If I can get this.
Is it?
Yep.
Got it?
All right.
In and out, in and out.
Turn with me to Colossians chapter 4.
As you do, I want to reiterate, it has been a blessing to go to Montana.
I was thankful to be able to be sitting beside Jason as they affirmed your congregation into
the association.
And he was thrilled, as you know Jason to be.
He was so excited.
I'm so thankful for that and so eager to see how the Lord is going to continue to grow.
Not only that association, but you as your gifts and your strengths are going to be able to make that association
just more and more faithful in that regard.
What a blessing it was for me.
That's why I wanted to go there.
I am a part of the Southeast Association as well, and so that was a piece of that.
But I wanted to be sitting there beside Jason when that happened.
And then to be able to come here after many, many months of being able to pray and be a means of encouragement.
You guys, you know how this works.
You pray for missionaries.
But man, it's so much better if you can see them and see their face and see their family
and know who they are and interact with them.
And now you can pray for them more particularly and carefully.
And so thank you for that benefit.
I've been praying for you guys without many faces.
And so now I'm able to pray for you.
And we as a congregation will be able to pray for you with faces and names.
And when you share particular concerns, we'll be able to know specifically those who are going through those things.
And so I am here this morning on behalf of Sovereign Grace Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida.
And I greet you in their name and with their authority.
And I'm seeking to be faithful to honor our Lord Jesus Christ,
but also be faithful to each of you this morning as we come to God's Word together.
Have your Bibles there open to Colossians chapter 4.
This is where we're going to be.
I'd like for us to...
Thank you, sir.
Let's see if I can get that.
I'd like for us to be there at the beginning of Colossians 4 for our time.
Let me pray.
Ask the Lord to grant us His grace that we may hear and receive His Word this morning.
This is a prayer of illumination.
And then our prayer will be that the Lord will, in His kindness, speak to us through His Word this morning.
And so let's go to the Lord in prayer, and then we will begin our time.
Almighty Father, Maker and Sustainer, Good Shepherd,
refuge of our weary souls that are here this morning,
You tell of Your glory, Your power, Your majesty through Your creation.
You have spoken of Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness throughout the generations through Your prophets.
You came and dwelt among us in the person of Jesus Christ, the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation, the firstborn from the dead,
the preeminent and worthy of all praise, adoration, and worship, Jesus Christ our Savior.
Grant us, I pray, Father in heaven, Your Spirit this morning,
that we might look to Christ as our great hope,
trust Christ as our sufficient joy,
love Christ as our satisfaction and pleasure forevermore,
reveal the foolishness of our hearts
when we go after empty, earthly ambitions, trinkets.
These make so many amazing promises to us,
and yet, Lord, they have proven over and over again to be barren,
to be useless, to be damning to our souls.
May we see Jesus Christ this morning.
Father, cause us to cast away the worthless longings and joys
that this world seeks to press upon us,
and may we be thrilled this morning.
With the preeminence of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
So, you guys are a few years old as a church.
Our congregation is 24 years old.
And I want you to know that the greatest blessing of your life
can and will be through what God is doing through you
and the congregation that God's placed you in.
These are eternal things.
And the chaos of life often causes us to forget that
and make us think that so many other things are more important,
and yet, our Lord has told us,
better is the end of a thing than its beginning.
This is Ecclesiastes 7.
You're here this morning.
All of you have certain places that you're at in your life
and your struggles and your different things that you're in.
But here you are.
And the question you've asked yourself
and the question we ask ourselves often
is not just,
how am I going to make it through the next few days
or the next few weeks
or the things that we have in front of us.
The real question is,
will I persevere to the end?
Better is the end of a thing than its beginning.
All of us can start out strong.
How many books have you started to read?
And you might even say you've read them,
but really you only got through the first chapter maybe or so.
Our lives are that way.
And I want to encourage us this morning
toward perseverance.
Because that's what really matters.
And that's what really we need to all have
as our ambition and our aim.
Because all of us have responsibilities and callings
and people that look at us,
maybe even for our faith.
And that may be great and wonderful,
but when they stand over our grave,
will they still say,
that man, that woman was faithful?
Man, I hope so.
Right?
I hope so.
So how do we persevere?
What is it that will cause us to persevere?
John Owen,
one of the favorites in way of English Puritans for so many,
he writes a book entitled,
or a little paperback,
I would encourage you to get it from Banner of Truth,
entitled Glory of Christ.
It is fantastic.
It's great.
I would encourage you to read it.
Near the end,
he talks about,
what do we do as we're nearing death,
or as we're growing old,
to persevere?
To persevere.
He talks about how,
when we near the end of this work,
we are seeking to look to the Lord,
and too often,
even in our weaknesses,
we can feel as if our lives,
and even our faith,
is unraveling.
I used to,
as a young believer,
believe that if I really,
really hit it hard,
like I did in college,
right before the test,
really hit it hard,
and was really faithful,
and did really well,
that by the time you become old,
being a Christian is going to be easy,
and I'm just going to be kind of coasting along,
and I don't want to discourage you in this,
but as you get older,
the Lord just brings up those sins,
that were just deeper,
than you knew you even had,
and there's new challenges,
new things,
that are coming along.
