Derrick Trent - A Life Worthy of the Lord
Notes
Transcript
Title: A Life Worthy of the Lord
Text: Colossians 1:9-12
INTRODUCTION
Are you living a life
worthy of the Lord?
Are you pleasing God in every way?
• Is that kind of life even possible?• As we continue our series in Colossians…
o we’ll look at a passage…
that answers those questions.
In Colossians 1:9-12
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,
so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,
and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
God’s will for all of His ppl…
Is for us to live a life
worthy of Him…
& pls Him in every way.
• & in this passage…
Paul shows us at least…
Two things we must do…
To fulfill God’s will
for us.
[Transition: the 1st thing
we must do
to live a life worthy
of the Lord is…]
1. Keep praying for complete COMPREHENSION of God’s will. (1:9)
1. Keep praying for complete COMPREHENSION of God’s will. (1:9)
Notice how Paul starts verse 9
He says…
Colossians 1:9
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.
Paul’s reason for praying…
for the saints in Colossae…
is bcs He had heard
abt their faith…
in Christ Jesus.
Epaphras told Paul…
That the Colossians…
had heard the true gospel;
They had truly understood
God’s grace;
& their understanding
was causing the gospel…
to bear fruit
& grow among them;
& part of that fruit…
was the love…
the HS produced in them
for all of God’s ppl.
Since the first day
Paul heard this abt them…
He had never stopped
praying for God’s ppl.
APPLICATION
For the 2nd time in nine verses…
Paul mentions how he
was constantly praying…
For God’s ppl.
& Paul is an example
for all of us.
If we’re children of God…
We need to treat prayer…
like it’s our job.
Bcs it is our job.
God’s ppl are
a kingdom of priests.
A royal priesthood.
& as a priests of God…
we’re called
to constantly pray.
Prayer is the work
of all God’s ppl.
& prayer is
the most important work
any of us can do.
The great saints of God…
Have always understood…
the truth James puts so precisely…
in James 5:16
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
God’s ppl have always been
a praying ppl.
Paul was constantly praying…
For God’s ppl.
Later in Colossians…
Paul says Epaphras…
was constantly wrestling
in prayer…
for God’s ppl.
When we read thru
the New Testament…
We see the other Apostles…
Were constantly praying…
& the whole church…
was constantly praying.
They knew the power of prayer…
So, they practiced praying
constantly.
& if those examples are not enough…
Think abt this.
The Lord Jesus prayed constantly…
While He was on the earth.
God in the flesh…
Often withdrew frm everyone…
to private places…
to pray to His Father.
At times
Jesus spent
the whole night…
in prayer to God.
& what is Jesus doing right now?
God in the flesh…
Is at the right hand
of God the Father.
& He’s interceding……
for us;
Jesus is still
constantly praying…
for God’s ppl.
Whenever we pray…
We find ourselves in the company…
Of God’s Saints…
& God’s Son.
We’re surrounded by
a great cloud…
of witnesses who are
constantly praying…
for God’s ppl.
We’ve been gvn
the great privilege…
& the great responsibility…
to approach God’s throne
of grace with boldness
to find grace & mercy
as we pray for God’s ppl.
So, let’s dedicate ourselves…
& be consistent in this work.
& if you need some help
w/ what to pray for.
Paul goes on in Colossians 1:9…
To tell us exactly…
what he was continually asking God…
to do for God’s ppl.
• He says
We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,
Now, this does not mean…
The saints in Colossae…
did not know God’s will.
They most certainly did.
They had heard God’s will…
in the true gospel;
They had been taught…
the true faith;
They had received…
Christ Jesus as Lord;
They had a…
Disciplined…
Strong…
& obedient faith in Jesus.
So, Paul’s not praying…
That God wld reveal something…
new to them.
Something they had
never heard bfr.
The Greek word behind
the word “knowledge” means…
to fully recognize something.
To have a full understanding…
of something.
Paul used the verbal form
of this word…
Back in Colossians 1:6…
Where he said the Colossians…
Had truly understood…
God’s grace.
So, just as they had
completely comprehended…
What they’d been taught
in the gospel…
abt God’s grace.
Paul kept praying
that God’s saints
wld completely comprehend…
everything they’d been taught…
abt God’s will for them…
In Christ.
As Paul says in Colossians 2:2.
He was contending in prayer…
for all the saints…
so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
APPLICATION
God’s will for our lives…
is all wrapped up in His Son…
In the Body of His Son
in the Church.
When we have Christ…
We have everything we need.
All the treasures of wisdom & knowledge…
are hidden in Christ Jesus.
Hidden frm the natural mind.
Hidden frm the worldly wise.
So, we need a spiritual mind.
& supernatural help…
to completely comprehend
the full riches
of God’s will for us
in Christ.
& notice
at the end of Colossians 1:9:
Paul tells us where
this help comes frm.
He says…
The complete comprehension
of God’s will…
Comes…
…through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives..
