Title: Paul's Prayer (Colossians 1:1-11)
Contents
Paul's Prayer (Colossians 1:1-11)
Starting today, I will try to explain the book of Colossians.
Both Ephesians and Colossians have their own characteristics. The first half deals with doctrine and theory, and the second half describes practical applications.
Then let's look at each verse and share the grace.
(1) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy the brother,
(2) To the saints in Colossae, the faithful brethren in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
I wish you all grace and peace.
Grace is a Greek greeting. It is <charis> in the original language.
1. Favors given at no cost (the best attitude to serve)
2. Unexpected favors that are not expected
3. Actions that give joy and joy to those who see it (a pretty life of faith)
Peace is the Hebrew greeting. It is <Shalom> in the original language.
Peace is not simply a state of no fighting, but a state of complete reconciliation and no sediment in the heart. So, a state of ceasefire during war is not peace.
When there are people who are like enemies, it is not enough to stop looking at them and turn around, not peace. When we have a heart to bless each other while praying for each other, it is called peace.
But where did you say this grace and peace come from? In the second half of verse 2, the Bible says, "Grace to you and peace from God our Father."
(3) Whenever we pray for you, we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Verse 12) May we give thanks to the Father, who has made us worthy to receive the part of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
When we pray, the first thing we should do is give thanks.
The Apostle Paul is now in prison. If you were in prison, what would you pray for first?
God opened the gates of prison so that we could get out of this disgusting place, so that we could live and be treated like human beings... Aren't you going to pray for this?
However, the Apostle Paul did not care about his own situation. First of all, thank you Heavenly Father. I'm not praying for myself, I'm praying for the saints in Colossae.
In human relationships, I want to give more to those I am grateful for.
People who are not grateful for the little things, even when they receive the big things, see a lot of complaints and dissatisfaction instead of being grateful. Thank you Lord for allowing me to come to church today. Thank you for giving me a place to sleep, for dressing me up until today, and for allowing me to study. I hope you have given me the ability to understand and judge with a healthy body and mind. Thank you for allowing us to read the Bible with our own eyes.
Rather than be grateful for all these conditions, if you are ignorant of the subject, complaining, arrogant, out of your position and doing wrong thoughts and actions? Idleness, debauchery, lewdness, violence, estrangement--there is one condition of gratitude that I and you have now. They may disappear one by one.
Please believe that more grace comes when you give thanks.
(4) And hearing of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints,
(5) Because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, that you have heard the truth of the gospel before.
Faith, hope, and love are all found in verses 4 and 5.
** But what kind of faith is it? Faith in Christ Jesus.
It is not believing in the world, not believing in Jesus, believing in the girl next door, not believing in money, power, and my abilities.
** What kind of love is love? It is the love of the saints.
It's not that I love the world, I don't love the girl next door, I don't love my money and my power and my abilities.
** What kind of hope is it? It is a hope built up in heaven.
Do not set your hopes on this earth where you will live for 30 or 40 years, but set your hopes on that heaven where you will live forever. I pray that you will not follow the lives of those who have no hope for tomorrow and be with them, but rather become the fragrance of Christ who can deliver the hope of heaven to them.
Here are some of the things the Apostle Paul prayed for.
(9) For this reason we also, from the day we heard it, have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may fill your spiritual wisdom and understanding with the knowledge of the will of God.
(Verse 10b) Let him grow in the knowledge of God,
1. Fill me with the knowledge of God's will.
It is really difficult and difficult to act without knowing the will of God. Of course, we cannot know everything, but we must know who God is and why He commands us. My sons listen to their father. It's because I don't know the specific father's heart, but I know that he doesn't let him do anything bad or harm him.
The more you know your heart, the better you will listen. It will also be heard with joy and thanksgiving.
I ask that you be filled with the grace of knowing God as you read the Word every day.
(Verse 10) Walk worthy of the Lord, pleasing in all things,
2. May the life worthy of the Lord be a joy.
What does this mean? It means to be pleasing to the Lord through obedience.
So what should I do? You have to have pity on them, tell them about Jesus, and lead them to the church.
So are you. Sloth, lying, going out to drink, fighting, cheating, gambling, and idolatry are not worthy of being a child of the Lord. I pray in the name of Jesus that you will obey the word and lead a life that brings joy to the Lord.
(in verse 10) to bear fruit in every good work;
3. Let me bear fruit in good works
In order for a fruit to bear fruit, it must continuously supply nutrients. A life that brings joy to God is not just a day or two, it is something that you have to endure and endure until good results appear. Nothing happens without patience.
(Verse 11b) And bring joy to all patience and longsuffering,
I saw Yuna Kim's skate yesterday. 2nd and 3rd place got 58.96 points, but Yuna Kim was overwhelming with 76.08 points. You train with joy until you bear fruit. This kind of result comes out when you endure it for a long time.
If we look at the characteristics of those who are superior to others,
1. You have passion. Whatever you do, you must have passion. A person who flounders will never be successful. It has nothing to do with personality or style.
2. A positive attitude? I've never seen a negative person succeed. Negative people have no friends. Please take a look around. Talking with negative people hurts my heart because there are so many thorns in their words.
3. Save time? I know what I need to do now. I manage my time thoroughly and keep my promises. You don't know how much work you can do even in the same 24 hours.
In order to become such outstanding people, I pray that you and I will bear good fruit with joy and patience.
There are reasons for people to change.
1. When you meet a good person
2. When you meet a good book
3. It is said that it is time to receive a good education.
Dear members of Jesus Mission Church,
Now is the time for rain. You are now meeting God's people, listening to God's word, and taking over the education of the kingdom of heaven.
Is there anyone who still has regrets in the world, hopes for the world, loves the world, and believes in themselves?
Now is the time to change.
I pray in the name of Jesus that the prayers of the Apostle Paul will penetrate you and me today.
I will pray.