Colossians 4:2-18

there are a million other things and places you could have chosen to be today but you put God first and chose to be here with us and for that thank you and praise God you listened to Him and came to your God ordained appointment here this morning

He has something for you

If you have been coming here for quite some time you noticed starting last week service was a little different as we put announcement time back in

Nolan loves to do the announcements.....it is one of his its.....turns his crank.....however since Nolan is in the hospital still recovering from his leg amputation I had been doing announcements at the beginning of the message but felt we needed to separate those two again

Thank you to Barb Gordon for doing the announcements until Nolan gets back. I will do them on Hymn Sundays so Barb can focus on worship

I understand that our facebook livestream last week quit working when James got up to preach. Our website worked just fine and I have that sermon on our website so if you missed it check it out. If you want to go back and listen again and catch something maybe you missed the first time feel free to do that either on our website cccnevadamo.org or on our app if you dont have the app go to wherever you get your apps and search cccnevadamo

I also want to welcome Ryan Watts and his family. Ryan will be preaching here on August 3rd and I invited him this week to get a feel for our service and to meet you guys

Before we finish up Colossians here this morning I want to say this......I am going to be preaching from the ESV this morning and in future mornings......as you know I go back and forth between KJV and ESV.....I still study out of the KJV for my secret place time but I guess starting at camp the first week of June I felt God pushing me to teach and preach out of the ESV as it is easier for those who are babes in Christ or who have yet to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior

I love the KJV but it can be hard for many to understand so I just feel the ESV is better suited to preach and teach out of at this point in time.

Today we finish the Colossians series.....we have been here for the past 9 weeks....I pray these last 10 weeks counting today have been beneficial to you

I pray you, through the Holy Spirit and obedience, have grown in maturity....moved further away from milk to meat......

I pray those already on meat have grown deeper in their understanding and relationship with Jesus this past 10 weeks as well.

That is always my prayer.....first the lost are saved and second that the saved are grown......leave them milk of salvation to the meat of obedience and discipleship

That is why we are going to start Romans here in a couple of weeks......growth.....working to become perfect....mature in Christ Jesus no matter where you are now each Sunday you grow in Christ and mature a little

Let’s Pray

If you would turn to Colossians 4 as that is where we will be this morning. We are going to work down through Colossians 4

Colossians 4:2

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Colossians 4:2 ESV

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Don’t quit praying

be persistent in prayer

dont allow time to dampen or weaken your faith

our time is not God’s time

God’s time is perfect

continue steadfastly in prayer

DONT QUIT PRAYING

I must admit my prayer life is not what it should be

At one point in my life and even in ministry I would go and do and move and pray God would bless it as I was moving

Now not so much but I feel that I take God for granted sometimes.....most of the time

I know He will deliver and I know He will give me a message so I, most of the time, start writing and not really trying to do it on my own but knowing God will lead and guide me so I dont stop to pray to Him as I should

prayer is not about being answered or not being answered

prayer is about relationship

talking to God

talking to your Father

talking to Dad

that is what it is about

sure God answers prayers and sometimes His answer is no and that is wonderful

Our job is to continue steadfastly in prayer and then be watchful

Watchful

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comes from a Greek word meaning to keep awake, be vigilant, watchful

are you watchful

how many times do you pray and never watch

I love how the Holy Spirit through Barb teaches this

Fingerprints of God.....testimony is what that is

Are you looking for God’s fingerprints in your life

they are there are you looking

are you watchful

are you awake

are you vigilant

or are you plagiarizing God.....taking God’s work and counting it as your own

Thanksgiving

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comes from a Greek word meaning gratitude, actively, grateful language to God as an act of worship

You cant keep what God does to yourself

First you must thank Him

truly thank Him

Look grateful language to God as an act of worship

Are you one being watchful for what God is doing in your life

and two using grateful language to God as an act of worship

That is what God tells you to do here in Colossians 4:2......are you being a doer.....if not I pray when invitation time comes you come to the altar and confess and repent and nail that past you.....that you that is not standing on scripture to the cross

