Paul's Conclution Series

#12~Colo.4:1-18 PAUL'S CONCLUTION 2-9-14

1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

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2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

Paul emphasis's thanksgiving in this epistle; he mentions it 5 times--

(1:3, 12; 2:7; 3:17; 4:2). ~ It is one of the most "thankful" books in the N.T.

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2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

~ Let's watch how God answers this prayer. -- (No-wait-ok.)

~ One of the most important things a person can do; if not "the most important," is to have a closer walk with God, and prayer is the way to do it. ----

~ lets realize what we're doing, when we pray we're calling on God to work, and when we're sincere in our prayer, we're expressing our faith in Him.

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~ Throughout this epistle Paul's emphasis has been on the believer's union with Christ. --- The Christian who does not pray is demonstrating independence from God. --- He wants His children to ask Him.

>John 15:5 I am the vine, ** ye are the branches: ** He that abideth ** in me, [continue, dwell, remain]

-- and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

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3 Withal ** [at the same time] praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

4 That I may make it manifest, ** as I ought to speak.

~ In our way of thinking, {how is the best way to talk to this particular person about Jesus}

~All people are not the same, it may be best to first gain his or her confidence, it may take time, -- then others may be ready right away, if they ask questions pertaining to religious beliefs or maybe the church or Israel.

>1st. Peter 3:15-- and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

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~Let's always be looking for the right opportunity. -- Never tell a person to go to the church of their choice; people need to go to a church that tells the truth, and never to a charismatic church, these churches emphasize the Holy Spirit, we're to emphasize Jesus Christ. -- Jesus Himself said;

>John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, HE shall testify of me:

>John 16:13 Howbeit when HE, the Spirit of truth, is come, HE will guide you into all truth: for HE shall not speak of Himself, --Jesus is the Saviour.

~ The Word must be heard first, and then the Holy Spirit becomes involved, and He'll use the Word and convicts the sinner of their sins, if the lost sinner will heed His call, He'll then birth them into the Body of Christ, the church, then He seals them unto the day of redemption, that means the redemption of our new body. -- If something is sealed, it will not perish.

>John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

>Psalm 37: 28 For the LORD loveth judgment, {justice] and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever:

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~ If people don't go to a church that tells the truth, how can they ever be saved? -- They'll never have saving faith.

>Rom.10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

>Galatians 3: 26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

~ Not by faith in anything, or any one else. -- This certainly lets Mary out.

* Paul said;

>Acts 13: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things,

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Paul asks the believers that read or heard this epistle too pray for two matters in particular. ---- He asked them to pray that God would give him and his fellow workers opportunities for evangelism [telling others] and edification. [Encouraging the saved] ---- He also asked that when these opportunities came he would be able to present the gospel clearly.

~ "The mystery of Christ" is the gospel; 1st.cor.15:1-4 [death-burial & resurrection] explain especially, that Jews and Gentiles have equal opportunity for salvation. ~ Paul had a genuine burden for the lost, that all people would hear and understand their need to be saved.

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5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, [without Christ] redeeming the time.

~Take advantage of THAT particular TIME.

~ Paul instructs the believers that would be reading and hearing this letter [that includes us today as well] the best way to deal with unbelievers. -- He emphasizes using "wisdom" as most important. --- This involves living life in the light of God's revealed Word, and then applying this knowledge to specific situations.