Introduction:
A. One night a father was walking past his 5 year old daughter’s room when he proudly noticed she was on her knees in prayer.
1. When he paused to listen, he heard her repeat this prayer several times: “abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz.”
2. When she was finished praying, her dad asked her why she had prayed the alphabet and she replied: “God is really smart, and when I don’t know what to pray about, I just say the alphabet and He figures it out for me.”
3. There is some truth to that, but God prefers that we pray more specifically than that when we can.
B. Here’s a great poem about prayer that someone wrote years ago:
I said a prayer for you today and know God must heave heard.
I felt the answer in my heart, although He spoke no word.
I didn’t ask for wealth or fame (I knew you wouldn’t mind)
I asked Him to send treasures of a far more lasting kind.
I asked that He’d be near you at the start of each new day.
To grant you health and blessings and friends to share your way.
I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small.
But it was for His loving care, I prayed the most of all.
C. Is that the kind of prayer that you might pray for your family and friends?
1. But how might you pray for people you don’t know personally?
D. In today’s section of Colossians that we will be examining, Paul prayed for the Colossians.
1. Most of Paul’s letters begin with a prayer for the recipients of the letter.
2. Sometimes Paul knew the recipients of the letter very well, other times, like in the case of the Colossians, he only knew them through someone named Epaphras.
3. Unusually in Paul’s prayer we discover the reason that he is writing to them and the unique needs that his letter will address.
4. Paul was aware of the challenges threatening the church at Colossae and so he prayed for a number of things that they needed to face that challenge.
5. But as we look at his prayer for them, I think we will conclude that these are things that all of us need to have prayed for us as well.
6. Let’s look again at Paul’s powerful prayer: 9 For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, 10 so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. 14 In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Col. 1:9-14)
7. Let’s explore the three main things that Paul prayed for the Colossians.
I. Paul Prayed for Their Spiritual Intelligence
A. In verse 9, Paul prayed: We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
1. As we have been discussing so far in this sermon series, the false teachers promised the Colossians that if they followed them and their teachings, they would be “in the know.”
2. The false teachers were likely using “buzz words” like: knowledge, wisdom and understanding, so Paul employed the same words.
3. Satan loves to deceive and so he borrows from the Christian vocabulary and twists them and takes them in different directions.
B. I think a key word in verse 9 is the word “filled.”
1. Paul prays for them to be “filled with knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.”
2. Paul used the word “filled” six or seven times in the letter, so it must have been another of the false teachers “buzz words.”
3. The idea of being “filled” or “complete” carried the idea of being fully equipped.
a. It was a word often used of a ship that was ready for voyage, filled with everything needed for the trip.
4. When used in the New Testament, the word “filled” also means to “be controlled by.”
a. When we are filled with anger, then we are controlled by anger.
b. When we are filled with the Spirit, then we are controlled by the Spirit (Eph. 5:18).
5. Paul prays that they will be filled with knowledge of God’s will so that they will be controlled by the knowledge of God’s will.
C. The Greek word translated “knowledge” in this verse carries the meaning of “full knowledge.”
1. Even though Paul prays that they will be given the full knowledge, in many ways a Christian is always growing to that place of full knowledge.
2. I don’t think any of us will ever arrive at the point where we can say that we know it all and don’t need to learn anything else.
3. I heard about a college freshman who turned in a 10 page report titled “The Complete History of the Universe.” (I guess he thought he knew it all at that point)
4. As we continue to pray and study God’s Word, we can be filled with knowledge of God’s will.
D. Paul expanded upon the meaning of being filled with knowledge, when he added in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
1. It is one thing to have knowledge, but it is far better to understand what that knowledge means and to have the wisdom to know how to use that knowledge.
2. It’s one thing to be a jeopardy champion filled with knowledge and trivia, but it something completely different to be able to use that knowledge to accomplish tasks, serve others or lead a ministry.
E. Possessing spiritual intelligence is the beginning of a successful and fruitful Christian life.
1. Spiritual ignorance is not a virtue, nor should we be satisfied to remain spiritually ignorant.
2. Like Paul prayed for the Colossians, we need to pray for the fullness of knowledge of God’s will, all wisdom and understanding.
