Text: Col 1:9-14

Col 1:9  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

Col 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Col 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

1. That you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding

2. That you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing

3. That you might be fruitful in every good work

• Gen 1:28  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
  • God created us to be fruitful beings
  • Anywhere human beings are, they must increase in population, knowledge, in everything
  • Anything or anyone preventing fruitfulness is ungodly – for example the gay and lesbian agenda
• Act 10:38  How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
  • Jesus Christ was fruitful in good works everywhere He went
  • If we are truly a follower of Christ, our lives must be the same
  • Anywhere you go, good works must follow you
  • It should not be heard that a follower of Christ is the one causing problems everywhere they go – that is not Christ like
  • Anywhere Jesus went, healing was happening, bondages were broken, and captives were set free, etc
  • He brought salt and light into situations
• How do we become fruitful?
• 2Ti 2:20  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 2Ti 2:21  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
  • If we remain in sin, we cannot be fruitful in good works
  • If we purge ourself from sin, then and only then, can we be a vessel unto honor, sanctified (set apart), and qualified to be used by God, and prepared unto every good work
  • With sin, we cannot be fruitful unto good work
  • When we separate ourselves from sin, we are now qualified to be fruitful unto good works
  • So, Paul’s prayer that the Colossians be fruitful in every good work is
    • They should be separated from sin
    • They should be set apart (sanctified)
    • So that they qualify to be used by God unto every good work
• Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
• Joh 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
• I pray that you will be fruitful in every good work in Jesus name
• I pray that your fruit will remain in Jesus name

4. That you might increase in the knowledge of God

• Pre-requisite to the increase in the knowledge of God
  • There must be a hunger and a thirst for God in your heart – Psa 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.  Psa 42:2  My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? 
• Without the hunger, you will not seek the increase in the knowledge of God
• You can increase in the knowledge of God by the following:
  • His Word – The Bible – 1Pe 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
  • Your closeness to God – Jas 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
    • Maintain a good relationship with God
    • Have a powerful prayer life
    • Do His will – preach the gospel, help the needy
  • Through Others – 1Co 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
    • Be certain that the person is truly following Christ – don’t follow blindly
      • There are wolves in sheep’s clothing
      • The devil is masquerading as an angel of light
    • Listen to messages by good preachers
    • Read books by born again authors
• I pray that you will increase in the knowledge of God in the name of Jesus
• I pray that the thirst and hunger to draw nearer to God will be in your heart in Jesus name

5. That you might be strengthened with all might according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness

• Eph 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
• Neh 8:10  …for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
• Be strong in the Lord – look up to God for your strength – as the source of your strength.
• Your strength is in His power, therefore it is unlimited
• Let His joy keep you going – don’t allow anyone or any situation to steal your joy or be your joy.
• The source of your joy must be rooted in the Lord alone
  • Your job is not the source of your joy
  • Your house/car is not the source of your joy
  • Your children/sibling/spouse/parents are not the source of your joy
  • They are the evidence of your joy – which are your blessings
  • The blessings should not be placed before the giver of the blessing
  • The source of your joy is the Lord – and that joy is the source of your strength.
• Lack of joy makes a believer weak, and a weak believer cannot accomplish anything.
• Put on the whole amour of God (truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, sword of the Spirit, helmet of salvation, gospel of peace)
• Put on endurance (long suffering and persecution) – you must be rugged with a tough skin – so when they stab you in the back the knife bends
• Don’t put up walls – it won’t allow you to love others – it will make you selfish
• I pray that you will be strengthened with all might according to the glorious power of the Most High God in Jesus name
• I pray that you will finish your race joyfully with patience and endurance in the name of Jesus

The prayers that Paul prayed for the Colossians is for you

1. That you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding
2. That you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing
3. That you might be fruitful in every good work
4. That you might increase in the knowledge of God
5. That you might be strengthened with all might according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness

Keep praying these prayers for yourself and to intercede for others.