One Last Ride

Colossians 4:7-18

Paul - the preeminent theologian of the New Testament and indeed of all time!

He was, as I like to put it, a “Class A Jew”

Philippians 3:4-6 – though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 

He had it going on, right?

As far as the religious establishment was concerned, Paul was at the top. 

He was Arguably, the most important NT figure outside of Jesus. 

However, he wasn’t a prideful person. His focus was clearly fixed on Christ.

In the same passage, right after telling us of his “Class A” status, he went on immediately to say:

Philippians 4:7-9 – But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith

Paul would have been the first to say - I could never do all that needs to be done on my own. 

• It is essential for everyone to be using their giftedness to serve Christ and the church so that all the work of the ministry could take place.

True leaders understand that those who serve alongside of them make them more effective. 

Proverbs 27:17, Proverbs 13:20, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12  

This passage looks not only at a list of men, but at partners in the gospel. I would hope that as a result of taking a close look at some of Paul’s close friends, we would be encouraged to be more intentional about knitting ourselves together in love as a body of believers here at Fellowship. 

John Calvin says about this passage: Let us carefully meditate on these examples, that they may stir us up to an imitation of the like pursuit.

We see eight men discussed:

1. The Servant: Tychicus 

Tychicus means “fortunate” - he was fortunate to have had the opportunity and privilege to serve alongside Paul for quite a few years.

He had likely been with Paul through many of his travels.

Tychicus was Paul’s friend, partner in ministry, and obviously someone Paul trusted - he was trusted with the task of delivering Colossians. He actually carried the original letter from Paul to the church in Colossae.

From Rome to Colosse:

• Cross most of Italy on foot

• Sail across the Adriatic Sea (not on an Italian river cruise)

• Cross Greece on foot

• Sail across the Aegean sea

• 100 miles on foot to reach Colossae.

And he was delivering three letters that were inspired Scripture:

Colossians, Philemon, and Ephesians

Paul called Tychicus a:

• beloved brother - definitely a believer, beloved by Paul

• faithful minister - diakonos - someone who serves.

• fellow slave - syndoulos one who is a fellow slave or a slave alongside another slave - of Christ

2. The Slave: Onesimus

Onesimus was a runaway slave. The book of Philemon was written around Onesimus and this situation. 

But in the midst of that - he met Paul, got saved, and his life was turned around. 

(More about Onesimus starting Sunday, September 2)

3. The Companion: Aristarchus

Aristarchus was from Thessalonica. He was with Paul on at least two of his journeys. 

In Acts 19:29 – there’s a riot in Ephesus surrounding Christianity and Paul’s preaching. Aristarchus was recognized by the crowd as someone who was a companion of Paul and he was dragged off by them. 

He was someone who was easily recognizable as Paul’s companion because he had been right there beside him through quite a few adventures and trips.

He’s a fellow prisoner - He probably wasn’t actually a prisoner, but he stayed with Paul during his imprisonment. He gave up his own freedom to be with Paul, stay with him, and minister to his needs. Who wouldn’t want a companion like this? 

4. The 2nd Chance: John Mark

Remember that a disagreement about Mark (who had deserted Paul when the going got tough) led Paul and Barnabas to split up and go their separate ways. (the first church split?)

But now - Mark had changed. Mark has grown, matured, and has become “very useful to me for ministry.”

This demonstrates that 2nd Chances are certainly available. After causing some trouble, God still used him. I think this was a “you know what - I know there’s some history, but he’s changed - welcome him. I trust him.”

He went on to write one of the four gospels. So God is definitely a God of second chances. 

5. The Committed: Justus

We know that he was a Jew. A lot of the opposition to the gospel came from the Jews. 

That Justus was a Jew who had so definitively identified with Christ as to be mentioned in Paul’s letter would be a testimony to his commitment not only to Christ, but also to Paul.

He was a helper. fellow worker means helper.

He was also a comfort - encouraging, helpful & comforting.

All of this testifies to his commitment.

This is the kind of person you want to surround yourself with. Someone who is truly committed to Christ.

