The Call to Action

Break between series; Address of current issue; Transition into next series.

Colossians 4:2-6

Key Idea [ETS]: Paul urged the Colossians to pray for and take captive every opportunity to minister to outsiders.

For us [ESS]: We should pray for opportunities to engage unbelievers with the Gospel.

What do we do? [OSS]: [MO: Consecrative] {SO: I want the hearers to commit to praying for opportunities to engage the lost with the Gospel.} Cognitive: I want the hearers to know that they live in a world of opportunity to engage the lost with the Gospel. Affective: I want the hearers to feel the weight of the lostness in our nation and of those who are evidently living and making decisions without the Gospel. Psycho-motor: I want the hearers to devote themselves to praying for opportunities to engage the lost with the Gospel (and that they would actually engage the lost with the Gospel).

Intro.: [AGS] We live in a world of preference that has unfortunately influenced our view and understanding of God. One person said that it is almost like an ice cream shop with 36 flavors- we choose what flavor of God we want, and that dictates our view of God. Thus, we live in a world where a person who is habitually walking in sin and rebellion against God claims to have “a better walk with God than ever before.” We live in a world where people delight in and fight for the murdering of innocent lives and where this group is angry when the value of life is upheld and justice is wrought. This week, we experienced a great victory in our country- the overturning of Roe V. Wade. Praise belongs to God and to God along. However, we would be naive and foolish to think that this victory is where the battle ends. This is but a step in the right direction, mind you, a major step, but still, only a step. The question, then, is what do we do now? [TS] The believers in the Colossians church were dealing with issues similar to us, yet different. Philosophies, pagan worship, false teachers, and inaccurate views of God are but a few of the issues they were dealing with. In light of which, Paul addressed the Colossian believers urging them to pray and to take captive every opportunity to impact outsiders with the Gospel. [RS] Each of us, as believers, have the responsibility to also address the issues around us for the sake of the Gospel and from the filter of the Gospel. As we have established, we are dealing with a variety of issues, all of which trace back to the root of one major issue: people are living without the Gospel as unbelievers. Thus, we have the opportunity daily to impact these people, to engage them with the Gospel. Thus, we should heed the instruction of Paul and pray for opportunities to engage the lost with the Gospel.

PQ: What actions does Paul urge believers to take?

UW: Actions

TS: Let us now examine the actions that Paul urged the believers to take.

We should devote ourselves to prayer. (vv. 2-4)

Staying alert with thanksgiving

Praying for opened doors

to share the Gospel (the mystery of Christ)

The Gospel might be clearly made known by believers (as is our responsibility)

We should live wisely among unbelievers. (vv. 5-6)

Making the most of every opportunity

Specifically, our speech should be gracious, seasoned with salt as to preserve the integrity of and further the Gospel.

Regarding answer, N.T. Wright wrote, ‘“Answer’ implies that outsiders will ask Christians about their new life, as indeed they will if verse 5 is being obeyed. Many such questions are predictable; but each questioner is an individual and must be respected and loved as such. If the ‘answer’ is heard or felt as an oracular pronouncement or a rebuke for ignorance, the argument may be won but the person lost.” ( N. T. Wright, Colossians and Philemon: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 12, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1986), 157.)

CONCLUSION:

[1] Each of us have a responsibility to respond to the recent decision of the SCOTUS. This does not mean that we respond via social media platforms. This means that each of us should take the responsibility to pray fervently- for those who made the decisions; for the moms and babies that are impacted by the decision, for opportunities to share the Gospel and share why this decision was so important and necessary.

[2] Will you take these actions today? Will you devote yourself to pray? Will you live wisely among those who may not agree with you/have the same Gospel hope as you? Opportunities arise from these actions.