PRAYED UP & POURED OUT
COLOSSIANS • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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REFLECTION TEXT: PS 84 1-2, 8-12
SERMON TEXT: COL 4.2-6
HOW DO WE KNOW WHEN WE’RE PRAYED UP?
not that we’ll ever be done praying…
…consider that Jesus talked to His Father while He was dying on the cross for our sins.
?What’s the evidence that we’re moving toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus?
?How do we know we’re in God’s will?
? AFTER WE’VE PRAYED WHAT THE BIBLE DIRECTS US TO PRAY, WHAT NEXT?
Here’s a question: what’s on Paul’s heart…what’s his big ask of the Colossians while he’s finishing up his letter to them?
HOW DOES HE WANT THEM TO PRAY?
HOW WILL WE KNOW HE’S ANSWERED?
HOW WILL WE SEE FRUIT?
—-
Well, I have preached this text before, and it has shaped me greatly in praying evangelistIcally, and Lord willing, producing fruit that will remain, here we are at Colossians 4:2-6 in our study of Colossians.
For those of you that have not had the privilege of hearing me compelled believers to pray this way I will spend a few moments dealing with the actual prayer request, but today I’d like to bring the emphasis to what’s before and after it.
There is meat on the bone here for a call a prayer.
And there is meat on the bone here for how to live when you get up off your knees.
1. THE PRAYER’S CONVICTION.
1. THE PRAYER’S CONVICTION.
Praying like we’ve been touched BY God.
Praying like we LOVE God.
Praying like we KNOW God.
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Continuing - Pray without ceasing (1 Thes 5:17)
REMEMBER DANIEL (Daniel 6)
10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.
Persevering/Steadfast (1 Cor 15.58) Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
Proskartereo - (Pro-Skah-Teh-DAY-oh) be earnest towards “continue steadfastly”
Our confidence is not in our love for him, which is frail, fickle and faltering, but in his love for us, which is steadfast, faithful and persevering.
John Robert Walmsley Stott (English Preacher)
The Quaker Thomas Kelly said in his Testament of Devotion:
There is a way of ordering our mental life on more than one level at once. On one level we can be thinking, discussing, seeing, calculating, meeting all the demands of external affairs. But deep within, behind the scenes, at a profounder level, we may also be in prayer and adoration, song and worship, and a gentle receptiveness to divine breathings.
The delightful medieval monk Brother Lawrence wrote in the classic The Practice of the Presence of God
The time of business does not differ with me from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were on my knees.2
Notice the 2 characteristics of our prayer.
Watchful - not sleeping at the wheel (Matt 26.40)
What are you looking for when you pray?
WHAT HAPPENS IF GOD SAYS YES TO YOUR PRAYER?
If God says YES…how will His name be glorified?
If God says YES…how will the enemy LOSE GROUND in the battle for souls?
If God says YES…how will the Gospel message advance?
If God says YES…how will God’s heart be displayed where you live, work, and play?
BE WATCHING FOR GOD TO WORK!
ON HIS TERMS
FOR HIS GLORY
AS HE LAVISHES HIS LOVE ON YOU
HUDSON TAYLOR ILLUSTRATION:
There is a great story that comes from the life of Hudson Taylor.
There was a mission station that was particularly blessed in the China Inland Mission, far above the others.
There seemed to be no accounting for this, because others were equal in devotion and in ability.
Hudson Taylor was traveling and speaking in England, and after a meeting a man came up and began to ask him about that particular station.
Then he began to ask many personal questions. It turned out that the man had been the college roommate of the missionary at that station many years earlier, and he had committed himself to daily praying for the work there.
Hudson Taylor said, “Then I knew the answer.”
Thanksgiving:
Into His Presence: Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; -Ps 95:2.
Entering His Gates: Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! - Ps 100:4.
HOW CAN WE BE ANYTHING BUT THANKFUL?
THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE…KNEW YOU BY NAME.
SAW YOUR SIN.
SENT HIS SON.
SHOWERED YOU WITH HIS LOVE.
SHEPHERDED YOU TO THE CROSS AND THE EMPTY TOMB.
SAVED YOU TO THE UTTERMOST AS YOU REPENTED AND BELIEVED THE GOSPEL.
SENT HIS HOLY SPIRIT TO INDWELL YOU; TO FILL YOU; TO EMPOWER YOU; TO PRAY WITH YOU; TO LIVE THROUGH YOU!
SUPPLIED YOUR EVERY NEED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN CHRIST JESUS.
SECURED A PLACE FOR YOU IN HEAVEN!
SETTING YOU UP TO RULE & REIGN WITH HIM FOR ALL ETERNITY.
SOON RETURNING TO MAKE ALL THINGS NEW!
HOW COUD WE BE ANYTHING BUT THANKFUL.
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
This is the third time Paul has mentioned being thankful to the Colossians. He’s writing this from a Roman prison – likely in a pit, chained to a Roman guard - Jesus really is that good!
CONTINUE - If you haven’t begun…start today! Pray through the Psalms.
STEADFASTLY - Don’t give up!
WATCHFUL - Pray…ask God for great things, so that…
with THANKSGIVING - The God of all glory has invited you to the throne of Grace!
TEXT: Col 4.3
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—
2. THE PRAYER’S CONTENT
2. THE PRAYER’S CONTENT
for the advance of God’s Kingdom!
what we pray matters
what’s your, so that…
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.
Lord, Open A Door (v3 “…that God may open to us a door for the word…” )
Look for the opportunity without being opportunistic
The Opportunity can come through a myriad of ways. #TimingIsEverything…almost
Pain, Celebration, Crisis, Right Time/Right Place, QUESTION, Current Events
Lord, Open Their Hearts (v3 “…to declare the mystery of Christ…”)
The Holy Spirit must work in the hearts of those who will respond to the Gospel
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.“ -Jn 6:44.
“he (The Holy Spirit) will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. “-Jn 16:8–11.
that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Lord, Open My Mouth (v4 “…that I may make it clear, which how I ought to speak.” )
Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” -1 Co 2:12–14.
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? -Ro 10:14.
Summary: All 3 of these are essential ingredients in a successful and fruitful Gospel encounter.
There's no use sharing without an opportunity (Open Door) to share.
If the door's not open, you can't force entry
There will be no fruit without an Open Heart touched by the Holy Spirit to be receptive to the glorious Gospel.
Everything can point to a particular moment. We can say, "surely this is it!" But a response is required.
And until someone uses words (Open Mouth), there is nothing to respond to. Nature and Conscience are not enough.
This may be the hardest for some in the room. The first word is always the hardest. Remember, we're not selling a good - a philosophy - a way of life...we are introducing them to the person of Jesus Christ - the lover of their souls.
SO, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE’RE PRAYED UP?
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD’S PEOPLE BEGIN TO PRAY THE HEART OF GOD…EXPECTING GOD TO MOVE AND EMPOWER?
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE PRAY ABOUT THE PEOPLE AT THE TOP OF OUR LIST WHO AREN’T CHRISTIANS YET?
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE CATCH A GLIMPSE OF THE 150K+ DYING EVERY DAY without Jesus AND WE CONCLUDE A SERVICE…like this one today…WITH JESUS’ PRAYER:
2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
Look at the text:
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.
3. THE PRAYER’S CONSEQUENCE
3. THE PRAYER’S CONSEQUENCE
WALKING THIS OUT, like we’re committed to the world.
Results in movement of our own “Walk”
Reinforces our mission: “in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best of the time”
WISDOM
WISDOM IS NOT SIMPLY KNOWLEDGE, OR EVEN HUMAN LIFE EXPERIENCE, BUT A GIFT FROM THE LORD!
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
WISDOM: Being wise to our surroundings is not a license to become cultural critics and cynics. In the midst of a culture that is volatile and hostile, the gospel of grace should be reinforced through the kind and compassionate tone in which we communicate.
BEST USE OF THE TIME / REDEEMING THE TIME / MAKE THE MOST OF THE OPPORTUNITY
So many of us spend so much time on so few KINGDOM PRIORITIES
TIME IS NOT ON OUR SIDE…BUT THE LORD IS!
LIVE WITH THE END IN MIND!
LIVE LIFE BACKWARDS!