3. The more we have the fullness of God’s spiritual intelligence, the more capable we will be of winning the spiritual battles we face and living a life pleasing to God.
II. Paul Prayed for Their Practical Obedience
A. Here’s how Paul put that prayer into words: I pray that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him; bearing fruit in every good work. (vs. 10)
1. If Satan can’t stop us from growing in spiritual intelligence, then he will try to stop us from putting what we know into practice.
2. James wrote that we must not be merely hearers of the Word, but doers of the Word (Jm. 1:22).
3. For the Chrisitan, knowledge and obedience must go together.
4. There must be no separation between learning and living.
5. True spiritual understanding should lead to practical obedience.
B. Over my many years as a Christian and a spiritual leader, I have encountered some people who have become fixated on studying the deeper truths of God’s Word.
1. What sometimes happens is they become so deep that they become immobilized and unproductive, because these “deeper truths” they were seeking only detoured them from simple, practical Christian living.
2. Then, instead of living lives worthy and pleasing the Lord and bearing fruit, they cause debate and division in the church.
3. When it comes to the bottom line, what we often need isn’t more or deeper truth, but obedience to the truth we already know.
4. In Philippians 3:16, Paul wrote: Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
C. The two words that summarize the practicality of the Christian life are “walk” and “work.”
1. Notice the important sequence: first comes wisdom, then walk, and then work.
2. Knowledge should lead to character which results in actions.
D. Our walk should be worthy of the Lord and pleasing to Him.
1. The words life and walk are often used interchangeably.
2. A life that is pleasing to God is one where we live and walk in a manner that is appropriate for God’s children.
3. A walk that is worthy is one that is in line with God’s goodness and holiness.
E. Paul adds that a life that is worthy and pleasing to God is one where we bear fruit in every good work.
1. It shouldn’t surprise us that God expects His children to be fruitful.
2. A fruit tree should naturally bear fruit and if it doesn’t, then something is wrong.
3. Jesus said that He is the vine and we are the branches and if we remain attached to Him then we will bear much fruit. (Jn. 15:5)
4. Jesus said that His Father is glorified when we bear much fruit showing that we are His disciples (Jn. 15:8).
5. The New Testament mentions two specific kinds of fruit that Christians can bear.
a. The first kind of fruit is the spiritual virtues called the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control (Gal. 5:22).
b. The second kind of fruit is the saving of the lost – Jesus said that the fields of souls are ripe for harvest and that those who reap a harvest of souls gather “fruit for eternal life” (Jn. 4:36).
6. But in addition to these specific things called fruit, all kinds of spiritual work for God can be considered “bearing spiritual fruit.”
a. All kinds of spiritual working, serving, helping and giving are a kind of good fruit and are an offering to God, which is pleasing to God.
F. So, Paul prayed for their spiritual intelligence and that that spiritual intelligence would result in practical obedience – worthy living.
1. But neither of these things would be possible without the third thing that Paul prayed for – God-given power.
III. Paul Prayed for Their God-Given Power
A. Paul prayed: 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light.
1. Paul knew that if the Colossians were going to be able to live worthy lives, pleasing to the Lord and if they were going to be able to stand against the challenges facing them, then they would need God’s power.
2. Christianity is not a “do-it-yourself” religion, rather it is a “do-it-by God’s power” religion.
3. Paul didn’t say, “I can do all things by my strength!” Rather, he said I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13)
4. Later in Colossians 1:29, Paul concludes: I labor for this, striving with his strength that works powerfully in me.
B. How amazing that we can pray to be strengthened will all power according to God’s glorious might.
1. When we think about God’s glorious might and the kinds of things God’s power has accomplished, we might think of things like: the rising of Jesus from the dead, the plagues on Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, or the crumbling of the walls of Jericho.
2. But rather than praying for those kinds of miraculous things that God has done in the past, Paul prays for God’s power to give the Colossians endurance, patience, joy and thanks.
3. God’s power is being called upon to bring about Christian character.
4. These inner victories of the soul are just as great, if not greater, than the public victories recorded in Scripture.
5. For King David to control his temper when being maligned by Shimei and by Nabal were greater victories than the slaying of Goliath the giant.
