Prayer & Practicality
Notes
Transcript
Today we come to an end to our Colossians series. I hope to finish Chapter 4 today. It has been an honor and a privilege to study this wonderful book with you and see the wonder of Christ and who He is and what He has done for us! I’m so thankful that you’ve been able to take this journey with me.
Lord willing next week we will begin a series that will lead us to Easter and then after that I want to share a series from 2 Thessalonians regarding “Living in the Last Days.” It’s going to be a great Spring here at Meadowbrook and I look forward to what the Lord is going to do in our hearts and lives.
With that said lets turn to Colossians 4 together and see what Paul wants to talk about as he wraps up his thoughts to the Colossian church. We see that one thing he mentions is having...
A Devoted Prayer Life (vv. 2-4, 12)
A Devoted Prayer Life (vv. 2-4, 12)
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
As Paul begins his final comments to the Church at Colossae he admonishes the believers to “continue earnestly in prayer.” The Greek word for “continue” stresses devoting time to something. Max Anders says this stresses the DILIGENCE of one’s prayer life. We are to give “CONSTANT ATTENTION” to prayer.
The early church was DEVOTED to this kind of prayer
All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
Paul told the church at Thessalonica to
pray without ceasing,
Prayer is not a parachute for emergencies. Prayer is a consistent practice and exercise we diligently practice because we realize the UPMOST importance of staying in constant communion with our Heavenly Father.
Paul further emphasizes this concept by including the term “vigilant.” This is the same Greek word that Jesus used in the Garden of Gethsemane when he told His disciples to “WATCH” and pray!
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
It carries with it the idea of being “SPIRITUALLY ALERT.”
It’s also the same Greek word that Peter uses in 1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Satan loves to DEVOUR…He has come to STEAL, KILL, and to DESTROY and sometimes he uses false teachers to do that! Believers must be AWARE of the devices and tactics the enemy uses to “tantalize” and to “deceive” them.
Notice that Paul also encourages the Colossians to demonstrate THANKFULNESS in their prayers
Thankful Prayer (v. 2)
Thankful Prayer (v. 2)
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
Prayer is not an opportunity to give God our “wish list.” Prayer is an opportunity to express our GRATITUDE to Him for WHO He is and WHAT He has already done and what He has PROMISED to do! Throughout the book of Colossians Paul has encourage the Colossians to be THANKFUL people! He urged it in Chapter 2 (see v. 6) and also in Chapter 3 (see v. 15) and now again in Chapter 4.
Paul also mentions this in Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Another important aspect of prayer is...
Intercessory Prayer
Intercessory Prayer
Note once again Colossians 4:3
meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,
Paul pleaded with the Colossians believers to PRAY for him and his team. He wanted the Colossians to PRAY PURPOSEFULLY! Pray SPECIFICALLY!
Someone said:
The purpose of prayer is not to get man’s will done in heaven, but to get God’s will done on earth....Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance; it is laying hold of His willingness.
What does Paul encourage them to intercede for?
For Evangelism (vv. 3-4)
For Evangelism (vv. 3-4)
Notice again Colossians 4:3-4
meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
Paul asks them to pray for God to:
OPEN A DOOR FOR THE WORD
TO SPEAK THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST
TO REVEAL CHRIST IN SUCH A WAY AS HE OUGHT TO SPEAK
Let’s be reminded where Paul is when he is writing this letter…He is in prison!
If you and I were writing this letter, under the influence of our flesh, we may have written…PRAY THAT I CAN HURRY UP AND GET OUT OF HERE…but Paul simply wanted to be a good representative of Jesus so that the mystery of Christ would be clear and plain to those who desperately needed to know Jesus! Warren Wiersbe said:
It was more important to Paul that he be a faithful minister than a free man
The Colossians were PARTNERS in MINISTRY with Paul just like you and I are to be PARTNERS IN MINISTRY with the missionaries we support and pray for each and every week.
Not only did he ask them to pray for successful evangelistic outreach, but he also asked them to pray for discipleship.
For Discipleship (vv. 12-13)
For Discipleship (vv. 12-13)
Notice Colossians 4:12-13
Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
In the closing parts of his letter Paul mentions several people that were blessings to him and co-laborers with him in ministry. Epaphras was one of those people. He was what we might call a “PRAYER WARRIOR.” He “labored fervently for [the Colossians] in prayers.
Notice he was praying for the Colossians to “STAND PERFECT AND COMPLETE IN ALL THE WILL OF GOD!”
That’s what discipleship is all about! It’s so that we will grow into COMPLETE believers who KNOW and DO God’s will!
We need more people like Epaphras. He was a believer. But he understood the importance and priority of prayer as it related to discipleship. It’s interesting that the phrase translated “laboring fervently for you in prayers” is the Greek word that meant TO FIGHT, TO STRUGGLE as in a fight or athletic contest.
He spiritually went to BATTLE for the Colossian believers!
WE NEED SOME FOLKS WHO WILL GO TO BATTLE ON BEHALF OF THE MINISTRY AND THE MEMBERS OF MEADOWBROOK CHURCH SO THAT WE ALL WE STAND PERFECT AND COMPLETE IN ALL THE WILL OF GOD!
