Morgan Teruel: Thanks for tuning in to The Sandals Church podcast. Our vision as a church is to be real with ourselves, God, and others. We're glad you're here, and we hope you enjoy this message.
Nancy Salley: As you listen to this passage from Colossians chapter 4, focus on the impact of a life lived in obedience to Jesus. Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us too that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I'm here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.
Live wisely among those who are not believers and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. Colossians 4:2:6. Imagine Paul sitting in prison writing a letter to a church. Imagine that letter being hand delivered to the local congregation then read aloud not unlike what we heard just now.
Now imagine the same letter a 100 years later still being read and then another 100 years later still being read. Imagine all of the ears over the past 2000 years hearing the same letter encouraging 1 another to be devoted to prayer, to have hearts filled with gratitude, and to be attentive to opportunities to share the good news about Jesus. Imagine a single letter to a single church being used by God to inspire multitudes over countless generations. Talk about making the most of every opportunity. Now consider your own path to faith.
Trace it back to the 1 who told you about Jesus. Pause and thank God for them. Now consider the person who told them about Jesus. Imagine, like a line linking you to them, to those before them, all the way back to someone like Paul, and then all the way back to Jesus himself. Imagine that dynamic line linking all the saints over all of the generations.
Linking all back to the amazing love and sacrifice and victory of Jesus. God's plan is far bigger than we will ever realize. It was bigger than Paul could have dreamed and it's bigger than you and I will ever know. It was bigger for Paul because he set his mind on the things of Christ. Pause for a moment and take inventory of your thoughts over the past week.
Where have you, like Paul, found yourself passionate about the things of Jesus? Where have you been distracted by the things of this world? Confess to Jesus those areas where your mind has been distracted and ask for a mind that is set on the things of Jesus. As you do this, be reminded that he presents us with opportunities throughout each day to be gracious, making the gospel attractive to those around us. Ask Jesus that he would help you make the most of those opportunities.
Perhaps helping to create yet another link in the network of those who have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus. And now, may you, like Paul, be filled with awe and wonder as you gaze upon Jesus. May your heart be full with his spirit as you pursue Jesus with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength. And may you, like Paul, be filled with gratitude and a gracious tongue using your words and your life to introduce people to the unbounded love of Jesus. Amen.