So,
in our old age,
as we grow older,
as we continue,
Owen mentions two things,
that he mentions here,
in the latter part of this volume,
called Glory of Christ.
He says,
there are two things,
which those who,
after a long profession of faith,
in the gospel,
they are going to need to address,
he calls these,
the confinements,
or the borders,
that should be around us,
as we face eternity together.
He says,
one of these things,
that we need to be concerned about,
are our faults,
that need to be repaired,
our decays,
that need to be recovered,
and our backslidings,
that need to be healed.
He said,
it is easy in old age,
to begin taking those too lightly,
because they've been around for so long,
that you begin just to kind of,
see them as normal.
He said,
as we grow older,
into faith,
we need to take those things up.
And then he goes on,
and he says,
the second thing we need to consider,
as we grow in our faith,
as we profess the Lord longer,
is he speaks of,
the other is that,
we may have these fresh springs,
of spiritual life,
vigorous actings,
of all divine graces,
in spiritual mindedness,
holiness,
fruitfulness,
to the praise of God,
the honor of the gospel,
and the increase,
of their own peace and joy.
Now that's a Puritan sentence.
They like to use a lot of words,
and bring everything together there.
So Owen shows us,
how one might receive,
both repair,
for one's stubborn fractions,
infractions,
but also fresh springs,
of divine grace,
to renew our fervor,
in our final days.
What does Owen say,
will do this,
necessary thing,
that we need,
in our older profession,
of faith?
What is it that's necessary,
he says?
He says,
look to Christ.
He said,
look to Christ,
a steady,
this is what I'm quoting Owen here,
a steady spiritual view,
of the glory of Christ,
by faith,
will give us,
a gracious revival,
from inward decays,
and fresh springs,
of grace,
even in our latter days.
This is exactly,
what David,
the king,
in Old Testament,
speaks of.
Those who look to him,
are radiant,
and their faces,
shall never be ashamed.
Psalm 34, 5.
This is what Isaiah,
the great prophet,
of the Old Testament,
speaks of,
when he says in Isaiah 45,
verse 22,
turn to me and be saved,
all the ends of the earth,
for I am God,
and there is no other.
Turn to me,
he says,
Isaiah.
And this is what,
Paul,
is calling the Colossian congregation,
and us this morning,
to,
in our text,
in Colossians chapter 4.
I want you to notice with me,
in Colossians chapter 3.
Look with me,
just turn a page over here.
We're going to be looking at various passages,
in Colossians,
but we're going to be honing in,
on Colossians 4.
Colossians 3,
verse 1,
notice what he's doing here.
If then you have been raised,
with Christ,
seek the things that are above,
where Christ is,
seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds,
on the things that are above,
not on the things,
that are on earth.
Paul continues,
in chapter 3,
to give a very practical,
very practical ways,
we are to live,
as we seek the things above.
Isn't that vague?
Seek the things above.
What does that look like?
Am I just simply,
supposed to sit somewhere,
and meditate,
on the clouds coming by?
No,
he's very practical,
in Colossians chapter 3.
He speaks of this,
seeking the things,
that are above.
And then he goes on,
he says,
in verse 5,
notice there,
it says,
put to death,
what is earthly.
We're also,
according to verse 12 then,
to put on then,
compassionate hearts.
Now,
if you don't think,
that's personal enough,
notice as Paul does,
he continues here,
and he says,
how are we to,
set our minds,
on the things above,
where Christ is?
Wives are to submit,
to their husbands,
husbands are to love,
their wives,
children are to obey,
their parents,
fathers are not to provoke,
their children,
bond servants,
are to obey,
obey the masters,
and treat their bond servants,
justly and fairly.
Reading through,
chapter 3 then,
we may become,
overwhelmed,
at just how,
personal,
and intimate,
and in our lives,
it really is.
It's unceasing,
influence of Christ's,
preeminence then,
that we find earlier,
in Colossians 1,
speaking of Christ's,
preeminence,
is in every area,
of our lives,
is rubbed into,
the very,
very small spots,
of our lives in fact.
So Paul closes,
this significant list,
of direct imperatives,
by showing us,
how we might be sustained,
this is what I'm talking about,
persevering,
in this new life,
saturated,
and consumed,
with Christ's,
rightful,
preeminence,
in our lives.
Will we be sustained,
in this?
Well,
I think all of us,
right mind,
even in our right mind,
would say,
well if it was up to me,
no.
If it was up to my strength,
my energy,
my effort,
my abilities,
none of us,
I think,
can say,
we will not be sustained.
Unless the Lord,
holds us up,
we will all fall,
in an instant.
So then,
what we have here,
then,
is Paul saying,
well if this,
is all the different aspects,
where Christ's preeminence,
is supposed to be in our lives,
how might we be sustained,
what is it then,
that Paul is calling,
this Colossian congregation,
and us today,
to do,
in order to sustain,
a fervency,
in this life,
in Christ,
cherishing,
his preeminence,
in all things.
Very practical.
He's asking us,
to do two things.
Here's the two points,
for the message this morning.
Two things.
Point number one,
continue steadfastly,
in prayer.
You see this here,
in verses two through four.
I'm getting ready,
to read these passages,
for you.
