Living Wisely, Speaking Gracefully [Col. 4:1-6]

INTRODUCTION

Those who have been born again now live for Christ and willingly accept the commission to go and reach the world for Him. Our conduct and our conversation will greatly impact our effectiveness in attracting others to Him. God wants us to share the good news with others and to live the Christian life in harmony with the message we give. This is a sacred responsibility. God has ordained that His family should win others to Himself. God desires to use us! We are fully equipped by God to carry out this task. It is our joy to be about our Master’s business. He works thru us. The work is sure of success when done as He directs, and by His power.

TODAY’S AIM

Facts: to see the marching orders we have been given from God for our life here on earth

Principle: to follow God’s orders is superior to any other approach to life.

Application: to think through and apply God’s principles in our daily activities

EXPOSITION

If you look back at Colossians 3, there were instructions to wives, husbands, children, fathers, and servants. No one is left out and these instructions come naturally out of the teachings on how to live as a Christian. Here in our text this morning, where now the author, whom we believe was Paul, are instructions on how to reach others with the message of Christ-that message of salvation. This is why this letter is to the church at Colossae, because like us today, they had different personalities, relationships and opportunities-with a unique opportunity to impact the world for Christ and this is an assignment that Jesus gives us all, and equips us all to do!!

I. The duty of equal treatment [v.1]

Most of us have met believers who inadvertently come to believe that God is their servant. I think because we serve a Savior who blesses us so much, there is an expectation for blessings all the time, that our selfish prayers would always be answered, and that life would go our way day in and day out!! Some times we feel so privileged in the Lord that we have these expectations: to be recognized and praised on a regular basis, there’s an expectation that the Lord will always keep others from hurting our feelings or offending us-while being a blessing to others or sharing our faith with others takes a backseat.

Given the widespread nature of slavery in ancient times, and Paul’s concern not to inflame the the roman authorities-the apostle did not call for a massive slave revolt. Still, the bible condemns slavery since slavery constitutes theft of the slave’s labor. Thru the influence of Christianity, slavery has been outlawed in many places in the world today. Given those considerations, we are not surprised by Paul’s admonition that believing masters are to treat their servants justly and fairly.

So for the bosses and supervisors in the house, we ought to treat our employees as well as we treat others. Just as we may be bosses, we too are accountable to our Master!!!

II. The duty to pray [v.2-4]

Paul had laid out some high standards for the Colossian church. The only way they would be able to live out what Paul had taught them was to continually be in prayer to the Lord. Praying w/o ceasing-understanding that we depend on the Lord for all things!! We ought to be vigilant; watchful and alert; having a constant awareness of God’s presence . Paul asked the Colossians to remember him and his coworkers. This is a good reminder that our prayers shouldn’t be centered on ourselves. As much time as we spend on praying for ourselves, we ought to pray for others.

Believers who are burdened for the lost constantly pray for them. They will thank God for answering prayers. Paul stressed in this epistle that believers ae obligated to thank God. He recognized that we are in constant need of God’s mercies for ourselves and for those we hope to reach for the kingdom!! Since there is an opportunity to witness for Christ today, we should pray for church leaders and ourselves. As doors are opened, we must take advantage of them and share the gospel of Jesus Christ boldly and with clarity. The believer’s charge is to prayerfully seek the salvation of the lost, despite any sufferings our witnessing may incur.

III. The duty to unbelievers [v. 5-6]

The way we as believers lives is very importance; not only because of the blessing from God, but also because of the way unbelievers view us. We can get a bad reputation through unwise words or actions contrary to who we say we are affiliated with.

It is important for the believer to know how to behave and what and when to speak so that fragile sinners are not needlessly offended or driven further away from the faith. The gospel tells people they are sinners; that is offensive enough , we don’t need to give them other reasons to be offended. Time is of the essence, for the Lord will soon come. We must always make the best use of our time, being mindful not to waste it or squander it. Once it is spent, time cannot be recouped. How we use our time can result either in a legacy of people coming to Christ or us repelling them. While the teachings of the gospel shine the light of truth on our sinful nature, sinners must be made aware of God’s love and forgiveness so that they might repent. The witness of believers is guided by the realization that we too once walked in sin. But the grace of God saved us, and that same grace is available to everyone who will receive it. The well-seasoned testimony of a thankful Christian will be infused with godliness, making it useful to reaching out to every sinner everywhere!!