The NIV is more dynamic here…
Than most translations.
& does a great job…
Expressing Paul’s meaning.
To completely comprehend
God’s will…
We need spiritual wisdom…
& spiritual understanding…
Both of which
are gvn to us…
by the Holy Spirit.
Paul says this again:
In 1 Corinthians 2:12,
where he writes
What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
God gives His Spirit
to all of His ppl…
So that, thru the Spirit of God…
We gain a complete understanding…
of what God…
has freely given us
in Christ.
But this understanding
does not come…
automatically or w/o
effort on our part.
No, like Paul…
we need to keep
praying for this.
Not just for ourselves…
But for all our brothers & sisters…
in the Church.
APPLICATION
So, let me urge you
to do something.
Let’s turn Paul’s prayer…
into our prayer.
Let’s pray:
“Lord, fill your ppl…
w/ a full understanding of Your will…
“thru all the wisdom & understanding…
“that the Spirit gives.”
Let’s pray that prayer…
Over & over…
Like Paul did.
He said he kept on praying
this prayer…
for all God’s ppl.
So, let’s make that
our prayer…
for God’s ppl.
& as we keep praying:
Let’s remember:
What the Scriptures teach us…
in 1 John 5:14:
John says
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
When we pray the Scriptures…
We know w/ absolute certainty…
We’re praying
according to God’s will.
God gave us His Word…
to show us His Will.
So, when we turn
Paul’s prayer…
into our prayer.
We can know
w/ complete certainty…
If we keep asking God…
to fill us w/
a complete comprehension…
of His will…
He will give us…
what we ask Him for.
Let’s take that promise
to the bank.
Let’s keep praying…
for a complete comprehension…
of God’s will.
So, that
we can live a life…
worthy of the Lord.
But living a life
worthy of the Lord…
takes more than
just comprehending…
God’s will.
When we know God’s will…
We’ve gotta do something…
w/ that knowledge.
[Transition: & that brings us to…
The 2nd thing we must do…
to Live a Life
Worthy of the Lord.
We’ve gotta…]
2. Keep practicing complete COMPLIANCE to God’s
will. (1:10-12)
In Colossians 1:10
Paul says…
We need a full knowledge…
of God’s will…
Colossians 1:10 (NIV)
so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
Our knowledge of God’s will…
Must become
practical knowledge.
It must get:
Frm our heads…
To our hearts…
To our hands…
As we strive to obey
Christ’s commands.
If our knowledge
of God’s will…
Does not drive us…
To live in a way
that pleases God…
in every way…
Then we surely do not…
completely comprehend…
Gods’ will.
When we truly understand who God is.
& when we understand…
That God’s will for us…
Is to make us like Him;
So, that we become by grace…
What God is by nature.•
When we understand that everything…
God wills for us in Christ…
Is only for our good.
We will desire to live a life…
In complete compliance
w/ God’s…
Good…
Pleasing…
& perfect will.
But what does that life look like?
Paul goes on to show us…
At least two ways…
we practice complete compliance…
to God’s will.
[Transition:
First…
We practice complete compliance
to God’s will…]
a. By being fruitful in all good WORKS. (v.10b-c)
In Colossians 1:10…
Paul talks abt…
…bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
The Christian life…
is a fruitful life.
A life where God’s ppl…
reflect the good character…
of the good God we serve.
The world shld
see we’re God’s ppl…
by the fruit we bear.
Bcs we love God…
& we love others
that love shld express itself…
In good works
to everyone.
Not just some good works………
But in all good works.
Not just to some ppl………
But to all ppl.
To those who are good to us………
& to those who
are not.
To those who love us………
& to those who hate us.
When we live a life…
worthy of the Lord.
We will bear fruit…
in every good work.
& notice
& the end of Colossians 1:10…
Paul says as we bear fruit
in every good work…
We will keep…
…growing in the knowledge of God…
As we live a life that pleases God…
By being fruitful
in all good the good works
God created us
to do in Christ
We gain a deeper knowledge…
of God & His ways.
God is good.
• & God does good to all.
• So, when we do good works…
o We’re doing God’s work.o We’re doing what God does.
• & as we’re doing what God does…
o Not only is our knowledge of God growing…
Others are gaining a knowledge of God…
• Thru us.
• By bearing fruit in all good works…
o We’re showing the world…
what God is like.
This is why…
in Matthew 5:16,
Jesus tells His followers to…
…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
When God’s children are engaged…
In every good work…
It’s not to draw attention
to ourselves.
We’re shining
the light on…
& drawing attention to…
The character
of our Father in heaven.
& when ppl
see our good works…
They give glory to our Father.
& that’s exactly
Who shld get the glory.
Bcs it’s only by God’s grace…
That we’re able…
to be fruitful
in all the good works
God has prepared for us to do…
In Christ.
It’s only thru God’s power…
That we’re able…
to practice complete compliance…
to God’s will.
