TOPIC:‌"Prayer and the Christian's Behavior"

                  by Rev. Dr. Reg Dunlap

 

TEXT:‌Colossians 1:3-14

 

"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing"(Colossians 1:10)

 

‌Here in the verses before us we have the outpouring of Paul's heart in a prayer that is broad in scope and inclusive in both thanksgiving and intercession. Giving continual thanks and interceding for others was characteristic of most all of Paul's prayers. Surely Saint Paul is the highest and best representative of what a Christian prayer warrior should be. We are in desperate need of more believers who would join that company.

 

‌The major burden of this prayer is found in the words of verse 10: "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing." It is our behavior in living the Christian life that Paul is concerned with at this point. Apart from such behavior our Christian commitment will have no convincing acceptance by others. Our behavior must always back up our beliefs.

 

‌Let us now behold the praying soul of Paul as he unburdens his heart for the Colossian Christians.

 

I.

 

‌Consider, to begin with, the CAUSE for this prayer. Paul introduces the reason for this prayer in verse 9: "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you." There was something about the situation at Colossae that blessed Paul's heart and something that burdened his heart. On the one hand he adored them, but on the other hand he was anxious for them.

 

‌Now what did Paul hear from Epaphras that caused his heart to be thankful and distressful at the same time? Before we discuss the answer, let me give you a little background of the situation. The city of Colossae was about a hundred miles inland from Ephesus. We have no recorded evidence that Paul ever visited the Colossian Christians. But while a prisoner in Rome, Epaphras, the pastor of the church, visited Paul in prison. The report that Epaphras gave regarding the condition of the Colossian church caused Paul both delight and distress. Hence Paul immediately dispatched this letter to them.

 

‌Wisely and tactfully Paul begins by graciously complimenting them before he guidingly corrects them in chapter two. Let us think of those things which filled Paul's heart with immense joy.

 

‌First of all, Paul takes extreme delight in their GROWING FAITH. He writes in verse 4: "Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus." What Paul means here is not saving faith, but a steadfast and . . .