WTTV - Part 17 Leading a Rescue Operation

I don’t know about you but when I came to faith in Yeshua I was primarily concerned with getting rescued out of the hellish life I had been living for over a decade in abuse, drugs and violence. My wife will tell you that when she came to faith at 6 years old she wanted to be rescued from a dark eternity in hell separated from God. Lauren at age 6 and I at age 21 realized we were dyer straights and without a divine rescue operation our present and our future looked tragic.. I wanted an escape from the dark world I was living in, Lauren and I wanted an escape from a dark eternity separated from God.

Chances are when you came to faith you also needed a rescue. You had some need, want, hurt, desire and you really needed God to step-in and do something about it. It was beyond you to get out of that thing that circumstance you were in. You needed more than human help, you needed a God kind of search and rescue operation.

Everyone of us in this room also remembers that moment when you knew that God’s rescue operation was in motion on your behalf. You might not have recognized it in that moment but when you look back you realize it was no coincidence , it was no accident, it was divine providence. God sent a rescue worker. That person, that congregation, that friend, that Rabbi/Pastor, that family member that introduced you to the Messiah, that was God’s divine rescue worker. All of us can remember that moment God sent His rescue worker to bring us of the darkness that was surrounding all of our lives.

Our passage today is a behind the scenes look at what motivated that rescue worker to reach out to you and what should motivate you to also be a rescue worker.

Ha-Foke-Ba

Colossians 4:2–6 TLV

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, keep praying for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the message, to proclaim the mystery of Messiah—for which I am in prison. Pray that I may make the mystery clear, as I ought to speak. Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, to know how you ought to answer everyone.

Sermon Introduction

Colossians 2:4–6 TLV

I am telling you this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive-sounding arguments. For even though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit—rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your trust in Messiah. Therefore as you received Messiah Yeshua as Lord, so continue to walk in Him—

II can tell by the looks on your faces that you are wishing you would have decided to skip this service and stay in bed today. I can tell some of you are already wondering, “when I can break for the door, run before he tells me I have a responsibility, nay a command to talk to other people about what I believe!!!”

Can’t you just leave well enough alone?

Can’t God just send an angel or a dream?

Can’t God just send someone else?

Can’t they just accept they are getting what is coming to them.

I have tried before and they did not listen.

I am not ready, I don’t have all the books you do, I don’t have a bachelors degree in Bible.

For those in the room today who don’t know Messiah yet I hope today you will at least understand why we are so passionate about sharing our messianic hope.

But for everybody else; Listen up, Jonah and Jonet, you are not just a prayer warrior, nor an attender of service nor just a huddle upper in circles in chavurot. You are called, commanded to participate in God’s search and rescue operation for His children.

“Throughout the course of your life, you’re going to give your life to something. You will. All people do. They give their lives to pleasure or to possessions, to the attainment of popularity or to the acquisition of more power. But always to something.”

Hybels, Bill; Hybels, Bill (2008-09-09). Just Walk Across the Room: Simple Steps Pointing People to Faith (Kindle Locations 463-465). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Throughout the course of your life, you’re going to give your life to something. You will. All people do. They give their lives to pleasure or to possessions, to the attainment of popularity or to the acquisition of more power. But always to something. Most people think to themselves as long as me and my little tribe are all right the man up stairs it’s the preacher’s job, the rabbi’s job to conduct the search and rescue operation for the lost. The clergy give their life for that but I give my life for....

Let’s get real. Why don’t we just acknowledge that we really are just comfortable now in our salvation and don’t feel a tug and we barely shed a tear for those facing an eternity forever separated from God.

Perhaps we have just gotten over our love affair with the God who rescued us and have moved on to bigger and better things for life.

Maybe we have forgotten or have simply started to deny that the Scriptures say that we were rescued from darkness.

Colossians 1:13 TLV

He rescued us from the domain of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son whom He loves.

Maybe we have forgotten how deeply hurt people are because of sin’s power, satan’s power and the world’s corruption.

Maybe we have forgotten that the Messiah Yeshua came to earth for a rescue mission not for a coronation nor for a Torah Indoctrination:

Luke 19:9–10 TLV

Then Yeshua said to him, “Today salvation has come to this home, because he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

The mind of Yeshua hadn’t been consumed by business gains or money or fame or family special interest but instead was endlessly focused on one thing: people — those who were lost and found, young and old, rich and poor, sought-after and rejected.

Never has anyone displayed such a prodigious obsession with people as did Yeshua.

Remember what Matthew, the most Jewish Gospel writer of all the guys, said that Yeshua’s expectation is that his followers share this magnificent obsession with rescuing the lost in .

If you really believe in the redeeming and transforming power of the Messiah's work then you must give yourself to rescuing people from darkness.

I deeply believe that true followers of the Messiah understand that there job was given to them for the sake of the gospel, not just the sake of a paycheck.