6. The Leader: Epaphras

Of course Epaphras we know. Here we have the example of a great pastor - no matter how far away he is, he cares deeply about his flock. He was the one who had come to Rome (quite an adventure right?) to tell Paul about what was going on in Colossae.

Ephaphras - a doulos - a slave of Christ.

He’s part of that particular body. A member of that church.

We have more description about Epaphras in this passage than any of the others mentioned.

He greets you - He’s thinking about you.

always struggling - agonizomai - compete, fight - like an athlete competing in the olympics. 

in his prayers - he is constant in prayer. And constant in prayer for them. This shows his love and concern for them. If he is struggling in prayer for them like an olympic athlete struggles and puts forth maximum effort, I want to know what he’s praying. 

Well, we know - it goes on to say: that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

He wanted to see them growing spiritually. 

This is a picture of sanctification.

mature - means complete, fully developed - some translations say “perfect” - it’s spiritually mature.

fully assured - to be completely certain of the truth of something It’s an assurance of who God is. Of what He has done. Of what He is doing. 

assured in all the will of God - 

• Being obedient to God’s will - obedient to Scripture - leads to assurance and maturity. 

He also says

For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.

Epaphras had been gone a while. Paul had spent some time with him.

Just a reassurance - he loves you and cares about you. And for those in your area as well. 

He’s a good pastor. You are fortunate to have him.

7. The Doctor: Luke

Paul’s personal physician. His close friend. Luke was with Paul a lot. 

We believe that after Luke came on board for the second missionary journey - he was with Paul pretty much for the rest of his life. He was definitely educated. He wrote one of the gospels and Acts. 

He likely would have given up a good career as a doctor to be with Paul. Again, this is someone who was very committed.

8. The Deserter: Demas

This is the last guy mentioned. He ended up leaving Paul. (2 Timothy 4:10)

Not everyone who starts with you will end with you. Some will depart. We’ve all seen it happen in our own lives and in our churches. It happened to Paul as well. 

The two greatest religious leaders the world has ever known or will ever know both had someone in their inner circle leave them.

Jesus - Judas not only left, but also betrayed

Paul - Demas eventually left him

The Conclusion:

Paul is showing his care for not only the church at Colossae, but also the other churches in the area. 

There’s another letter mentioned here and there are a variety of thoughts as to what the letter is. It’s certainly possible that it’s a reference to Ephesians. I believe that Tychicus was delivering Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon all at the same time. 

• What we see here is the importance and helpfulness of all Scripture. 

This letter, even though written to the Colossians, will also be helpful to the other church and vice versa.

And after a list of men who are true slaves of Christ and who are so evidently serving Him and the Church, there’s a reminder - it’s to Archippus, but I think we should all follow this advice. 

fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” 

• We have all been uniquely gifted to serve the church. 

We should make sure that we are using our unique gifting to serve both Jesus and the church. 

Paul included a handwritten greeting at the end. He closes with:

Grace be with you, which is a summary of Colossians.

• Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ - not a checklist.

Now we’ve been on this theological roller coaster for a few months now. 

We’ve looked in depth at Colossians and what it teaches. 

But before we get off the ride, I want us to step back and look at the big picture one more time. 

The Summary:

1:1-2 Occasion & Purpose

Paul wrote Colossians from Rome. There was a heresy being taught in the area that was very troubling. Epaphras, the pastor, made what really can only be described as an epic journey from Colossae to Rome.

He described the church and the heresy. The Colossian church was healthy. They were saints. They were faithful brothers.

1:3-14 Thankfulness & Prayer

Paul was thankful for this church and how faithful to Christ they were. They had repented and believed in the gospel. They were involved in sharing the gospel. Paul prayed for them in his letter - giving us a beautiful pattern for praying for other believers.

1:15-20 The Christ Hymn

He then writes the Christ Hymn - probably the most beautiful Christological exposition in Scripture. Reminding us that the focus should always be on Christ.

Because Christianity is about Christ!

1:21-23 Reconciliation

He then described salvation with such a wonderful term and told us that we were saved so that we might live holy lives.

