Col No.36 The Call to Prayer

Colossians 3, and beginning at verse 17. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

Servants, obey in all things your masters, according to the flesh, not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men, knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done, and there is no respect of persons.

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that ye have also a master in heaven. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving, with all praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds, that I may make it manifest as I ought to speak. Amen.

And we'll end our reading of God's word there. I read to you two of the verses that you've already heard from Colossians, the fourth chapter, and the third and the, or rather, second and the third verse, and I think we'll go on to the fourth as well. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving, with all praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds, that I may make it manifest as I ought to speak.

I draw your attention once again to these particular verses in which the apostle is making a clarion call for prayer. Last week, let me remind you, we looked at the second verse, which is a general request for intercession, and now this week we shall be looking at the third and overflowing to the fourth verse, where there is a particular requirement which is brought to our attention. But let me continue just recapping for a moment on this general call to prayer in this second verse.

Continue in prayer, persevere in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. You remember how I tried to show you that the chapter division here between the third and the fourth is really an artificial one. If you make the conclusion that what follows in the fourth chapter has nothing to do with the third, then your thinking is illogical and unreasonable.

This call to prayer is to be placed, as I argued last week, within the context of what Paul has already been bringing to our attention. What has he been saying? Well, he's been talking to husbands and wives, to children and parents, to masters and servants, and he has been setting down a lifestyle for Christian people. Now, it's in that context that we are to fulfill this general call for prayer in this second verse of the fourth chapter.

Continue in prayer. And then you remember how I showed you the concept of prayer that the apostle here teaches in these verses. It's not just a question of petitioning, of asking for things.

That is a vital ingredient in prayer, but that's not the whole of prayer. Watch in the same with thanksgiving. Praise and petition, two sides of the same coin, the coin of prayer.

So we went from the context to its concept. And then finally, and it was at this stage that I became, as I often do in this pulpit, increasingly embarrassed because I didn't have time to finish, when I tried to show you the conflict that is here touched on in prayer. Watch in the same with thanksgiving.

That very word, watch, seems to suggest an injunction towards discipline. As though you might be sleepy. As though you might be drowsy.

As though prayer might be the hardest thing at times that any Christian has to engage in as far as spiritual disciplines are concerned. So the apostle doesn't just say persevere in prayer, but he says watch. Watch in the same.

Be on guard. And that word on guard gives us the right illustration. As we come to this last point again, and pick up the whole idea of conflict, the soldier is generally on guard.

And the soldier is often engaged in warfare. And a dilatory soldier, one who is sleeping, will never be alert to rise to his responsibilities in the military category. So the Christian is to watch.

Is to recognize that in this very habit of prayer, he might become somewhat negligent. So he prompts himself. There's a watchfulness.

Here within this verse are two particular applications. One if you like is a general application. Which I shall show you from the verb in a moment.

For everybody in the church. And the second is a special application just for the elders. And those in the area of spiritual responsibility.

Let's come to the first. Here is a word for everyone in the church. The word watch.

In the original is the term that gives us the English Christian name Gregory. I don't know if you were so favored as to bear that name. But if that is so, then let me tell you.

That your name really means one who keeps awake. One who is always open to prayer. It really is a Christian name in the full sense of that terminology.

The church gave birth to many Gregories. And in the first three centuries, there were great men of God who had that name. And who worked out the principle behind that name.

They kept themselves alert to prayer. When the apostle Peter writes the letter that bears his name. The first letter.

And in the fifth chapter. And in the eighth verse. He says these words.

Be sober. Be vigilant. Because your adversary the devil.

As a roaring lion. Walketh about seeking whom he may devour. And when he says be vigilant.

He uses the word there from the Greek Gregorio. Which means as I say to watch. To push sleep away.

Now why does Peter particularly in that verse make this reference? Do you remember what happened to him in the garden of Gethsemane? He received instructions from Jesus. Along I admit with the other two disciples. And indeed with the rest who were a little further away in that olive garden.

And Jesus said to Peter and his contemporaries. Pray. Watch.

For an hour or so. That you don't enter into temptation. But you remember what happened? It was late into the evening.

And so much had taken part. Taken place that day. That they were so drowsy.

