please turn in the New Testament to Colossians 1

Two Great Doctrines in One Prayer Colossians 1:9-14

Colossians 1:9-10 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Colossians 1:11-12 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Colossian 1:13-14 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

What does it say about a nation that calls itself Christian and elects a President that completely ignores the Bible?

The Apostle Paul will Answer Christianity Today In His Prayer for the Church at Colossae

The Doctrines of JustificationSanctification

Verse 9 Do not cease to pray Do not cease to pray Filled with: Filled with: – Knowledge of His [God’s] Will In all wisdom In all wisdom In Spiritual Understanding In Spiritual Understanding

Wisdom and Understanding Paul isn’t praying that they have historical information—names, places, etc.—or an INTELLECTUAL assent

This is spiritual wisdom and understanding about God’s will from God’s Spirit.

Why does Paul want God to fill them with wisdom and understanding about His will?

Col 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Purpose

Two Misunderstandings Both interfere with my relationship with God

Your Walk Colossians 1:10 Colossians 1:10 – That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, Walk is Lifestyle

Deuteronomy 13:3b.-4 for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

Your Walk: Lifestyle A LIFESTYLE that pleases God includes: 1.A healthy fear and reverence for God. 2.Keeping His Commandments. 3.Obeying His Voice. 4.Serving Him. 5.Persevering (remaining faithful).

FACT Alternative lifestyles which ignore God’s Commandments are not pleasing to the LORD!

Both! Both! This is why Paul is praying that they be granted spiritual wisdom and understanding!

1. Earn my salvation? What does Paul say in Col 1:12—?

Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet [qualified] to be partakers [share] of the inheritance of the saints in light: Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet [qualified] to be partakers [share] of the inheritance of the saints in light: Fact: I can’t qualify or make myself suitable! Fact: I can’t qualify or make myself suitable!

Commentary The Gr. Word translated meet means “to make sufficient.” The Gr. Word translated meet means “to make sufficient.” God qualifies us only through the finished work of the Savior. Apart from God’s grace through Jesus Christ all people would be qualified only to receive His wrath. God qualifies us only through the finished work of the Savior. Apart from God’s grace through Jesus Christ all people would be qualified only to receive His wrath.

Colossians 1:13-14 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

What is redemption? “to deliver by payment of a ransom” and was used of freeing slaves from bondage.

Redemption 1 Peter 1:18-20

God Father Has : God Father Has : – Qualified me in Christ Jesus – Made me a partaker of the Inheritance of the Saints – Delivered me from Darkness – Shined His Light into my Soul – Moved me into the Kingdom of Christ – Redeemed me from Slavery to Sin » Forgiven my Sins

Why did God the Father do all that for me through Christ Jesus? Answer: To enable me to walk in a way that pleases Him in order to bear much fruit!

Holy Living Why am I seeking to know His Will? Why am I seeking to know His Will? – Because God expects me to walk according to His Will or live a holy life. – Moreover, God’s will or revelation is limited or proportional to my obedience to what He has revealed.

Colossians 1:10 – That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, – being fruitful in every good work, and – increasing in the knowledge of God;

Colossians 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; – The Christian walk is Hard! We need God’s strength We need God’s strength – We need His glorious power » We need the Joy of the Lord

Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Why did he move me to the light? Why did he move me to the light?

Colossians 1:13 [God] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [God] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Why does he deliver me from the power of darkness? Why does he deliver me from the power of darkness?

Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Why does he deliver me from slavery from sin? Why does he deliver me from slavery from sin? Why does he forgive my sins now? Why does he forgive my sins now?

What’s our Choice? “Just two choices on the shelf— pleasing God and pleasing self.” Quoted in Jim Berg, Changed Into His Image