Moments in the life of a Pastor

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.”

Paul has taught us about living the new life in God’s power by putting off the past and putting on His provision, His Godly garments so that we can have real relationships where we connect instead of control. Now Paul reminds us that taking God’s power to people is not just for family but for all. Paul also reminds us that perusing people comes through the power of prayer. So today we are going to take a trip together into God’s truth. When we hear God’s Word we have a tendency to swing to the extremes either taking a trip on a Comfort Cruise or a Guilt Getaway. For too long the church has chosen comfort and used guilt to get people to go. Today I’m calling you to board God’s boat on a grace getaway. I can’t promise you a comfortable cruise but our captain is Christ and I can promise you an exciting expedition of eternal significance. As you read God’s Word today don’t cringe or cling to comfort listen to Christ’s call, we don’t need another guilt trip we need a God trip.

Difference between guilt and grace is that where grace moves us to the master guilt becomes our master.

Our text falls naturally into two parts.

1. Prayer: Speaking to God about people (verses 2-4) Faith that Loves
2. Proclaiming: Speaking to people about God (verses 5-6) Faith that lives

Now, before you shut down and drown in another mental guilt trip at the mention of prayer and evangelism, let’s allow the Holy Spirit to bring freshness perspective to this passage. We’ve all heard messages on the need to pray and share our Faith. We know that prayer makes a difference, that we have access to the God of the universe yet many of us proceed without prayer. When we do we go it alone which leads to frustration weariness and burn out. How tired are you? Are you communing with God or just communicating to Him?

Colossians 3:18-4:1

18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. 4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

1. God’s Ways in the Workplace

Paul now turns to teaching about slaves and their masters. At first this doesn’t seem to fit with family life but back then most homes had slaves in them, so this fits in the general section of how to live out our faith at work within the family. Almost 50% of the inhabitants of the Roman Empire were slaves many defeated military. Paul was communicating God’s ways at work which for many of us is outside the home.

A. EMPLOYEES

Some of you feel like slaves at work so this passage will fit perfectly.

·      Work worth at work – Do your best at your job at all times.

We’re to work hard not just when the boss is around, but even when he isn’t. Paul is reminding us that we are to do what is right

Duty verses desire

·      Worship at your work.

That doesn’t mean that you hold a worship service at your company. Instead, it means that you work out of reverence for the Lord. Your work, no matter what it is, can be an act of worship. Sometimes we get this backward as we look to our jobs to provide us with meaning and significance. Instead of looking for meaning in your career, bring meaning to it as you work in an attitude of worship.

·      Acknowledge the real boss.

Since Jesus is your Master, work as His servant in your job. That means that we should never be sloppy or unethical. Your employer may pay your salary, but it is the Lord who provides an eternal compensation and benefit package that is out of this world.

B. EMPLOYERS

The standard on how to treat those who work for you is to do what is right and fair. It was revolutionary of Paul to tell masters to care about the treatment of slaves. If you have people working for you, it’s important to deal fairly with them, just as God himself treats you. Pray for those you pay?