Aaron Telecky continued his series in Colossians by covering 1:9-12.
Below are the outline and some sermon notes.
Three prayer requests made by Paul on behalf of the believers in Colossae
† Aaron's adjective to convey his understanding of the Greek word ἐπίγνωσις (epignosis).
My random thoughts
Prayer must be intentional. Paul understood what God deemed most profitable in a believer, and he prayed it unceasingly. Over and over, the apostle went before the heavenly throne on behalf of this local church with the sole purpose of interceding for their spiritual welfare according to God's desire as revealed in his word. There is a long-range goal in view.
Those living in a soundbite culture have difficulty with this, as they are being programmed by images and messages in such a way as to bypass the cognitive processes and interact with the subconscious in order to engender certain feelings. As a result our lives are governed more by how we feel about something rather than the facts. People will pray for peace, joy, contentment, etc. There is nothing wrong for asking these things, but believers often pray that the individual would just be feeling good or at least better about things without considering the spiritual needs concerning Christian walk or growth. Sometimes the prayer should not be, "Lord, please make it stop hurting" but rather "Lord, let it hurt so she might be perfected in you" or possibly "Lord, make it hurt more so that he sees what's needed."
Life must be lived so the Lord is seen. There are good works prepared for us (Eph 2:10) requiring diligence and effort. Our walk and witness work together in proclaiming the gospel ahead of the words we will eventually use. The testimony of a well-lived, abundant existence points to the work of redemption working in us, so that people will ask (sometimes in veiled ways) about the hope in us.
We are qualified to share in what the Father has. There are many measures of qualification, whether academics, certification, licensure, or inspection. Each individual, product, or process requiring some statement of qualification has standards in place to properly measure whether or not that being measured has attained to the requirement. As pertains to the Christian life, the maturing process does not result in qualification. Believers have already attained it and as a result are empowered to mature into Christ-likeness.
Is something preventing you from praying for another's spiritual maturity? Is there something preventing you from maturing spiritually? The job of removing the stumbling block can and should begin today.
| And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. |
Three prayer requests made by Paul on behalf of the believers in Colossae
| 1. | Genuine wisdom (v. 9b) | ||
| ...be filled with the [all-consuming†] knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding | |||
| With this wisdom we should be asking the following in any decision | |||
| • | Is there a scripture text that addresses the situation? | ||
| • | In the absence of some specific text, is there a scriptural precedent for the situation? | ||
| • | Even with a text or precedent, is there a potential that I am being deceived? | ||
| 2. | Exemplary walk (v. 10a) | ||
| • | The intent of gaining discernment is to live it out correctly | ||
| • | The well-balanced Christian life has equal input and output | ||
| 3. | A vivid witness (10b-12) | ||
| Christian witness has these characteristics | |||
| • | Fruitful – bearing fruit in every good work | ||
| • | Purposeful – increasing in the [all-consuming†] knowledge of God | ||
| • | Powerful – strengthened with all power | ||
| Having the outcome of all endurance and patience with joy | |||
| • | Grateful – giving thanks to the Father | ||
† Aaron's adjective to convey his understanding of the Greek word ἐπίγνωσις (epignosis).
My random thoughts
Prayer must be intentional. Paul understood what God deemed most profitable in a believer, and he prayed it unceasingly. Over and over, the apostle went before the heavenly throne on behalf of this local church with the sole purpose of interceding for their spiritual welfare according to God's desire as revealed in his word. There is a long-range goal in view.
Those living in a soundbite culture have difficulty with this, as they are being programmed by images and messages in such a way as to bypass the cognitive processes and interact with the subconscious in order to engender certain feelings. As a result our lives are governed more by how we feel about something rather than the facts. People will pray for peace, joy, contentment, etc. There is nothing wrong for asking these things, but believers often pray that the individual would just be feeling good or at least better about things without considering the spiritual needs concerning Christian walk or growth. Sometimes the prayer should not be, "Lord, please make it stop hurting" but rather "Lord, let it hurt so she might be perfected in you" or possibly "Lord, make it hurt more so that he sees what's needed."
Life must be lived so the Lord is seen. There are good works prepared for us (Eph 2:10) requiring diligence and effort. Our walk and witness work together in proclaiming the gospel ahead of the words we will eventually use. The testimony of a well-lived, abundant existence points to the work of redemption working in us, so that people will ask (sometimes in veiled ways) about the hope in us.
We are qualified to share in what the Father has. There are many measures of qualification, whether academics, certification, licensure, or inspection. Each individual, product, or process requiring some statement of qualification has standards in place to properly measure whether or not that being measured has attained to the requirement. As pertains to the Christian life, the maturing process does not result in qualification. Believers have already attained it and as a result are empowered to mature into Christ-likeness.
Is something preventing you from praying for another's spiritual maturity? Is there something preventing you from maturing spiritually? The job of removing the stumbling block can and should begin today.
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