I deeply believe that true followers of the Messiah understand that their power, money, influence - no matter how great or small - was given to them for the sake of God’s rescue operation.

I deeply believe that true followers of the Messiah know that the highest and best use of their life — to be part of God’s rescue operation of his children.

Hybels, Bill; Hybels, Bill (2008-09-09). Just Walk Across the Room: Simple Steps Pointing People to Faith (Kindle Locations 478-479). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Give yourself to unbroken prayer.

Hybels, Bill; Hybels, Bill (2008-09-09). Just Walk Across the Room: Simple Steps Pointing People to Faith (Kindle Locations 473-476). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Colossians 2:2–4 TLV

My purpose is that their hearts, joined together in love, may be encouraged. May they have all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, leading to a true knowledge of the mystery of God—that is, Messiah. In Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. I am telling you this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive-sounding arguments.

Colossians 4:2–6 TLV

Colossians 4:2–4 TLV

A summons to unbroken prayer at God’s throne prepares you personally for God’s search and rescue operation. The fervor that ought to characterize unbroken prayer becomes obvious as Rabbi Paul exhorts all believers to have these three defining prayer markers in our life (v.2) :

A summons to all-out earnestness at God’s throne poses a sharp challenge to any half-hearted, casual, and hum-drum substitute for a prayer life. The fervor that ought to characterize prayer becomes obvious as Paul exhorts Christians to be three things in prayer.

Unbroken prayer is avid not absent.

The term proskartereo can have several ideas,

The term proskartereo can have several ideas, “to stay by or persist in,” “adhere to,” “busy oneself with,” “be devotedly engaged in,” “occupy oneself with earnest diligence,” etc. It appears in for disciples in the upper room continually devoting themselves to prayer.

“to stay by or persist in,” “adhere to,” “busy oneself with,” “be devotedly engaged in,” “occupy oneself with earnest diligence,” etc. It appears in for disciples in the upper room continually devoting themselves to prayer.

James E. Rosscup, An Exposition on Prayer in the Bible: Igniting the Fuel to Flame Our Communication with God (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2008), 2332.

Perhaps the best word picture is when Odysseus has his sailors tie him to the mass of ship so he would not be tempted by the Siren’s song.

The one characteristic of avid, ongoing, devoted prayer is that it is rooted in the character of God not in the give me, give me attitude of the pagan babeling ().

When you get to the point of asking yourself, “Should I keep bother God with this” then you know, you are just getting started.

Avid, ongoing, devoted prayer is not an option: it is a command. It is a command for fervent devotion to God. A believer’s prayer life should be characterized by avidness in prayer not absentee card, or IOU card. Prayer is not set aside to get to more important things.

Unbroken prayer is alert not asleep.

Here “alert” is gregoreo, a military term for a solider stationed in a fox hole, or on a wall, or on guard duty and he must keep vigilant watch, not falling into a doze.

Here “alert” is gregoreo, a term for a sentry stationed on vigilant watch, not falling into a doze.

What do we need to be alert about?

Jam

The fiery darts the enemy is throwing at you.

The idols trying to take back your heart.

Unbroken prayer is appreciative not apathetic.

James E. Rosscup, An Exposition on Prayer in the Bible: Igniting the Fuel to Flame Our Communication with God (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2008), 2332.

This brings the greatest balance to prayer because it tells us that are avidness and alertness are not rooted in fear but in confidence.

We are motivated to pray because we are trully grateful, our hearts have a great appreciation for what has been done for us.

When our prayer life is motivated by gratitude let me tell you what happens:

One: It is an honest admission you have received something good from God.

Two: When you know you have received something good then you the natural result is happiness and a relief of stress.

Three: gratitude allows us to celebrate our working together with God.

Rabbi Paul transitions from personal unbroken prayer to intercessory unbroken prayer for others actively involved in God’s search and rescue operation (vv. 3-4).

Unbroken prayer for clearance to speak.

Notice he says “at the same time.” In other words, your prayer life should be characterized by both personal and corporate intercession.

Of all the things Rabbi Paul could ask for prayer concerning he asks for prayer to share the mystery of the Messiah not to get out of Prison. He asks for the door to open for the gospel not the door to open for his prison.

He asks for the door to open for the gospel not the door to open for his prison.

They mystery of the Messiah is this message that the One God of Israel put on human flesh, lived a perfectly righteous Jewish life, died and rose again for our salvation.

That message is dangerous to Rome that it has put him in prison. Why? It challenges all that men and women hold dear.

Unbroken prayer for clarity to speak.

Rabbi Paul was not some hap-hazard hack who did not care about what he said when he preached the Gospel. As a matter of fact, I have a hard time believing that Rabbi Paul was anything but the best prepared person in the room to talk about the Torah and the Messiah.

He did not speak in high language nor did he regress to his rabbinic jargon or theology; rather, he used the same method Yeshua used: story, word pictures and simple to follow logic.

