Instructions on Prayer

Instructions in prayer
Colossians 4.2-4
Prayer should come natural for the believer. But we make it a chore. This privilege that we have been given through the gospel is taken for granted daily. We have opportunity to converse and share with the living God. The one who created the world, want us to come to him in prayer. Notice Paul’s instructions to the Colossians.
I. Intentional Prayer
Prayer for us is something that we do as a habit or good thing. But prayer is of vast importance. Notice how exact Paul’s instructions are. We are told to continue in prayer in a steadfast way. How is this? What do you think Paul is suggesting right here? This statement calls for commitment. Paul instructs us to be committed to a consistent prayer life. Our prayers should be focused. Paul tells us to be watchful. This all boils down to having a purpose in our prayers. How can our prayers be committed prayers? What does being watchful (vs2) mean? What is the importance of a committed prayer life? What are some steps we can take to develop an intentional prayer life?
a. Committed
b. Focused
c. Centered
II. Intercessory Prayer
Paul now turns his attention on some instructions in praying for others. Our prayers are usually like a list to Santa. We should petition God to bless those in our lives. Paul seeks out prayers for those in his party. Paul challenges these people to pray about the furthering of the Gospel. When was the last time we earnestly prayed about the furthering of the Gospel? Honestly are our prayers focused on the Christ and His message? Why do prayer for people who are physically sick, but not spiritually sick? Paul ends by asking for prayer for himself. He asks that he may be clear in his presentation of the Gospel. Paul here realizes his weakness and his need of strength when dealing with such intense things as the Gospel.
a. Others
b. Gospel Focused
c. Christ Centered

Arrows

Psa 127:1 A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
Psa 127:2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Psa 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Psa 127:4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.
Psa 127:5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

This text reminds me of my home and family. It is comforting to know that God is the builder and watcher of my life, my family and my home. I take in joy in understanding that we are in God's hands...yes he is that big!!! As Hebrews chapter one states, " he upholds the universe by the word of his power. " He holds it ALL together. He does all this by His WORD. That is awesome to know.

But I chose Psalm 127 today because of the blessing my wife and I will receive in a few months. Lord willing, we will be blessed with a new "arrow". Children are a blessing, gift, and an inheritance from the Lord.

I thank him for his grace and magnificant blessings!

Whatever you do....Colossians 3.18-25

There is no doubt that in the day in which we live we need some direction in the way we conduct ourselves with others. Paul gives us some details on how we can do this. He begins by talking of the home. He addresses wives, husbands, children, and fathers. These details are vital in the development of a family that Glorifies the Lord. Wives are told to submit to their husbands because it shows obedience to the Lord. Husbands are told to be tender to their wives, children are told to obey parents in order to please the Lord. Fathers are given advice on raising kids. And we even have some details given to slaves or workers. But all of these point top serving others, denying our wants and needs, and pleasing the Lord.
Today’s family does everything but glorify God. The fact of the matter is that when we lift up and serve others we are serving and glorifying God. This is God’s plan. We see the example in the Bible through the life of Jesus Christ. He came as a servant. He lead with his service. Oh the wonders he did….never for himself always for others, always to Glorify GOD. So it brings us to the closing statement in chapter 3 which will be our focus tonight. Notice verses 23-25.

We are given a clear picture of what a life that Glorifies God looks like. Notice how Paul generalizes this in verse 23 by using the phrase “whatever you do”
I. Whatever you do….
This covers everything. From relationships with family, friends, church members, coworkers, students, all people. This covers our dealings in our finances, and how we pay our bills, how raise our kids, how we treat our parents, how play sports, take tests, do chores, our job performance all these things ride on the statement “whatever you do”. How can we glorify God in everything we do? What must happen in an individuals life in order for him to glorify God? Do you think that pleasure and enjoyment are found in living a life that glorifies God? Why?
II. What you must do…
We must come to the realization of what we must do as people who follow Christ. We are to glorify God with our bodies. We are a sacrifice sealed to work for him. We are to give up our wants and do everything as if it were for God. Because it is for God. When we do a test at school you are doing for the Lord. When you mow the grass you are doing it for the Lord. When you wash the dishes you are doing it for the Lord. Every action you do it as hard as you can and do it for the Lord. Not to pleas people but to please God. All things that you and I doe are a reflection of what our relationship in God looks like. We need to live our lives as if they were worth dying for. How can we accomplish this task? What are some barriers to thinking this way? Why do most “Christians” not follow what Paul tells us to do here? What can we do to promote this type of thinking in our church?
III. Who You Are…
When we were bought by the blood of Jesus, we became his. We are no longer our own. We must depend upon his strength his integrity, his grace, his wisdom, and all of who Jesus is. We are now his servant. When we do anything in life it we are serving him. Oh how we need to embrace this type of thinking. Can you imagine what we would see in the lives of people if we all lived like servants. What is a servant? Do we have a right to mistreat some one if they have mistreated us? What are some ways a servant pleases his master? How can we be the servants that Christ wants us to be?