1:24-29 What is Ministry?

He talks about his ministry - and in verse 28 lays out one of the great foundations for pastoral ministry and the church.

2:1-5 Love for the Church

He lets them know how much he cares for them. Jesus loved the church, Paul loved the church. We should also have a love for the church. Not just the universal church, but the local church. Specifically, our own church. 

2:6-8 Walk in Him

This is the “hinge” that it all swings on. We are told to walk in Him. We go from doctrine to Devotion. 

2:9-15 You were Dead  (God made you alive)

Then another great description of salvation. The more I study Scripture and salvation, the more convinced I become that I had nothing to do with my own salvation. It’s all about what He did and the more I realize that the more it draws me to love and adore and worship Him in all that I say, all that I do, and all that I am.

2:16-23 The Heresy

Paul does attack the heresy head on. He shows us how ridiculous and ultimately non-helpful it is.

Ironically - it will take you in the very opposite direction from what the false teachers say.

They say - this will get you closer. The truth is - it will take you farther away from Him.

3:1-4 Focus on Heaven

We’re told specifically to do what we see Paul himself doing so often. Focus on heaven. 

3:5-11 Out with the Old

We are new creations in Christ. The old has gone. We must get rid of these things. Like old, dirty, nasty clothes that we get rid of. Take them off and throw them away.

3:12-17 In with the New (The New Clothes)

Now we have a real list of the things we should be intentional about and striving toward.

This is both the evidence and the demonstration of our lives. It shows who we are and it’s how we demonstrate it to others.Now that we have taken off the old clothes - here is what we are to put on.

And these clothes are so much better. 

Remember: Jesus is better! 

3:18-4:1 The Core Relationships

We’re reminded also that living a life that reflects the gospel begins at home with our most important and intimate relationships. 

4:2-6 Prayer & Evangelism

Before closing out this letter, Paul reminds us that we must be continually focused on prayer and that one of the main elements that should be included in our prayers is evangelism.

• We must be praying for opportunities to share the gospel.

For Paul, it was all about sharing the gospel. The world’s greatest evangelist ever wants prayer for his own evangelism. For more opportunities. More clarity in sharing.
Wow! What an example to emulate.

4:7-18 Final Greetings

Finally, we see the importance of what is also taught in other places in Scripture.

We must surround ourselves with other godly men and women. We must be engaged and involved in the life of the body. We must serve the body. Psalm 1 and Proverbs 13:20 tell us so clearly that our companions, those who are closest to us, must be other godly people. I think they should be the people in your own church.

Take a few minutes now to read through the entire book of Colossians. Then spend a few minutes with the reflection questions.

Reflection Questions

• Do you know Christ?

Not data and information about Him. But do you truly know Him?

Have you come to the point where you know that you are a sinner and have repented of your sins and trusted in Christ alone and what He did as the only solution to your problem? If you have and have never made that public, I would love to hear from you!

• Are you walking in Him?

The question you really need to answer is “How are you walking in Him?”

• Are you putting to death what is earthly, taking off the old and putting on the new.

You need to be intentional about this every day for the rest of your life. Kill the sin in your life. 

• Is the Word of Christ dwelling in you richly?

Remember what Charles Spurgeon said. We should have so much Scripture in us that when we get cut, we bleed Bible. Are you saturating yourself in Scripture?

• Are you praying for opportunities to share the gospel with others?

If Paul needed prayer for this, we definitely should be praying for this daily.

The final question, if you can truly answer yes, will affect all of the others in a positive way:

• Is He Preeminent in your life?

Is Jesus Christ the central focus of your life? The most important one? If you are a believer in Christ, He must be!

Expert Level?

In our culture, experts are highly valued. In court cases, “expert witnesses” are called in to give their perspective. Someone who is an “expert” in some particular field is typically one who knows all the ins and outs and can speak confidently to whatever field they are an expert in.

As believers, we should strive to be “experts” in the gospel. This doesn’t mean that we’re expected to know every detail of theology and memorize big thick books, but Christians should be able to easily and confidently explain the message of Christ and the forgiveness that only He can provide.

