Daily Dose of the Word of God - Colossians 4: 2-6

Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor

Transcript

Gregg DeMey  0:11 

Good morning friends and welcome to Elmhurst CRC's Daily Dose of the Word of God. This is Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor at the church and it's Thursday, September 19. It's a season of green and growing things, because God is on a mission to keep us growing up, in and out. Today's reading is on the theme of growing out from Colossians chapter 4, verses 2 through 6.

Gregg DeMey  0:36
 
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Gregg DeMey  1:11 

Apostle Paul was writing to the Colossian church from prison in chains and he requests their prayers. It's notable that Paul does not ask to be set free, or that the system give him justice, or even that his suffering be eliminated. - none of those things. Paul's prayer request is that he can speak Christ, (proclaim Christ) more clearly. This is so convicting. Representing Jesus was the preeminent priority, so much so that other requests aren't even mentioned.

Gregg DeMey  1:42 

Paul's prayer and counsel for the church there in Colossa, runs along the same lines because representing Jesus is the first priority. Paul doesn't advise them to have awesome worship services or give them a strategy for how to effectively reach young citizens of the Roman Empire. He simply encourages them to make the most of every opportunity. Are you going to the market? That's an opportunity. Are you going out to work? There's an opportunity. Are you going to the public baths? I'm glad we don't have those anymore, but that was an opportunity too. And how to reach people? In Paul's mind, words matter here. The things Paul mentions are having graceful conversations, speech seasoned with salt, knowing how to answer everyone. Can a person even do that? Well, Jesus does promise (through His Spirit) to give us the words to say - especially in tough or complicated situations.

Gregg DeMey  2:44 

But this is also something that we can train for - knowing how to respond, having graceful conversations. I'm amazed how often the four part big story of the Bible is relevant. The four parts: everything created by God, everything broken by humans and sin, healing and redemption through Jesus and the kingdom that is coming. In my experience, it's amazing how many current events you can build a bridge to with that big four party story. Is something beautiful or awesome happening? The creative fingerprint of God probably is coming to bear. Is something dreadful or difficult happening? There's human brokenness or sin going on. Are you longing for change? It's usually connected to a longing for healing that only Jesus can bring. And do we have hope for the future? The kingdom coming is where it's at. May God help us all to draw attention to and repeat his big story.

Gregg DeMey  3:46
 
Let's pray friends. Oh God, today make us wise in the way we engage with outsiders. Help us make the most of every opportunity that your spirit sends our way. Help us to facilitate conversations that are full of grace and seasoned with salt and help us to have the knowledge and skill so that we may know how to answer everybody with a reflection of your good news. In Jesus name, Amen.