“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the Word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”-{Colossians 4;2-6}

 

Paul gives 5 principles regarding Effective Evangelism where you are. Note, his humility, he includes others. asking for their help and does not lean on what or how he has done something in the past but asking for help as he continues to share

He presents evangelism, the sharing of The Gospel of the LORD Jesus as a work of …

1PRAYER

Jesus on seeing the multitudes and feeling not contempt or irritable that they were coming to Him again but compassion because they were like sheep without a shepherd to care, protect and provide for them. They were defenseless, vulnerable. They needed help. He tells the disciples the first thing they were to do and that was. PRAY. “Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.“-{Matt 9:36-38}

When Paul wrote the church where Timothy was he said that the priority for then was to PRAY. “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,“-{1 Timothy 2:1-3}.

Here again Paul begins with Prayer and asks for their help and co laboring with him in the matter in seeking out to the lost souls in the circumstances he was in. The idea hear of “devote yourselves to prayer” is that  of a strong, perseverance commitment to beseeching God in prayer. It is to be God conscious in your circumstances. to turn your thoughts, circumstances into prayer to God. It is to keep Him before your mind! Whatever you see causes you to immediately talk to God about, be it something beautiful or a bad thing! Living your life relating to God consistently! Staying alert, not falling asleep spiritually. If you fall asleep physically you can’t see what is going on around you. You have no consciousness of what is happening until you wake up. So we stay “alert” spiritually through prayer and thanksgiving the means to doing so as we keep the LORD before us and being God conscious in bringing our thoughts, what we see, circumstances, continually to Him. Speaking to Him consistently.

Wherever you are, be it on a sick bed, hospice, or in full bloom of health you have access to God through the blood of Jesus and can pray. – {Read Rom 5:2; Heb 4:15}. You can be part of what God is doing through standing in the gap and praying to God on behalf of the one who is going with the message and that God might do for them as He did for Lydia opening her mind, heart to receive and submit by faith to the Word she heard, that God used to save her. -{Read Acts 16:14}. In Matthew 13 Jesus speaks of the response to His Word in the message on the four soils and only one was saved that which had good soil and the evidence was a life of obedience and the proof of spiritual fruit of obedience to testify. You can pray for the receptivity of the one who hears and His Word would have good soil to fall on.  Hudson Taylor who was missionary to Inland China on his travels when entering certain areas would remark it was prayed over ground, that people were receptive to the message when he got there.

Paul asks others for prayer! He had also asked the Ephesians for prayer in the same manner. “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,”-{Ephesians 6:19}.Good place to begin. Talk to God about the messenger and the ones who will hear! He asks them to “pray for us…” not just him, but his companions and what is it he asks them to pray for,”Get me out of here?” No, He asks they pray, “that God will open up to us a door for the Word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ,

Note, Paul asking for help in his serving the LORD and the emphasis he places on praying for the advancement of the Gospel. He is asking they pray specifically, that ” GOD will open up to us a door for the WORD.” and that he would speak with clarity the message of Christ.-{v4}.
 
Just as David and some of his men went off to battle others were entrusted with staying behind minding the home fire as it were, they equally served. So it is with co laboring in the Gospel, one may go while another supports with prayer.
You can do both, you can daily be one who is praying for the one who goes by praying specifically for the LORD to open up doors of opportunity, favor and for good soil of a heart for the WORD and as Lydia might receive the Word. Praying specifically for opportunities for The Word. For The Word of God is what the Spirit of God uses to open hearts and enlighten a soul and the Word is what is used for the knowledge of sin -{Romans 7:7} and make one wise unto salvation-{2 Tim 3:15}. And faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ.-{Romans 10:17}
 

2. CLEAR COMMUNICATION OF THE MESSAGE –

that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

He specifically asks them to pray that he would with clarity of speech communicate the message properly. Here we see his humility. How many times before has he shared, and yet he was not self confident, self reliant, but God dependent to meet him again!

It reminds me of the young preacher who ascended up the stairs to the pulpit and stumbled and made a mess of the message and as he walked back down the stairs his head bowed, broken, an older person responded if he had gone up into the pulpit the way he had come down it would have been different. Humility, not thinking more highly of yourself than you ought but thinking highly of Him and what you have is all because of Him.

Part of speaking clearly is to have a clear grasp on the message. Paul told Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”- {2 Timothy 2:15}.  Studying diligently the Word of God and accurately handling it, as you are representing Him, and not to misrepresent Him by miscommunicating what He says and means!

