WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.899 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, 00:00:02.899 --> 00:00:04.759 where we're dedicated to encouraging, 00:00:04.759 --> 00:00:07.759 equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:07.759 --> 00:00:09.320 Located in Ontario, 00:00:09.320 --> 00:00:11.279 Oregon, Pastor Patrick Daly 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:13.800 preaches insightful sermons from the Word of God, 00:00:13.800 --> 00:00:16.760 offering practical applications for modern living. 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:19.640 We're delighted to share this sermon with you. 00:00:19.640 --> 00:00:22.679 All right. Well, good morning, everyone. 00:00:22.679 --> 00:00:26.440 As we're heading to our seats, 00:00:26.440 --> 00:00:31.440 you know, it's Father's Day and I'm still getting used to 00:00:31.440 --> 00:00:35.359 people saying a happy Father's Day to myself and 00:00:35.359 --> 00:00:36.880 the fact that I have five kids. 00:00:36.880 --> 00:00:39.160 And I want to share a real quick story 00:00:39.160 --> 00:00:40.719 before we begin our message today. 00:00:40.719 --> 00:00:43.359 It's I think it's a very funny story. 00:00:43.359 --> 00:00:47.240 So this picture you see here is a couple years back. 00:00:47.240 --> 00:00:51.400 My family and I went to an indoor mall 00:00:51.400 --> 00:00:53.760 and we had some Chinese food. 00:00:53.760 --> 00:00:55.520 We had a good time together. 00:00:55.520 --> 00:00:58.920 And my son, you kind of see his eyes. 00:00:58.920 --> 00:01:01.240 He's kind of has this little awkward smile going on. 00:01:01.240 --> 00:01:03.359 So there's a story, you know, 00:01:03.359 --> 00:01:07.400 they say a picture is worth a thousand words here. 00:01:07.400 --> 00:01:10.280 You see the guy in the background, 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:13.200 kind of looks a little bit like me. 00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:15.359 My side profile, right? 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:17.159 If I was down. 00:01:17.159 --> 00:01:19.439 So what happened? 00:01:19.439 --> 00:01:23.280 So he went to the bathroom and he came back. 00:01:23.280 --> 00:01:26.159 And you know, you see me wear maroon. 00:01:26.159 --> 00:01:28.320 It's one of my favorite colors. 00:01:28.320 --> 00:01:31.040 And in fact, I have a shirt that's like that. 00:01:31.040 --> 00:01:36.000 So my son coming into the cafeteria area, 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:38.760 he runs over to this guy who looks like me. 00:01:38.760 --> 00:01:43.599 He's like, dad, I want to hug and then he looks and 00:01:43.599 --> 00:01:48.599 and I promise you the look changes drastically from, 00:01:48.599 --> 00:01:52.519 I want to hug to who are you? 00:01:52.519 --> 00:01:54.239 You're not my dad. 00:01:54.239 --> 00:01:59.239 And the terror in his face kind of shocked like, 00:01:59.239 --> 00:02:02.079 what did you do with my dad was absolutely hilarious. 00:02:02.079 --> 00:02:05.079 But I can imagine when you're that young, 00:02:05.079 --> 00:02:07.879 kind of scares you like you're not my dad. 00:02:07.879 --> 00:02:11.599 And so I swoop on in and I pull, 00:02:11.599 --> 00:02:14.599 I'm like, Aaron, that's not dad. 00:02:14.599 --> 00:02:15.599 Come on. 00:02:15.599 --> 00:02:20.599 Come on. And he's like, yeah, not dad. 00:02:21.319 --> 00:02:25.359 And I now, I'm not saying the guy was, you know, 00:02:25.359 --> 00:02:27.240 there was some similarity. 00:02:27.240 --> 00:02:30.439 And I remember, he didn't notice any of this happening, 00:02:30.439 --> 00:02:31.439 mind you. 00:02:31.439 --> 00:02:33.120 So I remember I got up and walked by. 00:02:33.120 --> 00:02:36.359 I'm like, I can see how similar this guy looked to me. 00:02:36.359 --> 00:02:39.199 And it was just, he's still kind of feeling bad 00:02:39.199 --> 00:02:42.159 and recovering that, you know, dad's here 00:02:42.159 --> 00:02:44.519 and not wearing a maroon shirt here. 00:02:44.520 --> 00:02:46.320 I do wear other colors, even though I know 00:02:46.320 --> 00:02:48.200 I'm wearing maroon right now. 00:02:48.200 --> 00:02:52.520 So this, that was just a kind of a good Father's Day story. 00:02:52.520 --> 00:02:54.719 And you know, it just reminds me of, 00:02:54.719 --> 00:02:56.600 it's a great reminder for us today 00:02:56.600 --> 00:02:59.240 when we're celebrating Father's Day. 00:02:59.240 --> 00:03:03.680 It's tying in not directly, but there is some similarity here 00:03:03.680 --> 00:03:05.800 when we're going over our message today 00:03:05.800 --> 00:03:10.240 from Colossians chapter four, verses two through six. 00:03:10.240 --> 00:03:11.080 Right. 00:03:11.080 --> 00:03:13.200 We're going to learn today that Paul is emphasizing 00:03:13.199 --> 00:03:16.759 the importance of prayer, wisdom, and clarity 00:03:16.759 --> 00:03:18.679 in our walk with Christ. 00:03:18.679 --> 00:03:22.119 And just like how my son, he recognized 00:03:22.119 --> 00:03:26.799 that you're not the real thing, but you are the real thing. 00:03:26.799 --> 00:03:30.599 It can be a nice little cute little parallel, right? 00:03:30.599 --> 00:03:33.359 Knowing the difference between the real thing 00:03:33.359 --> 00:03:36.639 and something that's not the real thing, right? 00:03:36.639 --> 00:03:41.199 Aaron knew who his dad was and who he wasn't. 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:44.000 We're encouraged today as we're going to go in this message 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:48.239 to be steadfast in prayer and watchful 00:03:48.239 --> 00:03:53.239 in seeking God's truth and ensuring that we run to the Father 00:03:53.599 --> 00:03:55.959 and that our relationship is to God 00:03:55.959 --> 00:03:59.519 who is our heavenly Father and not get distracted 00:03:59.519 --> 00:04:01.519 by fakes or phonies. 00:04:01.519 --> 00:04:03.599 And I don't mean that in any offense to the gentleman 00:04:03.599 --> 00:04:07.280 that was that had some resemblance here, 00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:10.560 but not get distracted by lookalikes, right? 00:04:10.560 --> 00:04:14.000 And so together, we have learned so much 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:15.800 about the book of Colossians. 00:04:15.800 --> 00:04:18.360 It's kind of crazy to see that as you are opening 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:21.399 your Bibles, you'll see here that we are getting 00:04:21.399 --> 00:04:24.120 so much closer to the end. 00:04:24.120 --> 00:04:28.480 This is the final instructions from the apostle Paul, right? 00:04:28.480 --> 00:04:30.600 What have we learned about in Colossians? 00:04:30.600 --> 00:04:35.600 We have learned about how Colossae, the Colossian church, 00:04:35.800 --> 00:04:39.959 was a church that was faithful to God, to his word, 00:04:39.959 --> 00:04:43.439 and exhibited the love of Christ to others. 00:04:43.439 --> 00:04:48.239 Just that there is encouragement for us. 00:04:48.239 --> 00:04:51.079 I want this church and I hope that all churches 00:04:51.079 --> 00:04:53.319 should be faithful to the Lord, right? 00:04:53.319 --> 00:04:57.599 The truth of God's word and exhibit the love of Christ. 00:04:57.599 --> 00:05:00.759 We've learned about how Christ is preeminent, 00:05:00.759 --> 00:05:05.759 that Jesus Christ is all that we need and is in everything. 00:05:05.919 --> 00:05:08.719 We've learned about the mystery of Christ being revealed, 00:05:08.720 --> 00:05:12.800 right, revealed in majesty, that salvation is available 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:14.760 to all who believe. 00:05:14.760 --> 00:05:17.360 And we learned about the warnings. 00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:19.400 We learned that you need to stay away 00:05:19.400 --> 00:05:21.520 from the things that distract you, 00:05:21.520 --> 00:05:26.160 the things that derail you or deter us from Christ, right? 00:05:26.160 --> 00:05:28.080 Just like how my son, he recognized, 00:05:28.080 --> 00:05:30.280 that's not my real dad. 00:05:30.280 --> 00:05:33.440 Very similar parallel here. 00:05:33.440 --> 00:05:36.160 We focus on Christ. 00:05:36.160 --> 00:05:38.880 And there's also what we learned is, 00:05:38.880 --> 00:05:42.960 let no one disqualify us from the opportunity 00:05:42.960 --> 00:05:46.439 to know the Lord, to grow in him, 00:05:46.439 --> 00:05:48.920 and to be encouraged to do good 00:05:48.920 --> 00:05:51.360 in the name of Jesus Christ. 00:05:52.840 --> 00:05:57.440 Let no one rob us from the opportunity. 00:05:57.440 --> 00:06:00.280 We learned about the importance of putting to death 00:06:00.280 --> 00:06:04.800 the former life and putting on the new life in Christ. 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:07.480 When we believe in the Lord, it is the beginning. 00:06:08.480 --> 00:06:10.759 It is the beginning of our new life in Christ. 