CONCLUSION

What can we say? What Paul has laid out is a plan that shows us how we are to live as Christian believers!! These instructions are simple, but they summarize our task on earth until we are called home to be with the the Lord. What the Lord gives us to do to earn a living and where we live are secondary matters. Whatever we do and where ever we are, we can keep our eyes on our Master in heaven, pray and represent Him well. Because being a Christian is not part-time work. It is to include a continual display our values; which may mean that one day we may stand alone and be different from others. We are like missionaries to the world, friends, and family. We have to be consistent witnesses in our walk that would cause others to want Christ--just like we do!!! And we need to remember that genuine love can change a heart in ways an argument can never can!!!

Introduction

Church, we’ve come to the last chapter of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, and here in verses 1–6, Paul teaches us how to live out our faith in practical, everyday ways. This is not just theology—it’s shoe-leather Christianity. It’s faith that works at home, on the job, and in the streets.

Paul reminds us that if Christ is Lord of all, then He must be Lord over how we treat people, how we pray, and how we speak. Somebody say, “Make Him Lord over it all!”

Point 1: Treat Others with Justice and Fairness (v.1)

Paul begins with instructions to masters: “Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.”

Now, let’s pause here. In Paul’s day, this applied to slave owners. But in our day, this applies to anybody in authority—employers, supervisors, leaders, parents. Paul says, treat people right.

Illustration (young listeners): Imagine you’re on a basketball team, and the coach only lets his favorite players take shots, while ignoring the rest of the team. That’s not fair. A good coach makes sure everybody gets respect.

Illustration (seasoned listeners): Many of us remember working jobs where the boss treated folks unfairly. Long hours, low pay, no respect. But Paul says in Christ, we’re called to do better—because the Master in heaven is watching.

Call and response: “Treat people right!” — “Because God is watching!”

So the first principle is this: Because Jesus is Lord, we must deal with others in fairness, justice, and love.

Point 2: Pray with Watchfulness and Thankfulness (vv.2–4)

Paul shifts to prayer: “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance…”

He’s saying, don’t just pray when trouble comes. Stay in prayer. Be alert, be watchful, and don’t forget to say thank you!

Illustration (young listeners): Think about charging your phone. If you don’t keep it plugged in, the battery dies. Prayer is how we stay plugged into God’s power.

Illustration (seasoned listeners): Some of us grew up in households where the saints prayed morning, noon, and night. That wasn’t just tradition—that was survival. Prayer kept food on the table, healing in the body, and peace in the mind.

Call and response: “Prayer changes things!” — “Prayer changes me!”

Paul also asks the church to pray for his mission: that God would open doors to share the gospel. Church, if Paul needed prayer, surely we need prayer!

Point 3: Walk in Wisdom and Speak with Grace (vv.5–6)

Finally, Paul says: “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

In other words, how we live and how we talk matters to those outside the church. We may be the only Bible some people ever read.

Illustration (young listeners): If you invite your friend to church, but they hear you cussing somebody out at school, what message are you sending? Walk in wisdom!

Illustration (seasoned listeners): Back in the day, folks would say, “Your walk talks louder than your talk talks.” That means how you live speaks louder than your words.

Paul says our speech should be seasoned with salt. Salt preserves, salt flavors, salt heals. In other words, speak words that give life, not words that tear down.

Call and response: “Speak life!” — “Walk in wisdom!”

Celebration / Close

Church, Paul gives us a blueprint for living in Christ:

Treat people right because God is watching.

Stay prayed up because God is listening.

Walk in wisdom and talk with grace because the world is watching.

But here’s the good news: We don’t do this in our own strength. We do it because Jesus Christ is Lord!

He’s the just Master who treats us with mercy. He’s the Great Intercessor who prays for us at the right hand of God. He’s the Living Word who fills our mouth with grace.

And when we walk with Him, when we pray through Him, when we speak for Him—His light shines through us!

So I came to tell somebody today: Live wisely! Pray faithfully! Speak gracefully! Because one day, when the trumpet sounds, and time shall be no more, we will hear the voice of the Master say: “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

And that’s when we’ll shout together:

He’s Lord of all!

He’s Lord of my life!

He’s Lord forevermore!

Amen!