& 1: 9-14

 

[Pray]

 

The topic of prayer is laced throughout scripture, both the Old and New Testaments.  In Acts 6:4, we see that prayer and ministry of the Word were the top priorities of the Apostles.  Paul understood the importance of and often asked for prayer from others.  In the OT, we see Job praying for his friends (Job 42:10), and Isaiah praying for God’s chosen people (Is 63:15-64:12).  In the NT we see Jesus praying for his disciple (John 17:9-24 and the Jerusalem church praying for Paul’s release from prison (Acts 12:5).

 

Paul can be viewed as a great intercessor.  In almost all of his letters we see Paul praying for the churches to whom he is writing.  As we saw two weeks ago, Paul begins his letter to the Colossian church with praise and thanksgiving for the many gospel qualities that was evident in the life of that church. Now we see Paul moving on and praying that they will continue in the course that they have begun.  It is interesting to note that Paul uses familiar language from his thanksgiving in his prayer:

 

WorsthChart Credits[1]

 

These parallels are numerous enough to state that Paul is being deliberate in using the same language from thanksgiving section.  Again, Paul is stressing that they continue the course which they have begun.

 

As we walk through this section this morning, I want you to ask yourself, is my prayer for Grace Church similar to Paul’s prayer for the Colossians.  More specifically, is my prayer for myself similar to this prayer for the Colossian church.

 

 

& Col 2: 9-14

 

A Prayer for Knowledge (v. 9)

 

From the onset of this section, Paul tells the Colossians that since the day he heard about their response and faithfulness to the gospel, he has been in constant prayer for them.  In verse 9, Paul prays that they would “be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”  Reason Paul is praying for knowledge is because this church is under siege by Gnostics who were promoting that they needed a better knowledge, a gnosis.  The Gnostics were teaching that Christ was a good place to start, but there was much more they could know and experience through the Gnostic belief of spiritual mysteries.  The Gnostic elitists were intimidation and the Colossians were made to feel that their faith was lacking something.  In verse 9, instead of the Greek word gnosis for knowledge, Paul uses the Greek word epignosis, which portrays the concept of a full and complete knowledge that gives spiritual wisdom and understanding. The knowledge Paul is talking about is not mystical knowledge that the Gnostics hoped to unlock, but spiritual wisdom that is immediately available to them.

 

Solomon, in Proverbs 1, recognized that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”  The problem with Gnostic thought, it was not grounded in fear of the Lord.  For Christians, our spiritual knowledge is grounded in biblical absolutes.

 

 

 

 

John MacArthur: “The denial of absolutes, particularly in the area of morals, characterizes our society. Without a source of authority to provide absolute standards, virtually anything goes. What moral values are enforced are often arbitrary, based merely on human opinion. But for the Christian the authoritative Word of God provides absolutes. Those absolutes are the basis upon which all truth about God and all standards of faith and conduct are set. Because knowledge of those absolutes is the basis for correct behavior and ultimate judgment, it is crucial that Christians know God’s revealed truth. Ignorance is not bliss, nor can anyone please God on the basis of principles they do not know.”^[2]

 

 

Paul’s prayer for the Colossians was that they may be filled with “knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”  When that occurs, there will be evidence of the knowledge of God in the life of the believer.

 

 

Evidence:

 

1. Worthy Walk – Fully Pleasing to God (v. 10 a)

& v. 10a – “so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him.”

 

What is a worthy walk?  In the OT scriptures, the word “walk” often refers to one’s conduct or behavior.  This concept carries over to the NT.  A worthy walk is simply one’s pattern of daily conduct.  Therefore, a mind that is controlled by the knowledge from God produces a life, or a “walk” that is worthy of Him and pleasing to Him.  [We will see this terminology of walking three more times in this letter as Paul continues to expand on this.]

 

In the Wisdom literature of the OT (especially Proverbs), two paths or two ways are often contrasted:  The way of the wicked and the way of the righteous and how the wisdom (or the lack of wisdom) results in righteous or unrighteous conduct.  Proverbs 2:12-20 is representative to this.  I would encourage you to read Proverbs 2:12-20 this afternoon.

 

There are plenty of NT examples that reinforce this concept of a worthy walk.  This is a particular theme that Paul encourages other churches and all believers.  We are to walk in humility (Eph 4:1-3), in purity (Romans 13:13), by faith (2 Cor 5:7), in light, in love, in wisdom (Eph 5: 2,8,15)

 

Paul gets more specific.  A worthy walk, based on the spiritual knowledge of God, bears “fruit in every good work.”

