Paul's prayer
for the Colossians
By: M.
Allen
FILING
INFORMATION:
97035
07/20/97 - Cyclone, KY
I. Introduction
A.
Lesson today centers around
Paul's prayer for the Colossian brethren. I have spent days in my life beset by the problems, strife, and temptations
of this world. Had times when I
didn't know if it would be worth it to continue on. Often in times such as this, I have asked my bro/sis in the
Lord to pray for me
1.
One of the most encouraging
things and one of the greatest feelings of all is to know that there are others
who are praying for you.
2.
It doesn't make any
difference whether it:
a.
be in times of emotional
stress (sickness, death, or time of great need)
b.
Be in times of happiness.
3.
That someone should pray for
you shows that they are concerned about you and the needs of your life.
a.
People who pray for you,
love you!
b.
They care about not only
your physical interests, but your spiritual needs as well!
B.
The Bible is filled with
many examples of people praying for one another.
1.
Job 42:7-10 - Job prayed for
those who had spoken evil against God.
2.
John 17 - Christ prayed for
His apostles (v. 6-19), and for all believers. (v. 20-26)
3.
Paul often prayed for others
in his epistles.
a.
Rom. 1:8-10
b.
Phil. 1:3-5
c.
2 Tim. 1:3-4; Philemon 1:4-6
C.
The Bible commands that we
pray for one another. James 5:16
says…
1.
When we pray for one
another, it demonstrates two things…
a.
God consciousness… an
awareness of the presence of God and our trust in Him that He will take care of
those who follow Him.
b.
People consciousness…we are
indeed aware of the needs of others.
D.
Text for lesson today is
found in Col. 1:9-14. We should
not be surprised to find Paul praying for those who read His book.
1.
There are three parts to
this lesson today. Upon sharing
those points with you, the lesson will be yours.
2.
Hope you will benefit from
it.
3.
Open your Bibles and follow along as we read Col. 1:9-14
II.
The Petition For Knowledge
…v. 9
A.
The Bible places a premium
on "knowledge." This has
been very evident from the beginning.
1.
Prov. 1:7; 2:1-9 - Solomon
understood the need for knowledge which comes from above. This is the knowledge that will help
one lead a life which is pleasing to God.
2.
Prov. 19:2 - not good to be
w/o knowledge
3.
The ancient Israelites were
destroyed because of what? Hos. 4:6 contains the answer.
4.
John 8:32 - what makes one
free? The truth. Knowledge is necessary to become free
from the bondage of sin.
B.
What kind of knowledge
should we strive for? Human/Worldly???
1.
v. 9 - we should be
concerned with obtaining knowledge about God's revealed will.
2.
2 Tim. 3:16-17
a.
Paul wanted them to be
filled with knowledge.
b.
What does it mean to
"be filled?"
1.
To be saturated; to be
completely under the control of.
3. v. 9 says Paul prayed that they be filled with "all
spiritual wisdom & understanding."
a.
It was not speculation or
some kind of intellectual human knowledge.
C.
The word "….," in
v. 9 means:
1.
"Understanding" -
the ability to collect & concisely organize principles.
2.
"All wisdom" means
that Paul prayed for them to apply these principles to their everyday lives.
3.
"All" means that
Paul wanted them to have understanding & wisdom to it's fullest degree.
D.
There was a twofold purpose
for this prayer…
1.
That God would give them,
and they would accept the information that they needed.
2.
That they would have the
practical wisdom or common sense to make application of that which was needed
in their lives.
E.
How does one obtain
knowledge?
1.
FOA, there must be a
desire. We must want to grow in
the grace & knowledge of the savior.
a.
Attitude is everything!
b.
Will not get anywhere if we
do not want to!
c.
Teaching of Christ in Jhn.
7:17; Mt. 7:7
d.
Want knowledge bad
enough? You'll do whatever it
takes to get it.
1.
Ask yourself: do you want
knowledge?
2.
What are you doing to
receive it?
2. Knowledge is gained by studying the Scriptures.
a.
2 Tim. 2:15
b.
takes work, planning,
sacrifice, time
c.
It can be done. We can be successful!
d.
Not the daunting task the
majority of people make it out to be!
3. Finally, knowledge comes by exercising ourselves in it's
use.
a.
Heb. 5:12-14
b.
What happens when we don't
use something we have a "knack" for? We lose it. Same with knowledge on spiritual things.
III.
Paul prays for the Results
of that Knowledge.
A.
v. 10 - a worthy walk.
1.
One's walk can be defined as
his daily pattern of conduct.
a.
Our example before others.
b.
Do we walk worthily of the
Lord?
2.
one must ask himself:
a.
"Am I walking or living
in the way that Christ would have me to?"
1.
