Colossians 4:2-6 | A heart for Outsiders

Colossians 4:2–6 (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. 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.

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Overview:

Over the course of Colossians chapter 3, we have seen that by the grace of God we are new creations, united with Christ and being conformed into his image.

Therefore, as new creations we are to put off the old practices and put on the new. Seeking unity through love and submission to the word of Christ. This new creational life is summarised in:

Colossians 3:17 (ESV)

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Then the text goes on to apply this new creational life to the family and the workplace. This household, the space which is common in some way for all people.

Now, our text this morning moves our to attention to consider how this new creational living ought to impact and be for the benefit of those outside the household of God!

INTRO: Hearts for Outsiders

Belong - Believe - Become

What we were taught, was that the most effective way to build the church… was people had to first find a place where they feel accepted and loved, a community that they can BELONG to…

Then - they are more likely to beleive.

People need to belong, before they believe.

Which… is a rather nice sentiment, and in many ways, rightly emphasises the Christian values of being welcoming and hospitable. And, very well may be the means that some people come to beleive in Christ.

Although it is deeply flawed.

Becuase the Biblical gospel calls people to:

believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, repent of thier sin’s and die to themselves, being baptised as a sign of thier union with Christ and death to their old life… and then:

because of this beleif, people who were once orphans, immediately find belonging in a new family that is united in Christ. Believers belong to the Household of God

True belonging, true unity is only found through believing in Christ, the person we are united around.

If you flip those things around - you get a community group with a religious name tag - not the household of God that is committed to speaking the truth in love and growing up into Christ together.

The Church. Where believers, belong to Christ and together are becoming more like him!

But for those who are inside this household, as members of the family belonging to Christ we have been given a mission -

In verse 5, Paul refers to ‘outsiders’ - Unbeleivers! He is speaking of those who are currently outside the family of God.

Those who don’t know Christ, who are dead in thier sins and who are without hope and without God in the world.

This is the whole thrust of this text this morning - it is calling insiders (those who are in Christ by faith) - to live the new-creational life - and have a heart for outsiders.

A people on mission!

Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV)

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Therefore as the redeemed people of God - we ought to be A family that always has empty seats at the table ready to be filled.

And it’s members going out to invite others to join at this feast of grace!

Afterall! The gospel is the good news of grace for outsiders!

We were all once far off. We were all on the outside.

But by the grace of God we have been made part of the family!

So now, Imitating our saviour, who came not to save the righteous but to save sinners!

we are to have that same heart for outsiders.

Our text this morning in Colossians lays out broadly 2 ways in which our life as the redeemed people of God ought to be directed toward others.

We are to pray to God about outsiders

We are to testify to outsiders about God

Praying to God about outsiders

Colossians 4:2–4 (ESV)

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

[Challenge or Illustration]

The text begins with a general command to pray.

The people of God, saved by the soveriegn power and grace of God, are to be people of prayer!

So… continue steadfastly in prayer…

This phrase refers to being those who are bodly persistence in prayer. Who take hold of God through prayer and refuse to let go.

Jesus tells a parable in Luke 18,

Luke 18:1–8 (ESV)

1 … to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.

One of our family members who previously looked down on our faith would lovelingly refer to us as - “God botherers”.

Christ commands a healthy level of God bothering through prayer - as we reply upon him as our source.

When we pray out to God, according to his will, how much more will he answer his elect, those who love him and obey him -

Now this sort of steadfast, persistent prayer, ought to be watchful in thankfulness.

This means to be awake to the needs of others, alert and aware - leading to thanksgiving to the God who provides and cares.

Application: Do you have a pattern of prayer that is persistent, and actively aware of the needs of others?

Maybe you need to start by = Asking others (insiders) what you can be praying for, and then pray for them.

And for outsiders, thier greatest need is the salvation of thier souls.

becuase look where it turns next…

Paul also asks for prayer… let me remind you = afterall, he at the time of writing this letter is in prison in Rome!

I have a feeling only one and will that’s why it’s not has to go that this thicker so you can do it like that and pull them up upside down then like What do you say? And naturally, whilst in prison, he asks for an open door…

Colossians 4:3–4 (ESV)

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.

Pray for us, that our needs may be met. Open a door so that we can be free.

I wonder, if reading just the first half of verse 3, is indicative of our prayers.

We pray most often, for the open door to your cell. Whatever that may look like:

good health,

recovery from illness,

safety,

provision, the right job, or a greater salary,

success in exams or whatever project is at hand,

the emotional or behavioural needs of our children

success in getting the house or rental we want

Now, its not to say that we shouldn’t pray for such things, but we should ask - How much of the prayers of scripture revolve around equivalent things?

Becuase look, Paul’s request doesn’t ask for an an open door to his prison…

Colossians 4:3–4 (ESV)

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.

Despite being in prison, Paul’s primary concern and his primary heart in prayer is to speak to God, about outsiders.

That the gospel… the mystery of Christ (WHICH IS THAT BOTH JEW AND GENTILE ARE ONE IN HIM) THAT OUTSIDERS, HAVE BEEN MADE FAMILY MEMBERS)… might have an open to door to be proclaimed with clarity, and received by faith!

Are your prayers only defined by our own needs - Do we only ask for the equivalent to the open door of our cell. Whatever our prevailing need is… and neglect to pray with persistence, along with Paul, for an open door for the gospel.

Do your prayers reflect a heart that loves outsiders? How often do you persistently pray for those who don’t know Christ?

2 Timothy 2:8–10

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

The elect, outsiders that God will save and bring into the redeemed people of God.