00:06:10.759 --> 00:06:13.720 And this last week, we went over how Paul, 00:06:13.720 --> 00:06:17.319 he spoke to wives and to husbands, to childrens, 00:06:17.319 --> 00:06:20.480 and to slaves and to masters, 00:06:20.480 --> 00:06:23.000 that all of them in knowing the Lord, 00:06:23.000 --> 00:06:25.639 transformation will come from God. 00:06:25.639 --> 00:06:28.960 God will transform your life from the inside out 00:06:28.960 --> 00:06:32.080 to the point where we treat each other 00:06:32.079 --> 00:06:36.240 as brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:40.439 For there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free. 00:06:40.439 --> 00:06:43.159 We are all equal in the eyes of God. 00:06:43.159 --> 00:06:44.599 And this leads us to today, 00:06:44.599 --> 00:06:47.079 where we have these four verses that we're gonna go over. 00:06:47.079 --> 00:06:49.399 Again, it's the final instruction 00:06:49.399 --> 00:06:52.279 and the guiding words from the apostle Paul. 00:06:52.279 --> 00:06:54.959 So let's start with that verse two here. 00:06:58.319 --> 00:07:01.159 The prayer of Thanksgiving. 00:07:01.160 --> 00:07:05.720 It says here, continue steadfastly in prayer, 00:07:05.720 --> 00:07:08.760 being watchful in it with what? 00:07:08.760 --> 00:07:10.600 With Thanksgiving, right? 00:07:10.600 --> 00:07:12.840 From putting to death the former life 00:07:12.840 --> 00:07:15.200 and putting on the new self, 00:07:15.200 --> 00:07:18.400 we are called to be more Christ-like. 00:07:18.400 --> 00:07:22.720 In the family, in our home, in our very lives, 00:07:22.720 --> 00:07:24.920 we come to this part where the apostle Paul 00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:26.680 is reminding the Colossians 00:07:26.680 --> 00:07:29.280 that they need to continue in prayer. 00:07:29.279 --> 00:07:32.039 And this is very connected with the very beginning 00:07:32.039 --> 00:07:32.879 of the letter, right? 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:37.479 Where Paul was expressing how proud he was of the church. 00:07:37.479 --> 00:07:40.479 Remember, Paul was grateful for the Colossians 00:07:40.479 --> 00:07:42.119 for being faithful to God 00:07:42.119 --> 00:07:44.959 and exhibiting the love of Christ to others. 00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:48.839 Paul is saying to continue steadfastly in prayer, 00:07:48.839 --> 00:07:51.959 we should know that prayer is such an essential, 00:07:51.959 --> 00:07:56.159 critical and important part of every season of life. 00:07:56.160 --> 00:07:59.560 There is much power when we pray for one another, 00:07:59.560 --> 00:08:01.560 when we pray to the Lord. 00:08:01.560 --> 00:08:04.400 It is a way to continue to be connected 00:08:04.400 --> 00:08:09.320 to the Creator God, the one who formed you. 00:08:09.320 --> 00:08:11.440 The Bible is full of verses 00:08:11.440 --> 00:08:15.000 that should encourage us to have a prayer life, right? 00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:18.240 Prayer should be integrated as a part of our lives 00:08:18.240 --> 00:08:20.080 to be constant in prayers 00:08:20.080 --> 00:08:22.080 and to not be anxious about anything. 00:08:22.080 --> 00:08:26.000 And there's the famous verse to pray without ceasing. 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:29.480 And so the Colossians are from the apostle Paul here 00:08:29.480 --> 00:08:32.720 to continue in prayer and to be watchful. 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:34.679 Now that's an interesting word that we're seeing here, 00:08:34.679 --> 00:08:36.080 to be watchful, right? 00:08:36.080 --> 00:08:37.759 Be mindful, right? 00:08:37.759 --> 00:08:40.879 Be on alert, to be active, to be vigilant, right? 00:08:40.879 --> 00:08:44.759 Be careful and be alert or to be awake. 00:08:44.759 --> 00:08:47.240 Be mindful of what's going on. 00:08:47.240 --> 00:08:49.600 Have you considered, have you thought recently 00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:52.759 of how God is interacting in your life? 00:08:52.759 --> 00:08:56.759 When you pray, do you listen for God's response? 00:08:56.759 --> 00:08:59.720 Do you listen to how God will answer your prayers? 00:08:59.720 --> 00:09:01.639 It may not be immediately. 00:09:01.639 --> 00:09:03.919 Absolutely, there are many times that we pray 00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:06.399 and how often do we get prayers answered immediately? 00:09:06.399 --> 00:09:08.919 Sometimes we do and sometimes we don't. 00:09:09.759 --> 00:09:12.319 Very often you'll see that when verses are saying 00:09:12.319 --> 00:09:16.720 to be watchful, it is merely being mindful, being aware. 00:09:16.720 --> 00:09:19.799 Be aware of what is going on in your life. 00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:22.919 Be aware of how God is working in your life 00:09:22.919 --> 00:09:24.559 and in the lives around you. 00:09:25.519 --> 00:09:28.679 It is being grateful towards God. 00:09:28.679 --> 00:09:31.240 There's a question that I wanna ask you here. 00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:33.559 Have you reflected on your prayer life? 00:09:33.559 --> 00:09:35.639 How's your prayer life looking? 00:09:35.639 --> 00:09:37.120 How often do you pray? 00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:39.079 I know for myself personally, 00:09:39.079 --> 00:09:42.279 there are times I get so busy that I forget to pray 00:09:42.279 --> 00:09:44.039 and I feel bad. 00:09:44.039 --> 00:09:46.319 But prayer is something that is so important. 00:09:46.319 --> 00:09:48.279 It's just like when you're communicating 00:09:48.279 --> 00:09:50.519 with your friends or your families, 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:54.679 communicating with the Lord. 00:09:54.679 --> 00:09:57.120 It's so important for us. 00:09:57.120 --> 00:10:02.120 So in that question, be encouraged to be aware, 00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:04.240 to be watchful, right? 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:06.600 And to have a heart of gratitude towards the Lord 00:10:06.600 --> 00:10:07.720 in your prayer life. 00:10:08.759 --> 00:10:11.319 I find it very appropriate at times 00:10:11.319 --> 00:10:14.079 to just pray in thanksgiving, 00:10:14.079 --> 00:10:17.679 being thankful for the very life that you have. 00:10:17.679 --> 00:10:19.239 I know it sounds very simplistic 00:10:19.239 --> 00:10:23.719 and even childlike to be thankful for the day. 00:10:23.719 --> 00:10:27.399 This is the day that the Lord has made. 00:10:27.399 --> 00:10:30.239 Let us rejoice and be glad in it. 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:33.359 Thank you for the sun and the air that I breathe. 00:10:33.359 --> 00:10:37.239 Thank you for this life that I have. 00:10:38.359 --> 00:10:39.759 Are you thankful for that? 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:43.000 Let this be an encouragement for you. 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:46.439 You'll be surprised at how God will speak to you. 00:10:46.440 --> 00:10:49.040 And I think sometimes we get afraid. 00:10:49.040 --> 00:10:51.840 We shouldn't be afraid of God answering our prayers 00:10:51.840 --> 00:10:54.080 or God speaking to us through his word 00:10:54.080 --> 00:10:55.680 or through other people. 00:10:56.840 --> 00:10:58.400 We then go into verse three, 00:10:58.400 --> 00:11:02.240 prayer for the opportunity to declare Christ. 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:04.600 The verse says at the same time, 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:09.280 pray also for us that God may open to us a door 00:11:09.280 --> 00:11:12.560 for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ 00:11:12.560 --> 00:11:16.280 on account of which I am in prison. 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:17.879 So Paul continues. 00:11:17.879 --> 00:11:21.079 He's saying, yes, you should pray, you should be thankful, 00:11:21.079 --> 00:11:24.000 pray without ceasing, be mindful, be aware. 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:26.079 But Paul is also requesting, 00:11:26.079 --> 00:11:28.319 he's instructing the Colossians 00:11:28.319 --> 00:11:32.159 and possibly the Laodiceans to pray for them. 00:11:33.100 --> 00:11:35.000 Paul is requesting for prayer 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:38.079 and those who serve in ministry, absolutely. 00:11:38.079 --> 00:11:39.759 So what's the prayer request? 00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:43.600 It is that God will open the door, right, 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:45.799 to declare the mystery of Christ 00:11:45.799 --> 00:11:48.799 and simply put, this is the opportunity 00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:53.319 to declare the good news of the gospel, right? 00:11:53.319 --> 00:11:55.120 It's praying that that opportunity 00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:57.879 will be presented to itself, right? 