I’ve said many times in the past, if you know enough about the gospel to be saved, then you know enough to share the gospel, but you should be striving to know it better. You might not consider yourself a “gospel expert,” but you should be striving to know more so that you can share it with others, hoping that they might repent and trust in Christ. 

Remember: the definition of evangelism is: To explain the Gospel to sinful people hoping that they may repent of their sins and put their trust and hope in Jesus Christ alone and serve Him in the fellowship of His church.

When you share the gospel with someone, it shouldn’t be a struggle. If you’re sharing the details of who Christ is and what He has done, and if this is something that has radically changed your life, it should flow naturally and easily. 

When you grow up in a good, gospel-proclaiming church, you grow up with the details of the gospel. Sometimes, however, when you’re not called on to answer the question “what is the gospel?” often, you might not have thought through how to explain it to someone who doesn’t know all the details as well as you do. While you can explain that Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, how do you introduce this? When do  you explain sin? Do you address the idea of substitutionary atonement? How much should you explain? 

To help you with a starting point, the Fellowship website now has a “Gospel Learning Kit” on the “Resources” page. It’s a three page guide to learning how to effectively and clearly share the message of Christ with others even if they don’t really know anything about Christianity, Jesus, and the Bible. 

My encouragement to you is twofold. 

1. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel. As Paul prayed in Colossians 4:3, pray that God would open a door for you to share the gospel with others

2. Learn to make it clear. I believe that an “ordered” approach to sharing the details of the gospel is best. I also believe that we use as much Scripture as possible when sharing. After all, it’s not my inspiring story that is going to save someone. It’s God’s Word that saves (James 1:21b , 1 Peter 1:23, Romans 10:17)

Remember, when you’re learning to share the gospel, it’s a “script that’s not a script.” You’re not presenting a sales pitch. You’re sharing the most important thing you could possibly share with them. It’s the most important thing in your life. 

Please make every effort to know the gospel and the accompanying verses so well that you can share them without hesitation or struggling. In this way, you demonstrate that the gospel is deeply meaningful to you.

When you share the gospel with others, you are an expert. You are sharing with someone something that you know about. Something you’ve studied. Something that is deeply meaningful to you. Something that is an overwhelming joy to talk about.

Click here for a guide to get you started. And as always, if you need help with this, or have any other questions, get in touch with me. I’d love to chat with you about it.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Rob

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Prayer & Evangelism

Colossians 4:2-6

Remember: Matthew 12:34 – ...For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

• The Bible has a lot to say about our speech. It’s the truest indicator of your spiritual state.

The Tongue – mentioned 137 times in the Bible. Most of them refer to speech.

The Mouth – mentioned 391 times. Again, most of them refer to speech.

The Lips – mentioned 115 times

Speak - mentioned 565 times

Speech - mentioned 51 times

Words - mentioned 1,237 times       

Total 2400+ times

Matthew 12:35-7 – The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. ³⁶ But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. ³⁷ For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” 

What is an unbeliever’s speech characterized by?: evil, sexual immorality, deceit, curses, oppression, lies, destruction, vanity, flattery, foolishness, madness, carelessness, boasting, false doctrine, evil plots, hatred, too many words, gossip.

What about a believer, someone who has trusted in Christ? Their speech will be characterized by confession of sin, confession of Christ, edifying speech, talk of God’s law, praise to God, blessing of enemies, talk about God, kindness, gentleness, modeling after Jesus (who spoke instructively, graciously, blamelessly, and without deceit)

James calls the tongue the rudder that steers your life.  We forget this far too often.

Colossians 4:2-6 begins by talking about prayer. What is prayer? 

• Prayer is communicating to God.

The Westminster Catechism defines prayer like this: Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, in the name of Christ, by the help of his Spirit, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.

To simplify that a little: Prayer is acknowledging our dependence on Him

John Piper says this: prayer is not some small thing. It is not some marginal thing. It is not some incidental thing in the Christian life. Prayer is at the heart of why God created the universe.

