LESSON 9 colossians

Colossians 4 Prayer: Vs. 2 Be devoted to prayer “proskartereo”: to attend constantly, persevere in, wait upon, to continue to do something with intense effort. Used metaphorically of steadfastness and faithfulness in the outgoings of the Christian life, especially in prayer.

prayer Keep Alert: gregoreo – to be awake, watch, vigilant , employ punctilious care in a thing. Zod. A mindfulness of threatening dangers which, with conscious earnestness and an alert mind, keeps it from all drowsiness and all slackening in the energy of faith & conduct. Used in the worry over the salvation and preservation of others.

prayer Praying that God will open a door for the Word, with clear speech! (visible, illuminate, to make known what HAS been hidden) I John 3:2 I Cor. 16:9 …a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are adversaries 2 Cor. 2:12 ..a door was opened for me Rev. 3:8 I have put before you an open door which no one can shut

prayer Laboring earnestly: agonizomai – to contend for a prize, struggle as in an athletic contest or warfare, as with an adversary, with great intensity and effort. Zod. It is the task of faith in persevering amid temptation and opposition; to take special pains and toils. Col. 1:29 Paul labored in prison Col. 4:12 Epaphras labored in prayer

Cross references John 15:7,16: I John 5:14-15 Jesus said to pray in His name, abiding in His Word, according to His will, THEN ask what you want Col. 1:9; 4:12 –Paul and Epaphras prayed for the believers to know God’s will I Thess. 5 and Phil. 4 Pray with thankfulness, continually be in an attitude of prayer IF we do this, we SEE the things to be thankful for

Prayer and supplication Prayer: proseucho – exchange of wishes, prayer addressed to God, sometimes a place of prayer Supplication: deesis – heartfelt petition, arising out of deep personal need confiding access to God; it gives prominence to the expression of person in need. Both are to be done with thanksgiving

Cross references Eph. 6:18 Prayers according to God’s will are initiated and led by His Spirit Matt. 26:41 Believers should be alert in prayer in order to face temptation I Tim. 2:1-4 Pray on behalf of all men and authorities, NOT so we can have an easy life, but that we will be able to proclaim the gospel as we live our lives in peace with men

How to live toward unbelievers Col. 4:5 Live wisely among unbelievers Make the most of the opportunity Col. 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace Know HOW to answer each person Eph. 4:29 This would require that you have a personal – intentional - relationship with them So what does “prayer” mean to you now?

Paul’s friends Tychicus: faithful servant and beloved brother Paul sent to the Colossians and the Ephesians “so that you may know about us and that he may comfort your hearts” Onesimus: Philemon’s slave, a Colossian, fellow believer, sent with Tychicus back to Philemon Aristarchus: a Thessalonian, fellow prisoner with Paul, traveling companion from Macedonia

Paul’s friends Mark: Barnabas’s cousin, on first missionary journey with Paul and Barnabas and was the cause of their splitting on the second. Peter called him his son. Wrote the gospel of Mark. Reconciled with Paul as he called him “useful” Justus: Jewish believer with Paul in Rome Epaphras: in prison with Paul in Rome, a Colossian, beloved fellow bond-servant, faithful servant of Christ, prayer warrior, lover of saints

Paul’s friends Luke: Physician, wrote Acts with great detail Demas: worked alongside Paul for a time, then deserted because he loved this present world Archippus: Colossian believer, fellow soldier whom Paul exhorted to “fulfill his ministry”( to carry through to the end). Timothy: traveling companion of Paul’s, possibly the scribe for many of Paul’s letters, ministered to Paul. Paul passed the baton of faith and ministry on to HIM 2 Tim. 2

application What is YOUR ministry? How will you fulfill it? Do you have intentional relationships with unbelievers, praying for an “open door”? How has your prayer life and your understanding of it changed? Go forth into the summer with renewed purpose