error there he was still happy and thankful.

To the extent that he interceded in prayer.

That God May enrich them further.

And at this point, Paul had never been to colossi, it never been there. But we see in verses 5 and 6 that the Gospel of Jesus Christ and spreading throughout the region. It said a five because of the Hope, which is laid up for you in heaven of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel, which has come to you.

The good news of the Gospel is spreading throughout the region. But Paul knows that it's not limited to a specific region but rather All Nation throughout the world. He goes on in 46 and says, as it has in all the world and is bringing forth fruit. Go ahead and hit never been there. the scripture tells us, That the powerful seed of the Gospel of Truth is now sewing among the good fertile ground of all the nations.

And is beginning to Spring forth, beautiful fruit for the kingdom of God. God's beautiful bride is bursting forth. He tells the Believers there and colossi. That the fruit bursting forth is not different rather. It is identical. It is the identical fruit that is also among you. Look at that last part of verse 6 as it is also among you since the day, you heard and knew the grace of God in truth. How did they know? How did they hear? They never seen Paul at this time. Well, through God's prescribed method. someone telling somebody, That's it. About the saving power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Apple reveals the someone in verse 7 & 8. He said in Colossians 1:7 as you also learn from a packed, press our deal. Dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf who also declared to us your love in the spirit. This love in the spirit. Mention a state is specifically talking to the love that. The Christians is colossi have towards one another but also to the Apostle Paul when they never laid eyes upon

Then Paul transitions. His prayer of thankfulness Illustrated in the previous versus into a continual prayer. Of edification, as we read in verse 9. He says in the first part of verse 9 for this reason, we also since the day, we heard it. Do not cease to pray for you. Paul states that he and Timothy had been praying constantly, presumably from the moment that they learned about the state of the colossian church.

1st Thessalonians 5:17 Paul speaks about prayer without ceasing as part of God's will for all Christians.

And here he presents this as part of his ministry on behalf of the colossian Believers. His prayer is not aimless. His prayer is not Hollow, his prayer is targeted towards a specific purpose. He's declared his love for the Christians at colossi. He's declaring this thankfulness for the Christians at colossi. He's declared his unceasing commitment to prayer for the Christians at colossi. And then this prayer. Paul begins to pinpoint, some very specific desires for the Saints at colossi. First, we see. In verse 9, a prayer. For the full knowledge. Of his wheel. A prayer for the full knowledge of his will. For this reason. We also since the day, we heard it, do not cease to pray for you. And to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge. Of his will. I noticed that the Apostle Paul does not pray that they might have. The knowledge.

Of this will of God. Because they already had the knowledge of it.

They had heard of The Hope laid up in heaven, in the truth of the word of the Gospel. They had heard the gospel outwardly, preached and proclaimed. They had no truly of the grace of God.

therefore, what he asks is that they might be filled with the knowledge of it.

They had knowledge. But it was not full and complete.

It was imperfect. As is the knowledge of the best of the Saints in this life.

Pause aim. Here is that they might have a larger measure of the knowledge. Inasmuch as they were capable and their Earthly state.

Paul's audience here again, is made up of educated philosophers. These are not dummies.

And due to their history of mystical and Pagan worship, they are mixing their worldly knowledge and self reasoning with their Christianity.

The full knowledge of Jesus Christ. Is the solution to the fanciful schemes of gnosticism.

Pause. Please like that of Romans chapter 12 in verse 2 and do not be conformed to this world and all its vain philosophy, but be transformed by the renewing of your. What mind? Why? You may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Paul is urging those in colossi to quit clinging to your old ways. Quit clinging to your own philosophy.

In 2nd Corinthians 5:17. He says therefore if anyone be in Christ he is a new creation, all things have passed away. Behold All Things become new.

Be filled with the knowledge of his will. Filled with the knowledge of his will. Has the idea of being completely filled. Completely filled. The Christian is to be continually growing in his knowledge regarding God and His precepts.

But will of God, here is the whole counsel of God As We Know in Jesus Christ.

The result of such knowledge will change our daily lives. Detect touches every area of our being.

Captures, our thoughts are affections our motives are volition's, our intense.

We are wise to focus our attention on the vital teachings within the word of God.

no matter how much we have learned, we need and can learn more.

The Holy Spirit employees are human faculties, which he has endowed upon us with and he expects us to use them.

Holy spirit is not going to drill a hole in your head and fill it with his word.

That expectation resides upon you. Upon us. To read and study his word. And when we do, he will use that knowledge to change us from the inside out.

Not only is there a prayer for the full knowledge of his will? But this is also a prayer for a proper application. Acknowledge. A proper application of knowledge. We see here in the second part of verse 9, in Colossians to ask that, you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding

All wisdom and spiritual understanding. This is not a theoretical knowledge. It is not a book knowledge, per se. I know individuals and you do to that can recite the books of the Bible. Frontwards and backwards. It's not a bad knowledge that have okay, not say anything bad about that. I know people, I know preachers. I know people that can just recite scripture off the top of their head. Backward and forward.