We read of Ezra in Ezra 7:10 he studied to know the LORD obey Him and share Him with others. In Nehemiah 8 when the people were turning back to God they needed someone to help them understand the Scriptures and the man who had set himself aside to know Him, obey Him and share with others, God elevated to share and represent Him by clearly communicating His Word. YOUR TIME IN THE word should follow along Ezra’s and know your time in the Word, is not just for you but for the benefit of others whom God will give you favor with to share!

He asks for prayers for him and companions that God would open a door for the Word. Why? Because only God could do this. Only God can circumstances lives, give favor and why “the Word?” Because “…faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ.”-{Romans 10:17}. Paul told Timothy in the midst of difficulties, “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:  preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,“-{2 Timothy 4:1-3}. There is a time when people do not want to hear and the temptation is to speak what they want to hear, or throw in the towel. Paul says no matter whether it is popular, in season or unpopular, out of season, “preach the Word.” Why because  it gives the “knowledge of salvation”-{ 2 Tim 2:13}.  Because it  Changes us when applied. Because it is what God uses by His Spirit to Equip us for “every good work.”- {2 Timothy 3:17}

Paul wanted prayer to speak clearly, not as those who spoke with confusion, deception. Paul exposed the false teaching. -{Col 2:8}. He wanted to share the Gospel with clarity. The Gospel is no longer a mystery- ” that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints,  to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory – {Col 1:26-27}

3. WISDOM

“Wisdom “- {Sophia} is used six times in Colossians ,1:9,28;2;3,23;3:16;4:5. Wisdom is the ability to take God’s Word and apply it your circumstances.  Wisdom is the ability to properly apply the knowledge of God’s Word to  each and every circumstance we face. We are told to “Conduct” which is  a command and “present tense,” which means continually doing this. The new pattern, habit of our lives. Paul tells us to “walk the talk.” How we are to speak and live! Lips and life combined, in harmony, no contradiction! In the Greek wisdom” is first and reads,”In wisdom conduct yourself…”

To”walk in wisdom” means not to say or do anything that would hinder the Gospel and be alert to the opportunities to share it!

“Outsiders,” are those who do not know the LORD, as they observe the believers should see or hear nothing in our that should dishonor the LORD.

Wisdom, discernment in regards our actions in how we live our lives among those who do not belong to The LORD. Our “Walk” which speaks of our habitual lifestyle is to become more and more consistent with what we say and how we live. Lips and life must be consistent, progressively so!

4. MAKING THE MOST OF OPPORTUNITIES-

Every moment we live is a gift from God and maximized for Him and His cause. Everyone we meet or see will all enter eternity, some sooner than others and has nothing to do with age, sex, nationality. Death is not an accident but a Divine appointment, “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,”-{Hebrews 9:27}. Paul said he was “appointed” for the sake of the Gospel.-{Phil 1;16}. The word spoke of being “set” designated, “assigned” and in the circumstances he found himself in which was prison he used that to advance the gospel through sharing. He was on Divine assignment as are you and me, wherever we find ourselves. Look around at the people in your circumstances, that is the part of the harvest field God has “appointed” you to be in for His Gospel, co-laboring with Him!  Paul could have said,”when” I get out of here”then” I will share” and wasted the opportunities he had in the prison! He did not, as he also did not when he was in prison with Silas and a suicidal jailer and family were saved that night because Paul used the circumstances he found himself in to share the Gospel!-{Read Acts 16; Phil 1:12}.How often we live “when” and”then” type of mentality lives. “When” this happens” then” I will…It reminds me of the man who nearly died from a disease and told me his message was now to tell people to slow down and smell the rose and then he said something I have never forgotten,”when I retire I would like to do what you do as a hobby!”  “When” and “then!” How did he know he would live long enough to retire! Life is short.

It reminds me of another time entering the front room of a home of a dear man whom I had met at a summer sports outreach several years earlier, where athletes conducted clinics and shared the Gospel. Each year he would take his two week summer vacation and end up on the sports field handing out drinks to thirsty kids in the summer heat. I was asked to speak at his church and his young son afterwards accompanied me back to his house as his dad wanted to see me. “When” I walked in the man was laying in his bed in the front room as he was very sick, he was dying, he turned to his son and asked concerning me, “Did he preach the Gospel!” He was on his death bed and his concern was unsaved people! Life is short, don’t adopt the “when” and “then” attitude, because before you know it, you will be entering eternity!

