Colossians: It's All About Jesus Everybody Wants Some!

What's your purpose statement Based on your life now?

You have one And it's important: It determines how You use what you Can't get back: Time

"Why am I here?" "What will my life be about?" Musical chairs… But in the meantime

I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose - Luke 4:43

For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice - John 18:37

…my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour - John 12:27

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief - 1 Tim. 1:15

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest - John 9:38

The purpose of a disciple Is to glorify God by Being about the mission Of his Rabbi

Colossians 4 1- Mystery of the gospel 2- Let no one pass judgment (False teachers) 3- Put on the new self (headship)

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving

"In difficult circumstances Continue to pray…even if it takes intense effort Be alert in prayer, thankful For God's great grace"

Prayer isn't easy …labor with me in prayer- Paul Why?

- It's a waste of time - It's like that home gym - Spiritual opposition - I feel unworthy - I don't want to give up that…

We'll never pray with fervor Until we really believe Prayer moves the hand of God Wanna change your prayer life? Start with your faith life

Prayer moves the hand of God And the hand of God Moves the world

- False teachers - Danger in the Community - Prevailing cultural attitudes of Authority and headship - Persecution is coming

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving

God gives discernment through - Scripture properly applied - Prayer with openness - Fellow believers - Occasionally circumstances

Without prayer: Scripture is easily twisted Believers can push agendas Circumstances might rule

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving

Not "when and if" But now, as a habit Else I might not recognize "When and if"

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving

Prayers of thanksgiving Kill entitlement and Remind you that it's not about: - What they have that you don't

Prayers of thanksgiving Kill entitlement and Remind you that it's not about: - The hardship you're facing

Prayers of thanksgiving Kill entitlement and Remind you that it's not about: - Your weakness or failure

Thanksgiving reminds you what You've been blessed with what You don't deserve and that The God who blessed you is able to keep you in all things

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving

At the same time, pray also for us… Don't refuse to pray for yourself Don't pray just for yourself

You and I won't pray with fervor Until we really believe That prayer moves The hand of God

The Apostle Paul wouldn't Waste time asking for prayer Unless he'd seen how powerfully God uses it in this world

At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—

…that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak

Woah!

In prison, not sure when the end will come Betrayed by the church Praying for…?

The purpose of a disciple Is to glorify God by Being about the mission Of his Rabbi

At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—

The priority of someone who Lives for Jesus: That in these circumstances God might use me to introduce People to my Christ

At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—

Jesus isn't just for Jews Or just for… We find unity, fulfillment Purpose in coming to know him There is good news in Christ

I will speak to someone About Jesus Who would be better off Not knowing him (Or is just fine like they are…)

Therefore, let no one pass judgment on you in regards to… Jesus: Sets free from man's religion

…there is not Greek and Jew… Jesus: Ends division and racism

Christ in you, the hope of glory Jesus: Guarantees eternity And brings hope now

The priority of someone who Lives for Jesus: That in these circumstances God might use me to introduce People to my Christ

God redeems my circumstances For his glory, their blessing And my joy God redeems my circumstances For his glory, their blessing And my joy

The purpose of a disciple Is to glorify God by Being about the mission Of his Rabbi

At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—

"I want to declare this gospel Of my King Because I believe God's purpose In allowing this is that my world Might hear the truth of Jesus"

…that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak

"Pray I speak it well" …that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak

Apostle Paul Beaten, death threats Stoned, in prison Is just like us: fearful at times

They say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account” - 2 Cor. 10:10 They say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account” - 2 Cor. 10:10

I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom…

…but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God - 1 Cor. 2:3-5

Don't follow those who Simply speak well Follow those who live real Imitate their faith rather than being fans of their ministry

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith - Hebrews 13:7

Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should - Eph. 6:20

He's like us. His response? "Pray for me. God'll answer!" Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should - Eph. 6:20

Don't follow those who Simply speak well Follow those who live real Imitate their faith rather than being fans of their ministry

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of (redeeming) the time Relationships + Intentionality= Changed Lives

God will redeem the Circumstances you're in He calls you to redeem The time you have

The purpose of a disciple Is to glorify God by Being about the mission Of his Rabbi

What's your purpose? Glorify God by making disciples So the lives are changed Christ is glorified And people become whole

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person

Let your speech…be gracious Favorably inclined Without defense= unoffendable Imitating God's grace for you

…seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person Wisdom, gracious, seasoned

"How do I make you thirsty For the Jesus who died for you?" You can lead a horse…? But you can make him thirsty

The purpose of a disciple Is to glorify God by Being about the mission Of his Rabbi

These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me

We minister cross-culturally Always God often uses us in areas Of weakness, not strength (Rabbi Paul ministers to…?)

We minister cross-culturally Always God often uses us in discomfort Rather than comfort (Paul threatened, in prison)

The greatest way to short-circuit God's power Is to shrink in fear Demand to work in our strength And insist on comfort

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you…

…always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God

Struggling in prayers Because their maturity And full assurance of walking In the will of God is worth Praying for

And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord” "Don't tap out, Archippus" Because we will all want to

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you - Colossians 4

Musical chairs… No idea when What will your life Have been about?

It won't be about What you plan to do But what you've been doing Every single day

The purpose of a disciple Is to glorify God by Being about the mission Of his Rabbi

1- Pray for open doors 2- Pray for boldness 3- Consider the effect of your speech 4- Live for more

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