[Transition: & that brings us to…
The 2nd & final way…
We practice full compliance…
To God’s will.
We practice full compliance to God’s will…]
b. By being strengthened with all God’s POWER. (v.11)
b. By being strengthened with all God’s POWER. (v.11)
In Colossians 1:11…
Paul says:
We live a life worthy of the Lord…
& pls Him in every way by…
being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,
his glorious might so that you may have great
endurance and patience, 12 and [keep] giving joyful
thanks to the Father…
— Colossians 1:11 (NIV)
The Christian life…
Is a blessed life.
It’s the best life.
It’s the life we were created to live.
But it’s not
an easy life.
It’s a life…
w/ crosses to carry;
It’s a life…
o w/ conflicts to conquer;
There will be…
Times of Travail.
There will be…
Trials & Troubles.
There will be…
Temptations & Tests.
• There will be many things…
we must learn to endure…
as we live
as citizens of heaven…
In a world where
we’re not welcome.
Jesus never sugar coated this…
for His disciples.
He counseled ppl
to count the cost…
Bfr they picked up their cross…
to follow Him
on this narrow road…
that leads to life.
He told His disciples very directly…
in John 15:18…
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.”
& in Mark 13:13
Jesus paints an even darker picture…
of what His disciples…
Can expect in this world.
He says…
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
In a world that’s not our home;
In a world that loves darkness…
& hates the light;
Those of us who follow…
The Light of the World…
We will be hated.
We will be persecuted.
That’s the battle for everyone…
who decides to live
a godly life in Christ.
But we’re not
in this battle alone.
& we can
patiently endure
all things.
We can stand firm…
in all the will of God…
Until the end…
as we’re strengthened…
w/ God’s pwr.
A pwr Paul describes variously as…
Mighty power;
Exceedingly great power;
Incomparably great power;
& Glorious power;•
It’s the same pwr…
God used to raise Christ
frm the dead…
& exalt Him…
To the place of Universal…
Supremacy…
at God’s right hand.
That’s big power!
That power is
always available…
to all of God’s ppl…
To empower us to practice
God’s will!
Paul says that miraculous pwr…
Strengthens us…
So that we may patiently endure…
everything we face
in this world.
But God’s pwr
does even more.
Thru God’s divine power…
at work within us…
thru the Holy Spirit.
We’re not only able…
to patiently endure…
every difficulty…
We’re empowered…
to give joyful thanks to our Father…
right in the middle…
of our difficulties!
Thru God’s glorious might…
We have the Power
to Praise God…
thru our Problems.
& maybe you think:
“That all sounds good.”
“But does anybody really…
Praise God thru their problems?”
Well, let me show you…
Paul practiced…
what he’s preaching here.
In the book of Acts…
Luke tells us a story
abt Paul & Silas.
They’ve been beaten badly
w/ rods;
• Their backs are bruised
& battered;
Their feet are fastened
w/ chains;
In a dark dungeon.
Their experiencing hatred
bcs of Jesus…
Just like Jesus promised.
& what were Paul & Silas doing?
Luke tells us in Acts 16:25:
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
This is one of
the hours of prayer
in the Church.
Paul & Silas were praying
& singing hymns to God
like they always had!
Right in the center of
severe suffering…
They allowed the pwr of God…
To well up in them…
& overflow into joyful thanks…
to God.
& you & I
can do the same.
& you & I
will do the same…
When we’re being strengthened…
w/ all God’s power.
When hard times come
to Christian’s…
When things don’t
go our way in this world…
we can be tempted…
to complain;
To become discouraged;
To give up on
our spiritual life.
& it can seem impossible…
to do as Paul says…
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
But let’s always remember this truth…
all things are possible w/ God.
If we’ll keep our minds & hearts…
On things abv…
& not on earthly things.
If we’ll keep our focus on…
the incredible inheritance…
our God & Father…
Has qualified us for…
in the kingdom of light.
& if we’ll work out
what God’s pwr…
works within us…
Then no matter what difficulties
we face in this world…
we’ll be able to
patiently endure those difficulties…
while we give joyful thanks
to God.
We will give joyful thanks
to our Father…
As we patiently endure
all things…
thru His power.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
So, let me ask you again:
Are you living a life
worthy of the Lord?
Are you pleasing God
in every way?
That’s God’s will…
for all of
God’s ppl.
& that life is possible…
for all of God’s ppl.
If we’ll keep praying…
for complete comprehension…
of God’s will.
& if we’ll keep practicing…
complete compliance…
to God’s will…
By being fruitful…
in all good works.
As we’re strengthened…
w/ all God’s pwr;
To Give joyful thanks to God…
as we patiently endure…
all things.
IF we will do those things:
We will live a life…
That’s worthy of the Lord.
We will pls Him
in every way.
& our great
& glorious God…
will get all the glory!
PRAYER
Let’s all stand for prayer
