All written materials for this series will be posted on this website, http://servingandsharing.com/, under the category, “Philippians and Colossians – Joyful Living in Christ.” Here is my video presentation introducing this series – https://youtu.be/VBg_Wdyu104. The video of this specific class presentation, as well as all the others in this series, will be posted to this YouTube playlist as they are recorded – Faith Builders Class: Philippians, Colossians: Joyful Living in Christ – YouTube. Please use the “Contact” button to request corresponding handouts and outlines.
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07 PRAYER Colossians 1:1-12
INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSAE AND COLOSSIANS
COLOSSAE – a city in the Roman province of Asia (western Turkey), in the Lycus River Valley, about 100 miles east of Ephesus. Epaphras (Col 1:7; 4:12) possibly planted the church there, and Archippus (Col 4:17; Phm 2) also ministered there in some capacity. In addition, Philemon and Onesimus lived at Colossae (Col 4:9).
Colossae formed a triangle with two other cities of the Lycus Valley, Hierapolis (Col 4:13) and Laodicea (Col 2:1; 4:13-16; Rev 3:14-22). Colossae prospered as early as the fifth century BC, by Paul’s time its reputation had declined to that of a small town. Shortly after he wrote this letter, the cities of the Lycus Valley suffered a devastating earthquake in AD 61. The mound where Colossae stood remains uninhabited today. (Youngblood)
Epaphras, concerned about false teachings that developed, went to Paul in prison in Rome (Col 4:12-13). That journey requires over 1300 miles by road even today. Epaphras stayed with Paul there in prison, even after the letter was written. Tychicus delivered the letter to the Colossians (Col 4:7-9). Tychicus also brought Paul’s letters to the Ephesians (Eph 6:21) and to Philemon (v. 9).
COLOSSIANS – OUTLINE (MACARTHUR)
I. Personal Matters (1:1–14)
A. Paul’s Greeting (1:1, 2)
B. Paul’s Thankfulness (1:3–8)
C. Paul’s Prayer (1:9–14)
II. Doctrinal Instruction (1:15–2:23)
A. About Christ’s Deity (1:15–23)
B. About Paul’s Ministry (1:24–2:7)
C. About False Philosophy (2:8–23)
III. Practical Exhortations (3:1–4:18)
A. Christian Conduct (3:1–17)
B. Christian Households (3:18–4:1)
C. Christian Speech (4:2–6)
D. Christian Friends (4:7–18)
ELEMENTS OF FALSE TEACHING:
Among the heresies (false, divisive teachings) that arose there were these: demeaning the deity and full sufficiency of Christ; requiring observance of Jewish rituals, Sabbaths, circumcision, etc.; rigid asceticism (severe self-denial); worship of angels; mystical experience.
- Reducing the Person and Work of Christ (1:13-23)
- Human Wisdom, Tradition, Philosophy (2:8)
- Searching for “Something More” than Fullness in Christ (2:9-10)
- Jewish Ceremonialism (required observance of Jewish rituals, Sabbaths, circumcision, etc.) (2:14-17)
- Rigid Asceticism (severe self-denial of all pleasure) (2:18, 20-23)
- Angel Worship (2:18)
- Self-Made Religion (“Will Worship,” KJV) (2:23
- Secret Knowledge (mystical experience) (2:18)
PAUL’S PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Faith IN, Love FOR, and Hope UP
Note the “three sisters:” faith, love, and hope. 1 Cor 13:13; 1 Thess 1:3
The Colossian brethren had faith and love … why? Because of your hope!
Your Faith in Jesus Christ
Your Love for all the Saints
Your Hope laid up in Heaven
Why would Paul thank God for their faith and love? Because their faith and love were rooted in the hope that comes from the gospel, which of course came from God. Note that when hope is present, it produces faith and love.
FIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GOSPEL:
1.The Gospel holds hope for the future! That hope is “laid up (deposited) for you in heaven!” Just waiting to be claimed! 1 Pet 1:3-9
2.The Gospel is “the word of truth!” You can bet your life on its veracity! That’s what Paul did! 2 Tim 4:7
3.The Gospel has the power to change the world! In fact, it was already bearing fruit in the whole world! The grace of God can produce in your life everything good, healthy, and right. The Spirit’s fruit is love, joy, peace … Gal 5:22-23
(1) The tree itself has fruit – (Gk. karpophoreo)
(2) The fruit has its own seed to make more fruit – (Gk. auxano)
- The Gospel is increasing (growing and multiplying) in the whole world! Dream God’s dream of every person hearing, believing, and obeying the Gospel! Paul did! Col 1:24
- The Gospel is doing the same in/among you!
Think of the thrilling effects God’s grace is having among us in this congregation.
SINGING – FELLOWSHIP – VOLUNTEER SPIRIT – COMMITMENT TO THE WORD – BAPTISMS – MUTUAL SUPPORT – DEPENDENCY UPON CHRIST.
THE SOURCE OF LIFE AND GROWTH (Col 1:6)
Fruit-bearing and growth begin when you hear and come to know (clearly know – the Greek word, epiginosko, is emphatic) the grace of God in truth.
Not by self-effort, human knowledge, personal holiness or merit.
Not by fear, guilt, pressure, manipulation.
Not the result of emotionalism, fads, techniques, tricks, or innovations.
Grace motivates! Empowers! Compels!
That’s why a proper biblical focus on grace is what converts the lost, strengthens the saved, and grows the church.