6. Proverbs 16:32 says: Patience is better than power, and controlling one’s emotions, than capturing a city.
C. Could you use God’s empowerment to give you the ability to endure, be patient, be joyful and give thanks?
1. Endurance is the ability to keep going over the long haul and the uphill.
a. Sadly, many people give up and give in when the going gets tough.
b. Dr. V. Raymond Edman, late President of Wheaton College, was famous for his slogan, “It’s always too soon to quit! If we are involved in big things, they are big enough for our God to handle. If we are involved in small things, they are not too small for our God to bless. The key to success is this: Don’t quit!”
c. If we are relying only on ourselves, then we cannot endure, but God’s power can give us the endurance we need.
d. In 2 Cor. 1:8-9, Paul shared his experience: We don’t want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction that took place in Asia. We were completely overwhelmed— beyond our strength—so that we even despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.
e. God’s power can give us strength to endure far beyond our strength.
2. God’s power can also give us patience.
a. Endurance has to do primarily with circumstances, whereas patience has more to do with people.
b. The Bible tells us how patient God is with us and we often try His patience, don’t we?
c. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit and through God’s power and His Spirit in us we can have God-given patience.
3. God’s power can also give us joyfulness.
a. Joy is also a fruit of the Spirit and is independent of happy circumstances or easy to live with people.
b. Real and deep joy comes from our unchanging relationship with God and the trustworthy promises of God.
c. Peter wrote: Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Pt. 1:8-9)
d. Only God’s power in us can fill us with joy even in the midst of the hardest and saddest of times.
4. The final thing that Paul mentions that is the result of God’s power in us is thankfulness.
a. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul says that we should be thankful in all circumstances.
b. There are many ways to be thankful in all circumstances, but I think the most helpful way is to always count our blessings in Christ.
c. Paul mentions a few of the things related to our salvation that should make us thankful.
1. We have a share in the inheritance of God.
2. God has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into His kingdom.
3. In Christ we have redemption and forgiveness.
d. Entitlement and pride are things that destroy thankfulness.
1. If salvation is something you think God owes you or you deserve, then there is no room for thankfulness.
2. But if, on the other hand, you know that salvation is a gift of mercy and that is isn’t something that you can earn or deserve, then you are so thankful.
e. By God’s mercy we don’t get what we deserve (punishment) and by God’s grace, we get what we need (forgiveness).
e. How can we not be thankful?
Conclusion:
A. Aren’t you amazed at this powerful prayer that Paul prayed for the Colossians?
1. Wouldn’t you agree that it is a prayer we need and a prayer we need to pray.
2. We need spiritual intelligence – His knowledge, wisdom and understanding.
3. We need practical obedience – we need to practice living a worthy life and bearing fruit.
4. We need God-given power – we need power to live worthy lives and bear fruit, and endure with patience, joy, and thankfulness.
5. There is no way we can be what we need to be and ought to be without God’s power working in us and through us.
6. So, let’s devote ourselves to praying for God’s power and to rely on God’s power.
B. Let me ask you what you personally need from God today.
1. Do you need to become a disciple of Jesus and be rescued from the dominion of darkness and be bought into the Kingdom of Christ?
a. You can do that today if you believe in Jesus, turn away from sin and turn your life over to Christ, confess your faith in Christ, and be baptized into Christ through immersion in water for the forgiveness of your sins and you will be rescued and saved.
b. When we do what God commands: believe, repent, confess and be baptized, then God does what He does: forgives, gives the Holy Spirit, transfers us from death to life.
2. Maybe you are already a disciple of Jesus, but you recognize that there is a lot that is lacking in your spiritual life.
a. Maybe you are lacking spiritual intelligence, practical obedience, or a reliance on God’s power.
b. It is God’s desire that we live a worthy life and bear all kinds of fruit.
c. And if we are not growing and bearing fruit then something is lacking in our attention to spiritual things and on our reliance on the power of God in our lives.
d. God will supply what we need, but we must ask for God’s provision and then rely on it.
3. If you need to come for salvation or restoration, then come…
Resources:
Colossians, by Warren Wiersbe, in The Bible Exposition Commentary, Victory Books, 1989
Colossians, by David E. Garland, in the NIV Application Commentary, Zondervan, 1998
Colossians, by Owen D. Olbricht, in the Truth for Today Commentary, Resource Publications, 2005