00:11:57.879 --> 00:12:01.799 That the door will be open and that minds will receive it. 00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:05.439 Ears will hear it and hearts are ready for it. 00:12:07.359 --> 00:12:11.339 It's the opportunity to proclaim the good news of the gospel. 00:12:11.339 --> 00:12:13.279 It's a very unique request, right? 00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:16.439 You're asking for the door to be open for the word? 00:12:17.519 --> 00:12:22.120 How often do you meet people who have hardened hearts 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:24.360 or rejected minds? 00:12:24.360 --> 00:12:28.759 How often do you know of people who they shut the door 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:31.000 as it were to the Lord? 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:33.120 What a wonderful prayer to ask 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:35.839 that the door would be open for transformation, 00:12:35.839 --> 00:12:38.079 for divine intervention. 00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:42.480 The opportunity for the word that is the word of God. 00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:46.360 And since Christ is no longer a hidden mystery, 00:12:46.360 --> 00:12:50.360 Christ is revealed in majesty. 00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:53.879 And very often, you know, when we're children, 00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:58.480 when we discover something, we learn how to build something. 00:12:58.480 --> 00:13:01.840 I can't help but think of my own children very often. 00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:03.960 They want to figure out how to take things apart 00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:06.520 and put it back together and think of Legos 00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:08.439 or all these different toys. 00:13:08.439 --> 00:13:13.439 Very often you'll see that this toy just can't come off. 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:15.799 And they're asking for help, right? 00:13:15.799 --> 00:13:18.279 And very often when we're as children 00:13:18.279 --> 00:13:21.039 or you observe children or maybe you today, 00:13:21.039 --> 00:13:25.519 when we learn something new, when we discover something, 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:29.279 don't we get excited when we discover something new? 00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:32.720 When we learn something new or will we solve that problem? 00:13:32.720 --> 00:13:35.679 How many of you guys are math, love math, 00:13:35.679 --> 00:13:37.959 solving the formula, right? 00:13:37.959 --> 00:13:39.959 Finding the answer, right? 00:13:39.959 --> 00:13:43.759 And in the same way, it's very common for us 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:46.679 to wanna share our findings, that we solve the riddle, 00:13:46.679 --> 00:13:47.759 we solve the answer. 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:49.959 And this is very similar with the apostle Paul 00:13:49.959 --> 00:13:52.000 wanting to declare the mystery of Christ. 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:55.239 That salvation is available to both the Gentiles 00:13:55.239 --> 00:13:56.359 and the Jews. 00:13:56.359 --> 00:13:58.079 There is excitement in that. 00:13:58.079 --> 00:14:00.039 There is excitement in the apostle Paul 00:14:00.039 --> 00:14:03.839 wanting to declare Jesus Christ to the world. 00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:06.480 And there should be excitement for us. 00:14:06.480 --> 00:14:09.160 The simplicity of the gospel. 00:14:09.160 --> 00:14:12.160 The saving grace that comes from the Lord. 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:15.540 And when we think of the Gentiles and the Jews, 00:14:15.540 --> 00:14:16.920 the mystery being revealed, 00:14:16.920 --> 00:14:18.960 it's showing that in the scriptures 00:14:18.960 --> 00:14:23.040 that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of scripture. 00:14:24.040 --> 00:14:25.600 To the Jewish people, 00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:29.700 it is that they're no longer under the old covenant of the law, 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:32.340 but under the new covenant of grace. 00:14:32.340 --> 00:14:34.360 Can you imagine being a Jewish person 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:37.720 and coming to know the Lord? 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:40.340 Coming to know, hey, look, I followed these laws 00:14:40.340 --> 00:14:43.080 and these rules and I was circumcised 00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:44.840 and I followed the dietary laws 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:46.680 and all of these practices. 00:14:46.680 --> 00:14:49.240 And now there's Jesus that's saying, 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:51.879 it's now believing in him, 00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:55.540 believing in the death burial and resurrection of Christ. 00:14:55.540 --> 00:14:57.639 What a radical shift that must have been 00:14:57.639 --> 00:14:58.720 for the Jewish people. 00:14:58.720 --> 00:15:01.240 And let's not stop there to the Gentiles. 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:03.639 People who didn't know about the Jewish faith, 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:06.039 people who didn't even know Christ. 00:15:06.039 --> 00:15:08.519 Being revealed that salvation is available 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.740 to all who believe. 00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:11.960 What do you mean by salvation? 00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:14.159 Well, the apostle Paul and for us, 00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:15.759 we know what salvation is. 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:18.259 It is knowing that there is safety and security 00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:21.639 here in this life and in the next. 00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:25.639 And that is an incredible promise from the Lord. 00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:28.120 Those who believe, 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:30.720 they're saved by grace through faith. 00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:33.399 This is the new covenant. 00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:36.800 And so the apostle Paul goes on to say on account, 00:15:36.800 --> 00:15:40.480 he's in prison because of the ministry that he's doing. 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:43.840 Just as there were people who received and understood, 00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:45.960 wow, this is amazing. 00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:47.519 I wanna follow Jesus Christ. 00:15:47.519 --> 00:15:49.620 There were people on the other side saying, 00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:51.320 I don't know about this Paul guy. 00:15:52.680 --> 00:15:54.279 I love the law. 00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:55.360 I'm not gonna follow Paul. 00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:56.519 I'm not gonna follow this Christ. 00:15:56.519 --> 00:15:58.879 There's people who were against Paul. 00:15:58.879 --> 00:16:00.159 Right? 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:01.320 Something to keep in mind. 00:16:01.320 --> 00:16:04.759 And a question that I wanna ask you is, 00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:09.259 do you pray for opportunities for the gospel to be shared? 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:13.360 That should be a part of your prayer life. 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:14.960 That Christ will be proclaimed, 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:17.439 whether that's in the church or in the street, 00:16:17.439 --> 00:16:20.600 whether that's through your daily interactions, 00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:22.320 sharing in the good news of the gospel 00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:24.240 or sharing in the word of your testimony, 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:27.360 be encouraged to share in the word of your testimony. 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:31.399 God works in every single one of our lives. 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:35.659 For many of us, we may forget or we may remember 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:38.600 what our life was like before we knew the Lord 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:43.120 and oh, how God will transform our lives from the inside out. 00:16:44.560 --> 00:16:48.039 Have you ever prayed that God will open a door 00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:50.480 for conversations about Christ? 