Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Billy Graham was once asked what he would do different if he had to do it all over again.

He replied, “I would pray more and study more.”

Can you imagine?The greatest preacher of our lifetime felt like he did not pray and study enough.

Perhaps you, like me think when you hear that, “then I am in a bad way because there is no way my study habits are like those of what Billy Graham would have been!”

Our study in Colossians gives us many benefits of the Christian Life and how those will help us grow and be stronger in our walk with Christ.

Among these benefits, we find much about prayer, disciplines that strengthen our walk and a reminder of just what we are being delivered from by making our lives all about Jesus.

Praying for Direction

Paul’s example as mentioned in is that of constant prayer.

Paul mentions this in .

In verse 9, he continues this thought of constant prayer by mentioning that “we have not stopped praying for you.”

The Gospel had come to the Colossians perhaps just like it came to me and you.

We heard the good news from someone else and God used that person in our lives to reveal the beautiful story of how God created us to be in fellowship with Him, but because of our failures, wrong doings called sin, that fellowship was broken.

But because of God chose while we were still sinners to demonstrate His great love for us and allowing Christ to die for us.

And, because of that, we can life abundantly now and eternal life forever!

That is good news!

How do you celebrate when you hear about someone has received that good news and are growing in Christ?

Paul told the Colossians that as he has heard this about them, he has prayed for them and asked God to give them spiritual direction.

The line in this verse should not be overlooked.

It is because of what God has already done that Paul can pray with confidence for what God can do.

When God begins a work of grace, He will continue it and complete it!

That is good news!

This prayer is one that is tireless.

Paul says, “we have not stopped praying for you.”

Paul has a habit about reporting his regular prayers.

Dr. N.T. Wright points out that Paul does not offer teaching, advice, or encouragement except in the contact of prayers.

As I have studied the writings of Paul, I see that more and more.

Paul’s work is not of his own plan.

Our work should not be of our own plans but those of the Lord.

This is indicated in the passage: “…asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”

The word “fill” is translated from the Greek word PLEROO, which means filling out to completeness.

The work “knowledge” is from the Greek word EPIGNOSIS which is filling out to completeness.

Together, we have a description of Paul’s desire for the people of Colosse to have a complete understanding of the fullness of God and to experience it in a way that completely changes their lives.

If Paul were writing this to our church, he would express the same thing!

This filling comes from the Holy Spirit being alive and working in our lives.

Paul describes this in 1 Corinthians 2:13:

1 Corinthians 2:13

It does not come from self knowledge because according to , knowledge puffs up:

1 Corinthians

Our knowledge of God must be filtered through His Word.

It also needs to be practical.

We must know it in order to do it.

That is why any person that claims to be a Christian can learn from God’s word how to live, serve and be obedient to the cause of Christ.

Paul prays for God to fill the people of Colosse with the knowledge of His will.

It is the understanding of God’s saving purpose that helps us understand His will.

Therefore, we are able to understand the ways and characteristics of God Himself.

Paul is “asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”

The phrase “all spiritual wisdom” is the practical know how that comes from God.

This verse tells us that is available from God.

It is there for the asking.

Ask and the Bible says it will be given to you.

We must make sure that we are seeking Godly wisdom and not wisdom that is earthly.

It is necessary to discern and make sure it is of God.

Notice that verse 9 closes out with the word “understanding.”

Understanding is clear analysis and applied decision making of the knowledge.

Spiritual wisdom and understanding are the fruit of the created order and follow God’s design.

We are designed to be under God and over the world.

True spiritual wisdom and understanding is both securing and freeing.

True spiritual wisdom and understanding keep us from being tossed about and frees us from the unbiblical schemes of man.

It is a skill that can be developed through the study of God’s word.

Exodus

Deuteronomy 4:6

Isaiah

The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of both:

Not only does Paul pray for the people of Colosse to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding, he prays that they may live a life worthy of the Lord.

Paul gives insight about this in a few other passages:

A life worthy of the Lord is received.

It is something that is given, not earned.

1 Thessalonians 2

A life worthy of the Lord is urged by those who have already experienced it and has understanding of what it means to be a disciple and follower of God.

The NKJV, KJV, and NASB all have “walk worthy.”

This keeps in line with Paul’s Jewish background and the understanding from the Old Testament about the description of one’s path.

Proverbs 2:

“Live a life” and the “walk” are synonomous.

A genuine knowledge of Christ is revealed in a life that reveals Christlikeness.

The word “worthy” is from the Greek word AXIOS.

It means of equal weight.

We mentioned , but also look at what else we are to be worthy of in our lives and walk.

Philippians

We are to be worthy of the gospel.

1 Thessalonians

We are called to lives lives worthy of God.

1 Thessalonians 4:1

We are called to continue to grow and do more and more.

As a believer, we are equal to the Lord’s standards.

We are holy as He is holy.

As a believer, we are equal to the Lord’s standards.

We are holy as He is holy.

1 Pete

together make a beautiful picture of the Christian life.

When we live a life worthy of the Lord, we may please Him in every way.

This is a way of life we can aim for!

Understanding fuels holiness.

Holiness fuels a deeper understanding.

Deeper understanding bears fruit.

This leads to The Power of Discipline.

You and I can please God with our lives!

It is not circul:ar, but spiral.

Paul is praying that as you increase in the knowledge of God’s will, you will increase in the knowledge of God.

And vice versa, the more you understand about God, the more you understand about His will.