Paul's Prayer for the Church @ Colosse

Filled (def) to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy

In other words - to leave nothing undone. No room for anything extra

His Will (v9b)

Paul prayed that they would be ‘filled’ with the knowledge of His Will - meaning that they understood what God wants for them in their lives - and then leaves no room for doubt.

How many of us have wondered about what God’s Will is for us? I know what it’s like to wonder, and what it’s like to be certain.

*** There are some things you need to pray about - and some things you don’t. ****

You don’t need to pray about witnessing

You don’t need to pray about living Holy

You don’t need to pray about separation / sanctification

But then again, there are other things that you need to spend time in prayer on. With both the big things in your life, and the little things.

(Ill.) Many years ago, I felt God leading me to preach. So, for Spiritual guidance, I consulted my pastor. (I believe that to have been a wise thing to do - and even though I am now the pastor unto you, when seeking God’s direction for your life, I think it wise to seek council from your pastor as well. Proverbs 24:6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellers there is safety.) When I said to my pastor ‘I think God’s calling me to preach’ my pastor said ‘Let’s pray about it’.

Paul wanted them to be Filled ‘with the knowledge of His Will’

God has a Will for you life - are you doing it?

Godly Wisdom (v9c)

IN all wisdom - Wise [wisdom] (def) Having knowledge; knowing; enlightened; of extensive information; erudite; learned, 2. Hence, especially, making due use of knowledge; discerning and judging soundly

God’s Call unto Wisdom - Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

God speaks in Scripture and calls us to get this important thing

God’s Illustrative Call OF Wisdom - Amazing how multiple times, we see God use such an inanimate, impersonal THING to speak as if it were SOMEBODY.

Proverbs 1:20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: Proverbs 8:1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? Proverbs 9:1-3 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: 2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. 3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,

The Source of Wisdom - 2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Paul prays that they are filled - with Godly wisdom, but also Biblical Watchfulness

Biblical Watchfulness (v9d)

‘Spiritual Understanding’ - this is something Paul prayed that they’d be filled with. In other words, he prayed that they’d have discernment.

Discernment (def) The power or faculty of the mind by which it distinguishes one thing from another; power of viewing differences in objects, and their relations and tendencies

Spiritual understanding is whereby one can EXAMINE something in the NATURAL SENSE, and UNDERSTAND how it RELATES SPIRITUALLY. 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Let me give you a few examples:

The natural man would view the Ark of Moses (bulrushes) as possibly a clever way to keep a kid afloat in the river, and the slime as just something to keep it sealed and from leaking. But Spiritually, we can see that Ark as a means of Salvation relating to the Salvation offered by Christ. And there’s certainly something sealing us and protecting us from ever experiencing destruction - the Holy Spirit of God!

The natural man would view look at (idols): Exodus 20:4-5 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; - they would view this as some molten calf or statue of Buddha, but the Spiritual man understands that idols are not just statues - they are anything you place before God!

The natural man (or mentality) will view what’s known as Contemporary Christian Music as something of God because they may invoke the name of Jesus or speak of Biblical things: But the Spiritual man will discern the matter Spiritually and consider Paul’s admonition in Galatians 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. They will also consider the Biblical doctrines of Sanctification, the Subtlety of Satan and what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

Paul prayed that they’d be filled with all Spiritual Understanding - leaving nothing undone

We see Paul Prayed for a Filling - next we see Paul Prayed for a Faithfulness

II. Paul Prayed for a Faithfulness (v10a)

Their Manner of Life

Two incredible words Paul used to describe the method of service. He said to ‘Walk Worthy’

Walk - (def) to tread around; deport oneself. This speaks of a constant, continual motion

Worthy - (def) appropriately; after a godly sort. In other words - THE WAY WE SHOULD

Paul in this describes in a nutshell how we as Christians ought to conduct ourselves. We should ‘Walk Worthy’. We should continually, constantly be moving / progressing in our Christian life, after a Godly sort. For the Bible admonishes us: 1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Paul prayed for them to be Faithful in their Manner of Life - and also gave them a Mark to Strive For

The Mark to Strive For

’Unto all pleasing’ - (Ill.) In my teenage years, I am sad to say that as a child unto my parents, I did not seek to please them. I sought to please myself. I sought self-gratification. Sadly, I’ve also at times experienced that as a husband unto my wife. But I dare say this: Many Christians experience this same shame concerning their relationship with the LORD. They often are not concerning with pleasing the LORD, but rather pleasing themselves.

