Last night we started our six week series talking about being Campus Missionaries.
In order to be a Campus Missionary there are 5 characteristics that we need to have in our lives. These 5 Characteristics are to Pray Live Serve Tell Give.
Colossians 4:2-6
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.
Paul wrote this letter to refute false teachings that threatened the Colossian Church. He also wrote it to encourage them to stay focused on Jesus through some practical instructions. Paul wanted the Colossians to have a strong passion for prayer, because he wanted them to be alert to spiritual war fair, and to what God was doing around them. He wanted them to pray for both themselves, and for others so that the Gospel of Jesus would be spread all over the world.
These verses also apply to us today…
Verse 2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thanful.
We need to have a strong passion and determination for prayer and the word of God. We need to be spiritualy awake and alert. We must be alert to the things that will distract us from prayer and reading the bible, be alert to what God is doing in and around us, and be alert to what Satan is doing.
Verse 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ…
God may open doors. God doesn’t want us to sit and wait until he gives us a shign before we serve him. Instead we should pray that God opens doors of opportunities for us and help us see those open doors so we can go through them.
Verse 4 and 5 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most out of every opportunity.
We should pray for the boldness to step through the doors, trusting that God will help us make the most our of every opportunity, and accomplish all that He indends for us to do.
Verse 6 Let your conversations be always full of Grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Our speach should be worthy of being identified with Jesus. It should be an example for everyone that hears it and should always speak the truth in Love. It should give people a thirst and an appetite for God.
We must all devote ourselves to prayer and reading Gods word.
When you do what Paul says you need to do, and truly devote yourself to prayer and reading God’s word your life will change.
You will grow closer to God and will feel his presents in your life, Combat the things that distract you, you will find God’s direction for your life, the effectiveness of your life, service, and witness for God will be much greater.
When you devote yourself to praying for other people you will see lives changed. People will come to know Jesus as their Lord God and Savior, you’ll see people healed from all kinds of sicknesses, you’ll see families brought back together, and you’ll see doors and opportunities open up for them.
When you pray for Gods will in your life, God will open doors you never knew existed, people will start seeing that there is something different about you that they want, and you’ll beable to talk to people about Jesus and what he has done for you.
When you devote your life to prayer and reading God’s word you’ll see mountains move and seas parted.
Everyday we need to have our own personal TAG (Time Alone with God). We need to pray and read our Bibles. When you do I promise you that it will change your life. There may not be an immediate change, but over time, when you look back to see where you have come from and notice everything that changed as a result of your devotion to prayer and reading God’s word.
If we truly devote our selves to prayer then we will be in tune to what God’s plan and desires are for us. Through Prayer God will prepare us to serve His plan for our lives, and will help us to communicate the Gospel. As you spend more time with God, your faith will grow. The Holy Spirit will help you to step out boldly in faith to share the Gospel with your friends, family, and co-workers.
Not only does prayer help prepare us, it also prepares people to receive Jesus as their Savior. It is not our presentation of the Gospel that brings people, it is the Holy Spirit who works in response to our prayers. It is through the Holy Spirit that shows people the truth and turn their hearts to God. When God’s people pray, the path will be made for people to find and receive the one true King, the Savior of all man kind... Jesus.
