Fulfilling Our Ministry - Colossians 4

So Far, To Fulfill Our Ministry...

šSet Christ above all others and things.

šWalk in Him as we received Him.

šSeek and set our minds on things above.

šPut to death our unholy desires and actions.

šPut on holy desires and actions.

šAccept our role.

Continue Steadfastly In Prayer

Colossians 4:2 ESV

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

Colossians 4:2 SBLGNT

Τῇ προσευχῇ προσκαρτερεῖτε, γρηγοροῦντες ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν εὐχαριστίᾳ,

Colossians 4:2 ESV

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

šPrayer is the communication from a child of God’s heart to the Creator of all things.

šWe have an avenue to do so many things: blessings and adoration, petitions, intercession, thanksgiving, praise.

šIt is no more than a way that we connect our hearts to the heart of God.

Continue Steadfastly In Prayer – Text Evaluation

šContinue – We are to be in a constant prayerful mindset (cf. )

šSteadfastly – continue to do something with intense effort (cf. )

šBeing watchful – to be alert (Layman’s terms – have the expectation of fulfillment from our prayers)

Continue Steadfastly In Prayer – Specific Prayer Request

Colossians 4:3 ESV

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—

šThat God would open to us a door for the word

šWe 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!

šThis is a key point in order to fulfill the next instruction.

Use Wisdom Toward Outsiders

Colossians 4:5 ESV

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

šWisdom is the HOW TO of knowledge.

šKnowledge is simply pointless if you don’t know how to use it.

šKnowledge is simply pointless if you don’t know how to use it.

šWhen we are dealing with those outside of Christ, we must use WISDOM in order to lead them to the truth.

Matthew 10:16 ESV

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Ephesians 5:15–17 ESV

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.

James 1:5 ESV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 3:17 ESV

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Colossians 4:5 ESV

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

Psalm 90:12 ESV

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Ephesians 5:16 ESV

making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

EP

LET YOUR SPEECH ALWAYS BE GRACIOUS

Colossians 4:6 ESV

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 others 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?

Matthew 12:36 ESV

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

Matthew 5:13 ESV

“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.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV

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?