 

1. Bearing Fruit in Every Good Work (v. 10 b)

 

An apple tree bears an apple.  A cherry tree bears a cherry.  A Christian bears a life that exemplifies Christ.

 

 

 

 

So how does a believer produce Christ-like fruit?

He is united in Christ.  Jesus told us in John 15:4-5:  “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” ^[3]

 

Kent Hughes:  “Good works are the outworking of Christ’s life in his people. Paul thus prayed that they would act out Christ’s kind of life in every situation. Thus the reality of the Colossians’ faith would be seen by the surrounding community, and Christ would be glorified and souls drawn to him….“bearing fruit” is present and continuous. Paul prayed that this fruit-bearing would be a constant, ongoing reality.”^[4]

 

Our fruit is evidence to those inside and outside of our walk in Christ.

Secondly, a worthy walk, based on the spiritual knowledge of God, produces increasing knowledge of God.

 

2. Increasing Knowledge of God (v. 10 c)

& 1:10 - so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; ^[5]

 

This is not a passive knowledge, this is a continuous and active knowledge that guides the conduct of the believer.  Again, for the Gnostic, knowledge was purely an academic and intellectually activity with no connection to daily living.

 

Paul is intentional in connecting a growing knowledge of God to a conduct that produces fruit that is pleasing to Him.  The more we know about God, the more our conduct reflects Christ.  The more we know about God, the more we are obedient to Him.  The more we know about God, the more we can present our lives to God as holy and acceptable acts of worship. Increase knowledge of God transforms us to be more Christ-like and less world-like.

 

 

Another evidence of the knowledge of God in the life of the believer is being strengthened in power…

 

 

 

1. Strengthening in Power (v. 11)

&  1:11 - being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; ^[6]

 

This part of Paul’s prayer is that he is requesting that ordinary Christians, you and I, be strengthened with the same limitless power of God.  This is a continuous action, a continuous strengthening that is available to all believers.  This measure of power is according “to His glorious might.” 

 

What is the source of this power for each believer?  The Holy Spirit.  At the moment of our conversion, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our being.  That power, along with the knowledge of God’s word, is available to all believers.

 

Why does Paul pray for this type of powerful strengthening?  Because that powerful strengthening leads to (v. 11 b) “all endurance and patience with joy.”

 

Another word for endurance is steadfastness.  In the Greek, it conveys the idea to “refuse to be daunted by hard times.”^[7]  The word “patience” suggests being long-suffering with people.  Paul is praying that the Colossians will steadfast in hard times and long-suffering with people, and that they will do it with “joy.”

 

Paul knows what the Colossians are facing with Gnostic philosophies, and he is praying that they will overcome those difficulties and to accomplish it with joy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dick Lucas: “It is through great endurance that the servant of God commends himself. By it he learns to hold his position under attack, and quietly to persist in the paths of righteousness and truth. Through patience the Christian learns forbearance and self-restraint, especially with the people who test him; he also finds here the secret of steadiness when divine promises and hopes are deferred. ‘It means the deep breath which enables one to wait patiently.’^[8]

 

Evidence of the knowledge of God in the life of the believer is

1. Worthy Walk – Fully Pleasing to God (v. 10 )
2. Being Strengthening in Power (v. 11)

 

 

 

1. Giving Thanks (v. 12)

 

Just as scripture implies that we should be in a constant attitude of prayer, believers should be in a constantly giving thanks to our heavenly Father.  If we had the time, we would look at other NT passages which would show Paul’s constant state of thankfulness.  Here in this passage Paul explains why he is giving thanks…simply for their salvation. 

 

Why?

• He Qualified You

 

& vs. 12 – “giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. ^[9]

 

When we think of an “inheritance”, we think of a share or portion of an estate or bequest left behind upon the death of a family member.  Often a statement of last will and testament will be drawn up by an individual certifying his/her wishes upon death. It is the same concept here. Paul is stating that the Father has qualified all believers to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

 

The word “qualified” means “to make sufficient”, and it was only by God’s grace that we were made sufficient (or qualified) to share in the inheritance of the saints.

 

In order to understand this better, we need to be reminded who we were before Christ:

 

Before Christ, we were dominated by Satan and his evil world system that he established.  Our human nature was fallen and sinful.  We had no relationship with God, the Father.  We were Christless, hopeless and godless.  Our minds were dark, and we had no understanding of spiritual enlightenment.  We were left to drown in our own despair. We were enemies of God, ignorant, hard-hearted, greedy, impure, and immoral.  We were dead in our sins.  The only thing we deserved was the full force of God’s wrath.  If it were not for God’s mercy, that is exactly what we would have received.

