HOW TO HOW TO ENHANCE ENHANCE

YOUR YOUR CHRISTIAN CHRISTIAN WITNESSWITNESS

Colossians 4:2-6Colossians 4:2-6

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer so that you may know how to answer everyoneeveryone.

I. By Continuing in Prayer - v2-4.I. By Continuing in Prayer - v2-4.

A. Prayer needs to be A. Prayer needs to be persistentpersistent. . - Luke 18:1-8- Luke 18:1-8

I. By Continuing in Prayer.I. By Continuing in Prayer.

A. Prayer needs to be A. Prayer needs to be persistentpersistent..

1. 1. Devote yourselves Devote yourselves ((προσκαρτερέωπροσκαρτερέω) = ) = continue continue exercising strength, exercising strength, make it a make it a habit.habit.

I Thessalonians 5:17-18 - pray continually; I Thessalonians 5:17-18 - pray continually; give give thanks in all circumstances, for this is thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I. By Continuing in Prayer.I. By Continuing in Prayer.

A. Prayer needs to be A. Prayer needs to be persistentpersistent..

2. You are to be 2. You are to be faithfulfaithful in prayer. in prayer.Romans 12:12 - Be joyful in hope, patient in Romans 12:12 - Be joyful in hope, patient in

affliction, faithful in prayer.affliction, faithful in prayer.

I. By Continuing in Prayer.I. By Continuing in Prayer.

A. Prayer needs to be A. Prayer needs to be persistentpersistent..

2. You are to be 2. You are to be faithfulfaithful in prayer. in prayer.Romans 12:12 - Be joyful in hope, patient in Romans 12:12 - Be joyful in hope, patient in

affliction, faithful in prayer.affliction, faithful in prayer.

I Samuel 12:23 - As for me, far be it from me I Samuel 12:23 - As for me, far be it from me that that I should sin against the LORD by I should sin against the LORD by failing to prayfailing to pray for you. for you.

I. By Continuing in Prayer.I. By Continuing in Prayer.

A. Prayer needs to be A. Prayer needs to be persistentpersistent..

B. How is it to be done?B. How is it to be done?

I. By Continuing in Prayer.I. By Continuing in Prayer.

A. Prayer needs to be A. Prayer needs to be persistentpersistent..

B. How is it to be done?B. How is it to be done?

1. By being watchful & thankful . .1. By being watchful & thankful . .Colossians 4:2 - Devote yourselves to prayer, Colossians 4:2 - Devote yourselves to prayer,

being being watchfulwatchful and and thankfulthankful..

. . . And not being . . . And not being anxiousanxious..Philippians 4:6 - Philippians 4:6 - Do not be anxiousDo not be anxious about about

anything.anything.

I. By Continuing in Prayer.I. By Continuing in Prayer.

A. Prayer needs to be A. Prayer needs to be persistentpersistent..

B. How is it to be done?B. How is it to be done?

2. Epaphras even 2. Epaphras even wrestledwrestled in in prayer.prayer.

Colossians 4:12 - Colossians 4:12 - EpaphrasEpaphras, who is one of you , who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always greetings. He is always wrestling in prayerwrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.will of God, mature and fully assured.

I. By Continuing in Prayer.I. By Continuing in Prayer.

A. Prayer needs to be A. Prayer needs to be persistentpersistent..

B. How is it to be done?B. How is it to be done?

C. What do you pray for?C. What do you pray for?

1. That the mystery of Christ may 1. That the mystery of Christ may reachreach receptive hearts. receptive hearts.

Colossians 4:3 - And pray for us, too, that God Colossians 4:3 - And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.I am in chains.

I. By Continuing in Prayer.I. By Continuing in Prayer.

Romans 16:25 - Now to him who is able to Romans 16:25 - Now to him who is able to establish you by establish you by my gospelmy gospel and the and the proclamation of proclamation of Jesus ChristJesus Christ, according to , according to the revelation of the revelation of the mysterythe mystery hidden for hidden for long ages past . . .long ages past . . .