They fell asleep. And Jesus came back and he said. Couldn't you watch with me one hour? Couldn't you be a Gregory? Couldn't you stand on guard? Watch and pray that you fall not into temptation.

But Peter wasn't able to rise to the instructions of the Savior. And he fell asleep. You recall on the second.

And the third occasion. And now jump ahead an hour or so. And come to a scene that I want you to listen to this evening.

As I preach on it. Because I believe. And I've never said this before.

At least I don't think so from this pulpit. That God has given me a word. Specifically on this area.

To bring before you tonight. I'm referring to Peter's betrayal. Or rather Peter's denial.

And the awakening of his conviction. As he heard the cock begin to crow. Did Peter fall into temptation? Because he was deficient.

In his watchfulness. In the garden of Gethsemane. That seems to be the case.

Because when he writes this particular letter. That bears his name. He enjoins others who read from his own experience.

From his own failure. Be sober. Be vigilant.

Be Gregory's. Because your adversary the devil. Who pounced on me in the garden of Gethsemane.

Is still going around like a roaring lion. Walking about seeking whom he may devour. Here is a general call for Gregory's.

Continue in prayer and watch. In the same with Thanksgiving. But now for the elders.

And myself. Especially. There's another word.

In the Greek tongue. Which is sometimes translated. Indeed always as far as I'm aware.

Translated watch. In the New Testament. But it's different from Gregorio.

And you come across it. On one or two occasions. In the Gospels.

To which I have no time to refer right now. But also more particularly. In the last chapter.

Of the epistle to the Hebrews. And there in the 13th. In that 13th chapter.

And the 17th verse. An injunction is given. To everyone who is a member.

Of a local community of Christians. They are told to obey the elders. Hebrews 13, 17.

Obey them that have the rules. Spiritual authority over you. And submit yourselves.

For they watch for your souls. As they that must give account. That they may do it with joy.

And not with grief. For that is unprofitable for you. That's a very interesting term.

The original. It really is. A compilation of two words.

And the two words. Are chase. And sleep.

And you could. Work out from this. That the responsibility.

And I almost shrink in this pulpit. As I spell it out. The responsibility of an elder.

Of one with pastoral authority. Is to chase sleep away. On many an occasion.

So that they can follow. The example of the good shepherd. Of the Christian flock.

And stand watch. Stand guard. Over the sheep by night.

Bringing before the Lord. Their needs. Their requirements.

Praying for God's blessing. To be upon the redeemed community. Submit yourself.

To these men. Recognize the position. That they have in the sight of God.

As they rule your fellowship. And you men. Who have this holy calling.

On many an occasion. Chase. Sleep away.

As you stand spiritual. As spiritual guards. Over the souls.

Of those within the care. In your trusteeship. So then.

And I'm just dealing once more. With the last part of this general call to prayer. Here is the apostle saying.

Continue in prayer. And watching the same with thanksgiving. It's context in the domestic situation.

It's concept. The idea of petition and praise. It's conflict.

You have to discipline yourself to do this. Generally as church members. Specifically as elders.

But now let's come to the third verse. Because here. The apostle becomes rather personal.

And he says. As you continue in prayer. As you watch in the same with thanksgiving.

With all. Pray also for me. Pray also for us.

That God would open. Unto us a door of utterance. To speak the mystery of Christ.

For which I am also in bonds. That I may make it manifest. As I ought to speak.

Here I discover two things. First of all. There is a revealing plea.

And then there is. A realistic prospect. A revealing plea.

Listen again. And remember it's the mighty apostle. This man so skilled in theology.

This man who has been so used. In the power and demonstration. Of the Holy Spirit.

To plant churches around the whole. Of the Roman Empire. And he says.

As he writes to the Colossians. With all. Praying also.

For us. Me. And my colleagues.

That God would bless our ministry. With all. As you continue in prayer.

You husbands. You wives. You children.

You employees. You employers. As you pray in that situation.

Will you remember me? Will you remember my need? Will you remember those. Who are working alongside me? Here I say something very revealing. For what reason.

Do I make that comment? Well you might have thought. That if anyone went beyond. The need for general prayer.

On the part of other Christians. It was Paul. A mighty man of God.