This is the message they had learned from Epaphras.
THE INFLUENCE OF ONE (Col 1:7-8)
Think about the impact that Epaphras had individually.
He apparently planted the Colossian church.
He is praying for you, too. Col 4:12-13
“Our beloved fellow servant” (diakonos).
“A faithful minister of Christ on your behalf.”
“Informing us of your love in the Spirit. Love as the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).
He reported to Paul. The Holy Spirit then led Paul to write this letter.
THE POWERLINE PRAYER (Col 1:9-12)
Paul’s prayers for the churches give us a unique glimpse into the heart of this great man of God. And they give us a pattern for our own prayers, too.
Read the following prayers of Paul. Note the key points and the similarities in them. While many prayers today focus on matters of physical health and practical needs – and that is appropriate – note Paul’s emphasis on the mind, the heart, and the life of Christians. Consider incorporating the ideas found in his prayers into your own.
Eph 1:15-23
Eph 3:14-21
Eph 6:18-20
Phil 1:3-11
Phm 1:4-7
Now, in Col 1:9-12, Paul prays that God will enlighten Christians to know His gracious blessings and His will, so that we may live in a way that pleases him.
Col 1:9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
That you may be filled … Note the passive voice, implying that we cannot fill ourselves.
Eph 1:17-18 – “that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened.”
Only God, through His Spirit and His Word, can open our eyes to see His will and to understand His purpose.
… with the clear knowledge (epiginosko, emphatic) …
… of His will.
In / with all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
Knowing God’s will is not a purely academic exercise. It includes wisdom, understanding, and discernment, with a view toward action and obedience.
Knowledge of God’s will cannot mean that God will direct us in every specific decision, such as whom to marry, which house to buy, or which job to take. However, when we follow God’s revealed will for all Christians, given in Scripture, we will seek to glorify him in all the choices we make, and we will ask God to use those choices to his glory.
Rom 12:1-2 – “that you may know what the will of God is.”
What follows next is the reason we need to be filled with such knowledge.
WORTHY WALK
So that (here’s the reason) you may walk worthy (axios – accordingly, appropriately, of equal weight. The term “worthy” does not mean that we ourselves merit salvation but that our lives fit, reflect, and conform to our salvation.
NOT So that you will be happy, healthy, and prosperous!
To please him in every way … That’s the goal! But how?
By bearing fruit in every good work … The root is God’s grace; the fruit is our work.
By growing in the clear knowledge of God. Note again that knowledge is crucial and that we never stop increasing that knowledge.
2 Pe 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
POWER PERFORMANCE
Being strengthened with all power … Again, that is the source.
According to His glorious might … Stated again, so that we cannot miss it.
To attain all endurance and patience. Here is the aim or the goal.
“Endurance” renders the Gk., hupomone – literally, remaining under. It refers to persevering, “hanging in there.”
1 Thess 1:3 Your endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thess 1:4 Your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and afflictions.
1 Tim 6:11 “Timothy, pursue endurance.”
Titus 2:2 “Sound in faith, in love, in endurance.”
“Patience” renders the Gk., makrothumia – long- (macro) suffering, slow-fused.
Gal 5:22-23 The fruit of the Spirit includes patience.
2 Cor 6:6 “In purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, love unfeigned …”
The Christian life is lived by his power, at work in us, but not from ours.
2 Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
Php 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Php 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Eph 1:19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
THANKFUL THRUST
Giving thanks with joy to the Father.
Gratitude is the motive given for Christian obedience. Not pressure, guilt, anxiety, etc.
Gratitude is also the motive for Christian worship. Col 3:15-16
THANKFUL FOR ADEQUACY: Because He made us adequate (qualified us) to share inheritance of the saints in light.
“To make adequate” renders the Gk., hikanoo, “to make sufficient, qualify, empower, authorize someone for something.”
2 Cor 3:5-6 – “We are not adequate in ourselves, but God makes us adequate.”
1 Cor 15:9 – “I am not adequate to be called an apostle.”
THANKFUL FOR DELIVERANCE: Because He delivered us from the authority of darkness.
“Deliverance” renders the Gk., errusato (from hruomai) (“to rescue, save, deliver, preserve”).
2 Tim 3:11 “Afflictions, sufferings…the Lord errusato me from them all.”
THANKFUL FOR TRANSFER: Because He transferred us into the Kingdom of His Son.
“Transfer” renders the Gk., methistemi, “to remove from one place to another” (like our word “metathesis,” a transposition)
Heb 11:5 – God transferred (relocated) Enoch because of his faith.
Note that Christ’s kingdom exists now and that we are part of it now!
It is not the case that the kingdom is yet to be established when Christ returns or that he will set up an earthly throne in Jerusalem for 1,000 years.
… in Whom we have redemption and forgiveness.
The phrase “in Christ” is found often in Scripture. For example, read Eph 1:3-14.
One is outside of Christ before baptism and comes into Christ in baptism. Rom 6:1-4
APPLICATION:
We can use the outline of Paul’s “Powerline Prayer” to transform our own prayers. Make each of these requests for yourself, for others you know, and for the church to which you belong.
[1] Lord, enlighten [name] to know your will.
[2] Lord, enable [name] to be fully pleasing to you.
[3] Lord, equip [name] to bear fruit in every good work.
[4] Lord, strengthen [name] to walk worthy of you.
[5] Lord, help [name] live out of gratitude.