Think of it this way: Spiritually, reading the Word is breathing in. Prayer is breathing out. 

These are the two of the basic elements of our spiritual lives. Spiritual breathing involves the Word and prayer. 

So let’s look at what Paul says to the Colossians about prayer.

I. Prayer

a. Steadfast

steadfast means to adhere to, persist in, be busily engaged in, and be devoted to.

It is the most important speech someone can utter.

That’s what this verse is about.

Donald Whitney says that prayer is a spiritual discipline. Something we must be intentional about.

It’s not constant, vocalized prayer, but it is:

• A God-consciousness that relates every experience in life to Him

b. Watchful

The idea of staying awake and not falling asleep.

Matthew 26:40-41 – Jesus asked His disciples why they couldn’t stay awake and watch with Him.

It’s impossible to pray while you’re sleeping. 

Don’t be vague in your prayers. (vague question = vague answer)

Watchful, intentional, awake, alert, you’re thinking.

You’re thinking about how you can pray for others. 

Looking for things. Not just saying you’ll pray for someone, but actually praying for them.

• How better to knit yourself together with someone than to pray with them?

Watchful prayer is not careless or mechanical, dull, or heavy. It’s alive in the fullest sense

Steadfast - consistent - disciplined - regular    Watchful - alive - intentional, alert, passionate 

c. Thankful

Our primary prayer attitude should be thanksgiving. 

(If you’re keeping score, Paul has mentioned thanksgiving five times now.)

• We know that God will answer prayer according to His purpose.

What should you be thankful for?

God’s presence (Psalm 75:1)

The Basic necessities of life. (Acts 27:35)

Salvation (Romans 6:17-18)

Do you thank God daily for saving you? Do you think about the gospel regularly? 

The Daily Details of your life (Romans 8:28)

d. Ask for these:

Paul has a couple of requests. These are things we should be praying for as well. 

• Paul’s request is not for release from prison, but for the proclamation of the gospel.

We should be asking for prayer for open doors for evangelism. Your needs can still be there, it’s not wrong to ask for prayer for your needs, but how about first thinking: “how can this situation be a platform from which to share the gospel?” Then - make your request from that foundation.

We should be praying for more opportunities to share the gospel.

We should also pray for:

2. Clarity

Remember that Paul wrote Romans. He’s already written what is considered the most theological exposition of the gospel. 16 Chapters of “What is the Gospel?”
And he’s praying for more clarity. (they should be asking him)

Paul has a compulsion to share the Gospel

1 Corinthians 9:16 - For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 

I say: Paul can’t NOT share the gospel (should be us too)

Paul ask them to Pray that he proclaims this message as clearly as he should.

II. Proclamation

a. Conduct:

1. Be wise

What you are gives credibility to what you say.

Titus 2:1-10 – But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. ² Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. ³ Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, ⁴ and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. ⁶ Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. ⁷ Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, ⁸ and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. ⁹ Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, ¹⁰ not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.  

“adorn” – to cause something to be beautiful by decorating—‘to beautify, to adorn, to decorate,

• When we live right, it makes the gospel look beautiful

Your life gives credibility to your claim. 

If you claim to be a Christian, your life can either say:  “yes - this is true” or “Um---- what?!?”

There are two different ways to live. Wise, or as a fool.

If you live as a fool, it will mock the faith you claim to hold.

How to live like a fool:

1. Live for Money (1 Timothy 6:9-10)

2. Live Legalistically (Galatians 3:1, 3)

3. Be Jealous and/or self-ambitious (James 3:16)

Living Wisely is the distinct opposite of that

James 3:17-18 – But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 

How to live wisely:

1. Spend time with wise, godly people (Proverbs 13:20)

2. Worship (Proverbs 9:10)

These two things are going to involve being taught. This is critical to your Christian life - being taught God’s Word. (Titus 1:9)

3. Prayer

4. Scripture Saturation (Studying God’s Word, Colossians 3:16)

Only when you are living a life worthy of the gospel (Philippians 1:27) will your words have meaning. 

