Prayer about Understanding and Living Truth Colossians 1:1-14 SS Lesson for 05/02/2010

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1 Devotional Scripture: Eph 3:14-21 Prayer about Understanding and Living Truth Colossians 1:1-14 SS Lesson for 05/02/2010 OUTLINE INTRODUCTION OVERVIEW AND APPROACH TO LESSON LESSON INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND From the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary From the Bible Expositor and Illuminator MAJOR THEME ANALYSIS PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (COL 1:1-8) Thankful for Faith in Jesus Faith in Jesus by seeking Him (Acts 17:26-28) Faith in Jesus by loving Him (Prov 8:17) Faith in Jesus by being sincere in searching for Him (Jer 29:13) Faith in Jesus that reveals the righteousness of God (Rom 1:17) Faith in Jesus that leads to salvation (Acts 11:13-14) Faith in Jesus through believing the gospel (Gal 3:2) Faith in Jesus through the preaching of the gospel (1 Peter 1:12) Thankful for Love for the Saints Love for the saints is the greatest commandment (Mark 12:28-31) Love for the saints comes from a pure heart, sincere faith and good conscience (1 Tim 1:5) Love for the saints should be the only debt we should have (Rom 13:8) Love for the saints sums up the Law (Matt 7:12) Love for the saints in everything we do (1 Cor 16:14) Love for the saints by the gift of love (1 Cor 13:2-3) Love for the saints by asking God to increase our love (1 Thess 3:12) Love for the saints by loving as God taught us (1 Thess 4:9) Love for the saints by loving as a brother (Heb 13:1-3) Love for the saints with a sincere love (1 Peter 1:22-23) Love for the saints by turning a sinner from the error of their way (James 5:20) Thankful for Heavenly Hope Hope that anchors the soul (Heb 6:18-20) Hope that should be held unswervingly (Heb 10:23) Hope in the glory of God (Rom 5:2) Hope that will not disappoint (Rom 5:5) Hope that provides salvation (Rom 8:23-25) Hope found in the Scriptures (Rom 15:4) Hope that makes us bold (2 Cor 3:10-12) Hope into which we are called (Eph 4:4) Hope of eternal life (Titus 3:7) PRAYER OF PETITION (COL 1:9-14) Petition for knowledge, wisdom and understanding Knowledge, wisdom and understanding from the enrichment of God (1 Cor 1:5) Knowledge, wisdom and understanding of insight to discern what is best and pure (Phil 1:9-11) Knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the mystery of God (Col 2:2-3) Knowledge, wisdom and understanding that is renewed by God (Col 3:9-10) Knowledge, wisdom and understanding that makes God's way known to us (Isa 42:16) Knowledge, wisdom and understanding that opens our mind to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45) Knowledge, wisdom and understanding that opens spiritually blind eyes (John 9:39) Knowledge, wisdom and understanding that exposes Satan and leads to sanctification (Acts 26:18) Prayer about Understanding and Living Truth Page 1 of 12 SS Lesson for 05/02/2010

2 Knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the glory of God (2 Cor 4:6) Knowledge, wisdom and understanding that allows us to know God better (Eph 1:17-18) Petition for being fruitful in every good work Fruitful in every good work through God's establishment (Ps 90:17) Fruitful in every good work through abiding in Jesus (John 15:5) Fruitful in every good work through righteousness (Prov 11:30) Fruitful in every good work through being set free by Jesus (Rom 6:22) Fruitful in every good work that consists in goodness, righteousness and truth (Eph 5:9) God created us to do good works (Eph 2:10) Fruitful in every good work that are obvious (1 Tim 5:25) Fruitful in every good work that includes being generous and willing to share (1 Tim 6:18) Fruitful in every good work by encouraging each other (Heb 10:24) Fruitful in every good work that come from living a good life (1 Peter 2:12) Petition for inner strengthening Inner strength to protect us from Satan (2 Thess 3:3) Inner strength that brings competence (2 Cor 3:4-6) Inner strength that strengthens to do all things (Phil 4:13) Inner strength that no one can deny or stop (Rev 3:7-10) Inner strength that sustains through trials and persecutions (2 Cor 4:7-10) Inner strength that provides weapons to live and endure in the world (2 Cor 10:3-6) Inner strength that dwells in the heart through faith (Eph 3:16-19) Inner strength that comes from the Holy Spirit (2 Tim 1:7-8) Petition for being qualified to be partakers of the inheritance An inheritance guaranteed by the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:12-14) An inheritance that is rich (Eph 1:18) An inheritance that is a reward (Col 3:23-24) An inheritance of God's kingdom (Luke 12:32) An inheritance because of being an heir (Rom 8:17) An inheritance of the crown of righteousness (2 Tim 4:8) An inheritance that can never perish (1 Pet 1:3-4) CONCLUSION AND OTHER THOUGHTS CONCLUDING THOUGHTS FROM THE NIV STANDARD LESSON COMMENTARY CONCLUDING THOUGHTS FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR PRACTICAL POINTS FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR HEART OF THE LESSON FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR Prayer of thanksgiving (Col. 1:1 8) Prayer of petition (Col. 1:9-14) Prayer about Understanding and Living Truth Page 2 of 12 SS Lesson for 05/02/2010

