Final Instructions for Faithful Christ Follwers

Introduction

Josh Chapman was an Auburn fan through and through.

He was devoted to the Tigers, and proudly wore orange and blue frequently at school, home, and when running errands in the city.

Josh knew the players stats, had season tickets to the football games, and faithfully attended as many Auburn sporting events with his family that he could.

As Josh grew up, he became a very talented and successful football player himself.

When National signing day finally came, Josh had a massive decision to make. . . would he choose to sign with his beloved Auburn Tigers, who he had been devoted to all of his life. . . or, would he choose to commit high treason and sign with the rival school, the school he despised his entire life. . . the Alabama Crimson Tide?

The decision was made and Josh decided to change teams and signed to play football at the University of Alabama.

By becoming apart of the Alabama football team through his statement of declaration to play football for the school, his devotion radically changed.

He no longer wore orange and blue, but his attire was filled with crimson and white. He religiously spent time with the players and coaches so that he could make his fellow teammates better and also be the best player he could be for the Crimson Tide.

In short, Josh Chapman’s devotion had changed and been transformed because he was now apart of the Crimson Tide and no longer had any affiliation with the Auburn Tigers.

What and who we are devoted to demonstrates who our god is and where we find true life.

If we find our life in Christ, then we will be devoted to serving his people and fulfilling his mission. . . but if we find our life in pleasure, relationships, sports, fame, fortune, or success, our devotion will be dedicated to those things.

The question we must answer tonight is who’s team are we on? Who have we signed our letter of intent to play for, to give our lives to?

Because, whoever we find our life in will determine our devotion.

In Paul’s final section of his letter to the Colossians he reminds them of where their true life is found, because they too, like us, were facing temptations to become lazy and apathetic in their faith.

Because their life is hidden with Christ in God and they have been made new, it should affect and change the way they live in all facets of their life. . . . in their relationships in the Church, the home, and now finally, in the world.

Because their life is hidden with Christ in God, they should be devoted to God’s people and his mission. . . Thus, the Main Idea that we must grasp and believe tonight is: Our new life in Christ should cause us to devote ourselves to prayer, and walk wisely before the world, so that the gospel would increase and the saints would be encouraged.

1. Devote Yourself to Prayer (v. 2-4)

Colossians 4:2–4 ESV

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

Paul’s main command to the Colossians is to devote themselves to prayer, but he gives two things that they should continuously pray for. . .

First, they should “Continue steadfastly in prayer” for themselves.

The Greek word communicates to persevere and stay devoted to something. In this case, it is prayer.

It communicates keeping oneself busy with something.

In short, Paul says the Colossians should always keep themselves busy with prayer.

How I “busied” myself with Ashley when we were dating and engaged

This implies that it would be easy not to persist in prayer.

With this command, he adds “being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”

“Being watchful” means to stay alert, to stay awake, be sober-minded. This was the warning Jesus used in calling the disciples to be ready for his return (Matt. 24:42) and also to not give into temptation in the garden before his crucifixion. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matt. 26:41).

Yet, the Colossians must be thankful and not be fearful. Going back to Colossians 2:7, as they walk in Christ, they must abound in thanksgiving for all that Jesus has done for them.

It seems that Paul gives the reason why the Colossians must be devoted to prayer, because they are prone to weakness and temptation. They must always keep their guard up because their enemy is seeking to kill, steal, and destroy them through the false teachers.

Two reasons we should always devote ourselves to prayer as God’s children:

God will always answer us

“It is not possible that God should refuse to hear prayer; it is possible for him to bid the sun stand still and the moon to stay her monthly march. It is possible for him to bid the waves freeze in the sea—possible for him to quench the light of the stars in eternal darkness. But it is not possible for him to refuse to hear prayer that is based on his promise and offered in faith. He can reverse nature, but he cannot reverse his own nature, and he must do this before he can forbear to hear and answer prayer.” -Charles Spurgeon

God is delighted when we pray to him

“God is as pleased to give us his blessing as ever we are to receive it. It is as much to his honor as it is to our comfort. He takes more pleasure in our prayers than we do in his answers. Therefore, we ought to come boldly. We ought to come with thankfulness in our hearts and on our lips and join the hymn of praise with the cry of prayer.” -Charles Spurgeon

Second, Paul asks the Colossians to stay devoted to praying for his gospel ministry.

Consider this: Paul did not ask the Colossians to pray for his release, he did not ask for them to pray for his comfort, he did not ask for them to pray judgment on his persecutors. . . but he asked that they would pray for open doors for him to proclaim the gospel to his captors!

God is the one who opens doors for gospel ministry to the nations (Acts 14:27).

Paul asks that the Colossians would pray that Paul would make the gospel known to all those he saw in prison and that he would speak clearly in a way they could understand the mystery of Christ.

Practical points and questions for application:

This verse expresses our need for God and our weakness to fall into temptation.

Do we understand how poor and desperate in spirit we are?

The need to wage war against indwelling sin.