Jesus spoke directly with Nicodemus of his need to be “born again.”-{John 3}.  Jesus  sought help from the woman at the well, to engage her in conversation in order to share with her. He said, He had to go through Samaria, in those days the Samaritans were despised and people would go the long way around to avoid them, not Jesus He loved them and went to save a woman!-{John 4}. He was concerned about people and the Father’s Honor. He came to seek and save the lost and He has entrusted us with His message of salvation. How are we treating it?

Paul wrote in Philippians 1:12 – “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,”-{Philippians 1:12}. In his circumstances, imprisoned, he tells them that his circumstances have worked out to advance the Gospel. -{v13}. His circumstances were not an obstacle but a springboard for the Gospel!

In Philippians 1:16, Paul wrote-“…I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;”-{Philippians 1:16}. He was “assigned,” it was used of a soldier assigned to a specific post. Like a soldier is with a specific, strategic assignment, so Paul said he was assigned for the Gospel…in the circumstances he was in!

Eph 3:1- “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles.”-{Ephesians 3:1}. Note, Paul did not say he was Rome’s prisoner but Christ’s, and see his eternal perspective in his circumstances was others orientated  why he was in those circumstances, “…for the sake of you Gentiles.” “For” gives the explanation,”…the sake of you Gentiles.” He was saying -I am here for…you! In our circumstances we are there for…Others!

Acts 16- Paul  imprisoned when the prison was shaken and the doors opened he could have ran but he stopped to share with a suicidal jailer and he and his family were all saved. Paul used his circumstances as opportunities for the benefit of others and the Gospel for Jesus sake. He lived in light of eternity.

“The days are evil…” we must buy up every opportunity, every day.

Every circumstance, Affords you a New opportunity!

 

5. GRACIOUS SPEECH –

Speech is how we communicate with other people and God says that those who now are His children through repentance towards Him and faith in His Son and having a new standing with Him brings about a new understanding and way we are to represent Him including our words. We see the example of the LORD Jesus, “He opened His mouth and began to teach them,”-{Matt 5:2} “All spoke well of Him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from His lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.”-{Luke 4:22}. When he opened His mouth He taught them… and His speech they remarked was gracious, kind, courteous! His enemies we read of in Luke 11;54 -“and seeking to catch something out of His mouth, that they might accuse Him.” And we know they never did catch Him saying anything that was untrue or unloving. Because whatever the mouth speaks comes forth from the heart. And there was no deceit, sin, in His heart to come forth so that He could be trapped! We see when He opened His mouth He taught, His speech was gracious…

Paul wrote concerning speech to the believers these words,”Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.“-{Ephesians 4;29-30}. No rotten speech is to characterize you as it grieves the Holy Spirit!

“Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving”-{Ephesians 5:4}. If you are going to speak, then use words of thankfulness not obscenity, foolish talk or coarse jesting! “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.“-{Psalm 141:3}.

Our speech is to be Gracious, kind, considerate.

Our speech is to be seasoned with salt, an influence for good.

In those days salt was used primarily to keep meat from spoiling. It was also used as  a form of currency, valued enough to be used as money. And also it gave flavor to whatever it was added to. There were several meanings that could attributed to salt in those day. As believers we are to preserve the message of the LORD Jesus, and be uplifting, encouraging and offering hope and our speech from our tone of words must be gracious, spoke of in a kind way, not a condescending arrogant, self righteous looking down on another, but in kindness, gentleness,considerate, with respect.

The way we speak should be a different “flavor” to those who know not Christ. If you are consistently speaking the same unsavory way as before you made a profession you have no need to believe you ever were saved. One of the aspects of being filled, controlled, dominated, by the Holy Spirit is He changes our speech! – {Read Ephesians 5:18-19}. We are to put off speech that grieves the Holy Spirit, and instead speech that differentiates this new life with new speech we have.

Be prepared to Speak His Message of Hope;

We are to use our speech to answer questions from non believers, Peter wrote,

“but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;”-{1 Peter 3:15}. He tells them to set apart, worship Christ as Lord of your life and if some non believer asks you what is your hope be ready to explain it and do  and be ready to give an answer to anyone whoa asks you what your hope is. Do this with gentleness and respect…”

“He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”-{Titus 1:5}.

We must not only use words in a gracious clear, respectful kind, courteous, considerate way, but with proper words must be a right attitude!

Sharing the gospel of our LORD Jesus includes the ability to speak so the message of hope and also to defend it,this requires the knowledge of His Word and to be expressed with right speech and attitude!

Lips and Actions are to be aligned…for the Gospel!