And then point number two,
walk wisely,
toward outsiders.
Verses five through six.
Point number one,
continue steadfastly,
in prayer.
Verses two through four.
And then,
point number two,
walk wisely,
toward outsiders.
Verses five through six.
Look with me.
Verse two.
Continue steadfastly,
in prayer,
being watchful,
in it,
with thanksgiving.
At the same time,
pray also,
for us,
that God may open,
to us,
a door,
for the word,
to declare,
the mystery of Christ,
on account of which,
I am in prison,
that I may make it clear,
which is how I ought to speak.
Verse five.
Walk in wisdom,
toward outsiders,
making the best use,
of the time.
Let your speech,
always be gracious,
seasoned with salt,
so that you may know,
how you ought to answer,
each person.
This is the text,
we'll be looking at this morning,
and seeking to understand,
by God's grace.
We see here,
that Paul,
point number one,
continues steadfastly,
in prayer.
We see here,
that Paul,
is not simply,
suggesting,
the value of prayer,
in our text.
But instead,
no one said,
we find here,
that Paul's,
insistence upon prayer,
being a constant,
part of our lives.
In other words,
and this is important,
I think some of us,
misunderstand this.
Our text,
is not speaking here,
of the intensity,
of our prayers,
but the,
consistency,
of our prayers.
Sometimes,
again,
like the college student,
that hits it real hard,
right before the night,
before the exam,
we think our prayers,
are that way.
I don't have to pray,
as much,
but when I do pray,
I need to be really,
really fervent,
and just kind of,
come at it hard,
and then I can,
lay off for a few more weeks.
No,
here what we find,
is that,
it is not the intensity,
of our prayers,
but the consistency,
of the prayers,
that we find,
that Paul is,
encouraging us in.
Our lives,
are to be marked,
by habitual,
frequent,
persistent prayer.
Paul then,
gives us,
two characteristics,
of our prayers,
that will help us,
in our persistence.
who here,
don't raise your hand,
can say,
I pray enough,
I mean,
I'm,
I'm killing it,
I pray all the time,
and I do plenty,
and I don't think I need to do anymore.
None of us,
right?
So how can we,
persist,
more faithfully,
more carefully,
how can we persevere,
in this prayers?
First,
we see,
that our prayers,
are to be watchful,
are to be watchful.
You see here,
in verse two,
this persistent prayer,
is rooted,
in a discipline,
that has been,
all but lost,
in our day to day.
And this discipline,
is historically,
being called,
watchfulness.
However,
this call,
is something,
we see,
over and over again,
in scripture.
Jesus himself,
calls his disciples,
to this.
Mark chapter 14,
verse 38,
Jesus says,
to his disciples,
watch and pray,
that you may not,
enter into temptation.
Do we need to watch,
and pray guys?
Absolutely.
The spirit is,
indeed willing,
but the flesh is weak,
Jesus tells,
his disciples.
He tells us.
Peter,
the apostle,
warns the saints,
of his day,
be sober minded,
be watchful.
Your adversary,
the devil,
prowls around,
like a roaring lion,
seeking someone,
to devour.
This is why,
we need to be watchful.
We see that these texts,
are not simply speaking,
of staying awake,
while praying,
and that's,
that's a,
that's a thing.
But instead,
they seem to be speaking,
of this watchfulness,
with an eye,
to an imminent end,
of the world's agenda,
to the return of our Savior.
We're praying,
watching for,
that end,
looking for,
how is it,
Lord,
that you're bringing,
these things together.
Therefore,
it will be right,
to pray,
with fervent watchfulness,
and to say,
O Lord,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Come,
O Lord Jesus,
come quickly,
as the end of our Bible says.
However,
this watchfulness,
watchfulness,
is not simply,
a praying,
that is,
constantly looking,
to the clouds,
for the Lord's return.
But instead,
this watchfulness,
is a diligent,
watching,
of one's own life,
in light of Christ's return.
In other words,
this call to watchfulness,
is not simply,
an eye to the future,
but it is,
a careful,
and diligent,
guarding,
of our hearts,
from the coldness,
toward God,
and indifference,
to His righteousness,
and holiness,
that we are all,
so apt to,
fall into.
Again,
John Owen,
the Puritan,
can help us here.
Owen,
defines watchfulness,
in this way.
Owen,
defines watchfulness,
as,
a universal,
carefulness,
and diligence,
exercising itself,
in and by all ways,
and means,
prescribed by God,
over our hearts,
and our ways.
So not only,
the things that we're doing,
but also what's happening,
inside of us.
The bait,
and methods,
of Satan,
we're supposed to be,
watching over those things.
How is it that,
Satan uniquely baits,
and tempts me,
or you,
as we're thinking,
through these things.
This is the watchfulness.
The occasions,
and advantages,
of sin,
in the world,
that we,
that we be not,
entangled to them.
Excuse me.
Let me state it this way,
and it may be helpful,
our congregation,
has found this helpful.
And this may be,
just a good test,
for us,
to see,
how we need to,
lean in,
to this,
this wonderful watchfulness.
Yesterday,
think about yesterday,
your yesterday.
It's different than mine,
I hope,
for a couple reasons.