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:53.200 Have you ever prayed that the door will be opened 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:56.360 to hardened hearts or hardened minds? 00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:59.399 It's a wonderful prayer and I'm sure we can all agree 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:03.680 that there's someone that we know who has a hardened heart, 00:17:03.680 --> 00:17:06.680 someone who may have bitterness, 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:10.839 just like, well, think of how Paul was in prison, 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:14.279 people who didn't like what was being proclaimed. 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:15.799 There were always going to be people 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:20.120 who do not like Christianity or do not like the gospel. 00:17:20.120 --> 00:17:23.559 Pray for their heart, pray for their mind, 00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:26.960 pray for transformation that God will work in their lives, 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:28.899 that they'll come to know the Lord. 00:17:30.119 --> 00:17:32.099 We now go to verse four. 00:17:32.099 --> 00:17:36.759 Make the message clear that I might make it confusing. 00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:38.079 Is that what it says? 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:41.200 That I might make it what? 00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:44.019 Clear, which is how I ought to speak. 00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:47.259 The apostle Paul is asking for prayer, right? 00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:49.720 The opening of the door, the opportunity 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:53.880 that he can speak to the Jews and the Gentiles 00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:58.200 in such a way that the word is understandable. 00:17:58.200 --> 00:18:01.400 It's understood to those who hear. 00:18:01.400 --> 00:18:04.160 And this is a great request from the apostle Paul. 00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:06.400 It should be a prayer for us 00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:09.680 that the word of God is proclaimed in such a way 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:11.720 that it is easy to understand. 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:13.600 Are there complex things in the Bible? 00:18:13.600 --> 00:18:14.440 Absolutely. 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:16.759 Have you read Revelation? 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:21.039 Have you read the book of Isaiah or Jeremiah? 00:18:22.319 --> 00:18:24.319 There's a lot of confusing things about it, 00:18:24.319 --> 00:18:26.460 but here's the thing. 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:28.599 When we're talking about the security 00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:31.640 that comes from the Lord, simple. 00:18:32.839 --> 00:18:35.400 Believe in Jesus Christ. 00:18:35.400 --> 00:18:39.400 How often do we make things complicated? 00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:40.799 I might have mentioned it before, 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:43.759 and if I haven't, I'll mention it now. 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:45.099 How many of you know somebody 00:18:45.099 --> 00:18:47.919 who they have all this intelligence, 00:18:47.919 --> 00:18:49.719 this knowledge or degrees, 00:18:49.719 --> 00:18:52.679 and when they talk to you, 00:18:52.679 --> 00:18:55.079 they say all these words you don't understand. 00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:58.240 And it's like they're trying to flex their muscles, 00:18:58.240 --> 00:19:00.519 their intellectual muscles as it were, right? 00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:03.439 They're trying to show how smart they are. 00:19:03.439 --> 00:19:05.000 And we tend to do that, right? 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:06.759 Sometimes we take pride in what we do, 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:09.799 and we know advanced theories and concepts, 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:13.799 but we should not make the gospel complicated. 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:19.079 I mean, really, think of the thief on the cross. 00:19:19.079 --> 00:19:21.279 Jesus, remember me. 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:23.279 And what did Christ say? 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:26.799 You will be with me today in paradise. 00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:28.960 That's pretty simple to me. 00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:32.200 That's not this overly complicated thing. 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:35.839 And so what an incredible request 00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:38.200 that Paul can speak in such a way 00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:40.759 that is simple for people to understand. 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:42.840 It is directly applicable today 00:19:42.840 --> 00:19:46.319 for us to pray for those who minister, 00:19:46.319 --> 00:19:50.080 and even for us to be able to speak to other people. 00:19:50.080 --> 00:19:53.039 Let us speak in an easy to follow way. 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:54.840 The word of God should be made clear 00:19:54.840 --> 00:19:57.279 in preaching and teaching, right? 00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:59.340 Let's not make it overly complicated. 00:20:00.120 --> 00:20:02.080 And like I said, how there are people 00:20:02.080 --> 00:20:05.519 who make things just everything overly complicated, right? 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:09.279 There's people who are going to make the gospel complicated. 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:11.799 What Paul is saying here is, 00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:16.000 well, pray that I can preach the gospel simply, 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:17.000 and you should too. 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:20.400 We should pray, and we should come to know 00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:24.240 how to share in our faith in such an easy way. 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:26.440 And a question to ask yourself is, 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:28.759 how can you share in the good news 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:31.720 or your testimony with others in a simple way? 00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:34.920 I could just be, I believe in Jesus Christ. 00:20:36.360 --> 00:20:38.039 I believe in the Bible. 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:40.000 I believe what the word of God says. 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:42.000 You know, in your notes here, 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:43.640 in the back of your notes, 00:20:43.640 --> 00:20:45.480 it says here that the gospel message 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:47.759 simplified in the scriptures. 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:51.799 And we're gonna turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 15 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:52.720 verses three to four. 00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:54.200 We'll have it on the screen. 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:57.200 You know that the word of God has a real simple way 00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:59.960 that you can explain the gospel message here. 00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:01.960 Christ died for our sins 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:04.519 in accordance with the scriptures 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:06.360 that he was buried, 00:21:06.360 --> 00:21:08.640 that he was raised on the third day 00:21:08.640 --> 00:21:11.279 in accordance with the scriptures. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:14.039 What a simple way of saying it. 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:17.200 I believe that Christ lived, died, 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:19.240 was buried, and on the third day he rose again. 