Be Devoted to Prayer

Colossians 4:2-4

I. Our Worthy Savior: Chapters 1-3:4A. Introduction 1:1-12

B. Christ is Supreme 1:13-29

C. Complete in Christ 2:1-3:4

II. The Worthy Walk: Chapters 3:5-4:6A. The worthy personal walk with Christ 3:5-17

B. The worthy walk with Christ in the home 3:18-21

C. The worthy walk with Christ at work 3:22-4:1

D. The worthy spiritual walk with Christ 4:2-6

III. Closing: 4:7-18

The Command, v. 2a

The Commitment, v. 2b

The Call, v. 3a

The Clarity, vv. 3b-4

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

Colossians 4:2

Necessary component of the spiritual life

Devote yourselves (προσκαρτερεω proskartereō) Present Active Imperative: standard operating

procedure

Early Church, Acts 2:42

Apostles, Acts 1:14; 6:4

Loving without hypocrisy, Romans 12:9-12

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

Colossians 4:2

Christ is our access to the Father Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 10:19-22

Christ is our example During “normal” times (Luke 5:16; 6:12)

During “crisis” times (Luke 22:44)

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

Colossians 4:2

Keeping alert (present active participle) As we are praying we are to be continually alert Physically (Matthew 26:38ff; Mark 14:38) Mentally (Matt 24:42-43; 25:13; Luke 12:37; 1 Cor 16:13; 1

Pt 5:8; Rev 3:2-3)

If we keep alert for His appearing we will receive a crown! 2 Timothy 4:8

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

Colossians 4:2

Thanksgiving is key to the spiritual life. Colossians 3:15-17

Thanksgiving is the oil that keeps our spiritual engine running.

Thanksgiving puts us in the proper attitude before God. Norman Geisler, Bible Knowledge Commentary

… praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; Colossians 4:3

Praying at the same time for us (present active participle), 1 Thessalonians 5:17, pray without ceasing

Pray for an open door for the Gospel

Paul’s commitment for the mystery

… praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; Colossians 4:3

Mystery (μυστηριον) – a previously unrevealed truth from Scripture

The mystery of Christ is the Church Age Gap between Christ’s two advents (Is 61:1-2; Luke 4:16-20) Gentiles would be major partakers in the Church Age (Ps

67:4; 22:27), and Paul was their apostle (Romans 11:13; 1 Timothy 2:7).

… that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.Colossians 4:4

Make it clear (reveal the mystery): make it clear so that people can understand.

A universal prayer request for disciples: opportunities, and the ability to speak

My prayer request from you!

The Command, v. 2a

The Commitment, v. 2b

The Call, v. 3a

The Clarity, vv. 3b-4