Colossian 4:2-6, Prayer Changes
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Title - Prayer Changes People
Title - Prayer Changes People
Colossians 4:2-6
Title - Prayer Changes People
Title - Prayer Changes People
Many times we see that the prayer changes us as much as those we pray for.
Many times we see that the prayer changes us as much as those we pray for.
Big Idea - Prayer effects how I minister to those who do not know Christ.
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.
Martin Luther the father of the reformation was a very busy and persecuted man.
Martin Luther said about prayer, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.”
Sometimes we see prayer as a spiritual activity that gets in the way of our day.
I. I need to pray like I breath.
Prayer is the power through which we face our day.
I. I need to pray like I breath.
When you breath - you don’t stop.
I remember being so tired after work during several summer days in college that after working a 14 hour day my chest ached when I breathed . I wanted to stay alive, but I also wanted my chest to rest - not have to rise and fall. Impossible - to live I must breath.
To stay connected well with God we must pray.
Transition - What does Paul challenge us with?
vs, 2, Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
1A. Be Steadfast in prayer -
1A. Be Steadfast in prayer -
17 pray without ceasing,
Never stop praying, Devoted, Persevering
Devoted, Persevering
Why? Because prayer and the scriptures are our lifeline to God.
When prayer is not a regular part of your spiritual walk, your spiritual walk is going backwards.
The beauty of prayer is that it is an outward expression of our dependance on God.
-When we pray, Our hearts attitude is:
-God I need you.
-I want to spend time with you.
-I trust that you can supernaturally act in someones life.
1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
-Conversly, when we don’t pray, our heart attitude is:
-Conversly, when we don’t pray, our heart attitude is:
-God I’ve got this on my own.
-God, now is not a good time to talk.
-God supernaturally working is someones life is not a big deal right now.
Transition - And Paul tells gives us specifics in how to pray in verse 2.
2B. Be Thankful in Prayer
Why emphasize thankfulness in prayer?
Does God need us to be thankful and to boost his ego?
No, God is eternally content and happy with who He is and what He has done. He has no need for us to boost His ego by being thankful.
Being thankful in prayer:
Keeps our hearts focused upward and outward.
Challenges us to be looking for what God is doing.
Attributes all things that are truly good to Him.
-Young Mothers/Fathers, Thank you God that feeding time with my child was without tears.
-Thank you that last week when I thought I was going to loose my mind, when my kids wouldn’t go to sleep, that you saw me through.
When you see someone who struggles to walk. Lord give them grace to travel. Thank you that for now, my legs are working.
Lord, I don’t have much money in the bank, but we aren’t homeless. You really do provide.
When you see a rough looking person who looks like they love a wild broken life. God please bless that person and help them come to you. Thank you that you have saved me. I could easily be struggling like that person.
-When your feet hit the floor in the morning - thank you God you’ve given me a day to serve you.
So, we are to walk through life constant and thankful in prayer.
-Thankful prayer points us to the Kings greatness.
Transition We pray often being thankful and we pray for the greatness of God through the Gospel to go out.
2. I must pray for the Gospel to be shared with unbelievers.
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.
We pray for the Gospel to be shared with unbelievers for very serious reasons.
We know this:
-Everyone who does not hear the Gospel will go to Hell.
-Some who hear the Gospel will be saved.
-We must share the Gospel.
-Since we cannot share the Gospel with everyone, we must pray that the Gospel will go out through others.
How do I do this?
A. Prayer specifically. Pray for people you know that don’t know Jesus.
B. Pray for opportunities
, we are to pray, “…that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ...”
Illustration - In my very simple prayer journal. I have a prayer that says this.
“That the Gospel will go our through FBCL and that people will get saved through our ministry.”
-That the Gospel will go out through our people (that’s you, you sharing the Gospel)
-Part of how you do this is to pray for opportunities.
C. Pray for clarity - That God will help you and others to share about Jesus with clarity.
-Isn’t it interesting that Paul asks for prayer for clarity. When you read the Pauline letters you think, this is not a man who needs clarity.
-However, Paul realized that he is not involved in an academic effort.
-Paul can’t bring people to salvation by convincing people.
4. Prayer and the Gospel
He is in a spiritual ministry. A ministry of heart transformation.
He needs as much help from God’s as he can get.
-If Paul needs help with clarity, how much more do we all need help with clarity.
19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
-One of the reasons that we have a Gospel focus every week is so that you will hear with clarity the Gospel. The more you hear with clarity, the more you will be able to repeat what you hear with clarity. The “Gospel Focus” in worship serves several objectives. One of the objectives is training.
Training you how to share about Jesus.
Transition - Finally in our passage we see a shift from praying about the Gospel to sharing the Gospel.
4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
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.
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.
3. Witnessing with words is to be a lifestyle
vs. 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.
Outsiders- are those who do not follow Christ
A. -”WALK IN WISDOM” VS 5
- Our life is a reflection of the transformation of Christ to others.
-If you say you follow Christ, God and unbelievers expect your life to be different. To be changed.
Not only to walk, but walk in wisdom
B. Walk in wisdom - Our actions count
***Making the best use of the time - Use it to the full, exploit your time.
Culturally time has become more valued than money.
You can earn extra money and your can save money.
BUT - You can not earn another minute or save a minute.
-When you are with an unbeliever, do not wait to share with them that Jesus changed your life.
-Is sports, family and work ok to talk about?
Sure, but don’t hesitate to bring up Jesus.
C. I am called to share the Gospel with others
Everyone who does not hear the Gospel will go to Hell.
C.
vs. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Francis of Assisi was a Catholic who is credited with the saying:
“Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words?”
Here is what we know about Francis of Assisi
-He was Catholic
-There is no record of him ever saying this.
-He is many times pictured with animals. When he took walks, if there was no one to preach the Gospel to - he was so passionate about preaching the Gospel he would preach to the animals.
Here is what we know:
Everyone who does not hear the Gospel will go to Hell.
-Everyone who does not hear the Gospel will go to Hell.
Everyone who does not hear the Gospel will go to Hell.
-Some who hear the Gospel will be saved.
-We must share the Gospel.
C.
Finally - How does this passage point us to Jesus?
4. Prayer and the Gospel go hand and hand
When Jesus was on the Cross making payment for sin, the last two things we believe He said was:
“It is finished.” —
“Father, Into your hands I commit my Spirit.”
Then a prayer ...
46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
The very breath on the Cross was Jesus offering to His Father a prayer of surrender.
“Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” — “Father, Into your hands I commit my Spirit.”
Into your hands I commit my spirit.
One of the greatest prayers that we can prayer is a prayer of surrender.
There are people in this room today that need to pray a prayer of surrender.
If you have never had your sins forgiven by Christ. You need to surrender your entire life to Him now.
If you are a Christ follower, God may be calling you to a fresh surrender to Him.
Not hold back anything from Him.
Make prayer a central part of your walk with Him.
To speak up for Him to an unbeliever - someone in your work or family.
1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.