It would behoove us Christians as we move forward in life to ask ourselves in every decision we make, what our motive is behind it. Are we seeking to please the LORD, or are we seeking to please ourselves?

Paul Prayed for Faithfulness

Paul Prayed for a Filling, Paul Prayed for Faithfulness, next we see that Paul Prayed for Fruitfulness

III. Paul Prayed for Fruitfulness (v10b)

Fruit is Demonstrable of the Tree from which it Falls

As Jesus said: Matthew 7:15-20 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

If we’re bearing the Fruit of Christ (every GOOD work), we WILL have Works!

James said: James 2:14-26 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James is not saying that Salvation comes by works, what he IS saying is that if you HAVE FAITH it will MANIFEST ITSELF IN WORKS!

It’s such a cop-out to say ‘oh I believe in Jesus’, but yet there is no evidence to show for it!

Fruit is Demonstrable of the Tree from which it falls.

Fruit is Delightful to Those who Partake

(Ill.) If we had an apple tree in the yard out here - do you know that everyone around could come by & pluck apples from it, eat of it, make the preacher pies, etc. The fruit that it bears is a BLESSING unto those who partake.

Paul wants them to be fruitful, because the fruit that is bore will be a blessing to others!

Btw, do you know who’s not gaining from the bearing of fruit? The tree. You see the tree is not bearing fruit so that it can get GLORY, it’s bearing fruit so that it can be a BLESSING

Paul prayed for Fruitfulness

Paul Prayed for a Filling, Paul Prayed for Faithfulness, Paul Prayed for Fruitfulness, next Paul prayed for Favor

IV. Paul Prayed for Favor (v11)

To Gain Strength

Paul was an abundance of special blessings upon the church there at Colosse. One of which would be that they were ‘Strengthened with all might’

The Importance of Strength

Considering the world in which we live, Godly strength is important!

We need strength to resist Satan

We need strength to flee from the flesh

We need strength to ‘walk worthy’

It take strength to ‘swim upstream’

But thank God we have a strength to rely on!

Psalm 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

Our Examples of Strength

God strengthened David in the battle against Goliath

Solomon was strengthened against the Philistines

Elijah was strengthened in the wilderness - as was Christ Himself

God has the power to Strengthen us! Paul said: 1 Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

To Gain Satisfaction

By he in increase of Patience, Long-suffering with Joyfulness

If God strengthens our patience - we will increase in Joy. When we learn more & more to wait upon the LORD, the happier we’ll be. Jesus said: John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Paul prayed for God’s Favor

Paul Prayed for a Filling, Paul Prayed for Faithfulness, Paul Prayed for Fruitfulness, Paul prayed for Favor, lastly Paul prayed for Focus

V. Paul Prayed for Focus (v12)

That they gave Recognition to God (v12a)

Paul wanted to make sure that they remembered the importance of Recognizing who was to thank for the blessings that they receive.

You know it’s easy to be puffed up with pride when we begin denying self and living for God.

When we experience sacrifice for the Cause of Christ

When we submit unto the Spirit while everyone around us is submitting to the flesh

When others are engrossed in sin and we’re abstaining

But if we’re not careful, we will become as the Pharisee in: Luke 18:10-14 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

If you are able to live a Godly, Holy life, it’s not because of YOU - IT’S BECAUSE OF HIM! BECAUSE OF HIS SACRIFICE YOU’VE BEEN FREED FROM THE POWER OF SIN OVER YOUR LIFE! RATHER THAN BEING PUFFED UP WITH PRIDE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE DUE RECOGNITION & THANKS UNTO GOD FOR MAKING A HOLY LIFE POSSIBLE FOR US TO LIVE IN ORDER TO GLORIFY - NOT OURSELVES - BUT OUR GOD!

Paul wanted them to maintain that ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ and give Recognition to God

That they Realized the Magnitude of God’s Grace (v12b)

God didn’t have to save them - remember they were Gentiles. They were aliens from the promises of God, but God is rich in mercy!

Church, God didn’t have to come down & die on a Cross for your sins! God didn’t have to experience the pain & torment that it brought for you & I - BUT THANK GOD HE DID!

Let us never forget the Magnitude of God’s Grace towards us!

Conclusion

Related Media

Related Sermons