This isnt just here in Colossians

Luke 18:1

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Luke 18:1 ESV

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

Pray and not lose heart.....continue steadfastly in prayer

Romans 12:12

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Romans 12:12 ESV

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Rejoice in Hope......JESUS

patient in tribulation....notice it doesnt say to pray for tribulation to end but to be patient in tribulation

so many times we want to just get out of tribulation and trials and troubles but that isnt Gods plan....it could be....those tribulations and trials and troubles may be there to bring you to your knees and back to God or to God for the first time

but usually they are there to teach lessons or are there just because we live in a fallen world....they are there and you and I are to be patient in them.....leaning on God to walk through them with us and deliver us from them when it is His time to do so

constant in prayer......as you are rejoicing in your hope of JESUS and as you are being patient in tribulations you are to be constant in prayer

Ephesians 6:18

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Ephesians 6:18 ESV

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Do you see it

Prayer must dominate your life....not just be a ritual you do before you eat and go to bed

it must be a lifestyle through the Holy Spirit as a child of God

before we leave prayer I believe this next scripture sums up prayer

I Thessalonians 5:17-18

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1 Thessalonians 5:17–18 ESV

pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Is that you

Is that your prayer life

If not you know what to do when the time comes this morning

Colossians 4:3

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Colossians 4:3 ESV

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—

Are you praying for me as your pastor

are you praying for me and Kenny as your elders

are you praying for your worship team

are you praying for those men who give communion each sunday

are you praying for your boss at work

are you praying for your local, state and federal governments and leaders

are you praying for missionaries and ministries throughout the world proclaiming the Gospel

There are men and women in prison all across the world for declaring the mystery of Christ!!!!!!

are you praying for them

Christianity is not a consumer driven lifestyle but a Holy Spirit inspired, action driven lifestyle

God mentions something here that we have discussed before.....if you have been in Men’s bible study we have discussed this at length at different points in our studies as well as from the pulpit but I believe it is important and needs to be discussed again

what is the mystery of Christ or the mystery of the Gospel

It is mentioned many times throughout the new testament....what is it

As is our custom lets turn to scripture for the answer

Ephesians 3:3-6

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Ephesians 3:3–6 ESV

how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

This is Spiritual

You will never gain this knowledge on your own......in fact it is much more than head knowledge it is heart knowledge

Look at how Paul is describing how He learned the Gospel......Revelation

Paul spent 3 years in the dessert following his salvation and we presume from this scripture and others that he spent that time with Jesus who was teaching him the gospel....teaching Him who He was.....

how long did Jesus spend with the disciples....that’s right 3 years

it appears that time spent with Jesus focusing on Him and His teachings is important

not three sundays

not three days

three years.....it takes time for Jesus to disciple you.....to grow you.....to move you from milk to meat

if you are not meeting Him each and every day you are missing out on relationship....time and relationship you can NEVER get back!

Here God gives us a definition of the mystery of Christ

Gentiles are fellow heirs

Jesus kicked the door down.....tore the curtain separating us from God

the separation between God and humans was no more thanks to Jesus and His blood shed for our sins

there was no more jew or gentile.....nothing matters but what you do with Jesus

Colossians 1:26-27

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Colossians 1:26–27 ESV

the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Again seeing the mystery hidden for ages and generations......the Bible speaks of had the enemy known

had the pharisees and saducess known the mystery of the Gospel they would have refused to kill Jesus that is in

I Corinthians 2:8

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1 Corinthians 2:8 ESV

None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

It was Gods plan for Christ to remain an mystery until it was time for Him to be revealed to us

How does one know

how does one be enlightened

first through the Holy Spirit because without the Holy Spirit that we are indwelled with at salvation the gospel is foolishness

I Corinthians 1:18

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1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

you see without Jesus

without the Holy Spirit

you are perishing and the word of the cross is folly

foolishness

useless to you

but those who are saved it is the power of God

Colossians 4:4

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Colossians 4:4 ESV

that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

Now notice that verses 2-3 were in preparation for verse 4

Colossians 4:2–3 ESV

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 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—

Paul knew he was not calling the shots

paul knew he was not in control

He knew who was GOD

and he knew how to access God....PRAYER

paul wanted to make sure everything he said was of God and the best way to do that is to pray and ask those you fellowship with....brothers and sisters in Christ to pray as well

do you have a decision to make

pray

then ask your brothers and sisters....your spiritual family to pray with you

are you praying for opportunities to spread the Gospel?