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.680 Do you believe that? 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:21.600 Very simple. 00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:24.759 Some people have asked me before, 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:28.120 what is a real easy way to present the gospel message? 00:21:28.120 --> 00:21:29.559 That's a very good one. 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:31.480 And on the bottom of your notes, 00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:33.359 John chapter six verse 47, 00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:36.039 truly I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:38.519 If you want a little more specifics, you turn here. 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:41.039 Very easy. 00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:43.480 Let's now go to verse five here. 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:46.960 Reach out to outsiders, make the best use of time. 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:51.440 It says to walk in foolishness, walk in wisdom. 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:53.480 Walk in wisdom towards outsiders, 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:55.359 making the best use of time. 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:58.559 The apostle Paul goes on to encourage the 00:21:58.559 --> 00:22:01.960 Colossians to walk in wisdom. 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:05.200 It's speaking of the wisdom of God, 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:08.000 the wisdom that is provided by the Lord. 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:10.399 If you don't know, if you don't have wisdom, 00:22:10.399 --> 00:22:12.399 ask the Lord for wisdom. 00:22:12.399 --> 00:22:15.159 The gospel should be proclaimed in a simple manner 00:22:15.159 --> 00:22:17.480 like I was saying, as we learn 00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:21.119 and as we grow understanding the Bible more, 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:24.559 growing in our faith, we can share with that with others. 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:29.559 This wisdom also helps us become more like Christ. 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:32.559 How many of you have known a Christian 00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:34.839 that the way that they live their life, 00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:37.039 there is something different about them. 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:39.159 The way they spoke to you. 00:22:39.159 --> 00:22:40.960 The way they were hospitable 00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:43.639 and they welcomed you in their home. 00:22:43.639 --> 00:22:46.039 The way they lived their life, there was a peace to them. 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:47.440 There was a joy to their life. 00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:48.159 There was just something, 00:22:48.159 --> 00:22:50.200 you may not have put your finger on it, 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:52.639 but there was something that was remarkable about them. 00:22:52.640 --> 00:22:54.640 Those people have a profound impact. 00:22:54.640 --> 00:22:57.920 Those are people who are walking in wisdom. 00:22:57.920 --> 00:22:59.880 Let this be an encouragement. 00:22:59.880 --> 00:23:01.600 As you learn and as you grow, 00:23:01.600 --> 00:23:05.600 there's a call for you to implement these things in your life 00:23:05.600 --> 00:23:09.000 and how you live your life. 00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:11.040 People will see that. 00:23:11.040 --> 00:23:15.040 I once heard a famous quote from Dale Carnegie. 00:23:15.040 --> 00:23:17.320 I don't know, anyone know Dale Carnegie? 00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:21.319 Not personally, right? You might know the quote though, right? 00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:23.319 It's a pretty good quote. 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:27.319 Knowledge isn't power until it is applied, right? 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:29.319 It's a pretty good quote here. 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:32.319 It's very similar to what we're finding here in scripture, right? 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:37.319 Even the world understands the importance of action. 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:41.319 You have all this knowledge implemented in your life. 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:43.319 If you have the wisdom of God, 00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:44.319 implemented in your life, 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:47.319 if you have the wisdom of God implemented in your life, 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:52.319 isn't it fascinating when the world has a similarity like that? 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:55.319 We must believe in the Lord first and foremost, right? 00:23:55.319 --> 00:24:01.319 Come to know Him, grow in faith, and act upon this faith. 00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:04.319 God calls us to live out His wisdom 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:11.319 so that we can show the light and the love and the truth of Christ to others. 00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:16.319 Consider the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 7, verse 24. 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:20.319 Only tall people or everyone? 00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:22.319 Everyone. 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:27.319 Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them 00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:31.319 will be like a wise man who built his house on the what? 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:33.319 On the rock. 00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:37.319 We are to walk towards those who are unsaved, right? 00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:39.319 Those who are unbelievers. 00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:45.319 We have our foundation in Jesus Christ, who is the rock of our salvation. 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:51.319 And we build upon our lives by putting in the plumbing, as it were, right? 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:55.319 Putting on the infrastructure on that foundation. 00:24:55.319 --> 00:25:00.319 It's certainly a calling for us to take upon the indwelling of the Word, 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:06.319 the wisdom of God, and go out and influence others for the cause of Christ. 00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:11.319 What better use of our time is it than to go out and live out our faith? 00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:16.319 You can live out your faith in how you interact with people at your work. 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:18.319 You can do this at your school. 00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:23.319 You can do this by the grocer at the grocery store. 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:26.319 You know, I'll tell you a funny story here. 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:29.319 The other day I was getting something to eat. 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:31.319 I was going through a drive-thru. 00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:35.319 And there was a gentleman there, not giving any names. 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:42.319 It was his first job, and he kept getting the order wrong. 00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:45.319 He gave me the wrong drink, the wrong order. 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:50.319 And it was a test for me because, you know, you want to get out of there. 00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:54.319 And I remember the guy was saying, it's my first job and I got yelled at. 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:57.319 And I remember I thought, you know what? 00:25:57.319 --> 00:26:01.319 Normally I get frustrated. We all do, right? 00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:03.319 But I felt compassion for him. 00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:05.319 And I actually told him, I said, you know what? 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:07.319 I like your attitude. 00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:09.319 You have a positive attitude. 00:26:09.319 --> 00:26:12.319 You apologized. You made it correct. 