In our conversational age, complex sentences, multiple syllables, and hundred-dollar words mark poor communicators.

Bryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2005), 340–341.

Clarity increases as sentence length decreases. Communication improves as words simplify. This is not because people are dumber than they used to be. We simply understand more when others address us plainly.

This is why the Bible consistently admonishes preachers to develop a plain style of speaking (; ; ; ). The Bible does not hesitate to frame its greatest truths in simple words (e.g., ; Zacchaeus; the Lord’s Prayer; koine Greek). Where simple words can be used, we should not detour to more complex terms.

Illustration

My youth group prayer warriors at the drug party.

Prayer broke the outer shell of his resistance.

Application: Counting the Omer

Moments matter so make every moment matter.

Colossians 2:5 TLV

For even though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit—rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your trust in Messiah.

Colossians 4:5 TLV

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.

We have a Jewish proverb that says, “Whoever does not see God in every moment does not see an opportunity for God at any moment.” Rabbi Paul knows that most believers would be content and more than willing to have an unbroken prayer life if it meant it stopped there.

The Rabbi and his Disciples. The joke about the mice gathering outside of His door.

Don’t hear me wrong: prayer is important but prayer is not enough. Prayer prepares your heart and the spiritual landscape for God’s search and rescue mission through your actions, choices that take place every single day.

Every Moment is Advised by Wisdom

Every Moment is Advantages for God’s rescue mission.

Illustration: A Banquet at Levi’s House (

Every moment for Yeshua was a moment that mattered for his Father’s search and rescue operation. I love what happens when he meets Levi, we know him as Matthew.

Quote the Passage.

Yeshua is saying I am not here for a reception, I am here for redemption. I am here to reconcile these children back to their father. I am here not for a meal but for a mending of hearts.

Application: Seven Moments You Can Make Matter

When there are trials.

When there are decisions.

When there are changes.

When there are celebrations.

When there are holidays.

When there are meals.

When there are material blessings at your disposal.

Share Who you know not What you Know.

When I was in Jr. High I use to go these dances at the Knights of Columbus Hall. My Junior High in Sugar Land hosted them on a monthly basis. It was a huge deal for me. If I played my card rights I might get a slow dance with one of the popular girls. And if I played my cards right and timed it just right I could get her to come out and dance with me during the Bill Medley, Jennifer Warnes, I’ve Had the Time of My Life. In my mind, I had this whole smooth conversation planned out and in my mind I knew I would dance like a Patrick Swayze, MC Hammer kind of smoothie. Usually, it took me about an hour of uncomfortable avoidance of eye contact as I stood against the wall with all my other cool guys before I would finally muster up the courage to just walk across the room and say something.

I am sure I had some really smooth line like, “Ugh, you want to not dance?” I always found that confusion was a great tactic. In Jr. High, no body knows what dance they are doing it only matters who you are dancing with.

In Jr. High, no body knows what dance they are doing it only matters who you are dancing with.

Rabbi Paul says be ready to share who you know not what you know.

Colossians 4:6 TLV

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, to know how you ought to answer everyone.

Share with salty speech not small talk.

Share about His amazing grace in your life.

Share what your ought to share with everyone.

Illustration: We speak about what we have seen and heard ()

I know Rabbi Paul knew the stories about Cepha and the guys from am sure that one of the stories that had to be in the back of Rabbi Paul’s mind as he wrote these words was the story when Cepha and John rescue a lame man by healing him in the name of Yeshua.

The are put in jail and then brought out before the Sanhedrin and they say ().

Remember what Cepha and John say in response ()

Application

How do I start doing this when for so long my speech has been salty but like fisherman, locker room salty?

First, don’t tell them you are trying to be a better person.

Second, do tell them you are a transformed person that does not want to keep on living the way you have been.

How do I share my “uninteresting story”?

How do I share with my Jewish friend?

Conclusion

And when you allow your life’s great preoccupation to be God’s search and rescue operation, you’ll find that when Messiah asks you to take a walk across a street, into a restaurant, up a flight of stairs, through a locker room, wherever, you will be ready! You’re ready to follow his lead because you remember the fact that Yeshua once crossed an entire universe to rescue you — the same Yeshua who was known to enjoy deep community from time to time but who would consistently and unapologetically excuse himself from a comfortable situation to walk in the direction of one of God’s children that needed to be rescued out of darkness.

You will remember that Rabbi Paul made his life uncomfortable, literally in prison, to be part of God’s search and rescue operation. When your life’s great preoccupation is God’s search and rescue operation you will remember that God put you in your family, that job, that school, that fitness class, that gym, that grocery store, that wherever place or whenever moment to conduct a search and rescue operation for one of God’s children that are enslaved in darkness.

Hybels, Bill; Hybels, Bill (2008-09-09). Just Walk Across the Room: Simple Steps Pointing People to Faith (Kindle Locations 497-500). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

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