One of the premier. Disciples of all time. And yet when he writes.

To the humble Christian community. At Colossi. He said when you pray.

When you pray. When you are in your kitchen. When you are in your office.

When you are doing whatever it is. That involves your responsibility. During the week.

Will you remember me? Will you remember Timothy and Epaphras. And the rest of my brothers. Who are with me.

A revealing plea. Because you see it reveals this. That there is no one so great.

In the Christian church. Who does not require prayer. And the very foundation stone.

For anybody's ministry. Be it as illustrious. As that of the apostle itself.

Or as humble of that. As that of a housewife. In the domestic situation.

The requirement. For prayer. Is basic.

Paul teaches in scripture. The fellowship of prayer. In the.

Ninth verse. Of the first chapter of this epistle. He refers to having received.

Some news. About the state of things at Colossae. And he said when we heard.

How things were falling out for you. How things were developing. Since that day.

We did not cease. To pray for you. And to desire that you might be filled.

With the knowledge of God's will. In all wisdom and spiritual understanding. We have never prayed for you.

Would be a fair translation. At this point. We never prayed for you.

As much as we now have. Since the day we heard. Of your affairs.

And Paul who prays. For them. Wants prayer.

From them. There's a fellowship in prayer. Which perhaps is even best.

Illustrated. By a little comment. In 2nd Corinthians.

In chapter 1. And the 9th verse. Where the apostle makes reference. To some great difficulties.

That he was going through as an ambassador. For Jesus. Some of us think that Paul.

And the early disciples. Were super men. They had an insurance policy.

Against all the problems. That beset us here in the 20th century. But praise God for the honesty of Paul.

Do you ever feel at your wits end. As a Christian. So did Paul.

Do you ever feel like proverbially throwing in the towel. So did Paul. There was an occasion in his life.

When he'd come to the end of everything. And he'd virtually given up hope. And he makes reference to it.

In this 9th verse. Of the 2nd letter to the Corinthians. In the 1st chapter.

We have the sentence of death in ourselves. That we should not trust in ourselves. But in God who raises the dead.

Who delivered us. From so great a death. The problems that he goes through.

He describes as a death. Who delivered us from so great a death. And doth deliver.

In whom we trust that he will yet deliver us. Listen. Ye also helping together.

By prayer. For us. That for the gift bestowed upon us.

By the means of many persons. Thanks may be given by many. On our behalf.

How is he successful in his ministry. What does he rate. As being the.

The main factor. In bringing about blessing. As he preaches around the Roman Empire.

The fact that. People like the Corinthians. Were praying for him.

People like the Colossians. Were praying for him. Here's a revealing plea.

With all. Pray for us. I'm an addict.

To Charles Spurgeon's writings. You ask my wife. I read them and read them.

Hardly a day goes by in my life. When I don't read Charles Spurgeon. On something or other.

A great man. One of the first that I've got on my list. To look up when I get to heaven.

To thank him for some of the help. That he's given me on preaching sermons. But when I was reading.

Part of his autobiography. This last week. He made reference.

To the tremendous ministry. That God gave him in the metropolis. In London.

And he referred to the times. That the people at the tabernacle. From which this church gets its name.

And architecturally incidentally. This is a miniature version. Of Spurgeon's tabernacle.

I wonder if you knew that. But he makes reference to the times. When the people flocked.

Into the basement room. The equivalent to the church hall. And they just.

Extended themselves in prayer. Before God. For what was in those days.

Their young pastor. His success. Was correlated with the prayers.

Of his people. And he begged for them. Unashamedly.

Come back to the apostle. And this concept of the. Of the fellowship of prayer.

Listen to him. As he writes to the Romans. And he tells them in the first verse.

And the ninth chapter. Of that glorious letter. God is my witness.

Whom I serve with my spirit. In the gospel of his son. That without ceasing.

I make mention of you. Always in my prayers. Well.

You couldn't get it much plainer than that. He prayed for them. Now move to the fifteenth chapter.

And. The boot is on the other foot. For Paul.

Is not referring to his prayers. For the Romans. But he is begging.

For their prayers. On his behalf. Chapter fifteen.