If not you are not standing on scripture

II Thessalonians 3:1

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2 Thessalonians 3:1 ESV

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you,

The Word of the Lord does the work

our prayer is for it to be delivered and those who receive it will honor it and respond to the Holy Spirit calling them to Jesus

Dont over complicate sharing the Gospel

it is usually not a sermon

my life application study bible says this

“befriending neighbors, greeting new people at church, sharing meals with non-Christian friends, often we make it too difficult on ourselves when we think of sharing our faith

Being with an easy question

What is your name

How was your day

Can I help you with that

Then listen for answers that reveal more about the persons needs than they may become open to a conversation about what you believe and why”

Everyday life

Do everyday life focused on Jesus and be prepared to give an answer for the hope that you have in this dark world

so many are hopeless in this world and are desperate for hope....you have hope.....you have Jesus live your life in such a sold out way to Jesus they have to ask what makes you different then you share about Him

Colossians 4:5

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Colossians 4:5 ESV

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

Be smart

look for opportunities to share the Gospel

Use your time wisely and take advantage of those opportunities

Here is the thing......people dont care about what you know or what you say until they know that you care about them and care about whatever it is you are saying

how do they know you care about Jesus and the Word

You live it out in obedience

Ephesians 5:15-21

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Ephesians 5:15–21 ESV

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Is that you?

Does your life match scripture or are you trying to twist scripture to match your life

I want to spend just a moment here

Today, as with back then, substance abuse is running wild

are you drunk....intoxicated....under the influence of drugs...alcohol is a drug

are you turning to a substance instead of a Creator

How can you share the Gospel when you are high or drunk?

You can but it is doing more damage than good… be wise not unwise

if you are dealing with an issue from the worlds perspective or ways you are not dealing with it in Gods perspective or way

Colossians 4:6

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Colossians 4:6 ESV

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Not only must you live out the gospel in your life with gratitude and thanksgiving and worship but your words matter

kindness matters

especially when sharing the Gospel with people

Respect others

try to find a common ground and go from there

Conversations have eternal impact either the Holy Spirit is using that conversation to draw them to Jesus or if they are saved to grow them in Christ

Your words matter

Ecclesiastes 10:12

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Ecclesiastes 10:12 ESV

The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

What makes a persons mount wise......God’s Word

If you speak from you

if you speak from the world

if you speak from sin

you are a fool and it will consume you

if you speak from God’s Word

If you speak through the Holy Spirit you will be wise and your mouth will win you favor

Church this is very important

God cares about your words

God cares about your saltiness

Mark 9:50

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Mark 9:50 ESV

Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Salt

God’s Word

Christian maturity

Surrendering to the Holy Spirit

Salt seasons......wise words add to every situation and circumstance but words without salt......foolish words destroy situations and circumstances

I Peter 3:15

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1 Peter 3:15 ESV

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,

Here is what this boils down to

where the rubber meets the road

You can say the truth....be spot on with interpretation and everything but say it wrong and do just as much damage as if you lied

Do you honor Christ the Lord as holy in your heart

Do your words honor Christ the Lord as holy

If you have to justify what you are saying and how you are saying it you are probably wrong