Yesterday,
to the degree,
that you prayed,
the amount,
that you prayed yesterday,
is exactly equal,
to the degree,
that you felt like,
you needed God.
no more,
and no less.
The degree,
or the amount,
that you prayed yesterday,
is exactly equal,
to the amount,
that you thought,
you needed God.
No more,
and no less.
you only continue,
steadfastly in prayer,
if you understand,
the great dangers,
and the amazing assaults,
that are around us,
in the world,
that we're in,
regularly.
If you're in desperate need,
for the Lord,
what are you going to do?
Well,
you're going to pray.
And if you have it all,
figured out,
and you've got it,
and you can handle this,
this is okay,
guess what you're not going to do?
You're not going to pray.
Only if you begin,
to acknowledge,
the dullness,
and the coldness,
and the indifference,
of your own heart,
will you turn,
to constant,
steadfast prayer,
doing this with watchfulness,
knowing that,
the Lord has to do something,
in your heart.
But don't make the mistake here,
what are,
what are you watching for?
You are not to be,
diving into,
a,
a deep introspection,
of your own soul here.
A self-help evaluation,
what are the,
calendar things,
I need to change,
what are the agenda things,
I need to change,
that's not what I'm speaking of.
When I'm speaking of,
watchfulness here,
you know this watchfulness,
is a,
a vigilant,
tenacious,
attention,
to Christ,
in your life.
Setting your,
eyes upon Christ.
We will do this,
how,
how do you do this?
Well,
how do I do this?
Well,
turn to prayer.
Turn to the Lord in prayer.
Cry out to Him.
Persistent,
looking to Christ,
seeking His face,
setting your mind and heart on Him,
that He might warmly stir,
a love,
the mercy,
the affection,
of Him in you,
comes when we,
when we pray.
And when we realize how much that,
how valuable that is in our lives,
we might even set aside,
lingering time of prayer,
and say,
Lord,
I need to sit here,
and just pause,
and listen,
and be silent,
and cry out,
and explain my heart,
and ask for you,
to grant me grace.
Listen,
brothers and sisters,
our Father,
the Lord Jesus Christ,
is seated at the right hand of God.
And He's going to return.
And we can cry out to Him.
He wants to hear His saints,
His people,
cry out to Him.
Because there will be a day,
when Christ,
who is your life,
will appear,
Colossians 3,
4,
if you want to look at it,
then you also,
will appear with Him in glory.
If that's your heart,
that is a blessing.
If that's not your heart,
you're like,
oh man,
I'm just so far away from that.
Ask Him,
Lord,
would you give me that?
Lord,
would you,
would,
why would the Lord not answer,
that prayer?
That prayer of all,
why would the Lord not answer that prayer?
Lord,
allow me to have a heart,
that longs for your appearing,
that when you also appear,
that I might be with you in glory.
Because of indwelling sin,
and the world's influences,
Satan's cunning,
we must realize that,
like gravity,
these are always pulling us away from Christ.
If we ever put it in neutral,
we're not going to remain in that spot,
we're going to glide down the hill.
So if you do not have a fervent passion for Christ,
and regularly being reminded,
I've got to come back to Christ here,
His righteousness,
His holiness,
and His love,
then let me serve to you a warning this morning.
Some need to hear this.
You've already left your post,
and you're off your watch.
You're not being watchful.
Turn back.
Ask the Lord for repentance.
And turn back.
Our prayers are to be not only watchful,
but as well,
they're to be thankful.
It's hard.
Do you know of a praying person
that's also a grumbling person?
You don't.
Because someone who's constantly coming to the Lord in prayer
is one who is thankful.
Glaring gratitude.
That's what prayers are.
We may come to prayer
with hearts heavy and burdened,
but while in the prayer
we are able to reflect
upon the lavish supply of Christ,
and we are thankful,
despite all of our real struggles,
despite our pains and sorrows in the life,
Christ comes shining through.
We can say,
yes, Lord,
and all of these things,
and yet,
think about it,
a lot of times,
those things that our hearts are so burdened over
and struggling
and difficulties,
difficulties,
were they ever promised to us forever anyway?
They weren't.
We just love them so much
and they've been such a good blessing
from the Lord to us
that we think,
well, maybe we're to live the rest of our lives
with this blessing or this good.
Each and every one of us
are going to set aside
each and every one of these temporal blessings,
all of which that were to point us
and to remind us
and to thrill us
and to stir us to what?
The glory of Christ.
If it's not doing that
and we're anchoring our hearts in these things,
what will cause us to persevere?
Because that's the hard part, right?
When these things start being pulled away from us,
even our health.
Is Christ enough?
Yes.
He is.
And even if you're in church all your life,
you'll ask that question
when these hard challenges come.
Is Christ enough?
Yes.
Ask those questions
not only to brothers and sisters around you,
but to our Lord.
Christ, I want you to be enough.
We find that the more we reflect upon Christ,
the more our hearts will turn to prayer and thanksgiving.
In this short book of Colossians,
we can't read more than just a couple paragraphs
without seeing Paul
turning his heart to gratitude
and pouring out gratitude
over and over again.
Look at Colossians 1, verse 3.
Look here.
Colossians 1, 3.
It says,
We always thank God,
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
when we pray to you.
See that in Colossians 1, 3?
Colossians 1, 12.
Giving thanks to the Father
who has qualified you
to share in the inheritance of the saints
in light.
Giving thanks to the Father.
Now look at chapter 2, verse 7.
Rooted and built up in Him
and established in the faith
just as you were taught
abounding.
How?
In thanksgiving.
Look at chapter 3, verse 17.
Whatever you do
in word or deed,
do everything
in the name of our Lord Jesus.
Giving thanks to God,
the Father,
through Him.
So,
our prayers are to be watchful
if they're going to persist.
But our persistent prayers
also need to be focused.
This is the second characteristic
that Paul gives to us here
in Colossians 4.
The perseverance in prayer
is also to be focused prayer.
And it might be better to say here
targeted prayer.
You see here in verses 3 and 4
both what He is wanting them
to pray for, verse 3,
and why He is asking them
to pray these prayers.
Simply put,
our prayers will never persist,
continue steadfastly,
as our passage here says,
if they are random,
wandering, aimless prayers.
Dear Jesus,
be with me all day
and for everybody
all over the place
and also the missionaries.
Amen.
You've heard those prayers,
right?
You've prayed those prayers, maybe.
We see that Paul gives
the Colossians a target,
a focus
for their prayers.
He says here
in our passage,
at the same time,
pray also for us
that God may open to us
a door for the Word
to declare the mystery of Christ.
Do you see how specific
he's being?
We see here that Paul
calls the Colossian congregation
and to pray
not for him.
Notice,
Paul here is not saying
pray for me
nor for anyone
else specifically,
but instead
he's praying
that the Word
may go forward.
Paul does here
what other New Testament
writers often do.
He personifies
the very Word of God
as if
the Word of God
is moving
and working
and changing
and shaping
God's people.
And it is.
It is.
We don't see it,
but we pray for it
and we trust our Lord
for it.
Paul is wanting
the Word
to continue to do
what it has done
in the midst
of the church
there in Colossae.
Chapter 1
of Colossians
verse 6,
or excuse me,
verse 3.
Colossians 1
verse 3 says,
We always
thank God,
there's our thankfulness,
the Father of the Lord
Jesus Christ
when we pray for you
since we heard
of your faith
in Christ Jesus
and the love
that you have
for all the saints
because of the hope
laid up for you
in heaven.
Listen,
of this
you have heard
before where
in the word
of the truth
the gospel,
listen to what he says here,
which has come to you
as indeed
in the whole world,
what is it doing?
It is bearing fruit
and increasing
as it also does
among you
since the day
you heard it
and understood
the grace of God
and truth.
faith.
This word,
this gospel advancement
is God's unfolding
plan for the world
to know and worship
the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is what we have
in our passage here
in Colossians 4
that's spoken of
as the mystery
of Christ
that we are
to persistently
pray for.
We notice something
interesting
in the last phrase
here
in verse 4
on account
of which
I am in prison.
You see that?
Here Paul
is giving us
an idea
of just how
necessary
and committed
he is
to see the word
of God
go forward
at the cost
of even
his imprisonment.
And yet
Paul did not
ask the Colossians
to pray for his release.
Isn't that interesting?
This man's in prison.
I mean the prayer
that I would pray
and I think the prayer
that we would pray
pray that the Lord
will release me
from prison
and all by the way
may the word of God
be, I mean
I wouldn't leave it out.
I hope I'm more spiritual
than that, right?
And we are.
No.
He doesn't even mention that.
He's saying
the point here
is that the word of God
goes forward.
If somebody asks you
we have two families
every Sunday
two covenant families
every Sunday
that we pray for
specifically
throughout the week.
And it's become
a regular pattern
in our congregation
where those two families
typically get approached
on Sunday
that they are going
to be prayed for
for that week.
We mention them
at the beginning
of the service
and then many
in the congregation
go up to those
different individuals
that are members
of our church
and say
how can I pray
for you this week?
You know how hard
that question can be
if we don't get
asked that very often?
So begin thinking
about this.
how can the word
of God
run and speed
forward
and excel
and spread
and flourish
in your life
and in the things
that are around you?
You can begin
thinking about
how to
specifically
how focused
do I need to be
at asking others
to pray for me
and that will help us
begin praying
in our own hearts
and our own ways
specifically in this way.
when you and I pray
when you
when you and I pray
we're often
too often
or we're
too often
more concerned
with our release
from the difficulties
that we find
ourselves in
and that becomes
the focus of our prayer
instead of
how the Lord
is opening doors
in the midst
of our difficulties
and sorrows
and hardships
and largely
think about this
how would the Lord
get into that area
if that hardship
didn't exist?
A lot of times
if you think about it
you realize
wait a minute
unless this hardship
exists
I wouldn't have
access for the gospel
here
and yet the Lord
places us
in our lives
and he placed Paul
in prison
so that the gospel
can go forward
even human attempts
to shut down
the gospel
through Paul
did not seem
to diminish
the gospel
or cause it
to stalemate
the focus
of our prayers
is the propagation
of God's word
in our midst
what is it
that you and I
pray for?
is it that God's
powerful word
would be accomplished
its end
in our life
in your needs
in your marriage
in your family
in your workplace
in your own
very heart
if not
I've got good news
for you
turn to prayer
the Lord
would love
to answer
that prayer
Lord give me
a heart
that desires
for your word
to go forward
and help me be
help me be focused
help me be targeted
to see how your word
is moving
and working
in the lives
around me
and in my own heart
and need to start
with me Lord
2 Thessalonians 3
1 says
finally brothers
pray for us
Paul's saying this
finally brothers
pray for us
that the word
of the Lord
may speed ahead
and be honored
as happened
among you
I read that
this morning
in reviewing
this sermon
and I thought
that's exactly
what's happening
at Reformed Heritage
Baptist Church
as the word
of God
is going forward
and speeding
among you
it is among us
and we can pray
for each other
in that very end
and know
that Christ
will come one day
and gather for himself
the saints
and we will be
with him in glory
we do not
have a bitter end
we have a glorious end
and we can pray
with that kind
of fervency
wouldn't that
cause us to persist
in prayer
absolutely
let me give you
an example
hopefully the
children will
remember this
example
some
the kind of prayer
we'll often find
in our lives
and in the world
around us
serious opposition
this kind of prayer
that I'm speaking of
it did for Paul
he ended up in prison
and it did also
for an Old Testament
man that many of us
know
Daniel
you remember Daniel
the Old Testament
prophet here
it also did
it also caused
opposition and struggle
for Paul
in this way
but Daniel
Daniel did not
grow casual
or even
lean away
from prayer
but instead
the opposition
caused him
to be more
strengthened
in his prayer
Paul and Daniel
both became
more resolved
to persist
in prayer
when hardship
came
and I'll say
just as a
pastor that's been
around for a while
this breaks my heart
when a brother
or sister
that's been around
for a really long time
and some just
horrendous hardship
happens in our life
and I call them
to prayer
and I want to go
and pray with them
and we want to
gather around them
as a congregation
and say let's walk
together with the
Lord in this
and if the
Lord's going to
take this away
from me
I've had enough
I'm walking away
it's hard
but it happens
we pray
Lord
create
a love
for the glory
of Christ
in this person
that's greater
than the thing
that they're losing
that they think
is ultimate
and it never
should have been
the high officials
of the day
in Daniel's day
devised a plan
to remove
Daniel's influence
with the king
remember how Daniel
was able to just
go to the king
and talk to him
all the time
well the officials
didn't like that
and so
so the
the officials
wanted to
cause Daniel's
influence
to be
turned away from
and so they had
the king
issue
an injunction
against anyone
praying
except to
the king himself
the king
signed this
injunction
thinking
this is a great
idea
the only
one that
anybody in my
kingdom can pray
to is me
that's what
the king
thought
Daniel 6
10 says
this
when Daniel
knew
that the
document
had been
signed
he went
to his
house
where he
had windows
where he
had his
windows
in the
upper
chamber
open
toward
Jerusalem
and he
got down
on his
knees
three times
a day
and prayed
and gave
thanks
before his
God
I find it
so interesting
that Daniel
6
1 says
that
when Daniel
knew
that the
document
had been
signed
this is
going to
cost me
my life
but I'm
going to
pray
I simply
wanted to
mention this
example to
say that
when Paul
is calling
us here
in our
text
is nothing
less than
what his
people were
called to
throughout the
history of
the church
that diligent
fervent
prayer
and it'll
never come
easy
the reason
you don't
pray like
you want
to isn't
because of
your schedule
it isn't
because of
your due
list
it isn't
because of
the family
the Lord
placed you
in
it isn't
because of
your boss
it isn't
because of
your surroundings
it's because
prayer is war
and we're
going before
our God
asking him
to confront
the principalities
of the air
only those
who see
this utter
emptiness
and lack
and desperately
long for
more of
Christ
to satisfy
the lack
in their
own souls
and the
souls of
those around
them
will pray
Psalm 16
1 and 2
preserve me
O God
for in you
I take refuge
I say to
the Lord
you are my
Lord
listen to this
last part
I have
no good
apart from
you
I have no
good
apart from
you
Psalm 16
11
you make
known to me
the path
of life
in your
presence
there is
fullness of
joy
and at
your right
hand
are pleasures
forevermore
do you
believe that
do you
believe that
I know you
know it
I know you've
heard it
does your soul
believe that
pray
Psalm 16
verse 11
ask the Lord
to give you
that heart
again
many of us
would say
Lord give me
that again
I remember
when my heart
was there
give it to me
again
the second
point is
going to be
shorter
but let me
jump in
here
walk wisely
toward outsiders
and this is
verses 5
and 6
we will be
sustained in the
preeminence of
Christ in our
lives and those
around us
through our
prayers
our speaking
with the
Lord
having become
steadfast
watchful and
focused in our
prayers
then we are
able to
live and
speak with
those outside
of the church
faithfully
and best
we see here
in verse 5
those who
trusted Christ
in this
small
congregation
in this
big town
of
Colossae
opposed
those that
are in the
town
opposed
Christ
and his
teaching
big town
little bitty
congregation
do you know
what I'm
talking about
do you get
an idea
of what I'm
talking about
big town
that's opposed
to the gospel
and the things
of Christ
little congregation
man that can
feel overwhelming
that can feel
like man what
are we doing
this is just
a drop
in an ocean
the Colossian
congregation
were the
minority
for sure
so Paul
was calling
them to
live wisely
toward those
that are
outside
the church
not to
beat them
up
not to
berate
them
not to
go after
them
not to
criticize
them
no
instead
notice
what it
says
here
walk in
wisdom
toward
outsiders
you see
that there
in our
passage
it's
important
to
understand
that our
days
are few
and thus
we need
to
according to
our passage
look at
it again
make the
best use
of the
time
this
phrase
has
the idea
of buying
up
time
and now
some of
you
who
are
of my
age
or maybe
a little
older
that have
that were
weaned and
grew up on
the treasured
King James
version of the
Bible
and memorize
most of your
scripture memory
verses are in
King James
I still
most of my
scripture memory
I go
I revert back
to King James
and that's a
good thing
but the King
James translation
says and I
think they speak
of it better
here
of this
idea of
buying back
our time
it says here
the King
James says
redeeming the
time
instead of
make the
best use
of the
time
we're to
live as if
every moment
counts
we should
not waste
our moments
without considering
how they
should be
used
under
the rule
reign and
lordship
and preeminence
of Christ
back when
there was
this
there used
to be
these things
called
checkbooks
and I
was in
high school
and in
college
and in
seminary
and I
wrote
redeeming
the time
at the
top of
my
checkbook
because I
not only
wanted to
redeem
my time
but I
wanted to
redeem
my time
as carefully
and hopefully
as willingly
as I was
trying to
redeem my
money
and keep
it
make every
cent count
make every
moment
count
we are to
live as if
every moment
counts
we should
not waste
any of our
moments
we should
know that
we are
indeed
serving
our
lord
what does
lord mean
what does
lord mean
does lord
mean
I come to
church on
sunday
and man
he is
thankful for
that
and I'm
so glad
that god's
thankful for
that
because
he's
lord
but then
you can
live your
life
any way
you want
to
the rest
of the
week
no
lord
means
that the
lord
god
in
heaven
the
maker
of
all
things
visible
and
invisible
reigns
he rules
he has lordship
and here's the word from Colossians
preeminence over all things
in heaven and earth
why should we walk wisely
we should walk wisely
because the outside world
doesn't want us to flourish
in the gospel
never think
that they do
they would like for us to be nice
but they don't want us to flourish
in the exclusivity
of Jesus Christ
alone
as our savior
and lord
of heaven and earth
second
we need to be wise
because we are foolish
often
we're going to
foolishly
make decisions
and go after things
that are not bad things
that are not wicked things
at all
but they're not best
for the flourishing
of the gospel
and of Christ
in our lives
and others
we have
families in our church
great families
they are living close
to our congregation
living close to the actual
facility where we
where we worship
and they struggle
with getting the church
on time
now people have
names of people
in this church
that do that
I know you do
you got that person
in your mind right now
aren't you glad
they're here
I mean it's a little later
but they're still here
and that's good
we love them
we have people in our church
that show up
show up a little later
and they
find this really
really great house
two hours away
that's going to be
a wonderful
plenty of land
all this wonderful
blessings
and I've got this
and we can invite people over
and it's going to be great
but you're moving
two hours away
and you already
have a hard time
getting here already
is that a bad thing
for you to do?
no
but let's act wisely
now I'm not saying
you should do it
or you shouldn't do it
you should hear what I'm saying
I'm simply saying
that so often
we take things that are good
and are blessings
and are for us
and we don't measure
is this going to cause
my family and I
to flourish in the gospel
wisely
or is this an unwise decision
even though it may not be
a bad decision
and then thirdly
the reason we need to be wise
in our age
is because
by seeking to
by seeking to influence
or be around
those that are
in the world today
you and I
have every
every ability
to allow the world
to influence us
more than the scriptures do
we have every ability
to allow the world
to begin
influencing
our thinking
and our thoughts
and our ambitions
and our aims
and brothers and sisters
they may be again
good things
that the world
is asking you to do
that isn't bad
but it's not rooted in
a treasuring
of the glory of Christ
and so consider those things
I'm asking you to be wise here
and here Paul is asking us
to live wisely
because the world
that's around us
those outsiders
they aren't just simply
going to be neutral
in and around us
Ephesians 5
16 says
making the best use of time
why?
because the days are evil
that's really what I was speaking of
there in that last point
verse 6
we see that our speech
is to be seasoned
as we walk wisely
among those who do not claim Christ
we are not only to be judicious
with our time
but we are to be
persuasive
with our words
look at verse 6
let your speech
always be gracious
seasoned with salt
so that you may know
how you ought to answer
each person
we see a couple of aspects
of this persuasion
in our text
first we notice
that the speech
is to always be gracious
I take this
phrase
not simply to mean
that our speech
should be nice
or kind
but instead
convincing and compelling
I think this is why
Paul
goes on
to give us
a metaphor
for this gracious speech
our speech
should be always
gracious
like
seasoned with salt
you see that there
in other words
influential
eloquent
compelling
and attractive
this is how our speech
is to be
how will our speech
be like this
because mine isn't
I'm the bull
in the china cabinet
a china
china broom
right
I just
plow through
too often
and I'm not
careful
and gracious
how can we be
gracious in our speech
listen to me
as one who has
failed
many times
and I can give you
plenty of advice
on this
only when we are
gripped by the grace
that we've been shown
only when we've been
convinced that
you know what
the reason I'm not there
is because my
my savior showed me
grace and mercy
and so therefore
I need to be showing
grace and mercy
as you and I
become more enthralled
and captivated
by Christ
the cross
the gospel
and the lavish grace
we have been
we have been shown
in Christ
only then
will we speak rightly
do you see how
we seldom walk wisely
by letting our speech
be influential
compelling
and worthy of the one
that we are speaking of
our words are rarely
seasoned with salt
why
because we have not
spent the time
continuing in steadfast
prayer and watchfulness
and thankfulness
that I spoke of
just a minute ago
see how Paul is
bringing these two
things together
until we do this
we will know
be gripped
be captivated
to be fixed by
fixed on
our joy in Christ
and his rich grace
that he has lavished
upon us
next
next our wise speech
is to be based
on knowledge
of not only God's grace
in Christ
but also
a knowledge
of the individual person
we are talking to
and this is frustrating
our congregation
are full of people
that are
sometimes
not all that lovely
how about yours
right
sometimes
Nick and I
annoy the stew
out of each other
we did that this week
and we will continue
to do that
and yet know that
you know what
we are going to love
each other
because that is what
God has called us to do
we are to
lean into one of those lives
and that means
the messed up lives
that you've got
sitting around you
and the messed up life
that you have in your own heart
and you're not
let me help you here
you do know
that God has not called you
to fix the people
that are around you
he's not called you
to do that
the gospel does that
Christ does that
you are the
the person
just as broken
as the one sitting
beside you
even though you're
not quite convinced of that
and you're the one
that can bring
that beggar bread
as another beggar
and says
here
eat of this
eat of this gospel
let's cherish
Christ together
and so
our wise speech
is based not only
on knowledge
of the grace of God
but also knowledge
of the individual person
that we're walking with
and to
here we find
that Paul is calling
this church
to be gracious
and careful
to answer each person
uniquely
not simply
to bark out
bite sound bites
or to simply
declare one's position
with more force
or more volume
or more demeaning banter
aka
we're not going to
reach the world
by podcast
the person that is
doing all the amazing
wonderful things
online
that's convincing
all these people
in the church
to be whatever
they are going to be
it's easy
when that's happening
because I don't have
to rub elbows
with those people
that are
no no
this is where
God's called you
to be sanctified
and to grow
and to be nourished
because it's one thing
to understand
the particular
atonement of Christ
it's another thing
to teach your five year old
what it means
for Christ
to love us
with steadfast love
and faithfulness
that endures
to the mountains
so
we're to learn
each other
we're to grow
and be more careful
to understand
one another
what is required
in giving an answer
to each other
it requires
listening to individuals
we're to be courageous
enough to listen
that we might
as it says here
answer each person
do you see that
here in our text
with dignity
for that person
and confidence
in the word
I fail here
I talk so much
as a preacher
that when I'm in
the presence of people
I get to going
and I can't hush
so I tell the church
on the occasion
people
hey tell me to hush
when we're talking
tell me to stop talking
to let others
be able to share
and that's a blessing
that last page
of Owen's work
on the glory of Christ
says
this
how are we going to
persevere
most of our
spiritual
excuse me
most of our
spiritual decays
Owen says
our troubles
the barrenness
and the laziness
of our lives
arise from
an inordinate
admission
of other things
into our minds
in other words
guess what
one of the greatest
enemies
that we have
that Satan
launches at us
here it is
distraction
this
or excuse me
these
weaken grace
in all its operations
but when the mind
is filled
with the thoughts
of Christ
and his glory
when the soul
cleaves to him
with intense
affections
they will cast out
or not give
admittance to
those causes
of spiritual
weakness
and disorder
how might we be
sustained
for a fervent
life in Christ
cherishing him
as preeminent
in all things
we look to Christ
we fill our thoughts
with his glory
and survey
the wondrous cross
in all of its wrath
receiving
sorrow
with all of its
grace giving
redemption
and eternal joy
and we sing
as the saints
have
for many years
when I survey
the wondrous cross
on which the
prince of glory
died
my richest gain
I count but loss
and poor contempt
on all my pride
where the
whole realm
were the whole
realm of nature
mine
everything in the
world was mine
that were a
that were a present
far too small
love so amazing
so divine
demands my soul
my life
my all
Romans 12
12
rejoice in hope
be patient in
tribulation
be constant in
prayer
let us do that
right now
let us pray
father in heaven
would you give
I pray by your
spirit this
congregation
a prayer
a watchfulness
in prayer
give them father
an opportunity
a blessing
to be wise
and walk wisely
among outsiders
grant them your
grace that as they
continue to allow
the word of God
to spread and
flourish in the
midst of them
may they rejoice
when they see these
things
may they not be
downcast when they
do not
but instead
trust you
continuing to
come to prayer
crying out for
you to do
what only you
can do for
them
we ask that you
do these things
for the name
of Jesus Christ
and his glory
alone
amen
may may may
may
!
may
!