3 Introduction Overview and Approach to Lesson The concept of the outline of the lesson came from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator. The lesson teaches about Prayer for Understanding and Truth. The study's aim is to assert that Christians are called to live the truth and wisdom of God. The study's application is to practice praying for one another to grow in wisdom and the truth of God. Lesson Introduction and Background From the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary Teamwork in Real Life Sports seems to affect every nation on earth, especially team sports. Many children and young adults participate in such sports. They then retain their interest as fans when they can no longer play. Major events such as the World Cup in soccer, the NCAA tournament in college basketball, and the Super Bowl in football draw interest even from casual fans. Team sports have the potential of teaching young men and women many positive lessons about life. In football, we learn that running backs don t score touchdowns unless they have teammates blocking for them. In basketball, we learn that even the deadeye shooting guard cannot score all the baskets needed to win a game by herself. In baseball, even the best pitcher needs teammates who will score some runs. Team sports by definition are not one-person shows. Team sports teach lessons about learning to work together. A team has a variety of roles that need to be filled successfully. Churches are like teams in many ways, although the analogy can be overdrawn. (Obviously, churches are not in competitive leagues and do not function on a seasonal basis!) Paul, who seemed to be a sports fan himself (see 1 Corinthians 9:24), taught that every church was more than a gathering of individuals. Paul saw the church as a body (Romans 12:5), a unified entity working as one. Today s lesson, drawn from the first chapter of Paul s letter to the Colossians, is an excellent example of how this worked. Lesson Background When we read the book of Acts, we may get the impression of Paul being constantly on the move, traveling from city to city to preach the gospel and plant churches. A careful reading, however, shows that Paul had two locations where he had extended stays. During his second missionary journey, Paul was able to remain in Corinth for about 18 months (Acts 18:11). On his third missionary journey, Paul was located in Ephesus for more than 2 years (Acts 19:8, 10). Ephesus was one of the larger cities in the Roman Empire. It served as a commercial and administrative hub for the Roman province of Asia (now part of Turkey). A hundred miles to the east were the tri-cities of Colosse (also spelled Colossae), Laodicea, and Hierapolis (compare Colossians 2:1; 4:13). Laodicea was the leading city of this triad, and it is known to Bible readers for one of the seven churches of the book of Revelation (Revelation 1:11; 3:14 22). While we have no record of Paul visiting these cities, it is likely that their churches were founded during his time in Ephesus. Thus they formed a network of churches associated with that apostle. Some speculate that the Colossian church was founded by Epaphras, a trusted coworker of Paul and a native of Colosse (see Colossians 1:7; 4:12). Colosse, a moderately prosperous market city, was known for producing a type of fine, dyed wool that was prized in the ancient world. Colossians is one of the Prison Epistles, letters Paul wrote while he was imprisoned in Rome about ad 62 or 63. A reference to this is found in the final verse of the book, (Colossians 4:18; this is a reference to his house-arrest status in Acts 28:16, 20). This letter was sent to the Colossian church primarily to combat a growing threat of heresy within that body. While the heresy is not named, it seems to have included elements of pagan philosophy and Judaism. Paul wrote to correct the problem and call the church to a return to the simple faith in Christ (Colossians 2:6, 7). He gave a strong warning to reject outside philosophies and religious teachings that were incompatible with the teachings of Christianity (2:8). Prayer about Understanding and Living Truth Page 3 of 12 SS Lesson for 05/02/2010