What it is just the truth

You wanted the truth didnt you

I am not responsible for their reaction

All of those things are true but they are usually used in justification of your words causing someone to be very upset or they are a cover....you are saying something you know you shouldnt

you are saying it in a way that you know you shouldnt

but since you justified it, that makes it okay right

WRONG

sin is sin is sin

no amount of justification

no amount of cover up

no amount of glorification can change the fact that God defines right and wrong and your opinion about it doesnt matter

either you agree or disagree but you have no choice but to follow God’s way

whatever God says is wrong is wrong and there is nothing you can do to change that or make that wrong right

Colossians 4:7-9

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Colossians 4:7–9 ESV

Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

Fellowship

Talking and updating about ministry

These folks were sent by Paul so that the Colossians and the Laodiceans would know how Paul and company are doing and to encourage those hearing the update

This is one reason I am so excited to have Juliet back on the 10th because she is bringing an update on her ministry in Kenya

She is telling us what God is doing in Kenya

A first hand report so that we can be encouraged and praise God together for how good He is!!!!!!!

When we gather we should be eager to tell of what God is doing in our lives

When we gather we should be just as eager to hear about what God is doing in others lives

Our conversations here should be filled with testimony about what God is doing and His great works!!!!!!

God never stops working so if we havent seen God’s great works in our lives we aren’t looking and are disconnected from God

Colossians 4:10-14

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Colossians 4:10–14 ESV

Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.

There are many with Paul doing God’s work

Aristarchus a fellow prisoner.....he is physically in chains with Paul

Mark...this is the gospel writer

Jesus called Justus

The scripture mentions these were Jews converted to Christianity

Epaphras who was a Colossian...one of you....in fact many believe he is the one who founded the Colossian church....he was also always struggling on their behalf

What does that mean to struggle on their behalf

It is fervent prayers for them

praying passionately for them and their struggles

showing just how much He loved them by constantly and passionately praying for them

Do you struggle on behalf of your brothers and sisters here at CCC

Colossians 4:15-16

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Colossians 4:15–16 ESV

Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

Praying for other churches

Do you pray for other churches

Do you pray other Bible preaching and Bible teaching churches.......when one wins we all win as we are the same

one bride

one body

one church

We are not competition we are family

pray for other churches daily

Colossians 4:17

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Colossians 4:17 ESV

And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

What is the ministry that he was to fulfill

Encouragement

he was to fulfill the ministry of encouragement

So many times we are focused on us

so many times we are focused on our ministry

and because of that self-centered focus we miss opportunities to encourage others

we miss opportunities to motivate others to carry out their God given ministries

That is part of the fellowship

Encouragement

Edification

Rebuking

Hebrews 10:23-25

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Hebrews 10:23–25 ESV

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

We will deal with this much more deeply next week but look at what God is telling us

First we gather to hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering

how many times do you not come to church because your situation or circumstances suck

you are hurting

you are broken

you are wounded so you stay away from church

that is the opposite of what God says to do

no you hold fast to the confession of your hope......the hope that Jesus is who He says He is and that you are safe and secure in Him so no matter what is happening in or around you

good

bad

ugly

you gather to show you are not wavering in your hope

when you stay way from church because of bad things happening around your or to you they you are wavering in your hope

Look at what we are to do when we gather

Stir Up

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from greek word meaning incitement, provoke unto

Good Works

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from greek word meaning toil, an act, deed, labor, work, doing

Have you stirred up anyone to good works this morning

if not shame on you that is one reason we gather

You and I are called to stir each other up to do the works God has created for us to do

This is one reason you are here

you are not a consumer

coming to church to get or be served

this is not a service to consume

No you come to encourage one another....all the more as you see the Day approaching

There is no doubt sings of the end times......not for clarification the end times started when Jesus ascended to heaven so we have been in the end times for almost 2000 years

also remember that to God a day is a thousand years and a thousand years a day so we could be in end times for another 4000 years or Jesus could return before this service ends today

You and I as Christians are not to be scared of what we are seeing

no we are to be energized

we are to be motivated

we are to have an increased urgency and intensity because time is short

Encourage one another

the fruit of that ministry is lives changed by the Holy Spirit and lives saved by Jesus for eternity

Is your fruit present?

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