Not a bad thing to have.

But listen. They've been blessed with the faculties to easily recall and retain information. I understand that. However, something I've learned over the years is this.

There is a grave difference. Between reciting scripture and rightly applying scripture.

somebody can tell you a verse, And tell you what they think it means. And if you have started it for yourself, you're in your lost, you believe it?

There is a great difference between having knowledge and having applied wisdom to that knowledge.

Big difference.

To know God and what he requires of us is our first responsibility. Aspersion said this, I like this. He says, if you read this epistle through, you will observe that Paul frequently alludes to knowledge and wisdom to the point in which he judged the church to be deficient he turned his personal attention. He would not have them ignorant. He knew that spiritual ignorance is the constant source of error, instability and sorrow and therefore he desired that, they might be soundly taught in the things of God.

Not that they were destitute of the saving knowledge already. They already had that Paul says, in the 6 verse that, they knew the grace of God and Truth. And that they had brought forth fruits. But saving knowledge. Know what is the most essential attainment? Hear me. This morning is not the only knowledge to, which a Christian should seek after. You don't just get saved and say, I'm done.

That's it. Paul himself, delivered out of Darkness strive to bring others Into The Marvelous Light of Grace. The false teachers who had infiltrated the colossian church. We're probably in for sizing how their teachings would bring you foolish of knowledge.

Emphasizing that Christians needed to move on from the gospel and receive for the further fullness of spiritual experiences.

Listen, this is a this is a gospel that sounds right? It sounds right. This philosophy of teaching is not doll to the years. It's not harsh to the eyes.

Proverbs 14:12 says, there is a way that seems right to a man. But its end is the way of death. In 2nd Corinthians chapter 11 verses 12 through 15. He says. But what I do I also continue to do that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire and opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast and then he goes into it for such or false. Apostles, deceitful workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ. And no wonder, he says, for Satan himself, transforms himself into the angel of Light. Therefore, it is no great thing. If his ministers also transform themselves into Ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

This gospel. Is a peeling it's designed to be appealing to the eyes of the Believers.

Set design to be tall.

Charles Spurgeon said this too, he said the sermon is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. Many of you have heard it. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.

Hey, I have caught myself in this predicament many times. And I've learned to get back in here and study to see if it was right.

At regeneration, the holy spirit opens our eyes that we can see who God is and who we are for the very first time. But after conversion, he continues to work to give us insight into his revealed word. And to deepen our personal relationship with him. So, against these false teachers, Paul, urges that everything they need, they can have Anytime someone comes along and says, so you're Christian. Yeah. That's good. But have you experienced? Blanket.

You know, you really aren't complete until you've experienced this yet.

That person. Let me tell you something. That person is standing in a long line of false teachers.

1st John chapter 4 and verses 1 and 2. Listen read this. Beloved do not believe every spirit But test the spirits, whether they are from God, because many false prophets, how many, many false prophets have gone out into the World by this, you know, the spirit of God.

You just don't take somebody's word for something.

He says, test the spirits. Paul would have his Brethren thoroughly furnished for sacred worship and service. Knowing the will of God themselves and able to teach others.

He desired for them. But they might possess comforting knowledge. Strengthening knowledge, edifying knowledge, Sanctified knowledge directing knowledge so that they may be ready for all the trials and the duties and the labors that this life will Preserve.

Vance, havner said this, if you lack knowledge, go to school,

if you lack wisdom, get on your knees. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is the proper use of knowledge.

It was a prayer for the full knowledge of his will. It was a prayer for the proper application of knowledge.

And finally, it was a prayer. For a walk worthy of him. A walk worthy of him in Colossians, 1:10 in our text. You see that he says that you may walk worthy of the Lord fully pleasing him being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

This this is the object. Of being filled with the knowledge of God's will. This is the object.

To conduct ourselves in a manner, worthy of the Lord.

Ephesians chapter 4 verse 1 says, Paul is saying there to the Ephesians there d'epices. He says I therefore the prisoner of the Lord beseech you to walk worthy of the calling, which you were called

the Lord we serve and the calling we have received is certainly a worthy one. Is it not?

Worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him. starting at the beginning of verse 10 is the word that

SMU English Majors can correct me afterwards. He says, being filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding

you may walk worthy of the Lord pleasing fully pleasing him, that word that is a in the English language is referred to as a Demonstrative. No demonstrative demonstrative pronoun. I practiced at 2. Meaning, it's used to demonstrate something.

It's a, it's a verbal equivalent of pointing at something or someone.

It's personal now.

here, the Apostle is directing us to get knowledge, wisdom, spiritual understanding in order that we or that you Make live a life worthy of our best friend.

Fully pleasing him.

Some of us live to please ourselves.

Or our wives or children or our employer. Others live. Is this? They wish to please the devil themselves.