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:14.319 And we moved on. 00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:17.319 Just in that small interaction. 00:26:17.319 --> 00:26:23.319 That's an example. That's an opportunity for how we can exhibit the love of Christ. 00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:27.319 How we can speak words of wisdom, encouraging words to others. 00:26:27.319 --> 00:26:29.319 I don't know if he's a believer. 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:31.319 I have no idea. 00:26:31.319 --> 00:26:36.319 But I'm hoping that my interaction with him will show the love of Christ. 00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:38.319 That it will show the wisdom. 00:26:38.319 --> 00:26:42.319 Right? Remember, patience is one of the things, the attributes of the new self. 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:45.319 Well, what a great opportunity, right? 00:26:45.319 --> 00:26:48.319 When somebody gets your order wrong, right? 00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:52.319 Or when the machine goes down in the grocery store, right? 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:57.319 When it says, see a attendant, right? 00:26:57.319 --> 00:27:02.319 What better opportunity is it for us to live out our faith in our daily interactions? 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:05.319 I'm not saying leave your job. 00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:08.319 I'm not saying change your course of study. 00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:15.319 What I am saying is that in everything you do, you can integrate the life, the love, 00:27:15.319 --> 00:27:21.319 and the truth of Christ to others in your interactions with everyone. 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:24.319 The days of our lives, 00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:29.319 they're all opportunities for us to live lives that glorify and honor God. 00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:32.319 And it's also to exhibit the new self to others. 00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:36.319 I once heard, I don't know if it's a theologian or a pastor. 00:27:36.319 --> 00:27:39.319 If you find out who it is, let me know. 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:42.319 There's a famous saying out there, 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:46.319 where it says the difference between life on earth and life in heaven is, 00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:51.319 you don't have the opportunity to share the gospel with others. 00:27:51.319 --> 00:27:58.319 And to me, that was kind of sad, but encouraging at the same time. 00:27:58.319 --> 00:28:05.319 That every single day we have here on earth is an opportunity to share in the light, love, and truth of Christ. 00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:08.319 And we don't have that when we're in heaven. 00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:11.319 So what an interesting thought. 00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:13.319 Every interaction. 00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:16.319 Now, granted, we're not perfect, I know. 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:19.319 But it's that intentionality, right? 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:22.319 It's being mindful of your interactions. 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:25.319 And as we learned in Colossians, right? 00:28:25.319 --> 00:28:27.319 Believers are to become more holy. 00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:31.319 They're living the beloved life, showing kindness and compassion, 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:37.319 humility, meekness, or gentle strength, patience, forgiveness, and love to others. 00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:39.319 I want to ask you this question. 00:28:39.319 --> 00:28:45.319 Can you imagine, just for a moment, the profound impact that Christians, 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:49.319 imagine that we as the church can have by living out the word. 00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:54.319 Just imagine one person who you can influence, 00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:58.319 one person that you interact with, that you can share the love of Christ with. 00:28:58.319 --> 00:29:01.319 Living the word, just imagine for a moment. 00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:07.319 Because Christ calls for us to live and to love like Him. 00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:10.319 Just imagine if we actually all did that. 00:29:10.319 --> 00:29:17.319 What kind of impact we can have on families, our friends, our community, even in this country. 00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:21.319 All of these qualities the world needs. 00:29:21.319 --> 00:29:25.319 People crave something more to this life. 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:32.319 People crave something more than the confusion, the superficial or the lower things of this world. 00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:35.319 People want to be a part of something greater than themselves. 00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:36.319 And where can they find that? 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:38.319 They can find that in Jesus Christ. 00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:43.319 Not on this endless scrolling phone, we see post after post, 00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:47.319 or channel after channel when you're going through your television. 00:29:47.319 --> 00:29:50.319 There's something that's constant. 00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:55.319 There's something that is everlasting, that never changes. 00:29:55.319 --> 00:30:00.319 And oh boy, do we need something that's constant in our life. 00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:06.319 When the world, when culture changes. 00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:12.319 I don't even need to go into details because you all know what I'm talking about here. 00:30:12.319 --> 00:30:16.319 People need hope in a world that seems to be hopeless. 00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:17.319 This world needs that. 00:30:17.319 --> 00:30:19.319 Ask yourself this question. 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:24.319 Have you thought of how you can be active in the church and in the community? 00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:26.319 Maybe you're doing that currently. 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:28.319 Continue doing that. 00:30:28.319 --> 00:30:29.319 Maybe you haven't. 00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:32.319 Maybe it's time for you to start. 00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:37.319 There's so many ways that you can demonstrate Christ's love through what you say and what you do. 00:30:37.319 --> 00:30:40.319 Make every interaction count. 00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:43.319 Let us not be ashamed of the gospel. 00:30:43.319 --> 00:30:49.319 It is the power of God that brings salvation to all who believe. 00:30:49.319 --> 00:30:52.319 Let us go now to verse six. 00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:55.319 Speak graciously with salt. 00:30:55.319 --> 00:30:56.319 And I didn't bring any visuals. 00:30:56.319 --> 00:31:00.319 I didn't bring a salt shaker or anything with that, you know. 00:31:00.319 --> 00:31:05.319 Says, let your speech always be gracious seasoned with salt. 00:31:05.319 --> 00:31:10.319 So you may know how you ought to answer each person. 00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:15.319 Let us be encouraged to live this life for the Lord making the best use of our time. 00:31:15.319 --> 00:31:21.319 Let the words that we say be filled with grace guided by the Holy Spirit. 00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:25.319 This speech is simply the words that we say to others. 00:31:25.319 --> 00:31:32.319 May we be empowered to speak truth but also do it in a loving way. 00:31:32.319 --> 00:31:38.319 We should speak truth simply and guided by the Holy Spirit. 00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:42.319 And if you don't know what to say, ask the Lord for guidance. 00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:45.319 God, I don't know how to talk to this person. 00:31:45.319 --> 00:31:46.319 I don't know what to say. 00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:48.319 I don't know how to say it. 00:31:48.319 --> 00:31:52.319 Perhaps it's a call for you to ask for that guidance. 