I. By Continuing in Prayer.I. By Continuing in Prayer.

Romans 16:25 - Now to him who is able to Romans 16:25 - Now to him who is able to establish you by establish you by my gospelmy gospel and the and the proclamation of proclamation of Jesus ChristJesus Christ, according to , according to the revelation of the revelation of the mysterythe mystery hidden for hidden for long ages past . . .long ages past . . .

I Corinthians 15:51 - I tell you I Corinthians 15:51 - I tell you a mysterya mystery: We : We will not all sleep, but will not all sleep, but we will all be changedwe will all be changed..

I. By Continuing in Prayer.I. By Continuing in Prayer.

Romans 16:25 - Now to him who is able to Romans 16:25 - Now to him who is able to establish you by establish you by my gospelmy gospel and the and the proclamation of proclamation of Jesus ChristJesus Christ, according to , according to the revelation of the revelation of the mysterythe mystery hidden for hidden for long ages past . . .long ages past . . .

I Corinthians 15:51 - I tell you I Corinthians 15:51 - I tell you a mysterya mystery: We : We will not all sleep, but will not all sleep, but we will all be changedwe will all be changed..

Ephesians 3:6 - Ephesians 3:6 - This mysteryThis mystery is that through is that through the gospel the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together the Gentiles are heirs together with Israelwith Israel, members together of one body, , members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.Christ Jesus.

I. By Continuing in Prayer.I. By Continuing in Prayer.

A. Prayer needs to be A. Prayer needs to be persistentpersistent..

B. How is it to be done?B. How is it to be done?

C. What do you pray for?C. What do you pray for?

2. That your preacher would be 2. That your preacher would be able to able to communicatecommunicate the word the word clearly.clearly.

Colossians 4:4 - Pray that I may proclaim it Colossians 4:4 - Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.clearly, as I should.

I. By Continuing in Prayer.I. By Continuing in Prayer.

I. By Continuing in Prayer I. By Continuing in Prayer - v2-4.- v2-4.

II. By Conducting Yourself Wisely II. By Conducting Yourself Wisely - v5.- v5.

A. How do you conduct yourself A. How do you conduct yourself wisely before unbelievers?wisely before unbelievers?

II. By Conducting Yourself Wisely.II. By Conducting Yourself Wisely.

A. How do you conduct yourself A. How do you conduct yourself wisely before unbelievers?wisely before unbelievers?

1. Associate without 1. Associate without condoningcondoning their behavior.their behavior.

II. By Conducting Yourself Wisely.II. By Conducting Yourself Wisely.

A. How do you conduct yourself A. How do you conduct yourself wisely before unbelievers?wisely before unbelievers?

1. Associate without condoning 1. Associate without condoning their behavior.their behavior.

2. 2. ConcentrateConcentrate on growing in on growing in Christ.Christ.

II. By Conducting Yourself Wisely.II. By Conducting Yourself Wisely.

A. How do you conduct yourself A. How do you conduct yourself wisely before unbelievers?wisely before unbelievers?1. Associate without condoning 1. Associate without condoning their behavior.their behavior.2. Concentrate on growing in 2. Concentrate on growing in Christ.Christ.3. 3. ExhibitExhibit the Christian principles the Christian principles

you’ve learned so far.you’ve learned so far.

II. By Conducting Yourself Wisely.II. By Conducting Yourself Wisely.

B. B. Make the most of every Make the most of every opportunity opportunity ((τὸν καιρὸν τὸν καιρὸν ἐξαγοραζόμενοιἐξαγοραζόμενοι) = lit. ) = lit. “purchase “purchase the time”.the time”.

Ephesians 5:15-16 - Be very careful, then, how Ephesians 5:15-16 - Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, you live —not as unwise but as wise, making making the most of every opportunitythe most of every opportunity, because the , because the days are evil.days are evil.

II. By Conducting Yourself Wisely.II. By Conducting Yourself Wisely.

I. By Continuing in Prayer I. By Continuing in Prayer - v2-4- v2-4..II. By Conducting Yourself Wisely II. By Conducting Yourself Wisely - v5.- v5.

