Lesson #1: Making God Smile! Power in Prayer [Colossians 1:1-14]

Transcription

1 Title Lesson #1: Making God Smile! Power in Prayer [Colossians 1:1-14] Introduction: Read Col 1:1-14 Outline Outline: I. WHY should we Make God Smile? II. HOW can we Make God Smile? You can be pleasing to God. God can take pleasure in you and approve of you. I. WHY should we Make God Smile? 1 Salvation Plan 2 Future Rewards 3 Darkness L Plan 4 Kingdom 1. God provided us salvation! gospel [2x], word of truth [2x] BOX The gospel [used >100x in the New Testament] is the good news that God loved the world so much that He send His only begotten son Jesus Christ, so that whoever believes in Jesus should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). Salvation is granted immediately by God to those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, by grace through faith, providing deliverance [salvation = to save or deliver ] from sin and death (Rom 1:16-17; 8:24; 10:10). Victory! Col 1:5 you heard the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you is spreading throughout the world Col 1:6 you heard [the gospel] and understood the grace [God s riches at Christ s expense] of God in truth [no lies or error] Col 1:23 continue in the faith, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel * Have you accepted His free gift? Are you sharing the gospel with others? Rejoicing in heaven over each sinner who repents (Lk 15:7, 10) 2. God qualified us to share in His inheritance! reward [2x]; inheritance [2x] CROWN Col 1:5 hope laid up for you in heaven Col 1:12 the Father qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light Col 2:18-19 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize but cling to Christ Col 3:23-24 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that you will receive the inheritance from the Lord as a reward. * Can you imagine the inheritance you have in Christ? Eph 1:18 glory of His inheritance Heb 1:4 Christ s inheritance Heb 9:15 promise of eternal inheritance 1 Pet 1:4 inheritance which imperishable, undefiled, will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. You are a co-heir and Bride of Christ! 3. God delivered us from the domain of darkness! CHAINS Deliver [rhuomai] - to rescue from danger, out of bondage, to draw to oneself Darkness ~ evil, sin, Satan, deception, wickedness, lies * Where are you choosing to obey sin, rather than the Spirit? Do not return to bondage! Defeated sin, defeated Satan, defeated the flesh, defeated death, removed condemnation 4. God transferred us to the Kingdom of His Beloved Son! relationship; trinity Father (v. 3); Son (vs. 3, 4, 7); Spirit (v. 8) CASTLE 1

2 Col 1:2 to the saints and faithful brethren who are in Christ (13x in Col) Col 1:12 kingdom of light ~ holiness, truth, love, glory, life Col 4:11 Commends fellow workers for the kingdom of God * Your future in an everlasting Kingdom with the Lord Jesus will be amazing! Eph 5:5 inheritance in His kingdom 1 Thess 2:12 He called you unto His kingdom Heb 12:28 a kingdom which cannot be moved 2 Peter 1:11 everlasting kingdom of our Lord 5 Redeem 6 Forgiven 7 All We Need 5. God redeemed us! Jesus Christ paid the price [redeem = to pay the price ] so we can go free; freeing slaves from bondage, never to return to the market place of sin. CROSS Col 1:14 we have redemption in Christ Gal 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse Gal 4:5 redeemed us from the Law Eph 1:7 redeemed from sin 1 Peter 1:18 you were redeemed from your futile way of life Titus 2:14 that he might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds Rev 5:9 Christ has redeemed [purchased] for God by His blood individuals from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation * He paid the price. You are secure and loved! He knew you and loves you anyway. Christ paid the price, and salvation is available to all through faith in Christ alone [not through works, walking an aisle, joining a church, obeying the Law, following a set of rules, being a good person, reciting a prayer, having an emotional experience, or through mere intellectual assent]. 6. God has forgiven our sins! [to pardon, grant remission of a penalty; important motif in Col 2:13; 3:13)] God s promises to those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation are magnificent! SIN CUP To blot out sin [erase the records and debt] (Ps 51:1) To cleanse sin [from defilement and corruption] (Isa 1:18) To wash away sin [clean dirty clothes] (Acts 22:16) To forgive sin [to remove a burden] (Mk 2:7) To release us [from our bondage] to sin (Rev 1:5) To cover our sin with a heavy cloud (Isa 44:22) To plunge our sin into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19) * Draw near to God! Sin separates us from our Heavenly Father. To make our sin white as snow [instead of scarlet] (Isa 1:18) To put our sin behind His back (Isa 38:17) God will not remember our sins (Jer 31:34; Isa 43:25) God will remove our sins as far as the east is from the west (Ps 103:12) 7. God is our source of Grace, Peace, Truth, Power, Knowledge, and Joy! Christ is all we will ever need; theme of Colossians [Jesus 7x; Christ 26x; God 23x; =56x in 4 chapters] 2

