Finishing Well – p.2 Impacting Others Colossians 4:2-6

If you want to finish in the right place you have to start in the right place and the right place to start is with Jesus – centeredness!If you want to finish in the right place you have to start in the right place and the right place to start is with Jesus – centeredness!

Jesus lived out his life in three perfectly balanced relationships: UP: towards God – where we develop in intimacy with Him.UP: towards God – where we develop in intimacy with Him. IN: with other believers - where we look to be in communityIN: with other believers - where we look to be in community

Jesus lived out his life in three perfectly balanced relationships: OUT: to non-believers – where we seek to make an impact for the Kingdom of God.OUT: to non-believers – where we seek to make an impact for the Kingdom of God.

Colossians 4:2-6 (ESV) Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us,

Colossians 4:2-6 (ESV) that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

Colossians 4:2-6 (ESV) Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

UP: develop in intimacy with Him. Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (4:2)Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (4:2) Prayer takes work and commitment.Prayer takes work and commitment.

UP: develop in intimacy with Him. Pray with your eyes open and your memory on.Pray with your eyes open and your memory on. being watchful in it with thanksgiving

IN: look to be in community At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. (4:3-4)

IN: look to be in community Paul knows that God works through prayer.Paul knows that God works through prayer. God is sovereign and I am responsible.God is sovereign and I am responsible.

IN: look to be in community God could do everything by himself, but he uses prayer to accomplish his ends.God could do everything by himself, but he uses prayer to accomplish his ends. WE struggle with prayer partly because we do not always think it matters.WE struggle with prayer partly because we do not always think it matters.

IN: look to be in community Only God opens doors------and he opens doors as we pray.Only God opens doors------and he opens doors as we pray.

IN: look to be in community God opens doors for his people to bring him through those doors.God opens doors for his people to bring him through those doors. Jesus centered people live in active community by joining others in OPEN DOOR PRAYING.Jesus centered people live in active community by joining others in OPEN DOOR PRAYING.

OUT: make an impact for the Kingdom of God (4:5-6) Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (4:5-6)

OUT: make an impact for the Kingdom of God Put legs on your prayers.Put legs on your prayers. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders (4:5a)

OUT: make an impact for the Kingdom of God Sensitivity is not an excuse for inactivity.Sensitivity is not an excuse for inactivity. “making the best use of the time” (4:5b)

OUT: make an impact for the Kingdom of God You will be required to say something.You will be required to say something. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (4:6)

OUT: make an impact for the Kingdom of God When we speak our speech should be three things:When we speak our speech should be three things: GraciousGracious SaltySalty

OUT: make an impact for the Kingdom of God

When we speak our speech should be three things:When we speak our speech should be three things: GraciousGracious SaltySalty SpeedySpeedy

Bottom Line: Jesus-centered people are other- centered people!Jesus-centered people are other- centered people!

For the not yet disciples… Get started!Get started!

For the not yet disciples… Sin is the universal and fatal flaw of all humanity.Sin is the universal and fatal flaw of all humanity. Jesus died to conquer evil and to pay for our sinsJesus died to conquer evil and to pay for our sins Faith is necessary for one to come to JesusFaith is necessary for one to come to Jesus

For those committed to being Jesus- centered disciples Write down your top three prayer needsWrite down your top three prayer needs What are you attempting to do for God that you can not do on your own?What are you attempting to do for God that you can not do on your own?

For those committed to being Jesus- centered disciples Get off the chair.Get off the chair.