00:31:52.319 --> 00:31:58.319 And I love the language that the Apostle Paul uses about speech being seasoned with salt. 00:31:58.319 --> 00:32:02.319 When I think of seasoning, I think of a grilled chicken, you're adding a little salt, 00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:06.319 or maybe you made some fresh French fries, or maybe you have a steak or whatever, 00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:08.319 and you put some salt on that. 00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:11.319 I know I'm thinking of grilling, Dads. 00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:17.319 Some good grilling language, some grilled chicken or steak or hamburgers, whatever. 00:32:17.319 --> 00:32:20.319 You want to have that nice seasoning on it. 00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:25.319 But this is a reference of how Jesus Christ in the Sermon on the Mount, 00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:29.319 he said, the disciples, you are the salt of the earth. 00:32:29.319 --> 00:32:35.319 And the implication is that we are to have the wisdom of God when we speak. 00:32:35.319 --> 00:32:41.319 But it should also be filled with flavor and engaging with others, right? 00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:44.319 You don't want to have a dull conversation. 00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:46.319 I believe in the Lord. 00:32:46.319 --> 00:32:50.319 No, you got to have some emphasis, right? 00:32:50.319 --> 00:32:53.319 Not to say that none of you all talk that way. 00:32:53.319 --> 00:32:54.319 I hope you don't. 00:32:54.319 --> 00:32:56.319 And I hope I haven't. 00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:58.319 But really, just have some flavor. 00:32:58.319 --> 00:33:00.319 It's what this verse is encouraging us, right? 00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:05.319 Let our interactions with others not be dead and dull, but full of life. 00:33:05.319 --> 00:33:09.319 Even if you speak in a monotone voice, let it be full of life. 00:33:09.319 --> 00:33:14.319 And what a direct application and encouragement to our own lives, 00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:20.319 but our message and our interactions with others should focus on the grace that is supplied by God 00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:23.319 and that there is salvation in knowing the Lord. 00:33:23.319 --> 00:33:26.319 It is grace over judgments. 00:33:26.319 --> 00:33:32.319 Now, many of you know, there are some churches that are focused on the wrath of God, 00:33:32.319 --> 00:33:35.319 the judgment and the condemnation of others. 00:33:35.319 --> 00:33:39.319 And certainly there is there are verses that speak about this. 00:33:39.319 --> 00:33:42.319 There are pastors that preach about this. 00:33:42.319 --> 00:33:47.319 There's certainly a balance of knowing about what happens when you don't know the Lord. 00:33:47.319 --> 00:33:53.319 That like we've gone over in Colossians, the ones who mistreat others. 00:33:53.319 --> 00:33:57.319 That there is wrath that comes to evil doers. 00:33:57.319 --> 00:34:04.319 But certainly there's also a time for us to proclaim the hope that comes through Christ, 00:34:04.319 --> 00:34:07.319 to proclaim the good news of the gospel. 00:34:07.319 --> 00:34:10.319 And our mission is to proclaim the good news. 00:34:10.320 --> 00:34:19.320 We should encourage people to have a relationship with the Lord, to live for the Lord and to belong. 00:34:19.320 --> 00:34:23.320 Be a part of the body of Christ, the community. 00:34:23.320 --> 00:34:26.320 We're all on this journey together in Christ. 00:34:26.320 --> 00:34:31.320 Come to the Lord and begin your journey in Christ. 00:34:31.320 --> 00:34:34.320 Let God change your life. 00:34:34.320 --> 00:34:37.320 Let God transform your life. 00:34:37.320 --> 00:34:40.320 I've heard it said before come as you are and remain as you are. 00:34:40.320 --> 00:34:43.320 And I don't agree with that statement. 00:34:43.320 --> 00:34:46.320 Come as you are and let God work in and through you. 00:34:46.320 --> 00:34:49.320 Let God transform your life. 00:34:49.320 --> 00:34:54.320 You will be amazed how God will transform you. 00:34:54.320 --> 00:34:59.320 When we interact with others, we should share the message of the hope in God. 00:34:59.320 --> 00:35:03.320 We should share this message of salvation that is available in Christ, 00:35:03.320 --> 00:35:09.320 sharing the inspiration, the transformation, the restoration and the renewal that comes from the Lord. 00:35:09.320 --> 00:35:13.320 We should be engaging culture, right? 00:35:13.320 --> 00:35:20.320 Not having boring interactions, but interactions that are full of life, truth and encouragement. 00:35:20.320 --> 00:35:23.320 I'm not saying be fake and in sincere mind you. 00:35:23.320 --> 00:35:27.320 I'm saying be real and authentic, right? 00:35:27.320 --> 00:35:29.320 Be honest with others. 00:35:29.320 --> 00:35:32.320 Be yourself when you interact with others. 00:35:32.320 --> 00:35:36.320 Do you realize, look, you don't have to be perfect for God, right? 00:35:36.320 --> 00:35:40.320 So when you interact with others, you have to be perfect in your speech, right? 00:35:40.320 --> 00:35:42.320 Absolutely not. 00:35:42.320 --> 00:35:43.320 Just be real. 00:35:43.320 --> 00:35:47.320 Just having real, authentic, genuine conversations. 00:35:47.320 --> 00:35:52.320 Believe in the Lord, grow in him and do good, right? 00:35:52.320 --> 00:35:58.320 And in the doing, the living out of your faith, do everything in excellence for the Lord. 00:35:58.320 --> 00:36:02.320 And in this final part of the verse, we're told that we should walk in wisdom, 00:36:02.320 --> 00:36:06.320 have this grace filled speech seasoned with salt, 00:36:06.320 --> 00:36:10.320 and that we should know how to answer each person. 00:36:10.320 --> 00:36:12.320 When you become a Christian, right? 00:36:12.320 --> 00:36:21.320 You should learn the basics of the faith and you grow building on that foundation on the rock of our salvation. 00:36:21.320 --> 00:36:26.320 I can guarantee you there will come a time when someone will ask, what do you believe in? 00:36:26.320 --> 00:36:28.320 Why do you believe in this? 00:36:28.320 --> 00:36:30.320 Can you explain your faith? 00:36:30.320 --> 00:36:34.320 Can you answer others who ask those kind of questions? 00:36:34.320 --> 00:36:41.320 So here it's an encouragement and it certainly can be a challenge for us to, how do we interact with people? 00:36:41.320 --> 00:36:48.320 It's okay to ask God for that wisdom and how to speak to someone who may have a question for you. 00:36:48.320 --> 00:36:52.320 There are so many people that have so many questions. 00:36:52.320 --> 00:36:54.320 It's okay to answer them. 00:36:54.320 --> 00:36:59.320 And it's okay to say, you know what? I don't know this answer. 00:36:59.320 --> 00:37:04.320 There have been times people have stumped me with questions and said, you know what? I don't know. 00:37:04.320 --> 00:37:12.320 But the end of the day, having faith in Christ is, that's really all that matters. 00:37:12.320 --> 00:37:16.320 I don't know the exact day when the tribulation will happen. 00:37:16.320 --> 00:37:18.320 I don't know who the anti-Christ is. 00:37:18.320 --> 00:37:23.320 I don't. I mean, I don't know if I want to know, to be quite honest. 00:37:23.320 --> 00:37:31.320 But at the end of the day, it's knowing the Lord and knowing that God's transforming me. 00:37:31.320 --> 00:37:33.320 And ask yourself this question. 00:37:33.320 --> 00:37:42.320 Are you ready to answer and testify about the love and salvation of God in these questions? 00:37:42.320 --> 00:37:45.320 Understand the heart of who's asking. 00:37:45.320 --> 00:37:48.320 Sometimes people will come to you and actually they will. 00:37:48.320 --> 00:37:57.320 Okay, Jesus, I thought he was just a, I thought he just had long hair and he walked with sandals in the desert. 00:37:57.320 --> 00:38:02.320 Let that be an opportunity if they're sincere about it, not being facetious, right? 00:38:02.320 --> 00:38:07.320 Yeah. Jesus is more than a teacher. 00:38:07.320 --> 00:38:09.320 He's the savior. 00:38:09.320 --> 00:38:11.320 What does that mean? 00:38:11.320 --> 00:38:14.320 Well, show them the word. 00:38:14.320 --> 00:38:18.320 It's an opportunity to let the word of God speak for itself. 00:38:18.320 --> 00:38:20.320 Say, this is what I believe. 00:38:20.320 --> 00:38:23.320 He was buried and he rose again. 00:38:23.320 --> 00:38:24.320 It's just like in your notes. 00:38:24.320 --> 00:38:29.320 Did you know that Isaiah 53 verse nine? 00:38:29.320 --> 00:38:42.320 We don't have to turn there, but Joseph of Arimathea was prophesied about that there would be a rich man who wasn't known for violence. 00:38:42.320 --> 00:38:47.320 It was fulfilled in Matthew 27 verses 57 through 60. 00:38:47.320 --> 00:38:49.320 Is that remarkable? 