Now we will move from prayer to practicality. Prayer is vital, prayer is foundational, prayer is of utmost importance…but God also expects us to demonstrate faith and action as a result of our trust and faith in Him.
A Wise Practical Life
A Wise Practical Life
As we look at this wise practical life, notice Paul’s admonition found in Colossians 4:5-6
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Concerned about Those Who are Without (vv. 5-6)
Concerned about Those Who are Without (vv. 5-6)
We are not to be only consumed with the body of Christ—His Church, but we are also to be concerned about those who are OUTSIDE the body of Christ.
Paul first says that as believers we need to “WALK IN WISDOM” toward those that are without.
When Paul uses the term walk, he is almost always, if not always referring to our “CONDUCT OF LIFE.”
Paul put it this way in 1 Thessalonians 4:12
so that you may behave properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.
Wiersbe said this about this passage:
The unsaved outsiders watch us Christians and are very critical of us. There must be nothing in our lives that would jeopardize our testimony.
Dr. Will Houghton was a pastor in NYC in the 1940’s and the story goes that one of his enemies hired a private investigator to follow Dr. Houghton and try to do all he can to find dirt on him.
After a few weeks of following Dr. Houghton the PI realize he practiced what he preached and he himself, became a Christian!
What if a PI was hired to follow your life and observe your conduct. What if they were able to access your internet searches and history. Would they be able to say about you...”That person WALKED in WISDOM?”
Not only do we need to have a Christlike walk, but we also need to have a CHRISTLIKE TALK.
Notice again Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Max Anders said:
For the sharing of the message of Christ to be effective, the wise walk must be accompanied with flavorful talk. The believer’s talk is to be gracious, rather than gruff, and charming, rather than coarse.
But what in the world does it mean that our speech should be “seasoned with salt.” In the ancient world salt was used for two main purposes. First, it was used as a preservative to keep away corruption and decay. It was also used as it’s often used today, as an additive, to add flavor.
That’s the way our speech should be as a believer. Our words shouldn’t be full of corruption and decay, but rather sprinkle blessings and flavor into people’s lives…especially to those who do not know Christ!
He also mentions something similar to what Peter said in
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
And we are to all of this toward the “outsiders” while “redeeming the time.” We are to try to make the MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY to be a witness!
Notice what Paul says next as we move to Colossians 4:7-11
Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
Comforting Those Who are Within (vv. 7-11)
Comforting Those Who are Within (vv. 7-11)
In this section Paul mentions several people who were important to him and who had been a blessing to him.
Tychicus for instance was referred to by Paul as a “beloved brother” and a “fellow servant” in the Lord.
He was sending Tychicus to them to “COMFORT THEIR HEARTS” and to also send a report back to Paul about how the Colossians were doing. This word can also mean to “ENCOURAGE” and “CONSOLE.”
Paul was genuinely concerned about the Colossians well being and wanted to make sure they stayed ENCOURAGED even though they were surrounded by false teachings.
He also mentions ONESIMUS. Most likely this was the runaway slave that is mentioned in the book of Philemon.
He reminds the Colossians that even though he may not have the same “social status” as many of them did, he was ONE OF THEM.
I’m glad to know that in the family of God there are not BIG YOUS and LITTLE “I’s.” We are ALL PRECIOUS IN GOD’S SIGHT and that brings me great comfort as well!
In verses 10-11 Paul mentions as few other people who had been a COMFORT to him: Aristarchus (a fellow prisoner with Paul), Mark, Justus (also known as Jesus)…Paul calls these men his “fellow workers.”
One last thing that I notice is the fact Paul emphasizes...
Companionship (vv. 12-14)
Companionship (vv. 12-14)
Note Colossians 4:12-14
Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
All of the people that he mentions in the final section, beginning in verse 7, either have been or currently are Paul’s COMPANIONS!
God never intended the Christian life to be lived in ISOLATION. He intended for us to have RELATIONSHIPS and to FELLOWSHIP with one another!
In these closing verses Paul mentions the PRAYERS of Epaphras that we talked about earlier.
He mentions Luke and Demas (unfortunately Demas would forsake Paul). He mentions Nymphas and the church that is in his house.
If the GREAT APOSTLE PAUL recognized his need for godly companions, who are we to think we don’t need godly friends and encouragers in our lives?
As we close the book of Colossians today I really want to challenge you with these closing thoughts:
Have a Devoted Prayer Life
Have a Devoted Prayer Life
If you don’t know what to pray for or who to pray for let me give you a few ideas:
Pray for yourself to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus
Pray for your fellow Christians that they might grow in their faith and boldness to share the Gospel
Pray for the missionaries that are planting churches in North America and around the world.
Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to be upon your life and family.
Pray for your community.
Pray for that one person you are desperate to see get right with God.
Pray for open doors to share the Good News of Jesus and your testimony of how He changed your life.
Pray for unity in your family and church family.
Seek to Live a Wise, Practical Life that Brings Glory to God in Everything You Do!
Seek to Live a Wise, Practical Life that Brings Glory to God in Everything You Do!
Seek out Godly Friends and Seek to be a Godly Friend
Seek out Godly Friends and Seek to be a Godly Friend