3 Why smile Christ is Creator of all, Savior, Redeemer, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords Christ has no spot, no blemish, no sin, and will never lie Christ is the Author and Finisher of our Faith, the spotless Lamb of God Christ is our peace, our hope, our life, our Friend that comforts, our Great Physician who heals, Our Mediator between God and Man, and the ONLY way, truth, and life Christ is better than the angels, Moses, Aaron, Joshua, mediating a better covenant, based on a better sacrifice, and all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him * What do you need in your life today? God has whatever you need. Christ is the answer. Christ is the image of the invisible God, the Heir of all things, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and Christ loves each of us unconditionally * Why should we make God smile? Because of what He has done: you are forgiven, redeemed, reconciled, loved, secure, chosen, and free. II. HOW can we Make God Smile? TICKET, SHOE How can we walk [4x] worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in all respects? (Col 1:10) Sanctification - To be set apart for a purpose to become increasing like Jesus Christ through the indwelling Holy Spirit 1 Be Loving 2 Be Faithful 1. Be Loving! to all the saints RED ROSE Love [agape - 4x in Col] unconditional, undeserved, sacrificial, desires the best for the other person Col 1:4 love which you have for all the saints Col 1:8 Epaphras proclaimed their love in the Spirit (Spirit is the source of all Christian love) Col 2:2 Paul desires that their hearts may be encouraged having been knit together in love Col 3:19 love your wives and do not be bitter God smiles when we do things to benefit others. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased (Heb 13:16) * God Smiles when we love one another. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, never fails (1 Cor 13:7-8). Love one another! Christians have an exalted calling from God to live with transformed minds, transformed lives, transformed homes, and transformed attitudes and relationships. The family and home are marvelous opportunities to encourage others, to glorify God, to demonstrate the unconditional love of Christ, and to be a brilliant light to the surrounding culture. 2. Be Faithful! Confident conviction of, reliance upon, and assurance in the character and works of God, evidenced by conduct of faithfulness and steadfastness in trials CROSS Faith, faithful [9x in Col] Col 1:2 faithful brethren in Christ Col 1:4 heard of your faith in Christ Jesus. Have others heard of YOUR faith? Col 1:7 Epaphras is a faithful servant Col 1:23 continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast 3

4 Col 2:5 Paul rejoiced to see the stability of their faith in Christ [tree firmly rooted] Col 2:7 established in your faith Col 2:12 you were raised up with Christ through faith in God Col 4:7 Paul commends Tychicus our beloved brother and faithful servant Col 4:9 Paul commends Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother [runaway slave!] * God smiles when we are faithful. Faith pleases God - Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Walk by faith, live by faith, grow in faith, share your faith. Do not let your past failures rob you of present growth and faithfulness. 3 Be Hopeful 4 Be Wise 3. Be Hopeful! Confident assurance for the present and future, rooted in the promises of God, not wishful thinking ANCHOR Hope [3x in Col] Col 1:5 hope laid up for you in heaven [permanently reserved]... faith and love spring from hope Col 1:23 do not be moved away from the hope of the gospel [do not drift!] Col 1:27 Christ in you the hope of glory! Heb 6:19 Hope in Christ is the anchor that will never break or drift, keeping you secure Rom 5:3-4 Tribulation brings about perseverance proved character and hope... Tribulation is the crucible that refines and perfects our hope. * God smiles when we are hopeful. Philippians 2:13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Future rewards are a powerful motivation for hopeful perseverance in the present. 4. Be Wise! Wisdom, knowledge, understanding; knowledge changes lives; Walk worthy Know, Knowledge 12x; Wisdom 6x (knew 2; know 2x; knowing 2x; knowledge 4x; known 2x) = 18x BIBLE Col 1:6 know the grace of God in truth Col 1:9 Be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and understanding Col 1:10 increasing in the knowledge of God pleases God Col 1:27 to whom God will make known what is the riches of His mystery: Christ in you the hope of glory Col 1:28 We proclaim Christ teaching every man with all wisdom Col 2:3 In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge! Col 3:10 Put on the new self being renewed to a true knowledge according to Christ Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you in all wisdom Col 3:24 knowing that from the Lord you shall receive the inheritance as a reward Col 4:1 knowing that you also have a Master in heaven Col 4:5 walk in wisdom toward outsiders Col 4:6 know how to respond to each person So as not to be deceived - Philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men and the world, and persuasive arguments are designed to take their audience 4

