As Christians, how should people view us in the world? In many ways, our life should be indistinguishable from that of Jesus's. In this message, listen in as Burnie Lund preaches from Colossians 4:2-6 on the subject of prayer and prudence.
Prayer and Prudence | Colossians 4:2-6 | August 11, 2024
(00:00:17) Introduction
- Colossians chapters 3-4 = practical Christian living
- Our life should be indistinguishable from the life of Christ
(00:05:35) Vs 2-4: Cultivate Prayer
- Follow Jesus’ example of constant prayer
- Prayer is the cultivation of the proper posture towards God done in his presence
- Acknowledge who God is and who we are
- Reference Luke 18:1, Ephesians 6:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Colossians 1:3 & 1:9
(00:13:00) Vs 3: Pray Alertly with Expressive Gratitude
- “Watch” = military term
- Watch in prayer with thanksgiving for God’s character and our assurance of salvation
- Show expressive gratitude
(00:23:53) Vs 3: Pray for Opportunities to Evangelize
- Pray for divine opportunities to verbally share the full gospel
- Pray for God to open doors to share His logos (word)
- Pray for opportunities to speak the mystery of Christ revealed in His scripture
(00:28:37) The Gospel
(00:33:57) Vs 5-6: Cultivate Prudence
- “Prudence” = to be wise in practical affairs (Ref. Ephesians 5:5)
- “Get your affairs in order and keep them there”
- Display an orderly life as a testimony to everyone watching
- “Redeeming the time” - be fruitful and not wasteful
- Use of our substance, sexuality, and speech reveals the position of our hearts
(00:41:04) Be Known for Temperate Speech
- Temperate = moderate or self restrained, not extreme in opinion or statement
- Let Jesus live through us
- Seasoned with salt = tasteful and preserving
- Speak truth with love and grace
- How would Jesus use our experiences, skills, and resources? What would Jesus do?
