1. Thoughts from Prison Colossians 4:2-10a We have a tendency to…  Keep secrets we think will embarrass  Believe “If I don’t say it, it isn’t true”  Hide things we think are not good  Believe we have nothing to offer when we are struggling

2. Colossians 4 2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

3. “Devote yourselves” The particular word used here is the same word used in a siege on a city Consistently, constantly and steadfast. Besiege the throne of God with prayers

4. “Being watchful” Our prayers are to be… Consistent and focused On target and free from distractions Confident and hopeful Being in the habit of prayer

5. Being “Thankful” Our prayers are to be… Gracious Expectant Hopeful Fully aware

6. 3 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. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

7. Our prayers are to be… For ourselves For individual leaders in ministry For success in ministry For the strength to be bold

8. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

9. Paul asks that we be careful not to nullified our prayers by our outward actions For that reason he tells us to be wise about how we behave towards those who are not Christians

10. Paul want us to share our faith But that we do so…. Full of grace Seasoned with salt Allowing the spirit to answer with us and through us

11. Paul’s point? Our prayer life and our daily walk need to be in sync Being synchronized Being consistent Being in the habit of…

12. For those of us who have been in the faith for some time This may seem rudimentary But what is truly interesting about this teaching may not be the teaching itself

13. The amazing thing is… The person who is asking us to pray To be focused and to be thankful in prayer… To share the Gospel… To be consistent… Is in prison… Because of his faith

14. This teaching, you would think, came from someone who was living the life We discover that our teacher is a suffering servant He is in prison and in chains – still doing ministry

15. Colossians 4 7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.

16. What is truly amazing about Paul in this letter to the church is… He is not complaining He is reminding us to pray and to do so thankfully

17. He says… I am sending Tychicus for the purpose of… Telling you our circumstances So that you might be encouraged He speaks highly of this messenger

18. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. 10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas.

19. He adds that Onesimus is also coming to tell you things And by the way greetings from Aristarchus and Mark Everything is going according to plan

20. Paul was definitely a gifted leader His greatest gift was the ability to be so optimistic To see the big picture To be realistic and honest To be consistent To speak with authority

21. Where do you find yourself? Keeping secrets you think will be embarrass you Hiding from things you believe or think are not so good Believing you have nothing to offer because you are struggling

22. Paul says I have something to tell you I am in chains and I am in prison Pray for me Don’t forget about us

23. Just because I am in a precarious situation does not mean I have lost my ability to serve He sends a good word and high regards for Tychicus and Onesimus He wants to encourage his readers

24. The message for today Don’t struggle and don’t suffer alone Find a few people…. Who will pray for us Who will help us Who will guide and protect us

25. We are still important We have wisdom We have insight Be proud of who we are and of whose we are

26. Keep a look out Pray thankfully and hopefully Knock constantly and loudly on the doors of heaven

27. To others of us… Open our eyes Pray for others See where we can help Assist Be useful

28. This holiday Pray with focus and thanksgiving Pray for those in need Share your secret Tell someone your story Let someone help you Listen and look Help and encourage someone