Series Big Idea: "Humanity is only complete in God the Son"

Sermon Big Idea: "Cultivating prayer and wise conduct reflects Christ's transformative power in believers"

Key Scripture (Colossians 4:2-6)

In the closing sections of his letter to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul discusses the practical aspects of Christian living. He emphasizes the importance of cultivating our private, prayer, and public life. Today, we are going to focus on cultivating our prayer life and our public life, as outlined in this passage.

(Colossians 4:2-6)

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 message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah, for which I am in prison, 4 so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak. 5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. 6 Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.

In verses 2 and 3, Paul emphasizes the importance of persistent prayer (Luke 18:1; Romans 12:12). Prayer is not just an option; it is essential for our spiritual growth (Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6-7). Just as breathing is vital for our physical health, prayer is vital for our spiritual health (1 Thessalonians 5:16- 18).

He urged his readers to be watchful in prayer, being alert against spiritual drowsiness caused by distractions in the world or the schemes of the devil (Matthew 26:41; 1 Peter 5:8). A watchful prayer life keeps us spiritually alert and focused (Ephesians 6:18). Thanksgiving should also accompany our prayers, putting us in the right attitude before God (Philippians 4:6; Colossians 3:17).

Paul requested prayer for himself, not out of selfishness but for the advancement of the gospel (Romans 15:30; Ephesians 6:19). He asked for prayers for an open door to share the mystery of Christ clearly (1 Corinthians 16:9; Ephesians 6:20). Church let’s remember to pray for one another, that we may boldly proclaim the gospel (James 5:16).

In the second half of our passage, Paul urged believers to be wise in their actions, reflecting God’s wisdom to people who were outside the faith (Ephesians 5:15; James 3:13). Our actions should reflect the wisdom of God, not of the world (Romans 12:2). Our actions are a testimony to the transformative power of Christ in our lives (Matthew 5:16; Ephesians 2:10).

Believers are called to make the most of every opportunity, being ready to proclaim Christ in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2; Ephesians 5:16). Our lives should be an ongoing testimony to the hope we have in Christ (1 Peter 3:15; Philippians 1:20). We should be prepared to share the reason for our hope with gentleness and respect (Colossians 3:16; 1 Peter 3:15).

Our conversations should be full of grace, reflecting the grace we have received from God (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 3:8-9). Our words should be seasoned with salt, pure and penetrating, able to answer everyone who asks about the hope we have in Christ (Matthew 5:13; 1 Peter 3:15).

Conclusion

As believers, we are called to cultivate our private, prayer, and public lives. Let’s be devoted to prayer, being watchful and thankful, and let our prayers extend to others in our circle of influence. May our public lives reflect the wisdom of God, making the most of every opportunity to share the hope we have in Christ. Church, let’s speak with grace, seasoning our words with salt, always ready to share the reason for our hope with those around us.

Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:

Holman Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version Bible

King James Version Bible

Christian Standard Bible

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. Electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991.

Leadership Ministries Worldwide. Colossians. The Teacher’s Outline & Study Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1994.

Garland, David E. Colossians and Philemon. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998.

Moo, Douglas J. The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 2008.

Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.

Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Brown, Francis, Samuel Rolles Driver, and Charles Augustus Briggs. Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1977.

Barnes, Albert. Notes on the New Testament: Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians. Edited by Robert Frew. London: Blackie & Son, 1884–1885.

Hoehner, Harold W., Philip W. Comfort, and Peter H. Davids. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, Philemon. Vol. 16. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2008.

Dunn, James D. G. The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon: A Commentary on the Greek Text. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: William B. Eerdmans Publishing; Paternoster Press, 1996.

Phillips, John. Exploring Colossians & Philemon: An Expository Commentary. The John Phillips Commentary Series. Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009.

Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

Anders, Max. Galatians-Colossians. Vol. 8. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999.

Leadership Ministries Worldwide. Galatians–Colossians. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996.

Dockery, David S., ed. Holman Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.

Water, Mark. Key Word Commentary: Thoughts on Every Chapter of the Bible. AMG Publishers, 2003.

Barry, John D., David Bomar, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstein, Douglas Mangum, Carrie Sinclair Wolcott, Lazarus Wentz, Elliot Ritzema, and Wendy Widder, eds. The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016.

Brannan, Rick, and Israel Loken. The Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible. Lexham Bible Reference Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Handbook. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003.

MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006.

Lucas, R. C. Fullness & Freedom: The Message of Colossians & Philemon. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980.

Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999.

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992.

Melick, Richard R. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Vol. 32. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991.

Souter, Alexander. A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1917.

Dunnam, Maxie D., and Lloyd J. Ogilvie. Galatians / Ephesians / Philippians / Colossians / Philemon. Vol. 31. The Preacher’s Commentary Series. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1982.

Bowman, Robert M., Jr., and J. Ed Komoszewski. Putting Jesus in His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2007.

Brooks, Keith. Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009.

Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. The Tyndale Reference Library. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.

AFTER THE MESSAGE

After hearing today's message there may be a decision you have made and you want a pastor to connect with you. We want to make it easy for you. Just scroll to the bottom of this page and fill out the form and our pastor will contact you.