4 From the Bible Expositor and Illuminator The city of Colosse was located on the Lycus River in the Roman province of Asia (in the western part of present-day Turkey). Since Paul focused his ministry on the larger cities, he had not preached in Colosse or visited the church there (Col. 2:1). But during his two-year three month stay in Ephesus on his third missionary tour, the gospel had made its way outward from there to other parts of the province (Acts 19:10, 26). Colosse was probably evangelized then. The church that came from this effort was primarily Gentile (Col. 1:27). Now Paul was a prisoner at Rome. Epaphras, a minister from Colosse, visited him and brought news of the church (Col. 1:7-8). Some of it was disturbing. False teaching was threatening the faith of believers. So Paul sought to combat this through sound teaching, especially about the Person and work of Christ. The passage in this lesson sets the stage for this instruction. Christians flourish and grow best in an atmosphere of unity, prayer, and mutual support. It is sad that many of our church congregations are splintered because of strife within. When this happens, it is a sad witness and testimony to the world around us. Paul shows us how we can support and strengthen each other in our churches by praying for each other and emphasizes the need for wisdom and truth to abound among us. We are called to live daily the truth of God. Major Theme Analysis (Scriptural Text from the New King James Version; cross-references from the NIV) Prayer of Thanksgiving (Col 1:1-8) 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; 7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. Thankful for Faith in Jesus Faith in Jesus by seeking Him (Acts 17:26-28) 26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' Faith in Jesus by loving Him (Prov 8:17) 17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. Faith in Jesus by being sincere in searching for Him (Jer 29:13) 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Faith in Jesus that reveals the righteousness of God (Rom 1:17) 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." Prayer about Understanding and Living Truth Page 4 of 12 SS Lesson for 05/02/2010

5 Faith in Jesus that leads to salvation (Acts 11:13-14) 13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.' Faith in Jesus through believing the gospel (Gal 3:2) 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Faith in Jesus through the preaching of the gospel (1 Peter 1:12) 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. Thankful for Love for the Saints Love for the saints is the greatest commandment (Mark 12:28-31) 28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" 29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Love for the saints comes from a pure heart, sincere faith and good conscience (1 Tim 1:5) 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Love for the saints should be the only debt we should have (Rom 13:8) 8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. Love for the saints sums up the Law (Matt 7:12) 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Love for the saints in everything we do (1 Cor 16:14) 14 Do everything in love. Love for the saints by the gift of love (1 Cor 13:2-3) 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love for the saints by asking God to increase our love (1 Thess 3:12) 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. Love for the saints by loving as God taught us (1 Thess 4:9) 9 Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. Prayer about Understanding and Living Truth Page 5 of 12 SS Lesson for 05/02/2010

6 Love for the saints by loving as a brother (Heb 13:1-3) 13 Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Love for the saints with a sincere love (1 Peter 1:22-23) 22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. Love for the saints by turning a sinner from the error of their way (James 5:20) 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. Thankful for Heavenly Hope Hope that anchors the soul (Heb 6:18-20) 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. Hope that should be held unswervingly (Heb 10:23) 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hope in the glory of God (Rom 5:2) 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Hope that will not disappoint (Rom 5:5) 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Hope that provides salvation (Rom 8:23-25) 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Hope found in the Scriptures (Rom 15:4) 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Hope that makes us bold (2 Cor 3:10-12) 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! 12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. Hope into which we are called (Eph 4:4) 4 There is one body and one Spirit just as you were called to one hope when you were called Prayer about Understanding and Living Truth Page 6 of 12 SS Lesson for 05/02/2010

7 Hope of eternal life (Titus 3:7) 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Prayer of Petition (Col 1:9-14) 9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Petition for knowledge, wisdom and understanding Knowledge, wisdom and understanding from the enrichment of God (1 Cor 1:5) 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way in all your speaking and in all your knowledge Knowledge, wisdom and understanding of insight to discern what is best and pure (Phil 1:9-11) 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. Knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the mystery of God (Col 2:2-3) 2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Knowledge, wisdom and understanding that is renewed by God (Col 3:9-10) 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Knowledge, wisdom and understanding that makes God's way known to us (Isa 42:16) 16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Knowledge, wisdom and understanding that opens our mind to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45) 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. Knowledge, wisdom and understanding that opens spiritually blind eyes (John 9:39) 39 Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind." Prayer about Understanding and Living Truth Page 7 of 12 SS Lesson for 05/02/2010