Gospel shaped hearts will speak to God about outsiders, driven by a great love for them and the glory of Christ!

But a heart for outsiders only starts with prayer to God!

It must continue on into

Testifying to outsiders about the glory and the goodness of God

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.

We speak to God about outsiders, and then we speak to outsiders about God!

A Christ-like heart for outsiders ought to testify through our conduct, and our words.

The Conduct of our lives : walk in wisdom

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders

The whole conduct of the new-creational life should act to support the proclamation of the gospel.

There is a man in the community I grew up in who spends a great deal of his time volunteering at the local footy club. He puts his hand up for everything, and seems to be available at the drop of a hat. Although he is never considered for leadership positions - not becuase he isnt qualified - but becuase he is known around town as a liar, a bit of a snake due to how he runs his business.

This man’s conduct in one-sphere of life was muddied by his un-wise conduct in the marketplace.

As beleivers, we must live all of our lives in submission to the Christ, walking wisely toward others, so that our testimony would be respected.

When we live shaped by the grace that we have received:

we use our wealth - not as a means of personal gain, but as a gift to be used generously

we conduct our affairs, thinking not only of ourselves but of the benefit of others.

we approach others with a desire to serve - not to selfishly build ourselves up.

when we live shaped by grace, we know that we were outsiders once, and so we seek to be inviting and hospitable and welcoming to all people!

That doesn’t mean we bend on our convictions to please others. Outsiders may hate us for what we believe, they may hate us becuase we love Christ, but they should never hate us becuase of foolish or sinful living.

Now living wisely towards outsiders is not just through our conduct but through our words

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

Grace-filled speech

As those who have been saved by grace, our speech ought to be grace filled - for the benefit of others.

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)

29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

The logic is this - if we want to walk wisely toward outsiders, with the goal of their benefit, then our speech ought to be so full of grace that it testifies of who is our Lord.

Grace filled = gospel explicit!

Do you often speak of the goodness and glory of God around outsiders? Of his glory in creation, his goodness in the gifts he has given, in how he has sustained you through suffering - or is that just the sort of stuff you say when you are around insiders?

The alternative is corrupting talk - gossip, slander.

No one-knows a really nice person with a great reputation who is constantly gossipping about and slandering others.

The wise life must tame the tongue, beucase:

James 3:9–10 (ESV)

9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

This grace filled speech is to be: Seasoned with salt

Paul here picks up on the metaphor of Christ from:

Matthew 5:13–16

Salt brings out and amplifies the flavours already inherent in food making them good to taste - to have our words seasoned with salt is to make our testimony about the grace of God attractive to outsiders and thier spiritual needs!

This is good news! And it is good news for outsiders.

Have you found the greatest news you could ever hear? That God has come and rescued you, a sinner, deserving of etneral punishment, and has make you the recipient of his divine love and eternal favor. That he has taken a starving outsider and welcomed you to have a seat at his table - where the banquet is abundant and eternal.

Until it is the best good news for you, you won’t able to testify of it with joy to others.

Listen to Paul’s own testimony!

1 Timothy 1:12–17 (ESV)

12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Finally this grace

Entering into dialogue

the last phrase ‘answer - might be better translated as - ‘respond’ - this is becuase intentional testimony about the grace of God in Christ requires more often than not to enter into conversation - where there is back and forth.

There is question and response, answer and rebuttle.

This is the sort of conversation that doesn’t only occur when someone asks you about your faith, but when you engage with others and ask them about thiers.

Everyone believes something - and we have as much right to ask others about what they believe as they have to ask what we beleive.

Speaking to outsiders about God requires that we enter into the conversation, that we initiate. Proclaimation isnt a waiting Game. You have been sent.

Otherwise, we just live with this idea that we have to wait for the other person to ask.

Wait for the perfect opportunity.

But look

all of this teaching on a heart for outsiders is given in the framework of this little phrase in vs 5

‘Making the best use of the time’

The short and fleeting timet that we have.

You see for Paul - he lived with such a missional urgency - why? Becuase he knew the holiness of God, that he would justly judge all who die in thier sins or all who are found in thier sin’s when Christ returns would recieve eternal punishment.

MISSIONAL URGENCY | the reality of judgment

It was this missional urgency tied with a Christ-like love for outsiders that led Paul - and has led countless beleivers since to lay down thier lives, to set aside thier comforts, to disregard the possibility of embarassment - and instead proclaim the gospel of salvation.

Does this same missional urgency shape how you use your time? how you conduct your life? How you speak to outsiders?

Making the best use of the time, not waiting for opportunities.

Finally, when it comes to this topic of testifying to others about God, I think we often approach it as if we should just quietly go about our lives, and wait for God to bring about opportunities to share our faith.

Which, don’t get me wrong, God can and does absolutely provide divine engagements.

there are some amazing examples of this in the scriptures.

But I think we can often view our role as just waiting - waiting for God.

Waiting for the holy spirit to set up an appointment with an etheopian who is reading Isaiah 53 and needs someone to explain it.

But look, it doesn’t say, make the best use of the opportuntities you are given. It says make the best use of the time.

If you have time… you have an opportunity to use.

The time you have been given is the opportunity - how will you use it?

Will you redeem the time you have been given:

by conducting your lives in such a way that all your conduct supports the proclaimation of the gospel

by filling your language with the message of grace

salting your words with the joy of union with Christ

and making opportunities by engaging in conversations of faith with outsiders.

WE ARENT RESPONSIBLE FOR SAVING SINNERS

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR USING THE TIME WE HAVE AND PROCLAIMING CHRIST