Introduction: In the prior lessons we discussed Paul’s greeting to the Colossians and then Paul’s thankfulness for the Colossians. This evening, we are looking at Paul’s prayer for the Colossians.
Paul Prayed to God for the Colossians:
- To be filled with the Knowledge of his Will– Vs 9 The person that is filled with the knowledge of God’s will have wisdom and understanding. The will of God involves what we do, say, and even think. God wants us to know His Will so that we get it done. Here are only three things regarding God’s will. Look in a concordance to find out what else is God’s will.
- To be Transformed– Romans 12:1-2 God’s will is for us to be transformed and not conformed to this world.
- To Give Ourselves To Him– II Corinthians 8:1-5 God’s will for us is to give of our money for the cause of Christ but first and foremost, He wants us to give ourselves completely.
- To Give Thanks– I Thessalonians 5:18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”. God’s will is for us to give thanks IN everything.
- To Walk Worthy of the Lord– Vs 10 to know the will of God in Vs 9 is not of any value to us until we actually put it to practice. Knowing something and doing something are two different things. We are to “walk” that is live the will of God. To do this we must:
- Be Fruitful in every good work– vs 10 to please God we have to do everything that He says to do, “every” good work.
- Our works should be Seen- Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”.
- Our works should be Patterned- Titus 2:7 “In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing incorruptness, gravity, sincerity”.
- Our works should bring glory to God- I Peter 2:12
- We must increase in the knowledge of God– vs 10 how do we get to know God. Howe do we gain a personal knowledge and relationship with God?
- A big part of knowing God is to spend time in His Word. To fellowship with Him. Then we have to walk with Him.
- Walk in Love- Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour”.
- Walk in the Light- I John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin”.
- Walk in the Spirit- Galatians 5:16 “This I say them, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh”.
- To be Strengthened with all Might– Vs 11 the strength that we have is because of God in us. Left to ourselves we can do nothing.
- According to His glorious Power- Ephesians 3:16 “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man”. The strength that we need is found in the Holy Spirit of God, in us. The power of God is the power of God.
- Unto all Patience and Long suffering- because we live in a sinful fallen world, there is no way we can go through this life alone- the disease, accident, poverty, and loss. God has the power to help us through our trials and to give us patience and long-suffering in the midst of them.
- God gives us peace in the midst of our troubles.
- God gives us strength and settle us.
- God gives us hope to go another day.
Conclusion: These are the things that Paul prayed for the church of the Colossians. A good prayer for us to pray for our own church.
Anchor Baptist Church 