Colossians 4:2–6

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.

Not a mystery

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

Literally- “continue to devote yourselves to prayer”

to continue to do something with intense effort, with the possible implication of despite difficulty

PrayerJesus

Keep praying and don’t lose heart. Luke 18:1

But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. Luke 21:36

Early ChristiansActs 1:14 (NASB95) 14 These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer

Acts 6:4 4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

DevelopedDevote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert

in it with an attitude of thanksgiving

Prayer and petitionContinuous prayer

Spirit prayerBe alert

Be thankful

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints

Ephesians 6:18

What else do you pray for?

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,

Opportunity

Clear in the way I ought to speak.

Then actions

Actions speak louder…Sinners are watchingCarpe Diem City on a hillYou are a lightSalt of the world

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.

Jesus puts it together this way

Matthew 5:13–16 (NASB95) 13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become

tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Words matter

Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

AlwaysConsistency

Put another way

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Ephesians 4:29

Our speech

Colossians1. Gives grace2. Salty3. The right response

Ephesians1. Not rotten or

corrupting2. A process of

building up3. Timing counts4. Grace given