Verse thirty. Now I beseech you brethren. For the Lord Jesus Christ's sake.

And for the love of the spirit. That ye strive together. With me.

In your prayers. To God for me. The word there is.

Agonizo. And it means striving with a holy agony. That Paul.

The beloved missionary and evangelist. May be blessed of God. Striving with agony.

Do you know. I nearly threw the New English Bible. Out of my window.

Early this morning. And I'll tell you why. I read it's attempted translation.

Of Colossians. Chapter four. The verse that we have been.

Looking at. Where the apostle. Says with all.

Pray for us. That God would open unto us a door of utterance. The NEB.

Has the audacity to translate it. And say a prayer for me as well. Say a prayer.

You know. Just now and again. Remember Paul.

Bless him Lord. That never was. And I speak with sincerity.

I speak with conviction. That never was Paul's approach to prayer. Not say a prayer for me.

Tip your cap to God for me. An agony. An agony.

That God would set me aglow. That God would so fill me with his spirit. That wherever I go.

I might make an impact for Jesus. Agonize for me. Not just a prayer.

A prayer. A said prayer. To the Lord.

As you pray in your domestic situation. As you pray for your wife. As you pray for your children.

As you pray for your employer. So pray also. For me.

A revealing plea. But let's hasten on. Because there's a second part.

To this particular injunction. Which I refer to as a realistic prospect. Why Paul.

Do you want us to pray for you man. Well pray for us. That God would open unto us.

A door of utterance. To speak to us. To speak the mystery of Christ.

For which I am also in bonds. That I may make it manifest. As I ought to speak.

A realistic prospect. Pray for me. That God would open unto us.

A door of utterance. Prayer changes. A situation you see.

Do you remember. When George Verver was first here. Four or five years ago now.

Four years I think to be specific. I'd heard of this American. I'd never met him.

And I knew he got a bit enthusiastic. And I almost spent a night in prayer. Asking the Lord to keep his mouth closed.

Because I didn't want him to say anything. That might. Offend people in the tabernacle.

I was really worried. And I remember as that dear brother. Came to this pulpit.

How with his words. That God gave him. He embraced all of us.

And showed us. That whether we were 70 or 17. We had a part to play.

In the advance of the gospel of Christ. And I remember that brother saying. Of some of you older friends.

In the church of Jesus. In the church of Jesus. You're the big guns.

Because yours. Is the artillery section. When you are blasting off.

So to speak. Explosives. Of prayer.

Before the God of glory. And through your prayers. You're opening up doors.

So that. Younger people. Can go in with the blessed gospel.

Of the everlasting. The everlasting gospel of the blessed God. Bringing it to those who are in need.

And this is what Paul is saying. You see. Let off those big guns in Colossae.

Pray for us. That a door of utterance might be opened. To speak the mystery of Christ.

For which I am also in bounds. Go back to George. Just for a moment.

Send his greetings to you all. A few days ago. In just a snippet of a postcard.

That he sent me. Of all places from China. He managed to get in there.

About three weeks ago. Goodness knows how he made it. But he got in.

And on his card. He just says. I believe that God has.

Great things for China. In these days. And he asks you to pray.

Eight hundred million people. Locked up in China. The possibility.

In the change of government. For a relaxation of controls. And for the penetration of the gospel again.

This could be the most significant. Era for China. Since the day of Hudson Taylor.

How are we going to open. China up. By sending ten thousand young people.

In with tracks. If it were possible. That would be a secondary thing.

The basic priority is. Praying. That God would open.

Unto us a door of utterance. It's God. In his sovereignty.

That will open up China. And it's prayer. And I don't understand.

How God works out. The miracle of prayer. But I believe that God has given prayer.

As a means whereby his will. Is affected. And he gives it to you.

This holy ministry. And he gives it to me. To use generally.

To use specifically. Praying also. That God would open up a door of utterance.

Paul had known the doors. Opened up remarkably before. Not time to turn to the reference.

But those who take notes. Try 1 Corinthians 16 9. 1 Corinthians 16 9. And 2 Corinthians 2 12. And there Paul makes reference.

To the open door in Ephesus. And the open door in Troas. God has opened it up.

When John. The beloved John on the Isle of Patmos. Is speaking about evangelistic work.

