PRAYER AND THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL

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.

What are the spiritual needs of your brothers and sisters in Christ?

What do they need God to do to fulfill His mission in and through them?

PRAYING FOR KINGDOM ACTIVITIES

We must pray for divine opportunities for the gospel to be shared.

This involves praying for laborers as well as praying for our church family to have these opportunities.

Paul’s imprisonment did not spell the end of his ministry. It was during this period that he wrote Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon. He also evangelized those he came into contact with, whether the mob in Jerusalem (Acts 22:1ff.), Felix (Acts 24:10ff.), Herod Agrippa (Acts 26:1ff.), Roman soldiers (Phil. 1:13), members of Caesar’s household (Phil. 4:22), or members of Rome’s Jewish community (Acts 28:17ff.).

MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1992). Colossians (p. 184). Chicago: Moody Press.

We must pray for gospel clarity.

This means the ability to share the good news of Jesus Christ in an understandable way.

Our prayer entails knowing the gospel clearly, not as a canned message, but as the life giving power of God in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:18–21 ESV

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Praying for our missionary families and the work around the world means praying for these opportunities to speak the gospel clearly.

PRAYING FOR OUR SPEECH

Colossians 4:5–6 ESV

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.

Ephesians–Philemon Comment

Wisdom for Paul is not simply knowledge, or even human life experience, but a gift from God.

We need the wisdom of the Lord to live our lives in relationship to unbelievers so that we are making the best use of the time or opportunity the Lord gives us.

Our time is to be gospel centered. We are in His service always.

Colossians 1:10 ESV

10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Our speech needs to be gracious, always.

Colossians and Philemon—The Supremacy of Christ Fullness in Communication with the World (vv. 3-6)

“Grace” in their speech presupposed grace in their hearts, “for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). As grace flows through the heart, it flows outward in kindness. This conversation is never insipid or boring. In fact, it is “seasoned with salt”—salty, savory, scintillating—not the dull, sanctimonious vocabulary that seems to be demanded in some church circles. It is thoughtful speech, words with content. It is joyful, even witty, for this is what salty speech meant in classical Greek.

To speak with grace is to speak as Christ speaks.

Remember, when God gives us grace, He is giving us Christ.

Our words are to be seasoned with salt.

This means our words are designed to bring out the flavor of the gospel in Christ Jesus. Our words are to be welcoming. They are to be helpful and encouraging.

Ephesians–Philemon Comment

Although Paul was capable of being very direct in his confrontation of evil (cf. Acts 13:10), his typical instruction is to be gracious in speech. The reference to “salt” recalls Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:13. Here, however, the connotation of the term is not preservation but addition of taste, so that the presentation of the gospel may be given a good hearing.

The goal is that we know how to answer each person.

1 Peter 3:15 ESV

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

I believe Paul is telling us that there will be no advance of the gospel where there is not prayer.

The equipping of others (pastors, teachers, missionaries,) involves us praying for them.

Our own involvement will not happen apart from praying regularly for one another to live wisely toward unbelievers by realizing time is a gift given for the gospel ministry.