Crossroads Church - Plymouth, IN
Share the Gospel Clearly and Boldly - Colossians 4:2-6
Worship Gathering
Locations & Times
Crossroads Church
1650 N Oak Dr, Plymouth, IN 46563, USA
Sunday 7:00 AM
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https://crossroadsefc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/478788Colossians 4:2–6 (ESV) - Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. 5Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
The Importance of Prayer
· Continue steadfastly = persist obstinately in; persevere
What is prayer? Conversation with God. Talking with God. Speaking AND listening.
Hebrews 4:14–16 (ESV) - Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 10:19–20 (ESV) - Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV) - pray without ceasing…
Ephesians 6:18 (ESV) - …praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
Pray to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit
· Continue steadfastly = persist obstinately in; persevere
What is prayer? Conversation with God. Talking with God. Speaking AND listening.
Hebrews 4:14–16 (ESV) - Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 10:19–20 (ESV) - Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV) - pray without ceasing…
Ephesians 6:18 (ESV) - …praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
Pray to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit
The Importance of Prayer
· …being watchful in it with thanksgiving
Ephesians 6:18 (ESV) - …praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
· Watchful/alert - Aware of temptation
Matthew 26:40–41 (ESV) - And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 6:13 (ESV) - And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
· Watchful/alert – Temptation toward disunity.
Philippians 4:4–5 (ESV) - Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.
· Watchful/alert – Temptation toward worry, fear and anxiety.
Philippians 4:5-7 (ESV) The Lord is at hand; 6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
· Watchful/alert – Toward opportunity to share the gospel clearly and boldly.
· …being watchful in it with thanksgiving
Ephesians 6:18 (ESV) - …praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
· Watchful/alert - Aware of temptation
Matthew 26:40–41 (ESV) - And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 6:13 (ESV) - And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
· Watchful/alert – Temptation toward disunity.
Philippians 4:4–5 (ESV) - Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.
· Watchful/alert – Temptation toward worry, fear and anxiety.
Philippians 4:5-7 (ESV) The Lord is at hand; 6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
· Watchful/alert – Toward opportunity to share the gospel clearly and boldly.
Sharing the Gospel Message
Colossians 4:3–4 (ESV) - 3At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Ephesians 6:19–20 (ESV) - …and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Paul asked the believers to pray that God may open to us a door for the word.
Paul asked the believers to pray for him to share the gospel clearly and boldly.
Colossians 4:3–4 (ESV) - 3At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Ephesians 6:19–20 (ESV) - …and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Paul asked the believers to pray that God may open to us a door for the word.
Paul asked the believers to pray for him to share the gospel clearly and boldly.
Gospel Living Among Others
Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV) - 5Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
1 Peter 3:15–17 (ESV) - …in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV) - 5Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
1 Peter 3:15–17 (ESV) - …in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
· Boldly…
Acts 17:32–34 (ESV) - Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33So Paul went out from their midst. 34But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
· Clearly…
Who is God? Creator and the I Am (Genesis 1:1 and Exodus 3:14)
Genesis 1:1 (ESV) - In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Exodus 3:14 (ESV) - God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
What is Sin? Our disobedience and brokenness (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:6; Romans 6:23)
Genesis 2:15–17 (ESV) - The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Genesis 3:6 (ESV) - So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
Romans 6:23 (ESV) - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Why do we need Jesus? He’s God’s answer to our sin. (Romans 3:23; 6:23 and 5:18-19)
Romans 3:23 (ESV) - …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23 (ESV) - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5:18–19 (ESV) - Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
What is your Response? Repentance or rejection. (John 11:25-27; Romans 10:9-11)
John 11:25–27 (ESV) - Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
Romans 10:9–11 (ESV) - …if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”
Other resources:
The Journey – Crossroads Target Group class
Mobile App – “Life on Mission”
“Knowing God Personally” booklets – bridge illustration.
Books – God Spaces by Doug Pollock; Tactics by Gregory Koukl
Disciplemaker’s Prayer – www.cadremissionaries.com
Acts 17:32–34 (ESV) - Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33So Paul went out from their midst. 34But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
· Clearly…
Who is God? Creator and the I Am (Genesis 1:1 and Exodus 3:14)
Genesis 1:1 (ESV) - In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Exodus 3:14 (ESV) - God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
What is Sin? Our disobedience and brokenness (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:6; Romans 6:23)
Genesis 2:15–17 (ESV) - The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Genesis 3:6 (ESV) - So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
Romans 6:23 (ESV) - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Why do we need Jesus? He’s God’s answer to our sin. (Romans 3:23; 6:23 and 5:18-19)
Romans 3:23 (ESV) - …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23 (ESV) - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5:18–19 (ESV) - Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
What is your Response? Repentance or rejection. (John 11:25-27; Romans 10:9-11)
John 11:25–27 (ESV) - Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
Romans 10:9–11 (ESV) - …if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”
Other resources:
The Journey – Crossroads Target Group class
Mobile App – “Life on Mission”
“Knowing God Personally” booklets – bridge illustration.
Books – God Spaces by Doug Pollock; Tactics by Gregory Koukl
Disciplemaker’s Prayer – www.cadremissionaries.com
Discussion Questions (Read Colossian 4:2-6 and pray before beginning)
1. What was one part of this week’s message that stood out to you most and why?
2. What does it mean to "continue steadfastly in prayer"? How can we develop a more devoted prayer life?
3. Paul asked for prayers to share the gospel clearly and boldly. What challenges do you personally face in doing this?
4. What does it mean to "walk in wisdom toward outsiders"? How can we make the best use of our time when interacting with non-believers?
5. What are the different responses people may have when we share the gospel? How should we handle rejection or skepticism?
6. How does prayer help us remain watchful against temptation? What specific areas in life require vigilance?
7. What is one way you can grow in clarity when explaining the gospel? How do Scripture and personal testimony work together?
8. Why is it important to balance both speaking and living out the gospel? Can you give an example of someone who has done this well?
9. If someone asked you to explain the gospel in 60 seconds, what would you say? How can we prepare ourselves to confidently and clearly share our faith?
1. What was one part of this week’s message that stood out to you most and why?
2. What does it mean to "continue steadfastly in prayer"? How can we develop a more devoted prayer life?
3. Paul asked for prayers to share the gospel clearly and boldly. What challenges do you personally face in doing this?
4. What does it mean to "walk in wisdom toward outsiders"? How can we make the best use of our time when interacting with non-believers?
5. What are the different responses people may have when we share the gospel? How should we handle rejection or skepticism?
6. How does prayer help us remain watchful against temptation? What specific areas in life require vigilance?
7. What is one way you can grow in clarity when explaining the gospel? How do Scripture and personal testimony work together?
8. Why is it important to balance both speaking and living out the gospel? Can you give an example of someone who has done this well?
9. If someone asked you to explain the gospel in 60 seconds, what would you say? How can we prepare ourselves to confidently and clearly share our faith?