Growing in the Lord day by day

Notes from a sermon on 24 January 2010
Colossians 1 verses 1 - 14

In this passage we read of Paul’s passion and prayer for this little church. Paul wanted to grow day by day.

Notice what he prayed for in this prayer - wisdom in their young lives - verse 9. Paul described himself in Corinthians as the “master builder”. In these verses he examines the foundation of their faith. When the engineer examines the foundations of a house there is something very revealing. Not something we really see but it is the most important part. Paul is examining the foundation of their faith. Not only the foundation but the framework before he goes on to give advice. It was not Paul’s planning in Colosse - it was Epaphras - verse 7. Paul was thanking this man because he had taught the people - verse 4. In verses 5 and 6 speaks of the hope laid up in heaven for them. Epaphras is described as a “faithful minister of Christ.” The minister of God’s word must be faithful to the Lord, to the work they have before them. As a result of Epaphras’ faithfulness many people were saved. Paul was thanking God for this young man of God who had been faithful to the Lord, to his word. Verse 8 - here was a man who didn’t go behind their backs. People were saved as a result of his work, loved to tell good things about people. A wonderful trait in someone - not scandalising. Paul is examining the foundation. He saw something about their faith but also their love for all the saints of God. Remember Jesus said in John 13 verse 35 “by this shall all men know that you are my disciples if ye have love for one another.” Epaphras had told people about the Lord. He had faithfully preached the word of God and the evidence of it was in their love for one another. They loved to be in company of each other. They wanted to encourage one another. This was the evidence of new birth. Paul saw the reality of their faith, of a new birth, of a nucleus of a new church. Verse 9 “for this cause we do not cease to pray.” Paul leaves down the pen, sets the preaching aside and gets down to prayer. Paul used the sincerity of their faith as the basis of his prayer. That was the greatest need for this little church - prayer. Paul says “I want to pray for you.” Everyone needs prayer today. We are designed for fellowship. When the Lord saves us, he brings us into fellowship with the Lord and with the body of Christ. We cannot be saved except through the Lord Jesus Christ. When we were not saved we needed the prayers of godly people, that God would open our eyes and God did. Now we are saved we still need prayer. Paul saw the need for wisdom. Remember when the children of Israel were down in Egypt for 400 years they lifted up their voices and began to pray. God sent Moses to deliver them out of Egypt. God took them a long road to where they were going just in case they would see the fight ahead of them and repent in their hearts that they had ever left Egypt. In our lives we see things that could be done quicker but God doesn’t allow that in case we meet the enemy and we turn back. Paul says we have got to pray that others would be kept in health and blessing and that they might be saved. James said “if any man lack knowledge let him ask of God.” Wisdom from God is first pure and peaceful. That is what we need today. Paul prayed for it. Have we got that wisdom in spiritual matters? That we know what God wants for us in any specific situation?

Paul prayed for witness in the church - verse 10. This is what God wants of his people. That the inner working of the heart would be manifested in that outward work. The word “filled” in verse 9 means to be controlled by. If we are filled with jealousy we are controlled by it. Paul says if we are filled with wisdom then we will be controlled by it. Walk worthily in our actions, in the work place, in the home, in the family. Paul wanted a witness in this church. Paul warned Titus that there would be those who would come into the fellowship who believed in the word of God but he said watch their actions. Growing in biblical knowledge is one thing but growing in knowledge is another thing entirely. Peter was always a person who was ready to jump in. He was the one who reached for the sword in the garden but what a difference when Pentecost came. When Peter gave his life to the Holy Spirit what a difference it made in his life. Peter told the crowd on the day of Pentecost that they were making a big mistake - they were not drunk with wine but with the Holy Spirit.

Paul prayed that they would be workers in the church. He told them later on to do all for the Lord not unto man. No matter how small or how simple a thing is to you in the eyes of others it is something important for the Lord. We are doing it for his honour and glory - there is then fruit in our lives. It will be recognised one day when we stand before the Lord in glory. Our very thoughts are recorded by God. Paul wrote to a little church to thank them for the gift they had sent - he told them he had desired not a gift but that the fruit of the spirit might abound.

Paul also prays about the worship in the church - verse 12. Don’t ever forget to praise God for what he has done in his church when that happens.