The Kingdom Attitude

Colossians 1:3–8 (ESV)

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

Introduction:

Today we move to our second sermon from Colossians. This passage is a section of what is often referred to as Paul’s prayer and thanksgiving. The prayer actually extends from vv. 3-23.

This passage reflects Paul’s attitude towards the church he writes in Colossae. Paul is grateful they have experienced the Gospel and God’s Grace. So Paul is deliberate about making this point: Without the gospel and the Grace of God these people would not enjoy the benefit of hope.

DT: When we are saved we begin to pray with gratefulness for the Work’s of God through His Church.

AIM: Pray with gratitude for the proclaimed Gospel and salvation.

Transition: This portion of the prayer Paul prays is an example for each of us in three ways. The first is. . .

Be Grateful For the Gospel (vv.3-5)

“3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,”

Paul notes here that there are distinguishing marks in this group of people.

their faith in Christ

their love for all the saints

Paul says that he prays with thanks to God for this result in them. But he makes it clear that he is grateful for them receiving the Gospel.

Paul reminds them that had not they received and heard the Gospel they would be doomed.

It’s right there in v.5. The first part of the verse, he says, “because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.”

- Hope = expectation

“laid up” = reserved

Paul is getting at something. That is that everything they have began to be is because of them hearing the gospel. But also because they recieved the gospel they have a place with the Lord.

Transition: So Paul says the Gospel the Good news of Jesus Christ has enlightened you to love and be faithful.

Application: Those who have a negative connotation regarding everything about the Church. They say things like, y’all don’t do this or y’all don’t do that. Look, here is the attitude the text reminds us we should project, we be able to thank God for the Gospel and the Word of God. Recognize the church does not exist for chicken fry’s, fish fry’s, musicals, and picnics.

The Church’s mission is to spread the gospel. The believer is a part of that mission. It does not stop with belief. It continues with living in faith. It is expressed by loving others. Those who have a problem getting alone with other people in the church will recognize that this does not demonstrate the manners and attitude of the saved. We show the reception of our faith in Christ when we love others. This is the true sign of those who have heard and receive the Good News.

Those who receive the gospel can be thankful because they will tell you they are saved not by words but by their actions.

Transition: Paul continues this prayer and demonstrates how to . . .

Be Grateful for the Grace of God (v.6)

“6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,”

Paul again in this verse points to the spread of the gospel throughout the world and how it has increased among the believers in Colossae. Paul’s point is that while the gospel is being preached it is the work of God. It is because of God’s Grace. It is not of their own doing but because of the Grace of God.

Paul commends them in allowing the Word of God to bear fruit and grow among them. They did not reject God’s word when they heard his Word.

He says, you heard it and you understood it in truth. You know it is real. This is not some made up stuff. You have seen the God work and lives changed because of God’s grace.

Transition: See how gracious God is. God does not leave you out to dry. God provides you an avenue to be saved. That is His grace at work

Application: You are not where you think you ought to be in life. You want the material possessions and they all seem to escape you. But let me tell you something, God’s grace is working ing your life right now. He has afforded you the opportunity to be where you need to be to hear His Word. He woke you up for this moment. God has extended His Grace to us by sending His son to die for us on Calvary.

See you could have missed your opportunity but God’s Grace wouldn’t allow you to miss it.

Here is what you do. Thank God for His grace!

Transition: Here is the last example in Paul’s prayer . . .

Be Grateful for the Faithful Pastor (vv.7-8)

“7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.”

Paul directs their attention to Epraphas who served and taught them faithfully as a follower of Christ.

Faithful to Christ

Faithful to the Word

Faithful to the people he serves

Transition: Pray for you pastor and do it with joy especially if he is rightly dividing the Word for you.

Application: Praying for the pastor has nothing to do with his popularity with you. Is he faithful? Does he preach and teach the gospel? Does he love the Lord? If the answers to these question is yes than thank God for your pastor.

No, I am not saying worship him but I am saying thank God when you receive a Word that hurts sometimes, thank God when you receive a Word that enlightens you! Thank God when you here the Gospel preached. Thank God when you see yourself maturing because you have been fed the Word of God!

Transition:

Conclusion: As you leave this place today, leave with a new attitude. An attitude that says thank you to the Lord for His door to salvation through Christ.

If you have not accepted Christ and made Him you Savior, do it. God is affording you the opportunity now.

Jesus died for this moment with you. God sacrificed Jesus for you for this moment. That the beauty of God’s Grace it is extended to us all.