 

Instead, Jesus Christ was the object of God’s wrath.  In his book, The Holiness of God, R.C Sproul writes:

 

“The most violent expression of God's wrath and justice is seen in the Cross. If ever a person had room to complain for injustice, it was Jesus. He was the only innocent man ever to be punished by God. If we stagger at the wrath of God, let us stagger at the Cross. Here is where our astonishment should be focused.”

You and I deserved the wrath of the cross.  Only because of God’s mercy and grace, and Jesus’ willingness to be our substitute on the cross are we qualified to receive any inheritance outside of God’s wrath.

What is that inheritance?  Eternal life.  It is more than just an amount of time with no end, it is a quality of life.  Life free from sin, free from the curse proclaimed by God in the Garden.  That inheritance all the promises of God that benefits His chosen one..  That inheritance also includes that we will rule with Christ in the Millennial Kingdom mentioned in Rev 20.

Paul also defines our inheritance as “the saints in light”.  We have been set aside, separated from the world, yet set apart to God.  And as saints, we have enlightenment (knowledge).

 

Why are we to give thanks, because we have been qualified;

 

• He Delivered Us

 

& vs. 13 a –“ He has delivered us from the domain of darkness^[10]

 

That word “delivered” literally means “to rescue”. God drew us out of Satan’s kingdom.  He gave us new birth.  This was not a gradual occurrence, the moment he rescued us from Satan’s grasp, it was instantaneous.

 

The “domain of darkness” refers to Satan’s authority or jurisdiction. Believers in Jesus Christ have been rescued, delivered from Satan’s dark authority.

 

 

 

We give thanks because God qualified you, because He delivered us from Satan’s dominion of darkness, and lastly;

 

 

• He Transferred Us

 

& vv. 13a, 14 – “and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” ^[11]

 

Not only were we rescued from Satan’s dark kingdom, but God “transferred (changed or removed) us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.”

 

This kingdom refers more than just the future millennial kingdom, it can be viewed as the general reality of our redemption.  We are part of Christ’s kingdom because of Christ’s redeeming work on the cross.

 

Paul further describes our redemption as “forgiveness of sins.”

 

Redemption describes the richness of our salvation.  It means to deliver a payment of a ransom.  This redemption liberated from the bondage of sin.  It is more than just wiping the slate clean.  The blessing of God’s forgiveness crushed the bond or power that sin had on us.  Not only did God forgive us of our past sins, but He gave us power to live a new life free from that bondage.

 

 

Let me close with this quote from one of the commentaries that used in my study:

 

“So Christ’s death on our behalf paid the price to redeem us. On that basis, God forgave our sins, granted us an inheritance, delivered us from the power of darkness, and made us subjects of Christ’s kingdom. Those wonderful truths should cause us to give thanks to God continually, as did Paul in his prayer. And when we contemplate all He has done for us, how can we do any less than pray to be filled with the knowledge of His will?”^[12]

 

 

So how are we praying for Grace Church, how are we praying for ourselves?

 

 

[Close in prayer]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Prayer for Knowledge (v. 9)

 

 

 

Evidence:

 

1. ___________________________ (v. 10 a)

 

 

 

1. ________________________ (v. 10 b)

 

 

 

1. ________________________ (v. 10 c)

 

 

1. ____________________________ (v. 11)

 

 

 

1. ____________________________ (v. 12)

 

Why?

                        *

 

                        *

 

                        *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Chart:  Chart:  Moo, D. J. (2008). The letters to the Colossians and to Philemon (p. 92). Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co

 

^[2] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1992). Colossians (p. 28). Chicago: Moody Press.

^[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jn 15:4–5). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[4] Hughes, R. K. (1989). Colossians and Philemon: the supremacy of Christ (p. 25). Westchester, IL: Crossway Books.

^[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Col 1:10). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Col 1:11). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[7] Still, T. D. (2006). Colossians. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians–Philemon (Revised Edition) (Vol. 12, p. 285). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

^[8] Lucas, R. C. (1980). Fullness & freedom: the message of Colossians & Philemon (p. 40). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

^[9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Col 1:12). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[10] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Col 1:13). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[11] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Col 1:13–14). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[12] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1992). Colossians (p. 42). Chicago: Moody Press.