Coffee With The Lord

Do you live in a small community and attend a church with just a few people? Ever feel like because of that your influence is insignificant and your impact on world evangelism is unimportant? I’ve been reading Apostle Paul’s challenge to Christians living in a small community like that – Colossians 4:2-6.

Colossae was a small community in the ancient Roman province of Asia (the area now called Turkey) on the banks of the Lycus River. At one time Colossae had been a city of considerable importance. However changes in commercial patterns and needs brought about the decline of its importance and size. Someone has said, that the Colossian church was “the least important church to which any epistle of Paul was addressed” (Lightfoot, 16).

To believers in this small town and little congregation Apostle Paul urged THREE THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE THEIR CONTRIBUTION SIGNIFICANT (I’ll feature another one of those things today, and the final one tomorrow) …

First, Sustained Intercessory Prayer is Important! (Colossians 4:2-3a)

Next, Proclamation of the Gospel is Critical. (Colossians 4:3b-4)

Paul also recognized how important it was that the gospel continue to be proclaimed without hindrance! Although he was in prison in Romein chains, he never felt like the gospel was chained (2 Timothy 2:8-9)! In fact, in Philippians he claimed that his imprisonment had actually provided an incredible opportunity to reach “Caesar’s household” with the gospel (Philippians 1:12-18)! Now he asks the congregation in Colossae to pray that God would open marvelous new doors for the message of the gospel and that God would help him proclaim it clearly.

Nothing can hinder the gospel! In the plan and purpose of God it will go forth! It breaks down barriers, demolishes spiritual strongholds, sets people free, and transforms lives, communities and nations! OH HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT EVEN BELIEVERS IN SMALL TOWNS AND CONGREGATIONS PRAY FOR OPEN DOORS FOR THE GOSPEL AND THE SUCCESS OF THOSE WHO PROCLAIM IT!

For years faithful Christians asked God to destroy the iron curtain of communism that blocked open access to the gospel in the Soviet bloc. They asked God to sustain, protect and enable believers there for witness. China, too, seemed like an impenetrable barrier. Little was known about the welfare and vitality of the church there. But the prayers of God’s people were answered! A miracle took place and the walls came down and the Soviet bloc was opened to the gospel! Incredible reports of the success and vitality of the persecuted church in China were reported. God had again been faithful! It pays to pray!

Do you live in a small community and attend a church with few people? Ever feel like because of that your influence is small and your impact on world evangelism is insignificant? This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read Apostle’s challenge to Christians like that living in a small community – Colossians 4:2-6.

Colossae was a small community in the ancient Roman province of Asia (the area now called Turkey) on the banks of the Lycus River. At one time Colossae had been a city of considerable importance. However changes in commercial patterns and needs brought about the decline of its importance and size. Someone has said, that the Colossian church was “the least important church to which any epistle of Paul was addressed” (Lightfoot, 16).

To believers in this small town and little congregation Apostle Paul urged THREE THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE THEIR CONTRIBUTION SIGNIFICANT(I’ll feature one of those things today, and in the two following days) …

First, Sustained Intercessory Prayer is Important! (Colossians 4:2-3a)

Paul challenges these believers to devote themselves to prayer! He does not simply urge them to practice devotional prayer, however – prayer that contributes to one’s own spiritual welfare. It is intercessory prayer – prayer as ministry, prayer for others, that he urges them to practice! He admonishes them to be alert for opportunities for such prayer (cp. Ephesians 6:18). And he encourages them to saturate their praying with thanksgiving (cp. Philippians 4:6)!

How dedicated are you to intercessory prayer? What occupies your prayer life? Is it your needs and concerns (legitimate as they may be) or is it the cause of Christ, the needs of others and the spreading of the gospel? Do you watch for intercessory opportunities? Is your heart filled with gratitude to God as you pray?

Dr. Delmer Guynes, a great missionary statesman and former president of SAGU (now Nelson University), has for years challenged Christians to practice selfless prayer. He has also modeled it. I remember hearing him passionately plead with a congregation: “You can ask for a house – but you can’t take that to heaven with you! You can pray for a car, but you’ll leave that behind too!” Then he wrapped his arms around a globe that he had brought to the podium with him as he challenged his audience with these words: “Get you eyes off of yourself. Pray for the needs of others – intercede for the world. You can take them to heaven with you!”

We’ve all heard them… Statements of encouragement, aspiration, resolve and determination… “Be all you can be! Be a better, kinder, loving person! Let others experience the ‘real’ you!”

What’s the secret? What is the “real” you – a “better” you? Will that “person” materialize out of sheer will power and determination?

What does the Bible have to say? (I just read a passage this morning that gives God’s answer through something called the “gospel!” – Colossians 3;1-17 (a worthy read in your Bible!)

First of all, the “old self” (the “sinful self”) has to die! Jesus already died for our sin! We must identify with Him – with His death! Here’s how Apostle Paul put it in verses 5-9:

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness… On account of these things the wrath of God is coming! In these you once walked… But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices!

Hey it’s called “repentance of sin” – death to “self” – full, complete, identification with Christ’s death on the cross for our sin!

But what about the change… the transformation… the “new you?” Apostle Paul gives us the secret of that in verses 3, 10-17:

“You (your “old self”) has died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God! … PUT ON THE NEW SELF WHICH IS BEING RENEWED in knowledge after the image of its Creator! … Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bear with one another … forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you… And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts! … Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… and whatever you do it word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him!”

The secret? It’s found in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus on our behalf! The secret is pictured in “water baptism” – Our “old self” dies and is buried with Christ! But He rose again on our behalf! His resurrection provides the power and dynamic through the power of the Holy Spirit for our transformation!

The secret is NOT personal resolve and will-power for a “better you” – instead it is full, complete (and continual) identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection! That is what provides the dynamic for transformation,,, Not simply a “better you” – a “transformed you” – a “CHRISTLIKE YOU!”