You grow to care about people and as you do, your desire for them to know Christ should intensify. 

• Evangelism is something we need to be intentional about.

A thorough definition of evangelism:

• To explain the Gospel to sinful people hoping that they may repent of their sins and put their trust and hope in Jesus Christ alone and serve Him in the fellowship of His church.

What is Success in evangelism? Is it when the person gets saved? What if they don’t? Remember the story of the Rich Young Ruler? He rejected the gospel. Does that mean Jesus was a failure that day?

• Sharing the gospel IS successful evangelism. 

People get saved because God saved them, not because you explained it perfectly, not missing a point and quoting every verse with 100% accuracy. When we share the gospel we have been successful!

When you are living by the Word, you’ll not only proclaim the Word, but your life will back it up!

Along with being wise is

2. Be Disciplined

If you’re truly making the best use of time - you’ll be looking for opportunities to share the gospel with others. You’ll be sharing what you know and striving to learn more. 

This passage is telling us to 

• Be intentional about evangelism.

You’re busy. I’m busy. We’re all busy. BUT - make time for evangelism. Be constantly on the lookout for opportunities to share the gospel with others in your daily life.

It doesn’t say “better use of time” but best use of time.  

It’s hard to argue that  you could find a better way to spend your time than sharing the gospel with someone, right?

St. Francis of Assisi is widely credited with saying this: “preach the gospel always, when necessary use words.” Well, I say that we are not preaching the gospel if we are not using words. But - the rest of our lives should be a confirmation of those words when we speak them.
And I think that we would all agree that we could and should share the gospel more ofteh. 

Now - Verse six is about 

b. Speech:

Not every conversation you have will be a proclamation of the gospel. That’s reasonable, normal, and expected. (it’s not an excuse to skip it when the opportunity arrives however)

BUT - All of your conversations (and by “all” I mean ALL) need to be like this:

1. Be Gracious

No matter what the situation, there’s really no place for not speaking with grace. This should be a habit. Ephesians 4:29 

Seasoned with salt - our speech should have an effect on people. Salt has an effect, right? It was used as a preservative and it adds flavor.

Our conversations should be like that. 

• You should be someone who others enjoy having a conversation with.

If not, ask yourself: “am I being gracious?”

Are you known like this? Wholesome? Pure? Righteous? Always doing the right thing? 

If I were to ask your friends to describe you would the idea of purity and sanctification be included in the description? It should.

2. Be Specific and Individual

This relates to all conversations whether or not you’re sharing the gospel.

1 Peter 3:15 - Know what to say and when to say it. 

This passage also tells us to know people.

Street evangelism, door-to-door evangelism, and evangelism programs have their place, but primarily, evangelism should be “as you are going.” The idea behind Matthew 28:19 is “as you are going” - The word “go” implies that we should be making disciples, baptizing them, integrating them into the body of Christ - teaching them as a normal flow of our lives.

We need to know people. We need to be sharing the gospel with them. We need to know how to answer each person.

One of the main points of this passage is:

• Prayer and evangelism must be connected.

And our lives must back up the gospel and make it look good. 

We need to make the gospel look beautiful with our lives and with our speech.

And we must care about people enough to share the Gospel with them. 

Reflection Questions:

• Are you steadfast, watchful, and thankful in your prayer life?

• Are you praying for evangelistic opportunities regularly? (For yourself & others)

• Are you thinking: “how can this situation be a platform from which to share the gospel?”

• If I were to ask your friends to describe you would the idea of purity and sanctification be included in the description? It should.

• Are you wasting time or redeeming it? 

Especially in your relationships with people. Redeeming the time. It’s not just “don’t say wicked things” but you should get rid of things that are worthless and idle. Always - be wise. Stop wasting time.

• Is your speech gracious and full of salt?

• Are you ready to share the Gospel right now?

If I were to ask you “what is the Gospel?” would you be able to give a clear, comprehensive answer?

If not, what should you be doing to get there? 

(check the blog again this afternoon for my answer)

Soli Deo Gloria!

Rob

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