11 29 the power of my life col 4 2-6

Question:

“…a game of golf …”

“…driving a car…”

How To Truly Know A Person …

THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord

and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work,

growing in the knowledge of God.…


General Outline of Colossians

I. Chp 1 : DOCTRINEChrist's Supremacy & Sufficiency DECLARED

II. Chp 2 : DANGERChrist's Supremacy & Sufficiency DEFENDED

III. Chps 3-4 : DUTYChrist's Supremacy & Sufficiency DISPLAYED

Sermon 8 : LIVING for JESUS Col 3:1-11

GENERAL PRINCIPLES to LIVE for JESUS Now

1. Seek the Heavenly2. Slay the Earthly Put to death … Take off …

3. Strengthen the Christly Put on …

Sermon 9 Properly ATTIRED for ETERNITY Col 3:12-17

GENERAL PRINCIPLES to PREPARE for ETERNITYWe Are …Chosen …Holy (Set Apart) …Loved …

THEREFORE‘Put On’ the…

CHARACTER OF CHRISTPEACE OF CHRISTWORD OF CHRISTNAME OF CHRIST

and BE THANKFUL, BE GRATEFUL ….

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Sermon 10 Col 3:18-4:1 Relationship is Key

SPECIFIC PRINCIPLES to KEY AREAS of life… MARITAL RELATIONSHIP PARENTAL / FAMILY RELATIONSHIP ‘WORKPLACE’ RELATIONSHIP

RULES without RELATIONSHIPS leads to

TRUTH without RELATIONSHIPS leads to

DISCIPLINE without RELATIONSHIPS leads to , &

REBELLION

REJECTION

RESENTMENTBITTERNESSANGER

Sermon 11

Col 4:2-6 The POWER

of MY LIFE

Sermon 11

Col 4:2-6 The POWER of MY LIFE2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4

Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

PRINCIPLES for PERSONAL LIVING

Sermon 11 Col 4:2-6 The POWER of MY LIFEV2 : Devote yourselves to prayer, …

1. MY PRAYER LIFE Assumptions made … that … All Christians Pray … No problem with Praying …

Q: How many say grace before meals ?Q: How many say grace ALOUD before meals ?Q: Who struggles to PRAY ?Q: Who finds difficulty PRAYING out loud ? Praying does not come naturally to many people.. Some people need to be taught ‘HOW TO PRAY’ …

Sermon 11 Col 4:2-6 The POWER of MY LIFE1. MY PRAYER LIFE Jesus had 12 Disciples …Q: “If” you are ONE of the 12 …

what will be that ‘ONE THING’ you will want to ask Jesus to teach you ?

? Healing … leprosy, blind, deaf, lame …casting out evil spirits !!raising the dead !!

? Walking on water …? Multiplying food …? Preaching, Teaching …. Parables … Lk 11:1 "Lord, teach us to pray,…”

Sermon 11 Col 4:2-6 The POWER of MY LIFE1. MY PRAYER LIFEDefn of PRAYER : ‘Talking with God’ ‘Simply paying attention to God’

a. HOW TO PRAY –• Start ‘small’, ‘simple’ …• Be consistent…• Lord’s Prayer …• Read, Learn, Apply…

“Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. Guide me safely through the

night, Wake me with the morning light.”

“Thank you God for my food, Strengthen me and

grant me health.Bless the hands that prepared the food”

Sermon 11 Col 4:2-6 The POWER of MY LIFE

1. MY PRAYER LIFE

b. UNWORTHY TO PRAY – because I’m ‘too sinful’…Luke 18:9-14 Parable of the

Pharisee & Tax Collector1 John 1:8-9 If we claim to be

without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.


1. MY PRAYER LIFEC. WHY PRAY – God Already Knows…

Q: Is God so reluctant to answer… ?Q: Must we ‘pester’,‘wear Him out’ … ? A: God enjoys answering prayers….

But …. ‘delays’ to increase our faith & devotion… to accomplish His purposes at the right

time… we may be God’s answer ….

‘God’s delays are not always God’s denials.’


1. MY PRAYER LIFEc. WHY PRAY ? “Assumed” in the Bible… ‘when you pray’ … Matt 6:5,6,7

Example of Jesus … Building a Relationship with God … eg God’s will to be done …

‘the purpose of prayer is not to get man’s will done in heaven,

but to get God’s will done on earth.’


1. MY PRAYER LIFE Christians = Prayer …. Prayer is our lifeline to God….

V2 : Devote yourselves to prayer, …Devote – persistent, not giving up, steadfastly,

diligently, earnestly …Ref : 1 Thess 5:17 - "pray continually“Q: What does that mean ?A: To have a prayerful attitude at all times…

Besides a regular prayer time … Become as natural as breathing …

Sermon 11 Col 4:2-6 The POWER of MY LIFE1. MY PRAYER LIFEV2 : Devote yourselves to prayer,

being WATCHFUL and thankful. WATCHFUL : keep / stay alert …

Looking out … for where God is moving / working for what God brings across our path anticipating the Lord's coming

Matt 26:41 ‘Watch & pray…’ Gethsemane 1 Peter 5:8 ‘Be … alert. Your enemy the

devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.’