Picture yourself around the throne of God in Heaven.
What crowns / treasures do you hope to lay at his feet?
What family members, neighbors, co-workers, friends, do you hope to see around you?
Regulates our speech “gracious, seasoned with salt”
describes the winsome nature of our speech.
DIFFERENT from the world (cf. Matt 5:13)
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
INVITES OTHERS “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps 34:8).
ANSWER EACH PERSON? Reminds us of our roles as Ambassadors for Christ “…how we ought to answer each person”
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
It would seem that the Holy Spirit has Paul writing to / about ordinary Christians here. NOT street preachers, evangelists, or vocational minister ONLY.
“The reality of Kingdom-focused praying brings a great harvest in the fields, and in our daily walk!”
Conclusion
Conclusion
God invites us to pray. God commands us to pray. God loves when we pray. He loves it so much that Scripture is full of explicit and implicit instructions on how and when to pray (as well as how not to...)
When we pray with watchfulness and thanksgiving…it reveals that we are LOVE AND NEED GOD!
When we realize we can’t fulfill the great commission alone, we PREPARE TOGETHER! with accountability and prayer.
When we point toward the outside…we set out to leave the building…when we endeavor, by God’s spirit and through His power to PURUSE HIS PLAN, HIS MISSION - TO put into practice what we are being equipped to do: we are fulfilling our COMMITMENT TO THE WORLD!
We will walk the walk - toward those outside the faith IN LOVE with a HOPE-FILLED agenda to tell them of Jesus with gentleness and respect!
We will talk the talk - with a watch over our lips and a guard over our tongue, we will confess with grace and truth, the person of Jesus Christ.
If we are serious about being committed to God as individuals and a church...IF WE LONG TO FOLLOW JESUS AND LOVE, SERVE, AND PRAY LIKE HE DID...
Then it will affect WHAT & HOW WE PRAY - less about us and more about His KingdomWhat happens as we pray this way!
It will affect the way we "COVENANT”/COMMIT TO ONE ANOTHER. We will lean on one another for strength (not just to survive the day - YOU WERE MADE FOR MORE THAN SURVIVAL!)…strength to be about our Father’s business! It will affect the way we invest our lives…our time, our talent, our resources with one another so that we might do the work of ministry TOGETHER!
It will affect the way we ACTUALLY DO THE WORK! We WILL WALK AND TALK like a people who have been with Jesus!
What are you waiting for?
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
IT’S TIME!
The truth is…it either is or it isn’t. It’s easy to become fans of nice church services, good theology, and biblical community…without doing anything about it.
I’ve come to encourage you today…TO GET ON WITH IT! You are never more anti-God than when you willfully disobey the revealed Word of God.
The church has many organizers, but few agonizers;
many who pay, but few who pray;
many resters, but few wrestlers;
many who are enterprising, but few who are interceding...
In the matter of effective praying, never have so many left so much to so few. Brethren, let us pray” (Leonard Ravenhill).
INVITATION/CALL TO RESPONSE:
INVITATION/CALL TO RESPONSE:
1. Not a Christian:
* Are there circumstances in your life that are too important to brush off? Could the Lord be opening doors in your life so that you might come to know him and the power of His resurrection?
* The writer of Colossians was a Christian-hating, Jesus-bashing, know-it-all...until he surrendered total control of his life to Christ.
* Is your heart open today? Are you at least intrigued about coming to know a God who made you, knows everything about you...
Today is an open door - come as you are, leave different.
You're a Christian
who needs to pray specifically...
who forces entry (You earn the right be be heard by sincerely listening to others)
who has been quick to speak...but not really depending on the Spirit
who needs to see some fruit in your own life from Kingdom-focused praying
(end)
Set aside time each day to pray specifically for the people in your life that aren’t Christians yet.
Pray their hearts to be open to the gospel.
Create a visible reminder in your home, like a prayer journal, where you write down their names and any updates you notice.
This not only keeps them in your prayers but allows you to see God's work in their lives as you share your faith with them through your actions.
Lord, Open a Door.
Lord, Open their Heart.
Lord, Open my mouth!
BENEDICTION
English Standard Version Chapter 5
23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
