~ Paul’s Prayer for the Colossians ~
Text: Colossians 1:3-11
Theme: Paul’s continual prayer was that the Colossians would go on in faith and love
Intro:
Last week, we looked at the introduction to the book of Colossians.
- We noted that, this book was written by the Apostle Paul, while imprisoned in Rome, to the church at Colosse which was trying to combat Gnostic and Legalistic heresies that were being brought into the church.
- We made note of the fact that their Pastor, Epaphras, was also being held in Rome at this time, but there were a few good men holding the fort back home in Colosse.
- It is into this difficult situation that Paul’s letter of encouragement comes, as he seeks to point the eyes of the Colossians toward Christ as the all sufficient one, “That he might have the preeminence.”
Tonight, we are going to break down the passage into three main sections:
- Paul’s thankfulness in prayer (vs 3-4)
- Paul’s confidence in prayer (Vs5-6)
- Paul’s petitions in prayer (Vs 7-11)
1. The Apostle Paul was thankful to God for what He had accomplished in the lives of the Colossian believers.
Paul didn’t see the Colossians as having achieved great things in and of themselves, but rather, as people in whom God had achieved great things.
2. Paul was confident in two things:
a. He was confident in the security of our eternal inheritance through Christ.
b. He was confident in the power of the gospel to save and transform lives.
3. Paul had several petitions to bring before the throne of grace on behalf of the Colossians.
a. That the Colossians would grow in their knowledge of the will of God.
b. That the Colossians would grow in wisdom
c. That the Colossians would grow in spiritual understanding
d. That the Colossians would grow in fruitfulness
e. That the Colossians would grow in the knowledge of God
f. That the Colossians would grow in patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.