5 captive [to cheat, to lead away as booty, to seduce, spoil (ruin), to strip, and to rob], leading them away from Christ (Col 2:4, 8; 2 Cor 4:3-4). Recognizing evil and fleeing wickedness pleases God (Ps 97:10; Prov 8:13) God smiles when we do what He knows is good for us (Heb 13:21) equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. * God smiles when we grow and walk in wisdom. True wisdom comes from studying God s Word. Wisdom is not just knowing facts (demons). Walk worthy to please Him in all respects (Col 1:10). Lack of Godly wisdom destroys lives, others, churches, cultures. 5 Be Fruitful 6 Be Prayer 5. Be Fruitful! [2x in Col] External conduct is the visible evidence of internal character Col 1:6 bring forth fruit FRUIT Col 1:10 being fruitful in every good work Fruitfulness includes evangelism (1 Cor 16:15; John 4:34-36; Phil 1:22) Fruitfulness includes praising and thanking God (Heb 13:15) Fruitfulness includes giving financially (Rom 15:26-28; Phil 4:17) Fruitfulness includes receiving training from Godly discipline (Heb 12:11) Fruitfulness includes spiritual character [love, joy, peace ] (Gal 5:22-23) Fruitfulness includes repentance (Lk 3:8) Fruitfulness is associated with the spiritual pursuit of wisdom, patience, and prayer (John 15:16; James 3:17-18; 5:7, 18) * God smiles when we are fruitful. Fruitfulness in the life of a Christian is expected (John 15:16), involves hard work and will be rewarded (2 Tim 2:6; 1 Cor 9:10). You have been chosen to bear fruit. Abiding in Christ brings forth fruit (Jn 15), and glorifies God. 6. Be Prayerful! Regularly, for others CELL PHONE Prayer [5x in Col] Paul s Example of power in prayer Col 1:3 always praying for you Col 1:9 do not cease to pray for you, for wisdom, conduct, character, strength Col 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer! Col 4:3 praying also for us Col 4:12 laboring fervently [agonizomai struggle, wrestle, compete for a prize, contend with an adversary, fight, labor, fervently strive] in prayer Pray without ceasing 1 Thess 5:17 Prayer is a prominent theme throughout the Bible, mentioned over 500x in both the Old and New Testaments. Jesus life was characterized by communicating in prayer with the Father. Jesus prayed on numerous occasions: Christ prayed for Himself, little children, all believers, and even for His enemies. He prayed at dawn, in the early morning, late afternoon, past midnight, and all night. He prayed kneeling, on His face, and lifting His eyes to heaven. He prayed publicly and privately. In His High Priestly Prayer Christ prayed for Himself [for glorification as Savior in providing eternal life (Jn 17:1-5)], for His disciples [for their protection, wisdom, perseverance, joy, and impact on the world (Jn 17:6-19)], and for all future believers [for their unity, glorification, witness, wisdom and love (Jn 17:20-26)]. 5

6 Prayer should be expressed toward God, in the name of Christ, in the power of the Spirit (1 John 5:14-15; John 16:24; Eph 6:18). Prayer should permeate the lives of all believers, as we seek Him for personal needs as well as for leaders (1 Tim 2:1-2), for backslidden believers (Lk 22:32), for the unsaved (Lk 23:34), and even for our enemies (Mt 5:44). Prayer can be hindered by unconfessed sin (James 4:8; 5:16; 1 John 1:8-9), by selfish motives (James 4:3; Luke 18:11), by seeking the admiration of others (Mt 6:5-8), by ignoring the will of God (Prov 28:9), by spiritual warfare (Daniel 10), and by failure to reconcile interpersonal relationships with one another (Mt 5:23-26; James 4:1-2; 5:9). * God smiles when we pray. Effective fervent prayer produces comfort, restoration, healing, forgiveness and fellowship, praise and thanksgiving, demonstrating the incredible power of God available to His children. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us (1 John 5:14). The fervent prayer of a righteous woman can accomplish much. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. [Appendix F (pages 73-74)] 7 Be Thankful 7. Be Thankful! Thanksgiving, Thankful [(6x in Col) thanks 3x; thankful 1x; thanksgiving 2x] Col 1:3 we give thanks to the God and Father Col 1:12 joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light Col 2:7 abounding with thanksgiving Col 3:15 and be thankful Col 3:17 giving thanks to God in whatever you do, in word and deed Col 4:2 pray with an attitude of thanksgiving * God smiles when we are thankful. In everything give thanks (1 Thess 5:18). Paul was in prison, yet he was still thankful to God and for others. Are you in a prison today? There is no excuse to not be thankful. Make God smile. Conclud e Conclusion * Figure out what will please God, and then do it! Eph 5:10 learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Kindness and truth please God (Prov 3:3-4) Obedience pleases God (Col 3:20) Your walk can please God (Col 3:10) Noah pleased God (Gen 6:8), despite a world of sin David found favor in God s sight (Acts 7:46), despite trials and persecution Mary found favor with God (Luke 1:30), despite being pregnant and unmarried And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men (Luke 2:52), despite being born to die * In our making God smile, He is making us complete. He is perfecting and maturing us. Making us stronger. Making us more like His Beloved Son. In Him you have been made complete. [Complete, full 9x] 6

7 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11 Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for all you have done for us in providing salvation, an inheritance, delivering us from the domain of darkness and transferring us to the Kingdom of your beloved Son, redeeming us, forgiving us, and being our strength. Please help each of us to grow in loving one another, being faithful in all circumstances, hopeful, wise, fruitful, prayerful, and thankful. Please help our words and walk reflect YOU and make YOU smile. 7