But our business are our chief end while on this pilgrimage and in eternity is to be fully, pleasing to him.

Husbands. You should love your wives as Christ loves the church.

Fathers. You should love your children. As your heavenly father, loves you. But listen, if you're cheap, love is not God, it's not him everything, and everyone else is out of priority.

Blessed, is the man whose life is pleasing to God in all respects.

The Apostle Peter and Paul desires that we may be filled with the knowledge and spiritual understanding to this very end.

If I do not know the word of God and rightly understand the word of God, how in the world can I know? Or can I do the will of God

You're going through the motions.

How can there be anything pleasing to God, which is ignorantly done? Without an intent to do his will

Look at the text again. That you may walk worthy of the Lord fully pleasing him being fruitful. And every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Paul is making a claim that the Christian should be fruitful.

Without knowledge and spiritual understanding we cannot be fruitful.

Does a tree say to the sunlight? I don't want you to shine on me.

But I still want to bear fruit.

Does it ask the clouds? Not to disperse. The rains yet still desire to bear fruit. Does it ask the soil to rid itself of the nutrients stored beneath?

It's drive to throw out more branches.

No. No. There should be a desire bursting with in a man for knowledge and spiritual wisdom.

1st Peter, chapter 2 and verse starting in verse 2 says as newborn babes desire, the pure milk of the word that you may grow thereby.

if indeed you have tasted the Lord is gracious,

If you desire, if you've had and tasted the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, there should be a desire in your heart to grow.

I've been saved by the grace of God. Just as these Faithful Men, in colossi were the word of God is compelling, you to move forward, in the knowledge of his will with all spiritual wisdom so that you may walk worthy of him, fully pleasing to him and everything bearing fruit for him.

And he concludes this. Verse adversity, and he concludes with these words. Increasing in the knowledge of God.

now, observe if you will that this knowledge now rises in tone,

Paul first, pray that they might be filled with the knowledge of his will.

But now he implores for the, an increase in the knowledge of God himself.

he is importing them to know the law, but now to know the lawgiver

You may be thinking what, how can this be?

In verse 9.

he said that you made me feel with a knowledge of his will can anything go beyond being filled

Your mind being utilized to 100% capacity.

How can anything have more if it's being filled?

Yet the Apostle says, increasing in the knowledge. I've got. Well, herein lies the some of it. if you make the vessel bigger,

And there can be an increase.

Paul plainly teaches us here that if we have increased in knowledge as to be full, he would have us increase in capacity to know yet more

Let no man think he cannot go further.

Hor.

James chapter 1.

Vs45 says, but let patience. Have its perfect work.

That you may be perfect and complete. Lacking nothing. Any of you lacks wisdom.

Let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally. and without reproach, And it will be given to him.

What a wonderful. Wonderful verse and promise that is Proclaim there. And James. It was a prayer for full knowledge of his will a prayer for a proper application of knowledge. And a prayer for a walk. Worthy of him. Tremendous example.

A prayer, Paul betrays for the Believers. An intercessory prayer a prayer that he does not cease with. From the Apostle Paul where he pleads with God.

The prayer not just for your needs. A rather entreated on the behalf of others. Remember Paul never met these people. But he was praying for him. He was praying that God would reveal himself in this manner. In this aspect that he had mentioned here in this prayer. It's not just pointed inwardly. But earnestly and genuinely requested on behalf of others.

For God. Not only increases oneself. But also each other. How much more, how much more could he accomplish for his kingdom?

Through these mere vessels to which he chooses to operate through.

Our prayer for you. This morning, a prayer for ourselves. When our prayer for you this morning is that God increases your knowledge

To my walk, fully pleasing to him a walk worthy of him and that you pray for others as well that they can why. Because our business is the kingdom furthering, the kingdom of God.

Maybe you're here today and you've never put your Faith in Christ, Jesus.

The hope that Paul speaks of in this first part of the epistle has never been secured for you.

Your walk is not worthy of him in your branches. Are Baron a fruit. Don't continue to Terry. Today, you've heard the word of the truth of the Gospel proclaimed. Backin it up on his call today.

After we close our services. Don't leave here today without reaching out.

By the way, we'll be here by the Robbie. Will be here. I will be here. Please don't Terry.

The closing prayer. Heavenly Father Lord, we thank you. Oh, merciful god. Father that you have brought to us.

Ron has to know that you and your son by your spirit in your word.

May have caused your word to be proclaimed. To us.

God, I pray that you just grant that we having received Christ Jesus the Lord. May live in him rooted. And built up in him, strengthen in the face. As we were taught. And overflowing with thankfulness. Give us the grace. If you're Holy Spirit we may believe what has been proclaimed to us this morning. And may we bring Glory and Honor. To your name and all that we do. As you can formed us to the image of your son. Jesus Christ, Our Lord. We love you, we praise you. And we ask all these things in your son's Jesus name. Hey man.

Related Media

Related Sermons