And the state of the churches. Around Asia Minor. On one occasion.

He is inspired to record these words. Behold I have set before you. An open door.

God is still opening doors. Today. What is this door that Paul wants opening.

In the. In this particular situation. Alexander McLaren.

Believes that Paul. Wanted to be released. From prison.

So that he could go elsewhere. And preach the gospel. Well with great respect to any Scotsman.

Who might be in the service. This morning. I am not too sure.

Alexander McLaren was right. I think Dr. Hendrickson. The American here is right.

Because he refers. To how Paul. The end of the 28th chapter.

Of the Acts of the Apostles. Is receiving. While he is a prisoner.

Remember he writes this while he is in prison. He is receiving guests. He is receiving visitors.

His very house. In which he has been placed. Is being used.

As a pulpit for the gospel. And if Dr. McLaren. Was to be with us today and say.

Ah but that would only last for a little while. And then we would turn into Philippians. Where the apostle is.

No longer in some. Easier. Confinement.

But he is now really in jail. In Caesar's household. Philippians chapter 1. And verse 12 and 13.

But he says. I would ye should understand brethren. That the things which happened unto me.

Have fallen out. Rather unto the furtherance of the gospel. So that my bonds in Christ.

Are manifest in all the palace. And in all other places. And many of the brethren in the Lord.

Waxing confident by my bonds. Are much more bold. To speak the word without fear.

What does all that amount to? That Paul when he is in a dungeon. In Rome. The underground of Caesar's palace.

He is still able to preach. A door of utterance. You see this is the remarkable thing.

About being a Christian. Whether you are washing the dishes. Cleaning the car.

Going to school. Off to your shop. To your factory.

To your office. A door of utterance. Can always be given you.

Because unless you happen to be a hermit. You are meeting people. You are mixing with people.

And therefore to take. The teaching of this. Practical passage of scripture.

We should be deluging. Our own lives. In prayer.

As well as that of others. So that God would enable us. Clearly and boldly.

To speak the. Mystery of the gospel. To those with whom.

We come into contact. I have been. Delighted to read.

This rather recent edition. Of David Brainerd's. Personal testimony.

A book which I am sure they get for you. At the Christian book shop. Snippets of his testimony.

This great man of God. Who gave himself. In North America.

To the ministry of prayer. In 1718. When he was born.

And onwards. And God used his life. And though he died prematurely.

He was enabled by his influence. To impart the missionary zeal. And the evangelistic responsibility.

To Jonathan Edwards. And to William Carey. A man.

Who worked out the principles. That are locked up within these verses. Of giving himself.

Generally. And specifically. To prayer.

I was going to read you a part of this book. But no opportunity. At the moment.

I come to my concluding. A few words. When I started off.

These two studies on prayer. I referred to the fact. That unfortunately Islam.

Is recognized by the ordinary people. In the world today. To be the religion of prayer.

That should never be the case. The Christian. Is called upon.

To intercede before the throne of God. To persevere in prayer. In his domestic situation.

And as he participates. In evangelism. And for those.

Who are in positions of authority. And leadership. And pulpit ministry.

In the church. Paul gives a clarion call to prayer. And I repeat it.

I blow the bugle again. And in the name of God. I summons this fellowship.

To constant. Intercessory prayer. Privately.

And corporately. For the advance of the kingdom. And to bring honor.

To the name of Jesus. Our blessed redeemer. Amen.

Father. Father we thank you for the power. That there is in prayer.

Thank you for Paul's. Relevant plea. That he asked that others would pray for him.

And we make each one of us. That same request. To our fellow brothers and sisters.

Thank you for that revealing prospect. That prayer opens up doors. Of service.

We ask Lord that you'll give us. Doors of utterance too. That we may speak a word for Jesus.

Now send us on our way. Rejoicing in the goodness of God. Blessing you for contact with you.

Through the miracle of prayer. Every moment of the day. Whether we're in the sanctuary here.

Or outside engaged in our. Day by day routine. Lord just keep us so very very.

Close to yourself. Because we ask this. In the name of Jesus.

Amen. Now let's join in the grace. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The love of God. The fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Be with us all.

Evermore. Amen. Amen.