From the back to basics sermon series. I'm halfway through!
2 cContinue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it dwith thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may eopen to us a door for the word, fto declare the mystery of Christ,gon account of which I am in prison—4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
5 hWalk in wisdom toward ioutsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech alwaysjbe gracious, kseasoned with salt, lso that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
O - Paul sees prayer as part of his Gospel work for God. He doesn't pray for personal benefit, but so that "God may open to us a door for the word".
"To declare the mystery of Christ" - the mystery - fact that God will save through Christ. Saving all the world.
How? - by "declaring" - preaching as part of the process of God's revelation.
Declaration makes it known. Pray that Paul may declare it clearly v4.
We cannot evangelise or do Gospel work without praying to God for people.
v5 - Be wise, make use of every opportunity to answer any questions. Speak graciously, "seasoned with salt" - charmingly. Why? Because response often provokes argument and disagreement. Focus not only on the content but the manner of speaking.
"Seasoned with salt" - stirs or arouses taste - compel interest and attention through conversation with people.
Paul is saying evangelism should be opportune in time, appropriate in words.
A - practice!
Two Ways To Live
"To declare the mystery of Christ" - the mystery - fact that God will save through Christ. Saving all the world.
How? - by "declaring" - preaching as part of the process of God's revelation.
Declaration makes it known. Pray that Paul may declare it clearly v4.
We cannot evangelise or do Gospel work without praying to God for people.
v5 - Be wise, make use of every opportunity to answer any questions. Speak graciously, "seasoned with salt" - charmingly. Why? Because response often provokes argument and disagreement. Focus not only on the content but the manner of speaking.
"Seasoned with salt" - stirs or arouses taste - compel interest and attention through conversation with people.
Paul is saying evangelism should be opportune in time, appropriate in words.
A - practice!
Two Ways To Live
P - Pray Paul's prayer for the Church of Colossae.
Opportunities to share the gospel, speak graciously, seasoned with salt
Speak the truth
No comments:
Post a Comment