Colossians: These Two Things

Background:

There is a key theme throughout the entire book of Colossians, and that theme is that Jesus has absolute supremacy and sole sufficiency! Jesus is supreme, superior, and surpasses all others.

Paul is writing from prison in Rome. The purpose of the letter is to correct false teaching that had infiltrated the church at Colossae. The problem was “syncretism”, combining ideas of Greek philosophies and Jewish legalism with Christian truth. The resulting heresy later became known as “gnosticism”, emphasizing special knowledge and denying the deity of Christ as God & Savior.

Paul had never visited Colossae. This local church had been founded by Epaphras and other converts from Paul’s missionary journeys.

Up to this point in the text we see Paul bringing so much truth and clarity to this new church. He declared that Jesus is central to the Gospel message, how He is supreme over all creation and the church, and how we are to live in relationship with others around us.

As Paul concludes his letter he narrows it down to two specific charges to the church. These two things are vital to a church’s health and expansion. They are not secondary recommendations, but they are primary mandates for the body of Christ.

Passage: Colossians 4:2-4 CSB

“Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains, 4 so that I may make it known as I should. 5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.”

Pray: (Pause 3-5 seconds)

Title: These Two Things

Main Points:

1. Pray with...
   1. Faithfulness
      1. Devote yourselves to prayer;

      2. Illust: busy schedule

         1. Like many of you, my life can get a little crazy. And the busyness can easily distract me from what’s most important. My wife and I made a commitment early in our marriage to make dating a priority.
         2. We don’t date because we have to, we make it a priority because we love each other and want to demonstrate that love by getting alone and spending focused time communicating with one another. This is vital to the health of our relationship.
         3. When our relationship is healthy, then our relationships with others are healthy. This doesn’t just go for married people, this is true for everyone.

         4. I believe that our devotion communicates something about our affections. Paul is instructing the people, “stay devoted to prayer” if we’re going to show our devotion to God, we cannot do that apart from intentional time spent in prayer. 3. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” Acts 2:42 4. “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” - Acts 6:4 5. “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” - Romans 12:12 6. “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 7. “Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.” - Ephesians 6:18 8. Devoted to prayer, persistent in prayer, stay alert in prayer, pray constantly, pray at all times… God’s primary call on our life is not what we do, but it is first a call toward intimacy with the Father. 9. There’s a theme throughout God’s word and I don’t want us to miss it. Prayer is not a secondary expression of our affections to God, it is our primary calling! 10. Pray at work when things get crazy. Pray at home when things are falling apart. Pray for your kids even when the situation looks hopeless. Pray while you’re getting ready for the day, pray when you’re going to sleep. Pray, pray, pray. Stay devoted in it. 11. Desperation draws our hearts to devotion.

         5. KEEP ON PRAYING.

            2. Expectancy & Gratefulness
               1. stay alert in it with thanksgiving.
               2. Notice that it doesn’t say “watchful and fearful” or “watchful and anxious”, because we stay watchful in confidence knowing who is fighting our battle, who is on our side, who has already claimed the victory.
               3. “If it be your will…” has anyone said this one?

         6. Here’s a quick thought on this tag line at the end of many prayers, Jesus prayed it Himself, so it is a right prayer. But could it be that sometimes we hide behind it because we don’t really expect God to answer?

         7. C’mon church. We can come boldly to the throne of God and ask for healing, favor, blessing, and fruit in Jesus name. God knows your heart. If He chooses a different way, praise Him, but pray believing He’s going to answer… be expectant. 4. “Stay awake and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” - Mark 14:38

         8. The flesh is weak, therefore I pray. God I need you. God help me. God protect me.

         9. Many of us here today keep falling and failing time and time again and yet we’re still hoping for a different result the next time. Call on Jesus! Pray with expectancy and thankfulness.

         10. God save my son who had walked away from you. I thank you for it in Jesus name!

             3. Intercession For Others
                1. At the same time, pray also for us
                2. Asking for prayer is not a sign of arrogance, but dependence. Recognizing that God is in control and that He alone makes a way. He alone gives good gifts.
                3. The Apostle Paul was constantly asking for prayer.
                4. that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains, 4 so that I may make it known as I should.
                5. Illust: open doors

         11. Paul is in prison but he is not requesting prayer for the prison doors to open. Do you hear what I’m saying?

         12. Many of us think that if only our situation were different then we could be more effective. But God is telling us that there is purpose in the prison. Paul is saying “pray that doors would be open that I might proclaim your gospel!”

         13. Proclaim with...

             1. Wise Actions
                1. Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.

         14. Ask for wisdom

         15. “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.” - James 1:5
         16. Put wise people around you
         17. Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.” - Proverbs 11:14 NLT
         18. So don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers.” - Proverbs 24:6 CSB
         19. Lamp unto my feet
             2. Salty Words
                1. Let your speech always be gracious (attractive), seasoned with salt (delicious),
             3. Clear Message
                1. so that you may know how you should answer each person.

Closing: Is Christ’s supremacy declared in your life? (In your prayers and in your witness?)

Wise Actions + Salty Words = Clear Message

“Jesus is something, but not everything.”

“Jesus is necessary, but not enough”

“Jesus is priority, but not first”

“Jesus is everything.”

“Jesus is enough”
“Jesus Is First”

Response Song: