WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.439 We've said we're kind of at the point in Colossians where Paul is giving his final exhortations here, his final instructions. 00:00:13.679 --> 00:00:17.000 And what I'm going to do is I'm going to read verses 2 through 6. 00:00:17.080 --> 00:00:19.420 We'll actually preach all the way through 18. 00:00:20.039 --> 00:00:25.699 But as you'll see, verses 7 through 18 kind of illustrates some of these verses here in 2 through 6. 00:00:25.699 --> 00:00:33.560 So I'll read verses 2 through 6 of chapter 4 in Colossians, and then I'll pray, and then we'll take a look at what Paul has to say. 00:00:35.420 --> 00:00:37.980 Colossians 4, verse 2. 00:00:39.159 --> 00:00:39.820 Paul writes, 00:00:39.820 --> 00:00:43.740 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 00:00:45.079 --> 00:00:56.460 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which Paul says, I am in chains. 00:00:57.980 --> 00:01:00.799 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 00:01:02.079 --> 00:01:04.519 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders. 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:07.640 Make the most of every opportunity. 00:01:07.640 --> 00:01:17.280 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. 00:01:17.920 --> 00:01:18.480 Let's pray. 00:01:19.680 --> 00:01:21.140 Father, we thank you for your word. 00:01:21.239 --> 00:01:27.680 We thank you for the Apostle Paul who took the time while in chains to write this letter to a church in Colossae. 00:01:27.680 --> 00:01:39.120 Lord, would you help us not to take for granted those who have gone before us, who have continued to pass along your holy scriptures to us? 00:01:40.680 --> 00:01:44.680 Would you not take it for granted those who have proclaimed the gospel before us and to us? 00:01:46.580 --> 00:01:49.700 Would you help us now as we strive to understand the truth of your word? 00:01:49.700 --> 00:01:58.680 Would the seeds of your gospel be so deeply in our hearts that they would sprout forth life and fruit and season? 00:01:59.799 --> 00:02:01.680 In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 00:02:01.680 --> 00:02:01.780 Amen. 00:02:03.780 --> 00:02:14.260 Well, Paul's closing exhortations here are much alike if you've had a child that you've sent somewhere, maybe to camp or you're getting ready to go to a holiday or something like that. 00:02:14.939 --> 00:02:20.159 You get them to start packing up and you say the same thing a few times, don't you? 00:02:20.600 --> 00:02:24.520 I know for ours it's call us or text us when you get there. 00:02:24.520 --> 00:02:27.540 Make sure you wash every night. 00:02:28.400 --> 00:02:31.439 I have a young boy, so we have to say that one a few times. 00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:35.780 Make sure you wash and brush your teeth every night and obey. 00:02:36.060 --> 00:02:37.140 Maybe we'll say that again. 00:02:37.300 --> 00:02:38.260 Call us when you get there. 00:02:38.680 --> 00:02:39.840 Wash every night and obey. 00:02:40.060 --> 00:02:42.219 And then you say it a few times, don't you? 00:02:42.760 --> 00:02:44.620 Especially with the younger ones. 00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:46.719 And then right before they get in the car, what do you do? 00:02:47.100 --> 00:02:47.920 You say it again. 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:53.600 And you pick the most important things that you've said a few times and you say them one more time. 00:02:53.599 --> 00:02:55.180 And that's kind of what Paul's doing here. 00:02:56.060 --> 00:02:58.219 He's said all these things before, actually. 00:02:59.180 --> 00:03:03.099 He's given these instructions all throughout this letter to this church in Colossae. 00:03:03.240 --> 00:03:08.900 And now that they're getting ready to go to camp, as it were, that he's getting ready to send his child out, 00:03:08.979 --> 00:03:13.879 he says one more time the three most important things, according to him. 00:03:15.199 --> 00:03:22.699 So it's important to note that in Paul's mind, these three things are of the utmost importance for this church in Colossae. 00:03:23.599 --> 00:03:25.099 Be watchful in prayer. 00:03:26.759 --> 00:03:28.659 He says be globally aware. 00:03:28.919 --> 00:03:29.659 We'll look at that. 00:03:30.639 --> 00:03:34.060 And be God's people right there in Colossae. 00:03:34.599 --> 00:03:35.599 We'll see that again. 00:03:35.699 --> 00:03:36.979 Be watchful in prayer. 00:03:37.099 --> 00:03:37.879 Be globally aware. 00:03:38.039 --> 00:03:40.840 And then we'll say for us here to be God's people right here. 00:03:41.879 --> 00:03:47.579 So first to be watchful in prayer, Paul says in verse 2, Colossians 4.2, he says, 00:03:47.580 --> 00:03:52.300 devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 00:03:53.480 --> 00:03:54.800 And we say, well, what is prayer? 00:03:55.660 --> 00:03:59.180 As Connor alluded to earlier, prayer is more than just words. 00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:03.080 It's not just a vain repetition of words. 00:04:03.260 --> 00:04:06.480 Prayer is desires expressed to God. 00:04:07.760 --> 00:04:11.439 It's the desires of our heart being expressed to God Almighty. 00:04:11.439 --> 00:04:18.459 And Paul says to express our desires in words, which we call prayer. 00:04:19.920 --> 00:04:24.560 With that, he says, devote yourselves to prayer. 00:04:25.899 --> 00:04:26.620 Persist in it. 00:04:26.740 --> 00:04:29.220 Continue to be engaged in prayer. 00:04:30.060 --> 00:04:33.279 We saw this last week when Alex led us off with Acts 2.42, 00:04:33.540 --> 00:04:36.120 that the early church, the same word here, 00:04:36.120 --> 00:04:39.740 devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship 00:04:39.740 --> 00:04:42.160 and to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:50.019 They regularly persisted in and continued to be busily engaged in what had been started, 00:04:50.139 --> 00:04:52.060 namely the life of the church there. 00:04:52.060 --> 00:04:57.360 And Paul says part of that life is to continue to be engaged in prayer. 00:04:58.600 --> 00:04:59.980 To be devoted to prayer. 00:05:01.340 --> 00:05:03.040 Then he adds another element here. 00:05:03.040 --> 00:05:06.400 He says being watchful in prayer. 00:05:07.720 --> 00:05:08.740 Now it's interesting to note, 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:13.100 any prayer is not a bad prayer. 00:05:13.760 --> 00:05:18.700 The most elementary basic prayer you could ever utter is a good prayer. 00:05:19.600 --> 00:05:22.379 But there is a difference between praying, 00:05:23.540 --> 00:05:25.259 being thoughtful in prayer, 00:05:26.060 --> 00:05:28.879 and being watchful in prayer. 00:05:30.320 --> 00:05:32.800 Paul says we're to be watchful in prayer, 00:05:32.800 --> 00:05:33.840 which goes a step further. 00:05:34.020 --> 00:05:35.819 It's to be forward thinking. 00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:37.139 It's to be proactive. 00:05:37.280 --> 00:05:40.300 It's to be on the alert as we pray. 00:05:41.100 --> 00:05:43.879 I learned this as a young sailor in the U.S. Navy. 00:05:44.020 --> 00:05:46.680 My first post was to be a lookout. 00:05:47.639 --> 00:05:51.400 They put me on the USS Hopper as a destroyer in the Pacific Ocean. 00:05:51.879 --> 00:05:54.259 And my first job was literally to stand there. 00:05:54.519 --> 00:05:55.939 And they said, now look out. 00:05:56.580 --> 00:05:59.100 And I thought, that's the dumbest thing anybody's ever told me. 00:05:59.100 --> 00:06:02.600 I have all kinds of education, 00:06:02.800 --> 00:06:05.580 and I'm this highly qualified United States sailor, 00:06:05.640 --> 00:06:07.439 and you want me to stare at the ocean? 00:06:08.520 --> 00:06:09.960 What kind of nonsense is that? 00:06:10.760 --> 00:06:13.439 And I remember for the first watch, six hours, 00:06:13.800 --> 00:06:15.420 I stared at the ocean. 00:06:16.240 --> 00:06:17.240 I thought, this is pointless. 00:06:18.340 --> 00:06:19.320 This is absolutely useless. 00:06:19.319 --> 00:06:21.839 And I went down, and of course, 00:06:22.219 --> 00:06:25.199 we say a complaining sailor is a happy sailor in the U.S. Navy. 00:06:25.319 --> 00:06:27.120 And so I was complaining to the others, 00:06:27.240 --> 00:06:28.560 that's the dumbest thing I've ever done. 00:06:28.860 --> 00:06:29.779 They said, well, what did you do? 00:06:29.819 --> 00:06:30.860 I just stared at the ocean. 00:06:30.939 --> 00:06:31.659 They said, well, no wonder. 00:06:31.819 --> 00:06:32.740 It's not what you're supposed to do. 00:06:33.560 --> 00:06:36.439 So you're supposed to go kind of sector by sector and look. 00:06:37.519 --> 00:06:38.779 So the next time I went up there, 00:06:38.839 --> 00:06:40.560 I kind of look here for a bit. 00:06:41.000 --> 00:06:41.259 Nothing. 00:06:41.639 --> 00:06:42.659 And I look there for a bit. 00:06:43.279 --> 00:06:43.560 Nothing. 00:06:43.659 --> 00:06:44.100 And I look around. 00:06:44.159 --> 00:06:44.379 Nothing. 00:06:44.519 --> 00:06:45.300 Okay, well, I'll try to get nothing. 00:06:45.300 --> 00:06:46.800 And it was boring again. 00:06:47.939 --> 00:06:49.579 I thought, well, I've been thoughtful in it. 00:06:50.139 --> 00:06:51.379 I've gone sector by sector. 00:06:51.500 --> 00:06:52.400 It's still boring. 00:06:52.520 --> 00:06:53.280 This is pointless. 00:06:53.680 --> 00:06:54.920 So I complained again. 00:06:56.740 --> 00:07:00.980 And then a very humble, helpful captain stood next to me, 00:07:01.680 --> 00:07:03.019 and firm and stern captain. 00:07:03.920 --> 00:07:08.100 And he said, you're supposed to be watchful as a lookout. 00:07:08.980 --> 00:07:11.259 He said, you need to not just look at each area, 00:07:11.259 --> 00:07:14.580 but you need to kind of know what could happen in that area. 00:07:15.740 --> 00:07:16.980 And take that into account. 00:07:17.180 --> 00:07:19.460 And so he helped me as we went out to sea. 00:07:19.660 --> 00:07:22.360 And I'd stand there and he'd say, look, there's a merchant ship right there. 00:07:22.460 --> 00:07:23.180 Okay, I see it. 00:07:24.120 --> 00:07:25.780 He said, it's getting ready to come out, isn't it? 00:07:25.840 --> 00:07:26.680 It looks like it. 00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:27.900 But there's no pilot. 00:07:27.980 --> 00:07:28.560 It needs a tug. 00:07:28.639 --> 00:07:29.800 Look, the tug comes from here. 00:07:29.900 --> 00:07:31.060 And he'd point me there. 00:07:31.259 --> 00:07:34.139 And before I knew it, the whole ocean had come alive. 00:07:34.199 --> 00:07:37.240 And there was all these possibilities, these things that could happen. 00:07:38.199 --> 00:07:41.139 And then I started to realize, I need to tell them this. 00:07:41.780 --> 00:07:43.939 Hey, the tug could come from here, this merchant ship. 00:07:43.939 --> 00:07:46.879 Before I knew it, I was being watchful as a lookout, 00:07:47.019 --> 00:07:50.439 which was very different than just staring at the ocean. 00:07:51.839 --> 00:07:54.279 Paul says, be watchful in prayer. 00:07:55.420 --> 00:07:59.620 He says in verse 12 of Colossians 4, he notes that Epaphras, 00:08:00.339 --> 00:08:04.379 Epaphras, he says in verse 12, is one of them and a servant of Christ Jesus. 00:08:04.540 --> 00:08:07.259 He says, he is wrestling in prayer for you. 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:12.079 That you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 00:08:12.079 --> 00:08:14.579 And the language there is gladiator language. 00:08:14.759 --> 00:08:20.719 Epaphras is like a gladiator in the arena, struggling and contending and fighting for you in prayer. 00:08:22.659 --> 00:08:26.399 And our ultimate illustration, of course, is Christ at the Last Supper, 00:08:26.539 --> 00:08:28.000 where he says to Peter, he says, 00:08:28.099 --> 00:08:30.979 Peter, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat, 00:08:31.240 --> 00:08:35.659 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. 00:08:35.659 --> 00:08:37.919 When you turn back, strengthen your brothers. 00:08:38.120 --> 00:08:43.179 Christ looked ahead and he was alert and he was watchful and he saw what was coming for Peter. 00:08:43.539 --> 00:08:45.519 And he said, I pray for you. 00:08:47.639 --> 00:08:49.120 Epaphras wrestled for them. 00:08:50.539 --> 00:08:57.120 All of it is forward looking, opposition expecting reality in the prayer. 00:08:58.519 --> 00:09:01.759 We aren't just praying, but we are watchful in prayer. 00:09:01.759 --> 00:09:07.399 Now, sometimes that idea can make us a bit anxious or trouble us. 00:09:07.580 --> 00:09:11.139 That's maybe a fearful endeavor to be on that much alert. 00:09:12.279 --> 00:09:14.460 Which is why Paul adds to be thankful. 00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:17.960 Not just watchful in prayer, but thankful in prayer. 00:09:19.299 --> 00:09:21.840 We say, well, what do we have to be thankful for while we pray? 00:09:22.200 --> 00:09:24.700 I would say, first, we're praying to God Almighty. 00:09:24.700 --> 00:09:29.080 We have the privilege of praying to God Almighty. 00:09:30.180 --> 00:09:31.920 The Creator of heaven and earth. 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:36.160 The God who is able to do far more than we ever ask. 00:09:36.700 --> 00:09:38.440 Far more than we even think. 00:09:39.720 --> 00:09:42.400 The God who is always and ever on His throne. 00:09:43.800 --> 00:09:46.220 The God who goes before us. 00:09:47.680 --> 00:09:49.800 The God who has ultimately already won the battle. 00:09:50.900 --> 00:09:52.759 On our behalf and for His glory. 00:09:52.759 --> 00:09:59.279 And so with thankfulness, we recognize that we have the privilege of praying to God Almighty. 00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:07.000 And prayer reminds us not only that we pray to God Almighty, but that God listens. 00:10:10.360 --> 00:10:12.200 God listens to us when we pray. 00:10:12.860 --> 00:10:15.639 Sometimes it's worth just pausing and thinking about that. 00:10:15.639 --> 00:10:19.419 Isaiah 30 verse 19 says, 00:10:19.519 --> 00:10:24.580 God is gracious and when you cry for help, He will answer you as soon as He hears. 00:10:25.939 --> 00:10:29.199 There's no cue to talk to God. 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:30.159 Have you ever thought about that? 00:10:31.019 --> 00:10:34.960 And we waited an hour to kiss the Blarney Stone so that I could be a better preacher. 00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:40.740 And yet with God, there's no hour-long wait. 00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:48.080 It's instantaneous access to the throne of the most almighty being in all of the universe. 00:10:50.160 --> 00:10:51.720 We can go right to Him. 00:10:53.019 --> 00:10:54.060 Know that He's listening. 00:10:55.060 --> 00:10:55.800 And that He's capable. 00:10:55.799 --> 00:11:04.500 See, God could have ordained that all His will be accomplished independently of our participation, but He didn't. 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:08.699 He saw it good for us to pray to Him. 00:11:10.219 --> 00:11:17.819 John Calvin writes that praying with thankfulness turns the human soul toward heaven and away from ourselves. 00:11:17.820 --> 00:11:17.940 Thankfulness. 00:11:18.740 --> 00:11:24.100 Thankfulness by its very nature, he says, requires that we fix our focus on God. 00:11:25.500 --> 00:11:27.280 He says it is theocentric. 00:11:27.420 --> 00:11:28.940 It is God-centered. 00:11:30.580 --> 00:11:37.640 And so Paul says we are to be a people of prayer, devoted to prayer, watchful in prayer, thankful in prayer. 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:40.379 So how do we do this? 00:11:40.420 --> 00:11:42.320 How do we actually accomplish this? 00:11:42.380 --> 00:11:44.160 I have a little acronym that I use personally. 00:11:44.260 --> 00:11:44.820 I'll share with you. 00:11:44.820 --> 00:11:46.640 It's called ACT, PLEASE. 00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:51.220 And in California, we spell please P-L-Z because we're just cool like that. 00:11:51.679 --> 00:11:52.819 We say, dude, please. 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:54.360 And that's exactly how we spell it. 00:11:55.279 --> 00:11:58.379 So maybe for you, you say A-C-T-S, acts. 00:11:58.460 --> 00:11:59.080 That's another way. 00:11:59.379 --> 00:12:02.919 I'm not smart enough to really understand the S, so I just say please. 00:12:03.399 --> 00:12:09.819 But it stands for adore, confess, thank, and then supplication. 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:10.919 That's why I went with P-L-Z. 00:12:11.059 --> 00:12:11.840 You can see that's a big word. 00:12:12.200 --> 00:12:15.879 Supplication means please for other people in my dictionary. 00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:17.919 And so how do we do that? 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:21.379 We adore, we confess, we thank, and then we supplicate on others' behalf. 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:27.500 For example, I could pray and adore God for the beautiful creation here in Ireland. 00:12:28.039 --> 00:12:30.799 Absolutely, stunningly beautiful land here. 00:12:31.580 --> 00:12:36.639 And as I'm adoring God for what He made that I've gotten to see over the last few months, 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:43.159 I can confess right away that I have failed miserably in considering Ireland in my prayers 00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:44.419 during my Christian life. 00:12:44.419 --> 00:12:47.639 I've just kind of assumed everybody was a Christian. 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:54.019 And I've just kind of assumed that Ireland didn't really need my prayers or need missionaries here. 00:12:54.179 --> 00:12:57.779 And I can confess, Lord, I have not been on the alert for Ireland. 00:12:58.959 --> 00:13:02.699 But then I can thank God right away because He's been at work here, hasn't He? 00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:08.780 I can thank God for being at work through Cork Baptist Church 00:13:08.780 --> 00:13:11.700 and sending Philip to plant a church in Cairagline 00:13:11.700 --> 00:13:15.379 and the members and Johnny for continuing to pastor 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:18.460 and the elders and the deacons and everything that's gone on. 00:13:18.700 --> 00:13:22.759 Despite my lack of attention, despite my lack of thought and prayer for Ireland, 00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:25.800 clearly God's been at work and I can thank Him for that. 00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:27.720 And then I can go to please and I can say, 00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:30.100 please, Lord, continue to help the church in Ireland. 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:35.320 It will be hard to not be here and to just see the updates on WhatsApp. 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:39.100 But I can continue to pray and be watchful and alert and say, 00:13:39.180 --> 00:13:40.519 Lord, please keep that church. 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:41.620 Keep it going strong. 00:13:41.800 --> 00:13:45.740 As they enter this next season with other preachers coming and ministries starting up, 00:13:45.800 --> 00:13:46.639 would you keep them united? 00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:47.920 And I can supplicate. 00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:48.820 You see how that's happening? 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:52.620 And then it usually leads me into another round 00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:57.040 where I can even just recognize how God takes care of His churches. 00:13:57.120 --> 00:13:58.279 And I can adore Him for that. 00:13:58.279 --> 00:14:02.659 I can confess my shortcomings as a church member. 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:06.399 I can say, boy, I haven't always been a perfect church member. 00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:09.459 I've caused struggles and strife at times. 00:14:09.679 --> 00:14:15.279 And yet again, I can thank God because the gates of hell will not prevail against His church. 00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:19.399 And then I can immediately go into supplication again. 00:14:19.459 --> 00:14:22.279 Please help the churches and pastors who are facing trials, 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:24.259 who have difficulties within the body. 00:14:24.439 --> 00:14:31.639 And you see I'm kind of forward-looking and spiraling through this ACTS or act, please, way of praying. 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:34.620 And one thing just leads me to another. 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:36.740 And before I know it, time's flown by. 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:41.299 And I've been devoted and watchful and thankful in prayer. 00:14:41.299 --> 00:14:50.019 What Paul says is as we're devoted to and watchful and thankful in prayer, 00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:55.039 he says we will also become globally aware. 00:14:55.659 --> 00:14:56.639 That's our next point. 00:14:57.639 --> 00:15:03.199 As we adore God and we confess and we thank Him and we pray for others, 00:15:04.539 --> 00:15:06.179 he says we will become globally aware. 00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:10.019 Paul expresses this in verses 3-4. 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:12.099 He says, 00:15:12.579 --> 00:15:13.579 Pray for us too, 00:15:14.679 --> 00:15:17.459 that God may open a door for our message, 00:15:17.799 --> 00:15:22.539 so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ for which I am in chains. 00:15:23.319 --> 00:15:26.120 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly as I should. 00:15:27.179 --> 00:15:28.120 And so it's interesting to note, 00:15:28.339 --> 00:15:33.240 Paul says it's not just enough to be devoted and watchful and thankful in prayer, 00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:37.019 but we must have a global mindset when it comes to the Kingdom of God. 00:15:38.060 --> 00:15:41.580 He says that this praying with a global mindset, 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:42.879 or to be globally aware, 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:45.879 consists of praying both that doors would be opened 00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:49.060 and that the Gospel would be clearly proclaimed. 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:54.379 Which connects us back to the idea of being watchful, doesn't it? 00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:56.680 That doors would be opened. 00:15:57.320 --> 00:15:58.139 That's forward-thinking. 00:15:59.299 --> 00:16:01.419 That the Gospel would be clearly proclaimed. 00:16:01.419 --> 00:16:03.080 That's forward-thinking. 00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:06.440 I'll never forget about five years ago, 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:07.399 I was in Albania, 00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:10.340 which sounds like a weird place to be. 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:12.500 No, I wasn't filming the movie Taken. 00:16:12.820 --> 00:16:14.700 I was there to meet some pastors 00:16:14.700 --> 00:16:17.440 and to meet the Christians there. 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:18.560 And I'll never forget, 00:16:18.700 --> 00:16:19.940 this was 2014, 00:16:20.379 --> 00:16:22.980 and I was walking along the coast in Albania, 00:16:23.080 --> 00:16:25.620 and I was just enjoying listening to a John Piper sermon. 00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:26.860 Just walking along, 00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:28.539 enjoying listening to a podcast, 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:31.080 and I had to stop dead in my tracks 00:16:31.080 --> 00:16:34.420 because in the John Piper sermon from 1986, 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:38.060 he said boldly and loudly, 00:16:38.540 --> 00:16:41.480 God will be glorified in Albania. 00:16:42.440 --> 00:16:44.100 And I paused and said, 00:16:44.180 --> 00:16:46.580 whoa, I'm right here in Albania. 00:16:47.280 --> 00:16:50.060 But the weird thing about that was in 1986, 00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:53.259 there were not any Christians in Albania. 00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:55.139 At least not publicly. 00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:57.279 Because it was a forced, 00:16:57.439 --> 00:16:58.120 communist, 00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:59.360 atheist country, 00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:01.179 and Christians were not allowed 00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:02.460 to say they were Christians, 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:04.240 or to gather as Christians, 00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:06.819 or to receive the teaching of the Word of God 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:07.420 as Christians, 00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:08.500 until 1991. 00:17:09.879 --> 00:17:11.259 And so I was struck by the fact 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:13.099 that five years before 00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:15.019 communism fell in Albania, 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:16.240 here's John Piper 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:18.400 saying and proclaiming 00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:21.220 and praying that God would be glorified 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:23.620 in a closed off communist, 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:24.700 atheistic country. 00:17:26.400 --> 00:17:28.120 He was watchful in prayer, 00:17:28.640 --> 00:17:30.359 and he was globally aware. 00:17:32.440 --> 00:17:33.599 And then I started to think, 00:17:33.660 --> 00:17:36.380 how come the moment the borders were opened 00:17:36.380 --> 00:17:37.940 in that country, 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:39.400 how come the moment they were opened, 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:41.099 there were Christian missionaries coming in, 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.900 speaking Albanian, 00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:45.480 ready to share the Gospel with these people, 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:47.440 it's because they had been globally aware. 00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:50.700 They had been waiting for those borders to open. 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:53.819 They had been waiting for the door to be opened. 00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:56.120 That they may go in 00:17:56.120 --> 00:17:57.740 and clearly proclaim 00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:59.259 the good news of Jesus Christ. 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:02.539 Where else are the doors not opened right now? 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:06.460 Where else can we not send missionaries 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:08.319 with the good news of Jesus Christ right now? 00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:10.660 Do we pray for those countries? 00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:12.860 Do we even think about those countries? 00:18:12.859 --> 00:18:16.079 Do we look down upon those countries? 00:18:16.199 --> 00:18:17.259 They're so terrible and evil. 00:18:17.379 --> 00:18:18.179 Of course they are. 00:18:19.459 --> 00:18:20.779 The doors haven't been opened 00:18:20.779 --> 00:18:21.799 for the Gospel message 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:23.500 to be proclaimed there yet. 00:18:26.719 --> 00:18:30.799 Christianity is a globally aware people. 00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:34.399 It's the heartbeat of the Christian church. 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:38.940 And Christians are called to be globally minded. 00:18:39.059 --> 00:18:40.579 And we were called to be globally minded 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:43.419 far before humanity was ever globally connected. 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:45.980 And I want you to look with me 00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:47.180 in verses 7-16 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:48.480 and think about this. 00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:50.339 This is 65 A.D. 00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:53.720 And look how in 65 A.D. 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:54.960 before there was internet, 00:18:55.159 --> 00:18:56.639 before there was mass communication, 00:18:56.639 --> 00:18:58.579 look how globally minded 00:18:58.579 --> 00:18:59.740 the church already was. 00:19:00.939 --> 00:19:02.000 In verse 7, Paul says, 00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:03.379 Tychicus will tell you 00:19:03.379 --> 00:19:04.460 all the news about me. 00:19:05.639 --> 00:19:06.639 He is a dear brother 00:19:06.639 --> 00:19:08.740 and a faithful minister in the Lord. 00:19:10.119 --> 00:19:13.119 And Tychicus is going to be leaving Rome 00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:14.879 to go to Colossae 00:19:14.879 --> 00:19:17.099 to tell the Colossians 00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:18.039 about Paul and Rome. 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.639 And that's interesting to know 00:19:19.639 --> 00:19:21.539 because that's a one month journey 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:24.259 through a very dangerous world. 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:27.619 And interestingly enough, 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.700 Paul says in verse 9, 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:30.579 he's coming with Onesimus. 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:33.480 Onesimus is a slave 00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:35.099 who ran away from Colossae. 00:19:36.680 --> 00:19:38.299 Who's going back to the place 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:39.440 that he escaped from 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:44.460 to share what God's doing in Rome. 00:19:45.460 --> 00:19:46.799 In verse 10, Paul says, 00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:48.920 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:49.819 sends you his greetings. 00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:50.779 And it's interesting to note, 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:52.759 Aristarchus is from Thessalonica, 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:53.799 which is in Greece. 00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:56.519 He's gone from Greece 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:57.640 and traveled with Paul 00:19:57.640 --> 00:19:58.579 and proclaimed the Gospel 00:19:58.579 --> 00:19:59.299 in other countries 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:00.400 all the way to the point 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:02.660 where he is a prisoner in Rome 00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:03.279 with Paul. 00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:04.539 He says, 00:20:04.579 --> 00:20:05.220 So does Mark, 00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:06.579 the cousin of Barnabas. 00:20:06.599 --> 00:20:08.039 And we know Mark is from Jerusalem, 00:20:08.220 --> 00:20:09.579 which is a six month journey 00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:10.920 from Rome. 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:13.140 Verse 12, 00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:13.759 we saw Epaphras, 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.339 who is one of you. 00:20:16.140 --> 00:20:17.519 That is, he's one of the Colossians. 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:18.700 Paul says in verse 13, 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:20.019 I vouch for him, 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:21.839 for he is working hard for you 00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:23.879 and for those at Laodicea 00:20:23.879 --> 00:20:25.220 and Hierapolis. 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:27.619 Okay, and that kind of made up 00:20:27.619 --> 00:20:29.199 this region called the Lycus Valley, 00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:31.099 which would be like a county, 00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:31.879 maybe, in Ireland. 00:20:32.639 --> 00:20:33.240 So they say, 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:35.019 Epaphras is not just praying 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:35.959 and struggling 00:20:35.959 --> 00:20:37.119 and working on behalf 00:20:37.119 --> 00:20:39.079 of one city here in this county, 00:20:39.179 --> 00:20:41.019 but many of them here in the county. 00:20:42.659 --> 00:20:43.779 And then verse 14, 00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:44.119 he says, 00:20:44.179 --> 00:20:45.039 Our dear friend Luke, 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:45.599 the doctor, 00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:47.039 and Demas send greetings. 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:49.059 And we know Luke is from Antioch 00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:51.460 and he's traveled all over the world 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.000 with Paul, 00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:54.440 recording what God's been doing. 00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:56.740 And from his hand 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.859 and the work of the Holy Spirit, 00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:59.500 we get the Gospel of Luke 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.440 and the book of Acts. 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:04.220 You see the global awareness there. 00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:05.119 And then in verse 15, 00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:05.819 give my greetings 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:07.319 to the brothers and sisters 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:09.440 in Laodicea and Nympha 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.619 and the church in her house. 00:21:11.659 --> 00:21:12.700 And then in verse 16, 00:21:12.859 --> 00:21:14.379 after this letter has been read to you, 00:21:14.379 --> 00:21:15.399 see that it is read 00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:16.780 in the church of Laodiceans. 00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:18.840 And that you in turn 00:21:18.840 --> 00:21:20.280 read the letter from Laodicea. 00:21:20.360 --> 00:21:22.340 You see the global awareness here, 00:21:22.380 --> 00:21:22.759 don't you? 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:24.480 They're all over the place. 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:26.920 God's people are going back and forth 00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:27.700 from city to city 00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:30.200 and they're moving God's Word around 00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:30.820 as they go. 00:21:32.380 --> 00:21:33.340 It's important to note 00:21:33.340 --> 00:21:34.980 that this is God's intention. 00:21:36.320 --> 00:21:38.019 Every tribe, every tongue, 00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:40.400 every nation would hear 00:21:40.400 --> 00:21:42.200 the good news of Jesus Christ. 00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:44.980 Lest we forget, 00:21:45.140 --> 00:21:47.799 each of us first heard this good news 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:50.100 because somebody proclaimed it clearly. 00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:53.059 Somebody clearly told us 00:21:53.059 --> 00:21:56.740 the good news of salvation in Christ. 00:21:58.080 --> 00:21:59.819 I find it fascinating 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:03.240 that Paul would say to pray for Him. 00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:06.279 If there's anybody we would think 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:08.200 could clearly proclaim the Gospel 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:08.920 around the world, 00:22:09.120 --> 00:22:10.279 it'd be the Apostle Paul. 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:14.079 And yet he asks for prayer 00:22:14.079 --> 00:22:17.460 that he could clearly proclaim the Gospel. 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:22.059 Paul refuses to rely on his own eloquence 00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:23.420 or his own skill 00:22:23.420 --> 00:22:25.299 or his own theological knowledge alone. 00:22:25.399 --> 00:22:25.660 He says, 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:27.259 pray for me 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:30.859 that I may clearly proclaim the Gospel. 00:22:33.379 --> 00:22:35.200 People are Christians for, 00:22:35.399 --> 00:22:36.099 or not Christians, 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:36.579 I would say, 00:22:36.639 --> 00:22:37.779 for one of three reasons here. 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:40.180 If someone says, 00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:40.879 I'm not a Christian, 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.579 I would say either 00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:43.940 they have not heard the message of the Gospel, 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:46.000 or secondly, 00:22:46.119 --> 00:22:46.740 they heard it, 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:48.480 but they did not understand it, 00:22:49.399 --> 00:22:50.500 or thirdly, 00:22:50.579 --> 00:22:51.819 maybe having heard 00:22:51.819 --> 00:22:53.500 and understood the Gospel, 00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:55.639 they don't believe it. 00:22:57.119 --> 00:22:57.740 Paul says, 00:22:57.819 --> 00:22:59.339 let's not have number one and two 00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:00.000 be the reason 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:02.019 why people aren't Christians. 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:04.500 He says, 00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:06.940 pray that they hear the Gospel. 00:23:08.299 --> 00:23:09.299 Pray that it's clear 00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:11.160 that they can understand the Gospel. 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:14.240 And the third one is between them and God. 00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:16.879 But we are called to number one and two. 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:20.639 So again, 00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:22.099 maybe some practical application. 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:24.180 How can we be globally aware? 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:25.200 How can we be praying 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:26.660 that doors would be open 00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:27.440 that are closed now, 00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:29.119 that the Gospel would be clearly proclaimed? 00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:31.719 A few ideas for you. 00:23:32.439 --> 00:23:34.779 Here's the church mission bulletin. 00:23:35.919 --> 00:23:37.239 I think it's just right there in the back. 00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:38.059 You can take this, 00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:39.519 tuck it in your Bible, 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:41.159 and every once in a while 00:23:41.159 --> 00:23:42.179 just flip through it 00:23:42.179 --> 00:23:44.500 and pray for the missionaries in here. 00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:45.979 Think about what's going on. 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:47.639 We've had the Grindys here. 00:23:47.719 --> 00:23:48.979 We've had people from Radstock 00:23:48.979 --> 00:23:49.719 coming in and out. 00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:51.619 I know there's several missionaries. 00:23:51.739 --> 00:23:52.379 You have people coming 00:23:52.379 --> 00:23:53.699 from Munster Bible College. 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:54.739 You have people coming in and out 00:23:54.739 --> 00:23:55.119 of this church 00:23:55.119 --> 00:23:56.019 from all over the world. 00:23:56.119 --> 00:23:56.699 It's amazing. 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:58.119 It's beautiful. 00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:01.000 You pray for these people. 00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:01.759 Reach out to them. 00:24:01.859 --> 00:24:02.939 Send them a letter. 00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:04.000 I think the Grindys said 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:05.819 the children send cards 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:06.500 to their children. 00:24:06.619 --> 00:24:07.119 What a blessing. 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:09.239 Go and visit them. 00:24:11.239 --> 00:24:12.319 Another one I do. 00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:13.679 This sounds funny. 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.099 I know. 00:24:14.919 --> 00:24:15.879 I look at what I eat, 00:24:15.979 --> 00:24:16.639 which is weird. 00:24:17.219 --> 00:24:18.439 I don't mean it in a health sense. 00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:19.699 I mean it in a prayerful sense. 00:24:20.839 --> 00:24:22.479 I bought olives from Spain 00:24:22.479 --> 00:24:23.199 the other day in Little. 00:24:24.159 --> 00:24:25.019 I'm thinking that's funny. 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.539 I'm in Ireland 00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:26.719 buying olives from Spain. 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:28.319 And then I start thinking, 00:24:28.420 --> 00:24:29.779 I don't know any Christians in Spain. 00:24:29.880 --> 00:24:30.400 Maybe you do. 00:24:31.360 --> 00:24:31.920 I start thinking, 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:33.339 I wonder what is going on in Spain. 00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:36.460 And we have this great advantage. 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.100 We can get on the internet 00:24:37.100 --> 00:24:39.200 and start looking for missionaries in Spain. 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:40.059 And what is going on? 00:24:40.100 --> 00:24:41.460 And we can just pray through. 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:42.079 While you're sitting there 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:43.079 eating your silly olives, 00:24:43.140 --> 00:24:43.819 you can be praying 00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:45.360 for Christians in Spain. 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:48.819 And then read and watch the news. 00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:52.200 Most of us are probably somewhat aware 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:53.500 of what's going on in the world. 00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:56.240 But don't just read the news. 00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:57.839 Don't just watch the news to be informed. 00:24:58.379 --> 00:24:59.619 But let it sink in 00:24:59.619 --> 00:25:01.720 that these are real people 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:02.720 all around the globe 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:04.980 that really need Jesus. 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.379 I don't know if you saw 00:25:06.379 --> 00:25:07.359 our president, 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:07.960 President Trump, 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:08.819 is trying to buy Greenland. 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:11.039 I didn't even know this was possible. 00:25:11.179 --> 00:25:11.799 But I've been watching, 00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:13.240 oh, we're going to buy Greenland. 00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:14.539 This is news to me. 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.779 Apparently I go home 00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:16.220 and there's going to be 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:17.659 a 51st state potentially. 00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:19.259 It doesn't look like we'll get it. 00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:20.640 But I started reading about that 00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:21.400 and I started looking 00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:22.440 and did you know 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:23.900 that suicide rates in Greenland 00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:25.019 are through the roof? 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:28.860 Alcoholism is enormous in Greenland. 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:31.560 There's a hurting people there. 00:25:32.900 --> 00:25:34.660 And while we can read about it 00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:35.900 and kind of chuckle it, 00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:37.340 what is President Trump doing? 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:39.120 It's not a real estate transaction. 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:40.220 These are real people 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:41.360 and as Christians we can go, 00:25:41.640 --> 00:25:42.900 oh, they really are hurting there. 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.860 Imagine living in a country 00:25:45.860 --> 00:25:47.300 where people are talking about buying you. 00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:49.080 Where you're struggling. 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:50.960 Where you're hurting. 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:53.759 Are there Christians there? 00:25:54.380 --> 00:25:55.519 Can we be praying for them? 00:25:56.820 --> 00:25:57.640 So Paul says, 00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:58.720 be watchful in prayer 00:25:58.720 --> 00:26:01.500 and be globally aware. 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:04.220 Now, the trap here, 00:26:04.320 --> 00:26:05.060 the problem here 00:26:05.060 --> 00:26:06.500 is sometimes we start to think 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:09.080 that means every single Christian 00:26:09.080 --> 00:26:11.000 must go somewhere else. 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:11.900 Okay? 00:26:12.100 --> 00:26:13.759 That kind of becomes a natural thought. 00:26:13.860 --> 00:26:14.720 I've got to leave 00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:15.759 and I've got to go somewhere else. 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:17.180 Now, I want you to notice 00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:19.079 he hasn't said that. 00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:21.839 Look with me at verses 5-6. 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.299 He says, 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:24.059 be wise in the way 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:25.720 you act toward outsiders. 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:28.519 Make the most of every opportunity. 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:29.900 Let your conversation 00:26:29.900 --> 00:26:31.240 be always full of grace, 00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:32.740 seasoned with salt, 00:26:32.879 --> 00:26:33.700 so that you may know 00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:35.940 how to answer everyone. 00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:39.160 Nowhere has Paul said 00:26:39.160 --> 00:26:42.500 you must leave Colossae. 00:26:42.580 --> 00:26:42.940 Has he? 00:26:43.840 --> 00:26:44.779 We've read through 00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:46.180 the entire letter 00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:47.800 for 12 weeks. 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:49.580 There's no command 00:26:49.580 --> 00:26:51.340 that says Colossian Christians leave. 00:26:52.080 --> 00:26:52.680 It's not there. 00:26:55.180 --> 00:26:56.600 In fact, he said the opposite. 00:26:58.180 --> 00:26:58.920 He said, 00:26:59.160 --> 00:27:00.160 live life right here 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:01.440 where you are. 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:04.180 I draw your attention 00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:04.900 to that word 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:05.980 outsiders. 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:07.120 Be wise in the way 00:27:07.120 --> 00:27:09.059 you act toward outsiders. 00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:12.600 Paul clearly established 00:27:12.600 --> 00:27:13.700 early on in this letter 00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:15.160 that as Christians 00:27:15.160 --> 00:27:16.539 we are inside 00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:18.600 the kingdom of light. 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:20.200 He says that in Colossians 1.13. 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:21.140 We are inside 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:22.019 the kingdom of light. 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:24.000 And the problem 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:25.160 for us here 00:27:25.160 --> 00:27:25.620 is that 00:27:25.620 --> 00:27:26.860 in here, 00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:27.660 in this room, 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:29.240 we feel like 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:32.000 we are God's holy people 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:33.380 and we are in the kingdom. 00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:34.019 And that's true. 00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:36.160 It's easy to feel 00:27:36.160 --> 00:27:36.839 that way in here 00:27:36.839 --> 00:27:37.720 because we're all 00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:38.660 in here together. 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:39.440 And the problem 00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:40.039 becomes 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:41.700 when we go out of here. 00:27:41.839 --> 00:27:42.019 Right? 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:44.099 When we go out of here 00:27:44.099 --> 00:27:45.140 we're tempted to feel 00:27:45.140 --> 00:27:46.440 like we're no longer 00:27:46.440 --> 00:27:47.180 in here. 00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:48.359 We're out there 00:27:48.359 --> 00:27:49.180 and maybe we're not 00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:49.900 in 00:27:49.900 --> 00:27:51.579 with other people. 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:54.920 Paul says 00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:57.120 even though you go 00:27:57.120 --> 00:27:58.200 out of here 00:27:58.200 --> 00:27:59.880 we're still 00:27:59.880 --> 00:28:00.600 in the kingdom 00:28:00.600 --> 00:28:01.100 of light. 00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:03.600 And those who are 00:28:03.600 --> 00:28:04.380 not in the kingdom 00:28:04.380 --> 00:28:04.880 of light 00:28:04.880 --> 00:28:06.480 are indeed 00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:07.259 the outsiders. 00:28:08.420 --> 00:28:09.480 It's very important 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:09.920 to understand 00:28:09.920 --> 00:28:10.559 this distinction. 00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:12.840 We go out 00:28:12.840 --> 00:28:13.620 into the world 00:28:13.620 --> 00:28:15.380 being people 00:28:15.380 --> 00:28:16.200 who are people 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:16.860 in 00:28:16.860 --> 00:28:18.319 a kingdom of light. 00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:20.700 And even though 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:21.580 we feel like 00:28:21.580 --> 00:28:22.160 an outsider 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:23.779 we're not. 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:25.779 It's those 00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:26.259 who have not 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:26.799 come to faith 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:27.620 in Jesus Christ 00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:28.059 who are on the 00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:28.519 outside. 00:28:30.859 --> 00:28:31.259 And so what 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:31.679 should we do 00:28:31.679 --> 00:28:32.119 about that? 00:28:33.339 --> 00:28:33.699 Should we 00:28:33.699 --> 00:28:34.459 boast about 00:28:34.459 --> 00:28:34.939 our status 00:28:34.939 --> 00:28:35.379 in the kingdom 00:28:35.379 --> 00:28:35.659 of light? 00:28:35.739 --> 00:28:35.939 Should we 00:28:35.939 --> 00:28:36.939 walk out of here 00:28:36.939 --> 00:28:38.199 and go stand 00:28:38.199 --> 00:28:38.659 out in the park 00:28:38.659 --> 00:28:39.139 and say 00:28:39.139 --> 00:28:40.119 I'm in the 00:28:40.119 --> 00:28:40.779 kingdom of light? 00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:43.079 Sorry guys. 00:28:43.959 --> 00:28:44.619 You're not. 00:28:44.979 --> 00:28:45.199 No. 00:28:45.299 --> 00:28:45.679 That's not what 00:28:45.679 --> 00:28:46.159 Paul says. 00:28:47.479 --> 00:28:48.179 Should we go out 00:28:48.179 --> 00:28:48.619 here and take it 00:28:48.619 --> 00:28:49.000 for granted 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:49.500 and say I can 00:28:49.500 --> 00:28:50.319 do whatever I want. 00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:51.019 I'm a Christian. 00:28:51.179 --> 00:28:51.559 I live in the 00:28:51.559 --> 00:28:52.279 kingdom of light. 00:28:53.739 --> 00:28:54.039 No. 00:28:54.119 --> 00:28:54.519 Paul says 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.179 we don't do that. 00:28:55.180 --> 00:28:56.779 He says 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.160 we are to be 00:28:57.160 --> 00:28:57.680 wise 00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:59.539 gracious 00:28:59.539 --> 00:29:01.900 salty people 00:29:01.900 --> 00:29:04.019 who make the 00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:04.779 most of every 00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:05.620 opportunity to 00:29:05.620 --> 00:29:06.120 proclaim the 00:29:06.120 --> 00:29:06.500 gospel. 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:08.860 Note the 00:29:08.860 --> 00:29:09.560 connection between 00:29:09.560 --> 00:29:10.120 verse 3 and 00:29:10.120 --> 00:29:10.620 verse 6. 00:29:12.060 --> 00:29:12.700 Verse 3 00:29:12.700 --> 00:29:13.200 Paul says 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:14.140 that God 00:29:14.140 --> 00:29:14.720 may open 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.460 a door for 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:16.220 our message 00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:16.779 is how they 00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:17.100 should pray 00:29:17.100 --> 00:29:17.480 for him. 00:29:18.880 --> 00:29:19.460 And as Alex 00:29:19.460 --> 00:29:20.140 predicted I'll 00:29:20.140 --> 00:29:20.620 use a little 00:29:20.620 --> 00:29:21.019 bit of Greek 00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:21.519 the word is 00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:22.039 just logos. 00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:23.599 that God 00:29:23.599 --> 00:29:24.039 may open 00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:24.599 the door 00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:25.319 for us 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:26.139 to proclaim 00:29:26.139 --> 00:29:27.359 the word 00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:27.920 of Christ. 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:28.259 And in 00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:28.819 verse 6 00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:29.159 he uses 00:29:29.159 --> 00:29:30.019 the same 00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:30.339 word. 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:31.139 Let your 00:29:31.139 --> 00:29:31.579 logos, 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.399 let your 00:29:32.399 --> 00:29:33.319 proclamation 00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:33.759 of the 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:34.039 word of 00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:34.480 Christ 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:36.000 be full 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.579 of grace. 00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:38.220 What did 00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:38.680 he just say? 00:29:38.740 --> 00:29:38.899 He says 00:29:38.899 --> 00:29:39.899 the Colossians 00:29:39.899 --> 00:29:40.799 they proclaim 00:29:40.799 --> 00:29:41.440 the same 00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:42.019 message 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:43.799 that Paul 00:29:43.799 --> 00:29:44.639 was proclaiming. 00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:46.920 Which means 00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:47.319 that we 00:29:47.319 --> 00:29:48.180 2,000 years 00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:48.500 later 00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.819 we still 00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:50.399 proclaim 00:29:50.399 --> 00:29:51.019 the same 00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:51.399 message 00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:51.720 Paul 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.259 proclaimed. 00:29:52.540 --> 00:29:53.040 The same 00:29:53.040 --> 00:29:53.460 message 00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:54.500 the Colossians 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:55.060 proclaimed. 00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:55.960 Christianity 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:56.540 is an 00:29:56.540 --> 00:29:56.940 ancient 00:29:56.940 --> 00:29:57.460 message 00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:58.080 that is 00:29:58.080 --> 00:29:58.740 held true 00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:59.280 across 00:29:59.280 --> 00:29:59.800 the sands 00:29:59.800 --> 00:30:00.240 of time. 00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:03.120 And you 00:30:03.120 --> 00:30:03.420 don't have 00:30:03.420 --> 00:30:03.660 to go 00:30:03.660 --> 00:30:03.900 anywhere 00:30:03.900 --> 00:30:04.380 special 00:30:04.380 --> 00:30:05.100 to proclaim 00:30:05.100 --> 00:30:06.660 the truth 00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:07.360 of the 00:30:07.360 --> 00:30:07.780 gospel. 00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:09.519 We saw 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:09.960 last week 00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:10.240 we can 00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:10.560 proclaim 00:30:10.560 --> 00:30:10.820 it at 00:30:10.820 --> 00:30:11.060 home, 00:30:12.080 --> 00:30:12.400 we can 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:12.720 proclaim 00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:12.960 it at 00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:13.259 work, 00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:15.560 and you 00:30:15.560 --> 00:30:16.259 can especially 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:16.960 proclaim it 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:17.480 right here 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.000 where God's 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:18.420 got you. 00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:21.340 So here's 00:30:21.340 --> 00:30:21.620 the deal, 00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:23.560 I'm not 00:30:23.560 --> 00:30:24.019 called to 00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:24.519 your home, 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:26.259 but you 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:26.480 are. 00:30:27.580 --> 00:30:28.279 I'm not 00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:28.640 called to 00:30:28.640 --> 00:30:29.160 your workplace 00:30:29.160 --> 00:30:30.060 this week, 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:31.940 but you 00:30:31.940 --> 00:30:32.279 are. 00:30:33.620 --> 00:30:34.539 For this 00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:35.039 next season 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:35.380 of life, 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:35.720 I'm not 