Life in Christ (11)

Prayer filled living…

Working together

Prayer is our “lifeline” to God. We can’t live a victorious life in Christ if we have no contact with our Lord.

Jesus said, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing.”

Right from an early age, we start to press the boundaries for independence, and yet we need to learn to become dependent on the Lord.

We need to get our instructions from our commanding officer. We can’t see the big picture, but there is One, who knows the beginning from the end. He knows what we have need of even before we ask.

This morning, I want to remind you that there is power in prayer.

Ephesians 6:18 NIV

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Each day as we prepare for battle, let’s put on the weapons that God gives us...

Ephesians 6:13–17 NIV

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

But let’s not forget the weapon of prayer.

Let’s read our Scripture,

Colossians 4:2–6 NIV

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Devote yourselves to prayer...

Life Application New Testament Commentary An Encouragement for Prayer / 4:2–6

To devote themselves to prayer meant that they should be persistent and unwilling to give up even though their prayers may seem to go unanswered.

Mark 11:23–24 NIV

“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Jesus wants you to know that He wants to answer your prayers. When we pray, it’s not in your authority that you pray, it’s in the name of Jesus.

John 14:12–14 NIV

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

So when we pray in Jesus’ name there is power, because He has all authority in Heaven and on Earth.

Can you ask anything?

Jesus said that you can ask anything, but I want to make something very clear...

What is the purpose of your prayer? If you come to God with proper motives, and pray according to His will, His plan, His purpose, He will answer.

The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray.

Matthew 6:9–13 NKJV

In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Sometimes when our faith is weak, we might say, “Your will be done...” As Christians, we can pray with authority in Jesus’ name when we pray according to His Word. Heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s word will not.

Let’s not put confidence in the eloquence of our words; let’s put our confidence in the power and authority that comes in the name of Jesus. Here’s our confidence:

1 John 5:14–15 NIV

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

Devote yourselves to prayer. Be persistent in prayer. Don’t give up quickly. Press in like the persistent widow.

We serve a God who is not only able, He is also compassionate, and abounds in mercy.

In our prayer lives, we need to

Be watchful and thankful...

To be effective in prayer, we need to pay attention to what’s going on around us.

Ephesians 5:15–17 NIV

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

We live in this world but we are not of this world. Let’s be aware and alert as to what is going on around us so that we can pray prayers that avail much.

James 5:16 NIV

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Not only should we be watchful as we pray, we need to be watching for the return of the Lord.

Titus 2:11–13 NIV

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Paul asks for his brothers and sisters in Christ to pray.

Pray for us too...

Colossians 4:3–4 NIV

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

Each of us need prayer. We need to pray for each other, and we need to pray for those that preach the gospel.

When you pray, I believe that God blesses your prayers. I appreciate it when you pray for me also.

Pray prayers for anointing! Pray prayers of protection!

1 Peter 5:8 NLT

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

There are pastors, evangelists, missionaries, and many who are in spiritual leadership that need your prayers.

As you pray, God moves! We have not because we ask not.

Let’s pray for each other that as we speak that the Holy Spirit would give us words that changes lives and brings glory to the Father.

Prayer leads to action.

Paul says

Make the most of every opportunity

Colossians 4:5 NLT

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

How do we live each day? Do we put off for tomorrow something that we could have done today?

Do we pay attention to how we live around others, non-christians?

The devil will look for an opportunity to ruin our testimony if he can. With this in mind, let’s make the most of every opportunity.

If Holy Spirit is putting somebody on your heart, don’t put it off. Ask for opportunity. Ask for boldness and the words to speak to bring glory to Jesus’ name.

Colossians 4:6 NIV

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

In ancient times, salt was a valuable resource.

Salt preserves. It brings flavour. It brings purity. A little salt makes people thirsty.

There can be times that we add salt, but forget to be full of grace. Jesus was full of grace and truth. We can’t change without the truth, but we need grace to empower us to change.

Being shown our sin and our weakness can open our eyes that we need help, but without the Holy Spirit’s power working in us, we can’t do the things we are called to do or become the people God wants us to become.

As we close the book of Colossians, or for that matter many of the epistles, many people are mentioned.

At the end of the message, I’d like for us to break up into groups, and pray for each other. Before we do this I want to close with an encouragement that we need each other.

Working together...

The apostles couldn’t have preached the word without appointing deacons to take care of the needs of the people. There were widows in Jerusalem that had needs, but it takes people working together to accomplish the work of the gospel.

Let’s read the last verses of Colossians. Remember that Paul was under house arrest.

Colossians 4:7–18 NIV

Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.” I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

As you have noticed, there were many that Paul mentioned in his closing comments. You are part of the body of Christ, the church. We need each of you serving where God has gifted and calls you to serve.

Sometimes we might think that nobody notices, and in part that can be true, but God does notice. He sees what is done in secret and He will reward you.

Many times it can be hard to receive praise, but there are times that we need to honour where honour is due. Many in this church serve the Lord faithfully, whether in cleaning, or greeting, or working in the kitchen, stacking chairs, leading in worship, leading a department, giving, and the list can go on and on.

Thanks for all you do, and may you experience all of God’s blessings in your life as you serve.

Let’s break up in groups and spend some time praying for each other this morning.