00:38:49.320 --> 00:39:01.320 You know, but anyways, going back first Peter chapter three verse 15, it's very similar to what we're seeing here in Colossians here. 00:39:01.320 --> 00:39:11.320 In your hearts, honor Christ, the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for the reason for the hope that is in you. 00:39:11.320 --> 00:39:15.320 Do it with gentleness and disrespect. 00:39:15.320 --> 00:39:17.320 No, respect. 00:39:17.320 --> 00:39:19.320 Keep you on your toes, right? 00:39:19.320 --> 00:39:22.320 And this is similar again to what we're finding in Colossians. 00:39:22.320 --> 00:39:26.320 There is an importance in these verses to be ready, right? 00:39:26.320 --> 00:39:31.320 To be ready to defend the faith, but ready to explain, sharing your faith with others. 00:39:31.320 --> 00:39:36.320 We have to be prepared to answer people to the best of our ability. 00:39:36.320 --> 00:39:47.320 It's not to say that we should know everything, but people will see, they will hear, and they will learn that Christians have, there's something different about them. 00:39:47.320 --> 00:39:54.320 That there's something, think of the perspective of someone who doesn't know the Lord. 00:39:54.320 --> 00:39:58.320 You should be angry at this, but you're not. 00:39:58.320 --> 00:40:00.320 How are you still filled? 00:40:00.320 --> 00:40:01.320 You're still happy? 00:40:01.320 --> 00:40:03.320 You call it joy? 00:40:03.320 --> 00:40:07.320 And yet when something bad happens to me, I fall apart. 00:40:07.320 --> 00:40:13.320 You know, it's just all these things that happen in our walk with the Lord that people will notice. 00:40:13.320 --> 00:40:20.320 So again, people will see how you live your life, hear the words that you say and learn. 00:40:20.320 --> 00:40:29.320 They should learn that Christians, we have hope within us that we are a new creation, especially when we've put on the new self. 00:40:29.320 --> 00:40:35.320 This world needs light, love, and truth, and they need salt. 00:40:35.320 --> 00:40:42.320 Let us never be afraid of living out our faith and speaking to others and sharing in the hope of Jesus Christ. 00:40:42.320 --> 00:40:48.320 The question then comes, have you thought about the words that you say to others? 00:40:48.320 --> 00:40:50.320 Something to think about. 00:40:50.320 --> 00:40:55.320 Let your words, much like your actions, be filled with the goodness of God. 00:40:55.320 --> 00:40:59.320 Let your words be filled with grace and truth. 00:40:59.320 --> 00:41:05.320 Be encouraged to engage with others in meaningful and encouraging conversations. 00:41:05.320 --> 00:41:09.320 Ask God for strength, wisdom, and the right words to say. 00:41:09.320 --> 00:41:17.320 And I want you to think of someone that you can talk to about your faith, your words, your response, your actions. 00:41:17.320 --> 00:41:23.320 They all can have a profound impact on someone's life. 00:41:23.320 --> 00:41:29.320 Think of all the interactions you've had before you became a Christian. 00:41:29.320 --> 00:41:36.320 I'm sure for many of us, we have some remarkable stories about how someone influenced us, 00:41:36.320 --> 00:41:46.320 that they exhibited the light, love, and truth of the Lord, and they influenced you in the same way that many of us have been influenced. 00:41:46.320 --> 00:41:51.320 We can influence others, showing that it's not about me. 00:41:51.320 --> 00:41:53.320 It's about Christ. 00:41:53.320 --> 00:41:55.320 Look at how Christ has worked in my life. 00:41:55.320 --> 00:41:58.320 The Lord can work in you as well. 00:41:58.320 --> 00:42:04.320 And that is why here at Ontario Community Church, we have our mission and vision. 00:42:04.320 --> 00:42:08.320 Encouraging, equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:42:08.320 --> 00:42:11.320 That we encourage people to believe in the Lord. 00:42:11.320 --> 00:42:15.320 We encourage people to know that they're not alone in this life. 00:42:15.320 --> 00:42:21.320 That they belong to the Lord and to the body of Christ and that salvation is free to all who believe. 00:42:21.320 --> 00:42:27.320 We equip people to grow in their faith and through their walk with the Lord and through the word of God. 00:42:27.320 --> 00:42:34.320 It is growing as a child to the man or the woman in the Lord. 00:42:34.320 --> 00:42:36.320 Who does God want you to be? 00:42:36.320 --> 00:42:39.320 It is becoming the person that God wants you to be. 00:42:39.320 --> 00:42:45.320 Do you realize that you have potential and purpose in the eyes of God? 00:42:45.320 --> 00:42:51.320 There is potential that exists in you and purpose for this life in the Lord growing him. 00:42:51.320 --> 00:42:59.320 And we engage lives for Christ through service, serving others in the ministry and in community. 00:42:59.320 --> 00:43:07.320 I want us to keep in mind that we are all seen as equal in the eyes of God. 00:43:07.320 --> 00:43:10.320 We are all made for more than this life. 00:43:10.320 --> 00:43:15.320 The superficial, the lower things or the confusion of this world. 00:43:15.320 --> 00:43:22.320 We are made to have a relationship with Jesus Christ and to be transformed from the inside out. 00:43:22.320 --> 00:43:30.320 We are all given time, talents, and treasures in which we can use to steward but also minister to others. 00:43:30.320 --> 00:43:36.320 Do you realize that we are all called into ministry in some capacity? 00:43:36.320 --> 00:43:38.320 To help one another. 00:43:38.320 --> 00:43:42.320 Maybe it's just by having conversations and visiting people. 00:43:42.320 --> 00:43:57.320 Maybe it's by prayer and what we'll find next week in our closing of Colossians will find that God calls everyday people for extraordinary purpose. 00:43:57.320 --> 00:44:03.320 Everyday people from the farmer to the guy on Wall Street. 00:44:03.320 --> 00:44:10.320 Right from short and tall, black or white, whatever. 00:44:10.320 --> 00:44:14.320 God calls all of us for extraordinary purpose. 00:44:14.320 --> 00:44:22.320 And as believers were called to minister to others to share the gospel of Christ and to be doers of the word. 00:44:22.320 --> 00:44:25.320 This is a call for all of us. 00:44:25.320 --> 00:44:32.320 We are called to live lives faithful to God to his word and like the Colossians exhibit the love of Christ. 00:44:32.320 --> 00:44:37.320 And just like how Paul called the Colossians to continue what they were doing. 00:44:37.320 --> 00:44:41.320 Paul was grateful for their faithfulness and love. 00:44:41.320 --> 00:44:45.320 Let us be encouraged by this book of the Bible. 00:44:45.320 --> 00:44:47.320 Right. 00:44:47.320 --> 00:44:56.320 It's not about who can serve the Lord, but how we all can serve the Lord and be active in our faith every day. 00:44:56.320 --> 00:45:02.320 And as Christians, we can live out our faith by allowing God to work in and through us. 00:45:02.320 --> 00:45:12.320 Let us place God at the center of our lives, whether it's in our home, where we work or in our community, we're called to be ambassadors for Christ. 00:45:12.320 --> 00:45:15.320 Let us be encouraged by these verses from Paul. 00:45:15.320 --> 00:45:18.320 Let us pray without ceasing. 00:45:18.320 --> 00:45:26.320 Let us ask the Lord to provide opportunities to open the door to share the gospel and to live wisely to those who are in darkness. 00:45:26.320 --> 00:45:34.320 Our foundation is in Christ and we build our house upon the rock in Jesus Christ, our salvation. 00:45:34.320 --> 00:45:41.320 Let us be faithful to God and live out the love of Christ through what we say and what we do. 00:45:41.320 --> 00:45:43.320 Let's pray together. 00:45:43.320 --> 00:45:48.320 And gracious Father, we thank you for your word and the truth that is spoken here. 00:45:48.320 --> 00:45:51.320 It is the truth that sets us free. 00:45:51.320 --> 00:45:57.320 This truth will help us come to know you, grow in you and do good in your name. 00:45:57.320 --> 00:46:02.320 We're grateful that we can come together, sing praises and hear from your word. 00:46:02.320 --> 00:46:06.320 Teach us how to be steadfast in our prayer. 00:46:06.320 --> 00:46:10.320 May we be watchful and may we be thankful. 00:46:10.320 --> 00:46:17.320 We pray that you will give us opportunities and pray for opportunities to share in the good news of your son, Jesus. 00:46:17.320 --> 00:46:26.320 Teach us to live wisely to those who do not know you and help give us the right words to speak with grace and truth. 00:46:26.320 --> 00:46:30.320 May we be encouraged to live in love like you. 00:46:30.320 --> 00:46:38.320 And may we all be encouraged to minister to those in need, in the church and in the community. 00:46:38.320 --> 00:46:42.320 It is in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen. 00:46:42.320 --> 00:46:46.320 Thank you for tuning in to the Ontario Community Church sermon podcast. 00:46:46.320 --> 00:46:54.320 For more about our church and how you can get involved or support our mission, please visit ontariocommunitychurch.org. 00:46:54.320 --> 00:47:10.320 May God's blessings be with you.