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.300 even called 00:30:36.300 --> 00:30:37.300 to Ireland 00:30:37.300 --> 00:30:37.820 anymore, 00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:39.920 but ye 00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:40.240 are, 00:30:40.620 --> 00:30:40.820 aren't 00:30:40.820 --> 00:30:41.000 you? 00:30:41.880 --> 00:30:42.580 Ye are. 00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:45.599 you dudes 00:30:45.599 --> 00:30:46.759 got to 00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:47.039 stay, 00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:49.460 because the 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:50.099 gospel still 00:30:50.099 --> 00:30:50.599 needs to be 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:51.000 proclaimed, 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:53.319 right here 00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:53.899 in Carigoline, 00:30:54.639 --> 00:30:55.079 in County 00:30:55.079 --> 00:30:55.399 Cork. 00:30:57.319 --> 00:30:58.019 So Paul 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.379 would say 00:30:58.379 --> 00:30:58.859 to you, 00:31:00.339 --> 00:31:01.019 as he said 00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:01.220 to the 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:01.639 Colossians, 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:01.899 he would 00:31:01.899 --> 00:31:02.059 say, 00:31:02.139 --> 00:31:02.619 be wise 00:31:02.619 --> 00:31:02.980 in the way 00:31:02.980 --> 00:31:03.359 you act 00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:03.679 toward the 00:31:03.679 --> 00:31:04.279 non-Christians 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:04.619 here in 00:31:04.619 --> 00:31:05.000 Carigoline. 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:07.579 Make the 00:31:07.579 --> 00:31:07.939 most of 00:31:07.939 --> 00:31:09.000 every opportunity 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:09.419 that God 00:31:09.419 --> 00:31:09.839 brings your 00:31:09.839 --> 00:31:10.179 way this 00:31:10.179 --> 00:31:10.359 year, 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.879 through every 00:31:11.879 --> 00:31:12.519 relationship 00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:13.079 you have 00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:13.619 right here. 00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:15.519 Let your 00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:16.220 conversation 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:16.660 with your 00:31:16.660 --> 00:31:17.119 family, 00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:17.900 with your 00:31:17.900 --> 00:31:18.299 friends, 00:31:18.400 --> 00:31:18.700 with your 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:19.240 co-workers, 00:31:19.379 --> 00:31:19.700 with those 00:31:19.700 --> 00:31:20.019 who come 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:20.599 to Polo, 00:31:20.799 --> 00:31:21.160 and come 00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:21.599 to Rooted, 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:22.000 and come 00:31:22.000 --> 00:31:22.279 to the 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:22.599 Rock, 00:31:22.660 --> 00:31:22.900 and come 00:31:22.900 --> 00:31:23.119 to the 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:23.379 Bible 00:31:23.379 --> 00:31:23.720 studies, 00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:24.259 let them 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:24.779 be full 00:31:24.779 --> 00:31:25.220 of grace 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:26.139 and seasoned 00:31:26.139 --> 00:31:26.680 with salt. 00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.160 Go into 00:31:27.160 --> 00:31:28.000 your homes 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:28.359 and let 00:31:28.359 --> 00:31:28.980 your conversations 00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:29.539 be full 00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:29.960 of grace 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:30.680 and seasoned 00:31:30.680 --> 00:31:32.480 with salt. 00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:32.819 Go to 00:31:32.819 --> 00:31:33.240 work and 00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:33.720 be a 00:31:33.720 --> 00:31:34.299 gracious, 00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:35.339 godly 00:31:35.339 --> 00:31:36.160 people of 00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:36.539 light. 00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:38.299 Right here, 00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:38.960 right now, 00:31:39.940 --> 00:31:40.460 right where 00:31:40.460 --> 00:31:40.920 he has 00:31:40.920 --> 00:31:41.160 you. 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:44.420 And Paul 00:31:44.420 --> 00:31:45.019 closes out 00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:45.339 the letter 00:31:45.339 --> 00:31:45.660 in verse 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:46.099 18. 00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:49.980 He signs 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:50.519 it by saying, 00:31:50.599 --> 00:31:50.700 I, 00:31:50.839 --> 00:31:51.059 Paul, 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:52.960 write this 00:31:52.960 --> 00:31:53.420 greeting in 00:31:53.420 --> 00:31:53.720 my own 00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:54.180 hands. 00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:57.319 Remember my 00:31:57.319 --> 00:31:57.879 chains. 00:31:59.079 --> 00:31:59.579 Grace be 00:31:59.579 --> 00:32:00.099 with you. 00:32:01.059 --> 00:32:01.420 And you see, 00:32:01.460 --> 00:32:01.940 we get the 00:32:01.940 --> 00:32:03.059 dramatic turn of 00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:03.440 the table, 00:32:03.539 --> 00:32:03.920 as it were, 00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:04.579 because we find 00:32:04.579 --> 00:32:05.519 out it's not 00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:06.779 Paul sending 00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:07.440 the Colossians 00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:07.940 off to 00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:08.720 holiday or 00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:09.039 camp, 00:32:09.120 --> 00:32:09.440 is it? 00:32:10.580 --> 00:32:11.220 It's Paul 00:32:11.220 --> 00:32:12.360 that's headed 00:32:12.360 --> 00:32:12.720 out. 00:32:14.460 --> 00:32:15.220 It's Paul 00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:15.640 that's headed 00:32:15.640 --> 00:32:16.200 towards the 00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:16.940 Roman guillotine 00:32:16.940 --> 00:32:18.460 for Christ's 00:32:18.460 --> 00:32:18.740 sake. 00:32:20.600 --> 00:32:21.559 It's Paul 00:32:21.559 --> 00:32:22.380 saying, 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.059 follow him 00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:23.340 as he 00:32:23.340 --> 00:32:24.100 follows Christ, 00:32:24.259 --> 00:32:25.559 not to the 00:32:25.559 --> 00:32:25.900 ends of the 00:32:25.900 --> 00:32:26.200 world, 00:32:27.140 --> 00:32:27.880 but to 00:32:27.880 --> 00:32:28.120 heaven. 00:32:29.799 --> 00:32:30.200 And he's 00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:30.380 saying, 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:31.000 as he does 00:32:31.000 --> 00:32:31.440 his work 00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:32.120 right there 00:32:32.120 --> 00:32:33.019 in Rome, 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:33.940 in chains, 00:32:34.039 --> 00:32:34.480 he's telling 00:32:34.480 --> 00:32:34.820 them, 00:32:34.819 --> 00:32:35.179 and he's 00:32:35.179 --> 00:32:35.919 telling you 00:32:35.919 --> 00:32:36.319 here in 00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:36.839 Kerrigaline, 00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:37.980 follow him 00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.599 as he 00:32:38.599 --> 00:32:39.419 follows Christ 00:32:39.419 --> 00:32:40.659 onward and 00:32:40.659 --> 00:32:41.119 upward, 00:32:41.399 --> 00:32:41.939 but do it 00:32:41.939 --> 00:32:42.679 right here, 00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:43.279 right where 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:43.980 God's got you, 00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:44.980 being watchful 00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:45.460 in prayer, 00:32:46.019 --> 00:32:46.639 being globally 00:32:46.639 --> 00:32:47.059 aware, 00:32:47.599 --> 00:32:47.899 and being 00:32:47.899 --> 00:32:48.839 God's people 00:32:48.839 --> 00:32:49.960 right here. 00:32:51.799 --> 00:32:52.639 Let's pray.