Influencing People Through Holy Living

Influencing people through Holy living

Colossians 4:1-6

Introduction-

This morning we will be looking at Colossians 4:1-6.

The book sits between Philippians and 1 Thessalonians.

If I had to sum up the book in a few words, I would say the supremacy of Christ and believers living a holy life. The book was inspired by God, written down by Apostle Paul.

Chapter 3-4 deals with the holy living of believers.

Tells us to rid ourselves of unholy living.

How husband, wife should act.

How parents should treat children, and how children should treat their parents.

Chapter 4 begins about masters, slaves. Today’s language could be employers and employees.

How Christians can influence the people around them?

Like they say in Missouri, “show me” show me speaks louder than if you just tell me about being a Christian.

Colossians 4:1-6 Read

If you are going to influence people, we are going to have to live a life that is intentionally surrendered to God. (Repeat)

At the time Paul wrote this, there was a estimated 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire.

They thought of slaves as things, tools.

Sick one, get rid of him, don’t even waste the food on them.

Today we still live in an age that is getting to be have, have nots. The struggle between labor and management, between employer and employee.

In the defense of the employers, how good or secure would it be for you to work for a poor boss, one who had no money. That would not be job security.

Employees want smaller work loads, fewer hours, more vacation, more pay, and benefits.

Employers wants more productivity, more profits.

How does a Christian handle himself/herself?

Following Christ is not part time.

You don’t only have Christianity on Sunday at church.

We don’t have an option of choosing when we will please God.

Weather the employer is a task master, believer, or pagan.

We are to be obedient and give them our best.

If it gets to bad that you cannot work there, that is a different story, then you have to leave.

A Christian’s life must manifest itself at the job.

He/She should be able to trust you.

You should follow directions.

When their out of the room, you are giving your best as if they were still right there.

Paul says:

3:23-

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

In everything we do, do it as unto the Lord.

Illustration-

With the MDA lock up, they told me they were going to get me in a revised patty wagon and take me in cuffs to the lock up. They pulled up in a black stretch limo. I thought they were joking. I want you to know, it could be very easy to get use to that

Suffering for Jesus That is what I was doing.

Paul tells us to be devoted, watchful, thankful. It is very easy to look at what others have and complain. It is dangerous to put your eyes on worldly positions and miss the open door for the message of Christ.

Your boss may under pay you, and over work you. But someday God will balance the scales. Part of it gets stored in heaven and payday is coming

Life does seem unfair at times. God calls us to be overcomers, to stay focused on His instructions. On the job that He has given us to do.

Like I said on Wednesday, if you are doing God’s will, it does not matter what the job is, you will be blessed and rewarded from the Lord for it.

Satan expects us to do little or nothing to accomplish much in life. If we are going to do anything we must hold high the banner of Christ and be overcomers and be a mighty witness where God has us.

How do we do that?

3 points:

I. Prayer

II. Proclaim and be a witness where He has you

III. Make the most of every opportunity

I. Prayer

Evangelism. That is almost a bad word today. The preachers are supposed to go out and witness for Christ. The word tells us that we are all suppose to go out and preach the gospel. I really don’t think we fully grasp the importance of what we are called to do.

People are dying without Jesus everyday. We can wish them into heaven, but the truth is without an active relationship with Jesus, they won’t make it.

There are people hurting and living without direction and purpose. Our job is to bring them the gospel.

Illustration

Three preachers sat discussing the best positions for prayer while a telephone repair man worked nearby. “Kneeling is definitely the best”, claimed one. No , another contested. “I get the best results standing with my hands outstretched to heaven”. Your both wrong, the third insisted, “the most effective prayer position is lying prostate, face down on the floor”. The repairman could contain himself no longer. “Hey fellas, he interrupted, the best praying I ever did was hanging upside down from telephone pole.”