The Supremacy Of Christ Is Demonstrated In Our Christian Witness

The Supremacy of Christ is Demonstrated in

Our Christian Witness

Colossians 4:2-6

November 18, 2001

Intro:

A. [No Soap]

In regions of Mexico hot springs and cold springs are found side by side, and because of the convenience of this natural phenomenon the women often bring their laundry, boil their clothes in the hot springs, and then rinse them in the cold springs.

A tourist watching this procedure commented to his Mexican guide: "They must think Mother nature is generous to freely supply such ample, clean hot and cold water."

The guide replied, "No senor, there is much grumbling because she supplies no soap."

B. On this Thanksgiving, I hope that will truly think about the blessings that God has given us and we will truly be thankful.

1. As has been our custom on past Thanksgivings, we will rearrange our worship service this morning.

2. Today, however will not be totally focused on Thanksgiving.

3. We share in a time of Thanksgiving, but it will not be the focus of the entire service.

4. We are going to continue in our study of Colossians 4, today verses 2-6.

5. So I want to invite you to open your Bibles and lets see how Paul says how the Supremacy of Christ is Demonstrated in Our Christian Witness.

C. Let’s read our text…

I. Devote Yourselves to Prayer

A. Being watchful.

Colossians 4:2, Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful…

1. Pastoral thoughts on text.

Paul says that we should be watchful in our prayers.

That means to be on the lookout for the second coming of Christ.

When we pray, we pray just as John did, "Come quickly, Lord Jesus."

We pray with the thought in the front of our minds that Jesus could come back at any time.

And if Christ were to come back today, what do we want God to do before then?

If Christ were to come back today, what would God want us to do before that?

If Christ were to come back today, who needs to be saved before that?

We pray with one eye closed and one eye focused on the sky.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being thankful.

2. Observance of the Lord’s Supper—Luke 22:16-18

3. Song of Watchfulness #73 "It Is Well with My Soul"

4. Prayer of watchfulness—Bill Van Bibber

B. Being thankful.

Colossians 4:2, Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

1. Pastoral thoughts on text.

As we devote ourselves to prayer, Paul also tells us to be thankful.

Those things should go hand in hand: prayer and thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving should not be something that we do only in November.

Thanksgiving should be an attitude for Christians.

Christians should have an attitude of gratitude.

2. Gifts of Thanksgiving (offering)

3. Song of Thanksgiving "Give Thanks"

4. Testimonies of Thanksgiving

5. Prayer of Thanksgiving—Suzi Moore

C. Being Evangelistic.

Colossians 4:3, And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

1. Pastoral thoughts on text.

Paul says that we should pray for open doors to the message.

Paul says that we should pray for opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus.

Paul says that we should pray for the salvation of others.

Paul says that we should pray for men, women, and boys, and girls to hear the Good News of Jesus.

Paul says that we should pray for open doors to share the Good News and that people would accept the gift of grace that God offers them.

Those things sound so basic that they begin to sound like platitudes.

But the question is: Do we really pray like that?

Do we really pray for opportunities to share the gospel or do these kinds of verses just sound good in a sermon?

Are we really evangelistically minded?

Are we really praying for open doors?

Devote yourselves to prayer for open doors of evangelism.

2. Song of Evangelism—"People Need the Lord"

3. Prayer for Evangelism—Sue VanBibber

D. Being pastorally covering.

Colossians 4:4, Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

1. Pastoral thoughts on text.

Paul asked the Colossians to pray that he would be able to proclaim the gospel clearly as he should.

Paul was asking them to join in the spiritual warfare that he was involved in.

Paul was asking them to join in the spiritual warfare.

Pastors need prayer!!

Pastors cannot proclaim the gospel as they should without the covering of the prayers of godly people.

Pastors cannot preach the gospel clearly without the anointing of the HS.

Pastors cannot share the message of salvation if they are in bad health.

Pastors cannot share the Good News of Jesus if he is loosing the battle of temptation in his private life.