1. MY PRAYER LIFEV2 : Devote yourselves to prayer,

being watchful and THANKFUL. THANKFUL : Gratitude … Colossians - Thanks & Thankfulness….Q: Where was Paul when he wrote Colossians ?A: In a Roman prison awaiting trial …. be Thankful for … His Presence ... His Provision ... His Protection ... His Promises… His Purpose … His Power - Sovereignty & Supremacy

Sermon 11 Col 4:2-6 The POWER of MY LIFE1. MY PRAYER LIFEV3 : And pray for us, too,…1:3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus

Christ, when we PRAY FOR YOU, 1:9-10 For this reason, since the day we heard about

you, we have not stopped PRAYING FOR YOU and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And WE PRAY THIS in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,


1. MY PRAYER LIFEV3 : And pray for us, too,…

Q: What was Paul’s prayer request ?

A: “… that God may open a door for our message,

so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ,

for which I am in chains.

Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.”

Not for himself, his freedom …

BUT for the Word / Gospel / Good News …

The Proclamation of the Word…

BULGARIA


Sermon 11 Col 4:2-6 The POWER of MY LIFE3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door

for our message, so that we may PROCLAIM the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

4 Pray that I may PROCLAIM it clearly, as I should.

2. MY TALKin PROCLAIMING … the Word

Declaring, Preaching … the Word Open doors…. Favor … Message - Mystery of Christ … With Clarity….

& Power (eg 1 Cor 2:4, 1 Thes 1:5)


2. MY TALK6 Let your CONVERSATION be always full of grace,

seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

In everyday CONVERSATION – Talking, Sharing … Full of grace … Gentleness, Respect, Love, Care & Concern … NOT insensitive, pushy, judgmental ….

Seasoned with salt … Palatable & tasty … ‘Godly flavor’… NOT bland & tasteless … OR creating thirst for the ‘Water of Life’…


2. MY TALK6 Let your CONVERSATION be always full of

grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

In everyday CONVERSATION : Talking, Sharing …

ALWAYS BE CAREFUL …Ref Eph 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome

talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.


2. MY TALK6 Let your CONVERSATION be always full of grace, seasoned with

salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

In everyday CONVERSATION – Talking, Sharing …

ALWAYS BE PREPARED …Ref 1 Peter 3:15-16 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

2. MY TALKRef Prov 18:21"Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Our speech should be consistent with … the Word of God and the character of Christ.


Q: How is your TALK-life?Is it Full of Grace ?Seasoned with salt ?Does it build up …Are you ‘prepared’…


5 Be wise in THE WAY YOU ACT TOWARD OUTSIDERS; make the most of every opportunity (redeeming the time).

3. MY WALKThe way we ‘act’ …Our actions, behavior, reactions …Verbal & non-verbal …



5 Be wise in THE WAY YOU ACT TOWARD OUTSIDERS; make the most of every opportunity (redeeming the time).

3. MY WALK

Ref Matt. 5:16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."



1. MY PRAYER LIFE2. MY TALK3. MY WALK

The Greatest ARGUMENTs FOR the Christian Faith are CHRISTIANS.

The Greatest OBSTACLE/BARRIER TO the Christian Faithare also christians.

Q 1: How many of you accepted Christ because the life of some Christian impacted you ?

Q 2: Do you know of people who refuse to become Christians because of the behavior of some ‘Christians’ ?


Ralph Waldo Emerson

“What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.”

“Who you are speaks so loudlyI can't hear what you're saying.”

‘Christians are the “bible”that the world reads’


Sermon 11 Col 4:2-6

The POWER of MY LIFEQuote: “The New Testament example

of the Christian experience is that of a PERSONAL, PASSIONATE DEVOTION to … Jesus Christ.”

“When I commit myself … I receive from God the Gift of the Holy Spirit…”

“The Spirit of God does in me internally all that Jesus did for me externally.”


And I pray this in order that

I may live a life worthy of the Lord and

I may please him in every way:

I may bear fruit in every good work,

I may grow in the knowledge of God.…

Sermon 11 Col 4:2-6 The POWER of MY LIFEConclusion :Eph 5:15-1715 Be very careful, then,

how you live — not as unwise but as wise,

16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

The MESSAGE15 So watch your step. Use

your head. 16 Make the most of every

chance you get. These are desperate times!

17 Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.

11 29 the power of my life col 4 2-6

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