8 Knowledge, wisdom and understanding that exposes Satan and leads to sanctification (Acts 26:18) 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' Knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the glory of God (2 Cor 4:6) 6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. Knowledge, wisdom and understanding that allows us to know God better (Eph 1:17-18) 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, Petition for being fruitful in every good work Fruitful in every good work through God's establishment (Ps 90:17) 17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us yes, establish the work of our hands. Fruitful in every good work through abiding in Jesus (John 15:5) 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. Fruitful in every good work through righteousness (Prov 11:30) 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. Fruitful in every good work through being set free by Jesus (Rom 6:22) 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. Fruitful in every good work that consists in goodness, righteousness and truth (Eph 5:9) 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) God created us to do good works (Eph 2:10) 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Fruitful in every good work that are obvious (1 Tim 5:25) 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden. Fruitful in every good work that includes being generous and willing to share (1 Tim 6:18) 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. Fruitful in every good work by encouraging each other (Heb 10:24) 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Fruitful in every good work that come from living a good life (1 Peter 2:12) 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. Prayer about Understanding and Living Truth Page 8 of 12 SS Lesson for 05/02/2010

9 Petition for inner strengthening Inner strength to protect us from Satan (2 Thess 3:3) 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. Inner strength that brings competence (2 Cor 3:4-6) 4 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant- not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Inner strength that strengthens to do all things (Phil 4:13) 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Inner strength that no one can deny or stop (Rev 3:7-10) 7 "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. Inner strength that sustains through trials and persecutions (2 Cor 4:7-10) 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. Inner strength that provides weapons to live and endure in the world (2 Cor 10:3-6) 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. Inner strength that dwells in the heart through faith (Eph 3:16-19) 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Inner strength that comes from the Holy Spirit (2 Tim 1:7-8) 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, Prayer about Understanding and Living Truth Page 9 of 12 SS Lesson for 05/02/2010

10 Petition for being qualified to be partakers of the inheritance An inheritance guaranteed by the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:12-14) 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession to the praise of his glory. An inheritance that is rich (Eph 1:18) 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, An inheritance that is a reward (Col 3:23-24) 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. An inheritance of God's kingdom (Luke 12:32) 32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. An inheritance because of being an heir (Rom 8:17) 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. An inheritance of the crown of righteousness (2 Tim 4:8) 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. An inheritance that can never perish (1 Pet 1:3-4) 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for you, Conclusion and Other Thoughts Concluding Thoughts from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary Perhaps more than any other sporting event, crew rowing requires a coordinated team effort from all involved. The rowers must pull together in complete harmony and unison if they are to be successful. If the oars on one side are pulled too hard, the boat (or shell ) will go slightly off course and waste some of its focused energy. If one rower begins the stroke too early or releases too late, again the shell will be pulled off target. All the rowers must listen carefully to the cadence of the coxswain and stay in rhythm. The rower cannot be listening to a cadence in his head of his own making or the cadence of the coxswain from the boat in the next lane. One of the things that endeared the Colossian church to Paul was that they were pulling together. They were united by their faith in Christ and their love for one another. Many churches are sadly lacking in this area. The members have different agendas and different goals. Some members may pull on the oar that preserves tradition and resists change. Other members may be pulling hard on an oar for radical change and dropping of tradition. The boat of a church like this will go in circles! May we learn from the Colossians the power of unity in purpose and faith for any church. Prayer about Understanding and Living Truth Page 10 of 12 SS Lesson for 05/02/2010

