The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8

Paul’s Prayer Requests Colossians 1:9-11

Written by Paul Written to believers in Colossae Written from Rome Written in 61 AD Written because of the Colossian heresy Written to show the supremacy of Christ

Paul’s thankful heart, vv 3-5a Faith, love and hope The word of truth, the gospel, v 5b The essentials of the gospel The universal impact of the gospel, vv 6-8 Constant fruit bearing, and the eternal nature of love

Filled with the knowledge of His will, vv 9-10 Strengthened with all power, v 11

It is their “faith, love and hope”, vv 3-5a “We have not ceased to pray,” continuous participle Knowledge of God’s will should be our first concern “May be filled”, i.e. it isn’t a guarantee Must be submitted and in fellowship with Him How do we know God’s will? Study God’s Word, obey it (be transformed) Romans 12:1-2 General will vs. specific will Wisdom and spiritual understanding Wisdom + Spiritual understand = God’s Will

Verse 10, literal translation: “to walk worthily of the Lord, in all (things with a) desire to please in every good work constantly bearing fruit and constantly growing in the knowledge of God,”

Worthy walk depends on wisdom and spiritual understanding applied The Word of God is the necessary component Can’t have wisdom or spiritual understanding without the Word When we walk worthily we constantly bear fruit and we constantly grow, i.e. the “Spiritual Cycle”

God His Word The Believer Trust, Thankful

Worthy walk depends on wisdom and spiritual understanding applied The Word of God is the necessary component Can’t have wisdom or spiritual understanding without the Word When we walk worthily we constantly bear fruit and we constantly grow, i.e. the “Spiritual Cycle” The purpose of learning is stability Doctrine precedes Duty

Must be empowered by the Holy Spirit δυναμις = power Empowered with all power The flesh will fail; the Spirit will succeed Rom 8:1-17 Reliance on the Spirit is necessary to please God, v 8 Same Spirit who raised Jesus is in us, Rom 8:11 Need His power for steadfastness ( ὑ πομονή) The seed in good soil bears fruit in steadfastness, Luke 8:15 Gain steadfastness in trials, Rom 5:3-4, Jam 1:3, 2 Pt 1:6 Need steadfastness to gain our reward, Heb 10:36 Christ recognized 3 churches for their steadfastness, Rev 2-3

Patience – the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit, Gal 5:22 We need patience with one another! Two possible translations: “enabled with all power according to the might of His glory into all steadfastness and patience with joy,” OR “enabled with all power according to the might of His glory into all steadfastness and patience, with joy giving thanks…”

Filled with the knowledge of His will, vv 9-10 In all spiritual wisdom and understanding For the purpose of a worthy walk Strengthened with all power, v 11 Empowered with all power from the Holy Spirit For the purpose of steadfastness and patience

“This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24-25

There is a fountain filled with blood, drawn from Immanuel’s veins; And sinners plunged beneath that flood, loose all their guilty stains; Lose all their guilty stains, Lose all their guilty stains; And sinners plunged beneath that flood, loose all their guilty stains.