Would Christ engage in the
activities that I do?
2.
Christ be pleased with my
actions, words, gestures, where I go, whom I associate with?
3.
Do we ever consider Christ?
b.
Am I living in a way that I
would make Christ proud of me?
3. Knowledge is necessary for a person to walk worthily before
God.
B.
v. 10 - a fruitful
life. How is our conduct? Christ demands that the faithful
Christian bear fruit. <Jhn.
15:8>
1.
Gal. 5:22-23 - fruit
revealed in our character.
2.
2 Pet. 1:8; Heb. 12:11 -
fruit revealed in our conduct.
3.
1 Cor. 16:15; Rom. 1:13 -
fruit revealed in converting the lost.
C.
v. 10; 1 Pet. 2:2 - an
increased knowledge.
1.
"Knowledge" is not
simple academic or intellectual knowledge, but knowledge which is the result of
practical and personal experience.
2.
Paul prayed that this
knowledge might grow continuously or constantly expand in every area of their
lives.
3.
This is spiritual
growth. Spiritual growth can be
clearly seen in everyone of our lives by:
a.
Our showing a greater
appreciation for the Word of God. Psa. 119:97 says, Oh, how I love
Your law! It is my meditation all the day.
b.
A more perfect
obedience… 1 John 2:3-5 says.
c.
An enlarged faith… 2 Thess.
1:3
1.
The more one comes to KNOW
God, the greater one's faith IN God.
d.
A greater love… Phil. 1:9 (This is a love for everyone in our world.)
D.
v. 11 - strength.
1.
Strength is the power to
bear up under a weight or burden. Think of a bridge over a great body of water…
2.
The Christian needs power to
bear up under the weight or burden to succumb to temptation.
a.
We must have a firmness of
will, character, mind, or purpose; we must exhibit moral courage.
3.
When tough times come, the
strong have the conviction and courage not to falter, but stay the course.
E.
v. 11 - endurance
1.
Steadfastness and patience
are closely related and mean nearly the same. If there is a distinction in this passage, it is that…
a.
steadfastness refers to
being patient in circumstances, and
b.
Patience refers to patience
with people.
2.
The idea is that intimate knowledge
of God will give one strength to bear up under whatever difficult circumstances
or difficult people one might face.
3.
Knowledge of God will also
help one have patience to see our circumstances through to the end.
IV. v. 12-14 - The Praise that Knowledge
Brings…
A.
2 Pet. 1:3 - Peter promised
that God has provided for all of our spiritual needs…
B.
Such a provision is made
through His word and our intimate knowledge of it.
C.
This should motivate within
us a hear filled with profound gratitude and ready lips to express our
thanks…v. 12
D.
As Christians, we have the privilege
of addressing God as our "Father." Paul mentions three things that God, as our Father, has done
for us and for which we need to express our thanks.
1.
v. 12 - qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints…
a.
To be "qualified"
means to make sufficient, to empower, to authorize, to make fit.
b.
God has, by His grace,
qualified the unqualified.
c.
Mt. 19:26; 1 Pet. 1:3-4 -
this inheritance is eternal life.
2.
v. 13 - delivered us from the domain of darkness…
a.
To "deliver" means
to "draw to oneself or, to rescue."
b.
Jesus has rescued us from
the domain (or the power, jurisdiction, or authority) of darkness.
1.
Light and darkness are
metaphors for God & evil…
2.
Jhn. 3:19-21; Jhn. 12:46
c.
we were groping helpless in
the dark, but Christ came to illuminate our lives… to show us the way to the
Father.
3. v. 13 - transferred us
to the kingdom of His beloved Son…
a.
To "transfer"
means to move our change. It was
used in the ancient world to speak of the displacement of a conquered people to
another land.
b.
Christ has moved Christians
from the domain of Satanic darkness and placed us into the glorious light of
His kingdom.
1.
No longer under the rule of
Satan, we live to serve the King of Kings!
V. Conclusion
A.
In Christ, and as a result
of our coming to have an intimate knowledge of the will of God, we have two
tremendous blessings…
1.
Rom. 6:16-18 -
redemption. The word
"redemption" means to deliver by payment of a ransom. The term was often used of freeing
slaves from bondage…
2.
Psa. 103:12; Micah 7:19 -
Forgiveness of sins. We can be
pardoned from our sins and be free from the penalty of sin through Christ!
3.
Because Christ has redeemed
us, God has sent away our sins and they will never be found again!
B.
Christ has done His
part! He has already paid the
price for your pardon! But now,
the next step is yours. Do you know Christ?
C.
Our prayer for you, like the
prayer of Paul for the Colossians is that you will be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and
understanding.
D.
Are you living right? Why not respond in obedience to the
gospel call today?