11 Concluding Thoughts from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator We do not find admonitions like the one from Col 1:9 in the Old Testament. This is a characteristically new covenant prayer. No longer are physical health, prosperity, good crops, and strong sons and daughters the primary focus of prayer. The idea that God's servant needs to be filled with the knowledge of His will and grow in the spiritual understanding of Jesus Christ and what it means to be one of His disciples is a thoroughly New Testament priority. The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the fullness of God's revelation to humanity. Along with this fullness of revelation came the filling of the Holy Spirit, who illuminates the Word of God to us and makes God's will known to us, empowering us for service to that same gospel that saved us. The Apostle Paul told his Colossian readers that he had been praying for them constantly ever since he first heard of their faith in Jesus Christ. We get the distinct impression that this was his customary practice. As soon as news came to him of people in a new mission field placing their faith in the gospel, he would begin praying for their growth, empowerment, and opportunity to minister the saving gospel to others. It was Paul's great desire that the church be empowered to do the work of the gospel ministry to which it was called. He knew that in order to perform that work, each individual needed to be fully equipped with the confident knowledge of God's will for him. Without this knowledge and confidence, it would be impossible for them to stand up and be effective witnesses in the face of all the opposition and persecution that would surely come their way in due time. It would also be necessary for the believers to be filled with God's wisdom and understanding. Although Paul knew, along with James, that God gives His wisdom generously, without reproach, merely for the asking (cf. Jas. 1:5), he also, as did James, realized the paramount importance of asking for it. "Ye have not, because ye ask not" (4:2). This explains why Paul prayed fervently and constantly. It is perhaps the great failure of the church in our own age that we are so prayerless. Just when the stakes are so great, just when there are so many in such peril throughout the world under the threat of persecution from governments and other forces that are hostile to the gospel and to the name of Jesus Christ, just when the gospel has extended so far throughout the world and is so relatively close to reaching the uttermost part of the earth, we seem to have lost the desire to spend time and energy in prayer. Let us recommit ourselves, here and now, to a renewed mission of prayer for all those who labor in the cause of the gospel, both in our home churches and throughout the world. Practical Points from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator 1. Grace and peace should be our prayer for all God's faithful people (Col. 1:1-2) 2. Believers' faith and love should be clearly evidenced to those around them (vs. 3-5) 3. The gospel properly preached and received will bear fruit to the glory of God (vs. 6-8) 4. Praying for the spiritual growth of others should be a high priority (vs. 9) 5. Biblical truth is meant to be understood, accepted, and applied (vs ) 6. Redemption for any person comes only through the gracious work of Christ (vs ) Heart of the Lesson from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator Imagine that a pastor comes to you from a church you have never attended. He tells you about God's work in the church and then asks you to pray for it. How do you pray? The Apostle Paul answered that question for us in Colossians 1. After giving a brief salutation (vss. 1-2), Paul set forth a marvelous example of how to pray for other Christians. Prayer of thanksgiving (Col. 1:1 8) Paul began by asserting that he expressed thanks for the believers when he prayed on their behalf. We can be thankful for believers we do not know by focusing on what those individuals have in the Lord. Paul did that. He identified three crucial elements in their lives. They had their faith in Christ, they shared their love with other believers, and they had the hope of heaven. This same order of faith, love, and hope occurs in I Thessalonians 1:3 and 5:8. These same elements occur in the order of faith, hope, and love (Rom. 5:1-5; 1 Cor. 13:13; Heb. 10:22-24; 1 Pet. 1:21-22). They also appear in the order of hope, faith, and love (1 Pet. Prayer about Understanding and Living Truth Page 11 of 12 SS Lesson for 05/02/2010

12 1:3-8). Finally, we find them in the order of love, hope, and faith (Eph. 4:2-5; Heb. 6:1012). Our thanks for other believers can always incorporate these spiritual realities. Paul next explained how believers receive these blessings. They result from believing the gospel, which brings forth this spiritual fruit in lives as a result of God's grace (Col. 1:5-6). Paul heard this from a reliable witness in whom he had confidence that this was happening in Colosse (vss. 7-8). In like manner, as we hear the witness of believers concerning God's work in places where we have never been, we can thank God for those who trust Him and manifest His character in their lives. Prayer of petition (Col. 1:9-14) Paul next petitioned God on their behalf. It was because of all the proof of God's grace already in their lives that he prayed. Paul desired God to do more to strengthen them in their Christian walk with Him. Paul prayed for two essential things. Neither of these essentials is concerned with earthly prosperity or physical wellbeing, things that tend to dominate our life. The first essential was that they fully know God's will (Col. 1:9). This required wisdom and spiritual understanding. No matter what Christians we pray for, this prayer is always appropriate. It touches the very heart and soul of believers and their relationship with God. Second, Paul prayed for them to have a worthy walk with God (Col. 1:1012). The word "walk" refers to the total life of the believer. The four results of a worthy walk are also in the prayer. A worthy Christian walk will produce fruit, including worship, godly relationships with others, and the development of Christlike qualities in daily living. It will also produce increased knowledge of God as believers study and learn of Him through His Word. This will result in experiencing God's strength in daily living to meet all trials that come from circumstances or from people who may oppose the gospel. The ultimate blessing is that a spirit of thanksgiving will permeate the believer's life. Paul could pray this for Christians he had never met on the basis of what God had already done (Col. 1:12-14). The fact that Christians are delivered from darkness, transferred into God's kingdom, and redeemed from sin through Christ's blood guarantees that spiritual prayers for them will receive God's favorable response. Prayer about Understanding and Living Truth Page 12 of 12 SS Lesson for 05/02/2010