Keep It Simple

Introduction

Cooking, new recipe called for wine, overwhelmed by the number of different kinds of wine…

Remember the KISS Principle? Keep It Simple & Straightforward… Sometimes we overcomplicate life, and especially overthink sharing Jesus with others. We make it so complex and difficult, it becomes unachievable— “I could never do that.”

As he closed his letter to the Church in Colossae, Paul reminded them of the KISS Principle. He gave them two final and simple instructions. Now, simple doesn’t mean easy but rather uncomplicated.

Subject: Two important instructions for living as Christians and sharing Jesus with others from Colossians 4:2-6 (NIV).

Body

Devote yourself to prayer. Continue steadfastly in prayer (Col 4:2-4).

Exposition

Prayer is the most basic, important, and foundational practice you can do as a Christian. It is the most significant thing we can do as a church.

Three ways to pray

Watchful prayers (Col 4:2)… Not praying so that I can tell them I’m praying but praying because I believe God’s going to do something in their life.

Thankful prayers (Col 4:2)… If you woke up tomorrow and only had the things you thanked God for today, what would you have?

Missional prayers (Col 4:3-4)

Paul doesn’t pray for release from prison or even for protection but for (1) the opportunity to proclaim Christ and (2) the ability to speak the gospel clearly.

When was the last time you prayed for an opportunity to share Jesus with someone and for the wisdom to speak the gospel clearly?

Illustration: The success of a church is directly correlated to the prayers of its people… Prayer is the most significant thing we can do as a church. Prayer doesn’t help the ministry of the church; prayer is the ministry of the church.

Application: Insights from your prayers on Sep 24

Don’t just say, “I’ll pray for you.” Pray for them. A text from 9/24: Writing and texting our specific prayers for people. Not just “I’ll pray for you,” but what we’re praying exactly. Then, sharing a Bible verse or something about Jesus to back up the prayer. “God did this here, and I know he’s doing this for you,” etc.

Pray together. A text from 9/24: I think I heard practice with your church family - love each other and share with each other how we follow Christ.

Be wise toward outsiders. Walk in wisdom toward unbelievers (Col 4:5-6).

Make the most of every opportunity (Col 4:5).

Exposition

Be intentional. The difference between hospitality and Christian hospitality is Christ.

Be a Christian—show first. Don’t be embarrassed to be a Christian. You don’t have to be aggressive or awkward; but don’t be ashamed either.

Be ready—then tell. You don’t have to preach a sermon. Just be ready to tell someone, “Here’s why I’m a Christian…”

Illustration: I have a friend who coaches his kid’s little league team because he wants to (1) serve the community, (2) encourage kids and build them up, and (3) have opportunities to show and share the love of Jesus with others.

Application: One of the reasons we don’t practice hospitality is busyness. Is your life so full you don’t have room for others? (Or maybe your life is full because you’ve made room for others already.)

Let your conversation be always full of grace (Col 4:6).

Explanation

Is your speech seasoned or salty? Those lips you use to praise God… what other kinds of words do they say?

Salt brings out the best flavors in a meal. Jesus always brings out the best in us. So, use your words to add the flavor of Christ to a conversation and bring out the best in people.

Illustration: I had a friend in college, Scott Speer. Everyone loved Scott. Do you know why? Because Scott never made a conversation about himself. Scott used every opportunity to bring out the best in others. When you had a conversation with Scott, you left feeling like you were somebody important. And he wasn’t shy about telling someone who Jesus is. And people liked him so much, they listened.

Application: Half the reason why unbelievers don’t listen to Christians talk about Jesus is they don’t like us. And they don’t like us because we’re not very likable. We’re salty instead of seasoned.

Conclusion

Paul gives us two simple instructions. If we want to make a difference for Jesus, keep it simple.

Step 1: Pray.

Step 2: Be the first Christian your unbelieving friends like.

Make the most of every opportunity.

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.