Moments in the life of a Pastor

Colossians 4:7-18

⁷ Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. ⁸ I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. ⁹ He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. ¹⁰ My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)¹¹ Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. ¹³ I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. ¹⁵ Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.¹⁶ After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. ¹⁷ Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.” ¹⁸ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

As we conclude our time in Colossians Paul reminds us of the continued need to live in the power of the new life. Paul has called us to take the power of the new life to all people, first our family, then those far from the Father the lost and then our friends. Paul reminds us that our faith should affect our friendships. Instead of self we need serving together. We need to recognize that we were built for relationship. We really do need each other, we are members of one body. We often operate as if God created us to be independent instead interdependent.

1. The church was created to be a community – Paul did not operate alone. Paul mentions over 100 people by name in his New Testament letters! In Romans 16 alone, there are 26 people listed. Here, in Colossians 4, he mentions 10 individuals. Paul was definitely not a lone ranger, but functioned as a member of a team.

2. Friendships forge – As we live out the supremacy of the Savior in our lives, it should impact as we interacted with others. Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Together we temper and toughen each other.

3. People are more important than programs. It’s important for us to remember that ministry always flows along relational rivers.

4. We need the differences of diversity – We act like differences detract yet others often have strengths in areas we are weak.

Five Groups

As Paul closes his letter to the church at Colosse, he mentions several different groups as we look at each group ask yourself which category you would put yourself in. What type of friend are you?

· Those that are Faithful

· Those that are Fervent

· Those that Finish

· Those who Falling Away

· And those who are Forgiven

Colossians 4:2-6

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.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. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

1. PROCLAMING – Vs 5-6

After speaking to God about people we need to speak to others about God. Proclaiming Jesus is a product of prayer not programs. Impact on people is tied to intensity of intercession.

Verse 5 focuses on how we walk. In verse 6 the emphasis is on how we talk. We must balance our life and our lips.

1. Walk Wise

To be wise in the way we walk means to be careful not to say or do anything that would make it difficult to share the gospel. We must walk wise because people watch. Proclaiming starts with an open door through prayer but the door stays open as we practice what we preach. People are making decisions about the validity of Christianity based upon how they view us living. Don’t pray for God to give you an open door only to slam it shut by your behavior.

2. Don’t waste opportunities

This phrase is a commercial term meaning to “buy up.” It’s the picture of finding something on sale and buying all you can while the price is good. Likewise, we’re to buy up every opportunity to speak for Christ when we see one. E have all had golden opportunities that we let go. Most of the time we waste opportunities because we not looking and living in anticipation of them.

3. Watch your Words

Our wise walk should lead to wise words:  Coat your conversation in grace

It’s important that we communicate with words of grace when we speak with those who don’t know Christ. Unfortunately, many times believers go off on people who are living in sin.

4.  Let your Words leave others wanting more

Don’t leave others wondering leave them wanting more. We are to leave people with the healing hope of the gospel. The Greek means to season with salt, salt makes food palatable and preserves, Paul says that our speech should be savory and wholesome. But salt was also added to the Old Testament sacrifices in Leviticus 2:13. Paul could be implying that we should view our words as oral offerings to God, just as our words of praise are spiritual offerings in Hebrews 13:15.

5. Be willing and ready

When you step through God’s open doors of opportunity respond rightly. When we live in a way that is appetizing people will want an explanation. This is a natural process that will happen when people see Christ in us. Being prepared to give an answer doesn’t mean you need to know everything. Tell your story, talk about how you became a Christian. More importantly tell His story, focus on Jesus, explaining why He had to die on the cross and our opportunity to respond to what He has done.

CONCLUSION

Before you leave feeling beat up because you don’t pray enough and you don’t say enough, let me encourage you to cancel your guilt trip. The key to praying more and proclaiming more is not necessarily to become more disciplined. Discipline is a good thing but my guess is that you’ve tried that before. The real answer is to cultivate intimacy with Christ. Prayer is not about a practice but a person, we won’t really pray until we pursue His presence. It’s impossible to salt our speech with Jesus when we haven’t been enjoying the taste ourselves.