The need to remember the work of Christ for us, and to exhibit an attitude of thanksgiving.

Our prayers should consist of two main things: Prayer for our own spiritual growth, and prayer for the furtherance of gospel ministry in and through the saints.

Do we always keep ourselves busy with these two requests in our prayer life?

How often do we pray for God to open doors for gospel opportunities daily?

God will open a door for his word to proclaim, we can trust him to answer this prayer!

2. Walk in Wisdom in the World (v. 5-6)

Colossians 4:5–6 ESV

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.

Paul’s second command of his final instructions to the Colossians is to “walk in wisdom” toward outsiders.

“Walking wisely” is not a new theme in the letter for Paul has already called the Colossians to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord in chapter 1 and to walk in Christ in chapter 2.

To recap. . . “walking” communicates the way we conduct our lives, behavior, and attitude. . . and “outsiders” would refer to unbelievers that are not a part of the church.

But what does it mean to “walk in wisdom in the world?”

Paul elaborates more on walking with wisdom in Ephesians 5:15-17 and explains that walking in wisdom means “making the best use of your time” because the days are evil.

Therefore, we should “redeem” the time in that we should not waste it, but make the most of it and see it as a gift.

When thinking about this in relation to unbelievers, making the best use of our time with them would imply seeking to share the gospel with them and answer any questions they have about life and Christianity with grace.

Making the best use of your time implies gospel conversations because of what Paul says in verse 6 related to our speech with unbelievers.

“always gracious”

We should always speak and treat people better than they deserve.

“seasoned with salt”

Salt preserves life and enriches life. We must speak to unbelievers in such a way that we give life to them with our words.

Do we speak in an appealing and desirable way to others?

The reason that our speech must be gracious and salty is so that we will know how to respond to unbeliever’s questions.

This seems to imply that gracious and life giving speech is connected with good listening.

Paul’s thought may connect with Peter’s on always being ready to give a defense for our hope with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).

Practical Application questions:

The way we live with unbelievers in the world matters and will affect our witness for Jesus.

How are we using our time with unbelieving friends and family members? Are we wasting it or making the most of it?

What does our speech look and sound like toward unbelievers? Is it life taking or life giving?

How can we cultivate more gracious and salty speech in our lives?

3. Follow the Example of the Saints (v. 7-18)

Paul finalizes his instructions and closes his letter by highlighting the faithful brothers and servants he is sending to the Colossians to encourage them in their faith.

He also highlights faithful men and woman who are with the Colossians and who are with him in prison to spur the Colossians to imitate their faithfulness.

Saints are Faithful Servants and Seek to Encourage the Church.

In verse 7, Tychicus is described as a “beloved brother, faithful minister, fellow servant. . . that he may encourage your hearts.”

Onesimus, in verse 8 is a “faithful and beloved brother.”

Paul says in verse 11 that both Tychicus and Onesimus “have been a comfort to me.”

Epaphras, in verse 12, is praised as a “servant of Christ who always struggles in his prayers on behalf of you. . . so that you may be mature and fully assured in the will of God.”

Lastly, in verse 17, Paul specifically writes Archippus an encouraging note to fulfill his ministry. Even in the last words of the letter, Paul seeks to encourage the saints.

The list of these men and women are an example of the two truths Paul just instructed the Colossians to live out. . . they inhabit the epitome of being devoted to prayer and walking in wisdom in the world.

Paul ends his letter in verse 18 with “remember my chains.”

Practical application questions:

Are we grateful for faithful saints who have encouraged us in our faith?

Consider providing a card for them to write a letter of gratitude to someone in their life who has encouraged and grown them in their faith.

Are we cultivating relationships and faithfully seeking to encourage and serve the body of Christ?

Are we “remembering the chains” of our brothers and sisters around the world who are apart of the persecuted church?

Response

Our new life in Christ should cause us to devote ourselves to prayer and walk wisely before the world so that the gospel would increase and the saints would be encouraged.

In response to this truth, we must focus on “our new life in Christ” to give us the ability to carry out these tasks. . . because if we rely on our own strength, we know that we will constantly fall short.

Thus, tonight, in response to God’s word, we must Look to Jesus in faith for grace and strength to stay devoted in prayer and to walk wisely for the sake of gospel missions in the world and ministry in the church.

Jesus is your perfect intercessor and constantly stays devoted in prayer for you to the Father as your great high priest.

Lean upon Christ’s body, the church, to help you stay devoted to prayer for yourself and for the mission.

Pray together.

Hold one another accountable.

Send prayers and passages of Scripture to one another.

Jesus perfectly walked in wisdom in the world and always made the best use of his time in seeking to proclaim the gospel with grace and truth.

Lean upon Christ’s body to hold you accountable in how you live, and your speech toward the lost.

Ask brothers and sisters in Christ to hold you accountable on how you spend your time.

You must first be on Christ’s team before you can be devoted to him and his mission.

Don’t let your sin get in the way.