Notes from a sermon on Colossians. www.flushingbiblechurch.com

1. Be Devoted to Prayer
Colossians 4:2-4

2. I. Our Worthy Savior: Chapters 1-3:4
A. Introduction 1:1-12
B. Christ is Supreme 1:13-29
C. Complete in Christ 2:1-3:4
II. The Worthy Walk: Chapters 3:5-4:6
A. The worthy personal walk with Christ 3:5-17
B. The worthy walk with Christ in the home 3:18-21
C. The worthy walk with Christ at work 3:22-4:1
D. The worthy spiritual walk with Christ 4:2-6
III. Closing: 4:7-18

3.  The Command, v. 2a
 The Commitment, v. 2b
 The Call, v. 3a
 The Clarity, vv. 3b-4

4.  Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an
attitude of thanksgiving;
Colossians 4:2
 Necessary component of the spiritual life
 Devote yourselves (προσκαρτερεω proskartereō)
 Present Active Imperative: standard operating
procedure
 Early Church, Acts 2:42
 Apostles, Acts 1:14; 6:4
 Loving without hypocrisy, Romans 12:9-12

5.  Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an
attitude of thanksgiving;
Colossians 4:2
 Christ is our access to the Father
 Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 10:19-22
 Christ is our example
 During “normal” times (Luke 5:16; 6:12)
 During “crisis” times (Luke 22:44)

6.  Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an
attitude of thanksgiving;
Colossians 4:2
 Keeping alert (present active participle)
 As we are praying we are to be continually alert
 Physically (Matthew 26:38ff; Mark 14:38)
 Mentally (Matt 24:42-43; 25:13; Luke 12:37; 1 Cor 16:13; 1
Pt 5:8; Rev 3:2-3)
 If we keep alert for His appearing we will receive a
crown!
 2 Timothy 4:8

7.  Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an
attitude of thanksgiving;
Colossians 4:2
 Thanksgiving is key to the spiritual life.
 Colossians 3:15-17
 Thanksgiving is the oil that keeps our spiritual engine
running.
 Thanksgiving puts us in the proper attitude before
God. Norman Geisler, Bible Knowledge Commentary

8.  … praying at the same time for us as well, that God will
open up to us a door for the word, so that we may
speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also
been imprisoned; Colossians 4:3
 Praying at the same time for us (present active
participle), 1 Thessalonians 5:17, pray without ceasing
 Pray for an open door for the Gospel
 Paul’s commitment for the mystery

9.  … praying at the same time for us as well, that God will
open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak
forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been
imprisoned; Colossians 4:3
 Mystery (μυστηριον) – a previously unrevealed truth from
Scripture
 The mystery of Christ is the Church Age
 Gap between Christ’s two advents (Is 61:1-2; Luke 4:16-20)
 Gentiles would be major partakers in the Church Age (Ps
67:4; 22:27), and Paul was their apostle (Romans 11:13; 1
Timothy 2:7).

10.  … that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.
Colossians 4:4
 Make it clear (reveal the mystery): make it clear so that
people can understand.
 A universal prayer request for disciples: opportunities,
and the ability to speak
 My prayer request from you!

11.  The Command, v. 2a
 The Commitment, v. 2b
 The Call, v. 3a
 The Clarity, vv. 3b-4