Sermon Introduction
When Paul writes to the Colossians, he begins not with correction but with thanksgiving. He thanks God for;
- their faith in Christ,
- their love for one another, and
- their hope in heaven.
And then he prays—not for their comfort, but for their growth: that they would;
- know God’s will,
- bear fruit,
- endure with strength, and
- live in gratitude for the redemption found in Christ.
This passage reminds us that the Christian life is not static.
- Faith is meant to grow deeper,
- hope is meant to grow stronger, and
- love is meant to grow wider.
Paul’s prayer gives us a picture of what it means to live a life “worthy of the Lord.”
The Audience:
Colossians 1:1-2 NIV Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
Sermon Hook
“What do you pray for most often?” If we’re honest, our prayers usually focus on circumstances—health, jobs, needs, relief. But Paul shows us something greater: a prayer that reaches higher. He prays for wisdom, fruitfulness, endurance, and gratitude. In other words, he prays not just for a change in circumstances, but for a change in us.
The Message: Strengthen by Grace, Secure in Christ
Colossians 1:3–14 – A Prayer for Growth and Strength
Theme: Paul’s prayer for the Colossian church highlights gratitude, faith, love, hope, knowledge, and endurance.
Big Idea:Faith in Christ flourishes through prayer, producing knowledge, fruitfulness, and strength to endure.
I. Thanksgiving for Faith, Love, and Hope
Colossians 1:3–6 (NIV)
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.
Cross References:
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3 – We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Romans 5:5 – And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.
Why We Struggle: We often measure success by earthly standards, not by faith, love, and hope. Gratitude for gospel fruit can get overshadowed by complaints or discouragement.
Theological Summary: Faith in Christ, love for God’s people, and hope in heaven are the core marks of Christian maturity. The gospel is alive and expanding—it is never static.
Know This: Faith, love, and hope are not optional—they are the fruit of the true gospel at work.
II. The Gospel’s Impact Through Faithful Service
Colossians 1:7–8 (NIV)
7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
Cross References:
- 1 Corinthians 3:6 – I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.
- Romans 10:14–15 – How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? … And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?
Note:
- The gospel is dynamic and universal—always expanding, always bearing fruit.
- Epaphras (v.7) is credited with bringing the gospel to Colossae, showing the importance of faithful ministry.
Why We Struggle: We often undervalue the role of ordinary servants of God, forgetting that the gospel spreads through faithful witness, not celebrity or platform.
Theological Summary: God uses faithful servants like Epaphras to spread the gospel. True love for others is evidence of the Spirit’s work.
Know This: The Spirit works through faithful servants to grow gospel fruit.
III. A Prayer for Knowledge, Fruitfulness, and Strength
Colossians 1:9–12 (NIV)
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
Cross References:
- Ephesians 1:17–18 – I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
- John 15:5 – I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Note:
Paul’s prayer includes:
- Knowledge of God’s will (spiritual discernment).
- Worthy conduct (living lives pleasing to Him).
- Fruitfulness (every good work).
- Strength (endurance and patience).
- Joyful thanksgiving (gratitude for God’s salvation).
Why We Struggle: We tend to pray for circumstances to change rather than for wisdom, endurance, or spiritual fruit.
Theological Summary: Paul prays not for comfort but for growth—that believers would live worthy lives, strengthened by God’s might, marked by gratitude and endurance.
Know This: Spiritual growth comes through Spirit-given wisdom, fruitful living, and joyful endurance.
IV. The Rescue and Redemption in Christ
Colossians 1:13–14 (NIV)
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Cross References:
- John 8:36 – So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
- Ephesians 1:7 – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
Note:
- God has acted decisively in Christ:
- Rescue – Deliverance from darkness (Satan’s dominion).
- Transfer – Brought into Christ’s kingdom.
- Redemption – Release from bondage.
- Forgiveness – Sins canceled through Christ’s blood.
Why We Struggle: We forget the depth of our rescue—living as though we still belong to darkness instead of walking in the freedom of Christ’s kingdom.
Theological Summary: Christ’s redeeming work is the foundation of the Christian life. Every prayer for growth is grounded in the reality of forgiveness and deliverance.
Know This: You don’t belong to darkness anymore—you are redeemed and forgiven in Christ.
Doctrinal Themes in Colossians 1:3–14
- Soteriology – Salvation: Believers are rescued, redeemed, and forgiven.
- Ecclesiology – Community Life: Faith in Christ expresses itself in love for others.
- Eschatology – Hope: The future inheritance fuels present endurance.
- Sanctification – Growth: Knowledge of God leads to holiness, fruitfulness, and perseverance.
APPLICATION
HEAD (What to Believe):
The gospel bears fruit, grows believers in knowledge, and secures our redemption in Christ.
HEART (What to Feel):
Grateful for God’s work, hopeful in His promises, and confident in His rescue.
HAND (What to Do):
- Give thanks regularly for faith, love, and hope in others.
- Pray for wisdom and endurance, not just relief from hardship.
- Live as one rescued—walking in the light of Christ’s kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith, love, and hope are the fruit of the gospel at work.
- God uses faithful servants like Epaphras to spread His truth.
- Spiritual growth requires Spirit-given wisdom, endurance, and gratitude.
- Believers live in freedom, rescued from darkness and redeemed by Christ.