Fulfilling Our Ministry (Colossians 4)
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Fulfilling Our Ministry -
Fulfilling Our Ministry -
So Far, In Fulfilling Our Ministry...
Set Christ above all others and things
Walk in Him as we received Him
Seek and set our minds on things above
Put to death our unholy desires and actions
Put on Holy desires and actions
Accept our role
Continue Steadfastly In Prayer (4:2)
Continue Steadfastly In Prayer (4:2)
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Prayer is the communication from a child of God’s heart to the Creator of all things.
We have an avenue to do so many things: blessings and adoration, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, and praise.
It is no more than a way that we connect our hearts to the heart of God.
TEXT EVALUATION
Continue – we are to be in a constant prayerful mindset
Continue – we are to be in a constant prayerful mindset
ἀδιαλείπτως προσεύχεσθε,
pray without ceasing,
Steadfastly – continue to do something with intense effort
Steadfastly – continue to do something with intense effort
Ὥστε, ἀδελφοί μου ἀγαπητοί, ἑδραῖοι γίνεσθε, ἀμετακίνητοι, περισσεύοντες ἐν τῷ ἔργῳ τοῦ κυρίου πάντοτε, εἰδότες ὅτι ὁ κόπος ὑμῶν οὐκ ἔστιν κενὸς ἐν κυρίῳ.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Being Watchful – to be alert (Layman’s terms – have the expectation of fulfillment from our prayers)
Being Watchful – to be alert (Layman’s terms – have the expectation of fulfillment from our prayers)
and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
Specific Prayer Request (4:3)
Specific Prayer Request (4:3)
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—
That God would open to us a door for the word.
We are to be constantly asking God to intervene and create MORE opportunities for us to do what we have been sent to do – TEACHING OTHERS THE GOSPEL!
Use Wisdom Toward Outsiders (4:5)
Use Wisdom Toward Outsiders (4:5)
Wisdom is the HOW TO of knowledge.
Knowledge is simply pointless if you don’t know how to use it.
When we are dealing with those outside of Christ, we must use WISDOM in order to lead them to the truth.
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
, , Jms. 1:5, 3:17
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
, Jms. 1:5, 3:17
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
…MAKING THE BEST USE OF THE TIME
, )
)
(cf. , )
making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Let your Speech Always Be Gracious (4:6)
Let your Speech Always Be Gracious (4:6)
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
The way that we speak, whether in private or in the open, will make a profound impression on those who hear it.
If we remember that our mission in life is to lead other to Christ, then we will give a second thought to the words that are about to come from our mouths.
Question we must ask: Is what I am about to say going to lead them closer to Christ or further from Christ?
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,
, ,
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
,
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.
We have been given a ministry, ARE WE FULFILLING IT?
We have been given a ministry, ARE WE FULFILLING IT?