Final Instructions to the Colossians Church

ME:

Share the story of a 9 year old little boy who was told by his father that “he would never amount to anything.”

STOP AT THE POINT THE FATHER STATES THIS TO THE BOY.

Transition Statement: Have you ever had someone make you feel like you didn’t have a purpose (What you were doing wasn’t important or useless?)

WE:

Many of us may find ourselves feeling useless, non-productive, or just not making a difference in the world.

Maybe you might come to believe you are not that person who is suppose to make a difference. THAT IS SOMEONE ELSE, NOT YOU!

Maybe you were doing YOUR THING but come to realize this was not what you were designed to be doing.

It wasn’t your purpose in life.

Transition Statement: I think we would be safe to say, this might be how Saul of Tarsus felt up until he had this encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. And His name was changed to Paul.

GOD:

As we are coming to the end of this letter to the Church in Colossi We find Paul asking something from the church as well as encouraging them to do something.

Col. 4:2-6 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 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 I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

(2) “Continue” - (Proskartereo) An Activity that one is devoted to

Suggest determination in prayer, with the resolve not to give up.

“Being watchful” - (Gregoreo) Means watchful

Suggest as prayer being the right way to be watchful over things.

Example

Mark 14:38 “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Luke 21:34-36 ““But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.””

Praying for the coming of the Kingdom.

(3) “At the same time” - (hama) Means the coincidence of the two actions in time.

Not just be watchful but also being pray-full ...... for US. (Paul and his disciples)

Remember them as they go to the throne in prayer.

He is asking something more specific ..... “that God may open to us a door for the word”

“open” is a sense of a person being freed to go anywhere.

“to declare the mystery of Christ”

Free to share the Gospel for others to hear and come to the faith.

the mystery denotes God’s plan of salvation, centered in Christ, with special references to the gentiles.

(4) “that I may make it clear”

“Clear” - (Phaneroo) reveal / make known

What? The Mystery!

“which is how I ought to speak”

I thought this was a strange statement.

It might better be rendered … “Since I am bound to speak it”

Example

I Cor. 9:16 “For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”

Wrapping up (2-4)

Accordingly, the Colossians are to persevere, in prayer, with their eyes fixed on the second coming. At the same time, intercede for the apostle Paul whose ministry is specifically to the Gentiles preaching salvation (Faith in God). Through Paul, God will reveal His divine purpose (Mystery) in Christ.

What do we know about Paul?

He has a purpose!

God has a purpose for Him: To share the Gospel to the gentiles.

God has a purpose for YOU as well.

There are some who don’t believe this. You know how I know this .... Because they are not sharing the Gospel.

Paul then goes on to give them instruction on how to fulfil their purpose.

(5) “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders”

Paul uses this word “Wisdom/wise” quite a few times in this letter....

Col. 1:9 “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,”

Col 2:3 “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

Col. 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

This phrase is encouraging the church to be wise in the way you act toward outsiders.

They should be tactful on one hand, yet bold in their Christian witness to the outsiders.

“Making the best use of the time”

Snapping up every opportunity that comes.

Col 4:6 “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

Private or public .... doesn’t matter.

It in reference to not only the content but also the manner of your speech.

This is important when it comes to the influence the believers exert on outsiders.

Christians are to defend their faith with gentleness and respect.

“Seasoned with salt”

Their words must not be dull or lacking flavor.

Salt: Seasoning food and preserving food from corruption

The latter would apply here.

Example: Ephesians 4:29 “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.”

“Know how you ought to answer each person.”

Be prepared to give an answer to everyone who ask you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

Example: I Peter 3:15 “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,”

Paul understood his purpose and how that purpose was to be carried out:

With wisdom and readiness to give account for his Faith.

Transition Statement: If you were to give an account of your faith would your life line up with it and would you be able to say that you share this faith with others?

YOU:

Do you intentionally look for opportunities .....

At the store?

At Work?

At Family gatherings?

With friends?

With strangers?

With Co-Workers?

I am not talking about leading them in the sinners prayer, Romans Road, or getting them Baptized in the faith that moment.

I am talking about showing them Mystery of Jesus ...... Letting your words be kind, uplifting, gracious, and full of hope.

Living a life in front of them that they ask, “How do you do it.”

This is the Purpose Paul was talking about .... This is the purpose I am talking about!

God has a purpose for each one of us.

Transition Statement: Let me return to the story I shared at the beginning of the sermon.

WE:

As that 9 year old boy walked out of that house that night ......

Finish with revealing that the boy is me and God has given me a purpose.

No matter what you have been through in your life God has a purpose for you.

Maybe you know that God has been calling you to ministry COME

Maybe you have been struggling with what God’s Purpose is for you COME

Maybe You have no idea what your purpose is in life COME