Introduction: These are the things that the apostle Paul prayed for about the Colossians.
Paul was Thankful to God for the Colossians:
- Faith in Christ Jesus– vs 4 “Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus”. Paul was thankful for the Faith of the Colossians.
- Definition of Faith- Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him”. (Heaven, mansion, rewards, etc).
- Faith in Salvation- Ephesians 2:8-9 “for by grace are ye saved through faith”. A person must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He can save anyone who places their faith in His finished work on the Cross.
- Faith in the Bible- Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. Christians must spend time in the Bible and live by what it says. The more that Christians do what the Word of God says, the more their faith will grow.
- Love Toward all Saints– Vs 4 “the love which ye have to all the saints”. Paul was thankful that the Colossians had love toward all Saints.
- Supernatural Love- Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love…”. The fruit that the Holy Spirit of God produces in a believer is Love toward all the saints. This is supernatural love that doesn’t come from us but from God.
- Love is a Command- I John 3:23 Jesus Christ commands us to love one another after believing on Jesus Christ. This is not an option but a command.
- Love is Evidence- John 13:34-35— love is an evidence of being a disciple of Christ because he is the greatest example.
- Love doesn’t have divisions, cliques, criticism, arguments, grumbling, hard feelings, etc.
- Hope Laid up in Heaven– Vs 5 “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven”.
- Hope of Eternal Life- Titus 3:7 “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life”.
- Hope of a new and perfect Body- Philippians 3:20-21”who shall change our vile body..”
- Hope of an Inheritance- Romans 8:16-17 “the Spirit itself bearers witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God and if children, their heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ”.
- Being Reached by the Gospel- Vs 5-6 “which is come unto you”. Paul was thankful to God that the Colossians were reached by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Paul says the gospel “is in all the world” vs 6. How did it start? Acts 1:8 “and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”. And eventually made it to where we are, by faithful people preaching the gospel
- Romans 10:13-15 People will hear when a Preachers is sent and goes forth.
- They must be sent- send them out to the mission field. They must go- encourage Christians to go and not get stuck where they are.
- Bearing Fruit– Vs 6 “and bringeth forth fruit”. When a person believes the gospel, it will bear fruit in the life of a believer.
- The Fruit of the Spirit- Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law”.
- The Fruit of Reaching Others- Romans 1:13 “Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, but was let hitherto, that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other gentiles”.
- The Fruit of Sanctification- purity and cleanliness- John 15:2-3 “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you”.
Conclusion: These are the things that the Apostle Paul thanked God for in his prayer. These things are good for us to pray about our own church at this time. We all have some room to grow and I pray that we do.
Anchor Baptist Church 