Colossal Truth Finale

Introduction: Final Installment of Colossal Truth(s).

By way of Review: It is combative in tone and abrupt in style.

False teachers have undercut the major doctrines of Christianity: the deity of Christ, lordship, and sufficiency of Christ.

Colossians is about setting up the Supremacy of Christ. Supremacy hinges upon Jesus’ uniqueness as God’s eternal, beloved Son and Heir.

• He is Lord over Creation
• Sovereign, Supreme, Sufficient and Sustainer

Jesus is Lord is the church’s earliest confession. It remains the abiding test of authentic Christianity.

Neither the church nor the individual believer can compromise Christ’s deity. ‘Either Christ is Lord of all or He is not Lord at all.’

Chapter One – Faith, Hope, and Love; Praying/asking God to give them complete knowledge of his will and to give them spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Chapter Two is about Freedom from Rules and New Life – Christ having canceled the record of the charges against us.

Chapter Three – Living New Life – putting to death the sinful, earthly ways and putting on a new nature which includes forgiving one another and being thankful.

Chapter Four – Instructions for Christians Homes and the word submission which speaks of one submitting not forcefully but willingly by coming under or placing oneself under in obedience and for order.

Transition: We now arrive in chapter 4:2ff

1. Devote yourselves to Prayer

Continue in prayer = attend constantly

This was the apostle’s general advice to all; without this, neither wives, husbands, children, parents, servants, nor masters, could fulfill the duties which God, in their respective stations, required of them.

Prayer is both Communication with God and Communion with God. Christians are commanded to pray ‘Continually’ (1 Thess. 5:17) as we seek God and grow in intimacy with Him.

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:14-16)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.” (Psalm 107:28-30)

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:13-14)

“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:22)

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

The Benefits of Prayer

For some people, prayer is simply a religious ritual. However, prayer can be much more than that – it’s a way to get closer to God and improve our relationship with Him. Here are some benefits you’ll receive through praying:

• Brings Us Closer to God

Frequent communication brings you closer to other people. In a similar vein, praying frequently brings you closer to God. God is always listening to your prayers and will answer them in His own way.

• Guides Us

When we’re lost and don’t know what to do, we can always pray to God for guidance. Scripture states: “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25:4-5).

• Keeps Us From Temptation

We can’t resist temptation alone, so we need God’s help to keep us from succumbing to it. In Matthew 26:41, Jesus says: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

• Helps Us Accept God’s Will

God always has a plan for us, but sometimes it can be challenging to understand. Praying helps us understand His will and accept it because His plans are always for our own good. As written in the Bible: “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11).

• Let Us Show Gratitude

It can be challenging to stay thankful when we’re dealing with difficult things. Praying helps us focus on the good things God gave us instead of the bad.

If you don’t know how to be thankful through prayer, the Book of Psalms has many verses about gratitude to inspire you, like Psalm 118:1: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

Question: How are we to pray according to 4:2?

1. Alert Mind – vigilant, watchful = give strict attention to, active

• Thankful Heart

Transition: Two big pieces here to start ending Paul’s epistle to the Colossians. Pray, and now #2, live wisely.

II. Live Wisely

Conduct yourselves, Walk in Wisdom (BEHAVE)

We are to make our way/progress; to live

Wisdom = broad and full of intelligence; the varied knowledge of things human and divine; acquired acuteness and experience, summed up in maxims and proverbs.

Transition: Ends this piece by guiding us on how to communicate/talk.

1. Profitable Conversation

(NLT) Gracious and Attractive

‘Full of grace and seasoned with salt’

1) salt with which food is seasoned and sacrifices are sprinkled 2) those kinds of saline matter used to fertilize arable land 3) salt is a symbol of lasting concord because it protects food from putrefaction and preserves it unchanged.

‘and for us that we might have the greater opportunity’