Colossians 4:2-6
Prison Letters Colossians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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As Christ followers, we know it to be true that prayer according to researchers can reduce stress, anxiety and negative emotions, often functioning as a coping mechanism that can promote overall well-being by providing a sense of connection to a higher power and foster feelings of support and control, particularly when faced with challenging situations.
2 Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.
Paul instructs the church to devote yourselves to prayer.
I want to remind you where he is and I saw this picture in The Faithlife Study Bible
The Romans did not consider imprisonment itself a form of punishment-prisons were used to hold those awaiting trial or the death penalty and often served as places of execution. Prisons were filthy and crowded, and prisoners were treated as little better than dead.
This place was dark, damp, and cold.
In this place Paul writes and says
2 Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.
Devote:
Continue in, be steadfast, be devoted to, don’t quit!
Be in constant fellowship with God so that prayer is as normal as breathing.
This is not to suggest that God is reluctant to hear and answer our prayers and so we must wear him out by our praying so that He will answer.
Yesterday, my family came over for a July 4th celebration. My Nephew Isaiah had discovered fishing the night before on the dock and had not caught anything.
The next day he wakes up and I have some chores to get done for the family coming over. He wakes up ready to fish.
(Share the story about Isaiah throughout the day)
Thank goodness for Darryl and Jane
Hunter showed up and wanted to fish.
When it comes to prayer we must be devoted, steadfast and not quitting but the goal is not to wear out our Lord.
Our Lord enjoys answering our prayers but more than answering our prayers Our Lord enjoys drawing near to us.
As we draw near to the Lord in prayer, things start to settle down and our hearts start to grow in grace.
We also become more prepared for the answer that God gives.
Next he says “stay alert”
Be alert, be watchful,
In prayer, be awake and alert as we pray.
Even in prayer we must stay alert. Stay alert about false teachings and false beliefs about prayer
Examples (Prayers are answered if you have enough faith) (Your prayers are not answered because of the sin in your life) (Life would be better for you if you had more faith)
Watch and pray
From Nehemiah 4:9
9 So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard because of them day and night.
Be alert to the enemy
Use spiritual energy in prayer and alertness. Be active in prayer
Grandma Tate Energy in Prayer
She brought the fire to the alter in prayer
Thanksgiving in Prayer
Thanksgiving is a key ingredient to prayer
Studies have shown gratitude practices can
Reduce inflammation markers in the body
Improve heart rate variability
Strengthen immune function
Reduce blood pressure
Improve sleep quality and duration
Decrease chronic pain perception
Reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety
In praying, come before the Lord with sincere gratitude. See how this changes your prayer life and changes you.
I still find it so interesting thinking about Paul’s situation and he says devote yourself to prayer, be alert and thankful all while he is prison
This leads us to the next verse
3 At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah, for which I am in prison,
4 so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak.
He says pray for us
Notice what his prayer for them is. That God may open a door to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah
He does not pray for God to change his circumstance.
He does not pray for God to get them out of prison.
His prayer is for God to open a door for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah, for which I am in prison for.
(The common thought I hear in prayer is not Lord open the door for me to do more of why I got here for. It is more normal for me to hear, Pastor I am trying to do everything right and trials are still coming.
I like Paul’s this prayer so much. Lord open the door for me to share the mystery of the Messiah for which I am in prison for. Lord let me do more of what got me here.)
It has been said that the purpose of prayer is not to get man’s will done in heaven, but to get God’s will done on earth. Prayer is not telling God what to do or what to give. Prayer is asking God for that which He wants to do and give, according to His will.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eleven: Talk Is Not Cheap! (Colossians 4:2–9)
Richard Trench (1807–1886), archbishop of Dublin, said it perfectly: “Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance; it is laying hold of His willingness
Paul’s prison prayers:
Philippians 1:9-11
Ephesians 1:15-23
Ephesians 3:14-21
Colossians 1:9-12
4 so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak.
Paul is in prison because of the mystery of Christ which related to the Gentiles coming to the faith.
The word Gentiles is the one that got Paul in trouble. The Jews listened until he spoke the word Gentiles.
The Jews wanted the Gentiles to ceremonially become Jews before they became Christians
Imagine being chained to the apostle Paul. Paul witnessed to the guards that he was chained to. He says so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak.
Prayer and proclamation of the word go hand in hand.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eleven: Talk Is Not Cheap! (Colossians 4:2–9)
A visitor at Spurgeon’s Tabernacle in London was being shown around the building by the pastor, Charles Spurgeon.
“Would you like to see the powerhouse of this ministry?” Spurgeon asked, as he showed the man into a lower auditorium. “It is here that we get our power, for while I am preaching upstairs, hundreds of my people are in this room praying.”
5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.
Walk or act wisely toward those who are outside the faith.
Continue to act in a way that points unbelievers to the Lord.
It takes a lot of patience and wisdom to make sure that we point those who don’t follow Jesus to Jesus.
Make sure that how we live does not jeopardize our testimony
To walk in wisdom
Is to be careful not to say or do anything that would make it difficult to share the Gospel
Use opportunities to share Jesus
Making the most of the time
or Redeeming the time, buying up the opportunity.
This is a business term. This is the Christian who is a faithful steward who knows an opportunity when we see one.
To put this in thrift store terms is to see a great deal at the thrift store and buy it. If you can then resell it for a higher price, then profit from the investment.
Live a life of purpose
Reminds me of Dr. Sharps message on fasting technology at Bridgemen a few weeks ago.
He asked these questions
What is the purpose for what I’m abut to do?
How easily will it pull me in?
Is what I’m about to do going to satisfy my soul, refresh my mind, leave a clean conscience, or bring about more confidence in God?
6 Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.
Your speech should be gracious
Kindness, goodwill, and favor
Salt:
Salt was used to preserve food and enhance flavor.
Speech that is seasoned with salt preserves and enhances
It uplifts the person who hears.
I would suggest that if your speech is not able to do this in conversation then go back to the start of the passage and pray.