III. By Conversing with Grace III. By Conversing with Grace - v6.- v6.

A. How do you speak graciously?A. How do you speak graciously?

1. Reframe from 1. Reframe from oathsoaths..Matthew 5:37 - Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ Matthew 5:37 - Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’

and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. comes from the evil one.

III. By Conversing with Grace.III. By Conversing with Grace.

A. How do you speak graciously?A. How do you speak graciously?

2. Reframe from 2. Reframe from carelesscareless words. words.Matthew 12:36 - But I tell you that men will have Matthew 12:36 - But I tell you that men will have

to give account on the day of judgment for to give account on the day of judgment for every careless wordevery careless word they have spoken. they have spoken.

III. By Conversing with Grace.III. By Conversing with Grace.

A. How do you speak graciously?A. How do you speak graciously?

3. Reframe from using 3. Reframe from using moremore words than necessary.words than necessary.

Proverbs 10:19 - When words are many, sin is Proverbs 10:19 - When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.wise.

III. By Conversing with Grace.III. By Conversing with Grace.

A. How do you speak graciously?A. How do you speak graciously?

4. 4. WeighWeigh your answers. your answers.Proverbs 15:28 - The heart of the righteous Proverbs 15:28 - The heart of the righteous

weighs its answersweighs its answers, but the mouth of the , but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. wicked gushes evil.

III. By Conversing with Grace.III. By Conversing with Grace.

A. How do you speak graciously?A. How do you speak graciously?

5. Use words that 5. Use words that buildbuild up. up.Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome

talk come out of your mouths, but only talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for what is helpful for building others upbuilding others up according to their needs, that it may benefit according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.those who listen.

III. By Conversing with Grace.III. By Conversing with Grace.

A. How do you speak graciously?A. How do you speak graciously?

6. Be 6. Be slowslow to speak. to speak.James 1:19 - Everyone should be quick to James 1:19 - Everyone should be quick to

listen, listen, slow to speakslow to speak and slow to become and slow to become angry.angry.

III. By Conversing with Grace.III. By Conversing with Grace.

A. How do you speak graciously?A. How do you speak graciously?

7. Let your words be 7. Let your words be genuinegenuine & & truthful.truthful.

Matthew 12:34 - For out of the overflow of the Matthew 12:34 - For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.heart the mouth speaks.

Ephesians 4:25 - Therefore each of you must Ephesians 4:25 - Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his speak truthfully to his neighborneighbor, for we are all members of one , for we are all members of one body.body.

III. By Conversing with Grace.III. By Conversing with Grace.

A. How do you speak graciously?A. How do you speak graciously?

8. Season your words with 8. Season your words with saltsalt..

III. By Conversing with Grace.III. By Conversing with Grace.

B. A gracious answer enhances your B. A gracious answer enhances your testimony by:testimony by:1. Turning away 1. Turning away angeranger..

Proverbs 15:1 - A gentle answer turns away wrath, Proverbs 15:1 - A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. but a harsh word stirs up anger.

I Peter 3:15-16 - Always be prepared to give an I Peter 3:15-16 - Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. reason for the hope that you have. But do this But do this with gentlenesswith gentleness and and respectrespect, , keeping a clear keeping a clear conscienceconscience, so that those who speak , so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

III. By Conversing with Grace.III. By Conversing with Grace.

B. A gracious answer enhances your B. A gracious answer enhances your testimony by:testimony by:

2. Promoting 2. Promoting instructioninstruction..Proverbs 16:21 - The wise in heart are called Proverbs 16:21 - The wise in heart are called

discerning, and pleasant words discerning, and pleasant words promote promote instructioninstruction..

III. By Conversing with Grace.III. By Conversing with Grace.

B. A gracious answer enhances your B. A gracious answer enhances your testimony by:testimony by:

3. Becoming 3. Becoming influentialinfluential..Proverbs 22:11 - He who loves a pure heart and Proverbs 22:11 - He who loves a pure heart and

whose speech is gracious will have the whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.king for his friend.

III. By Conversing with Grace.III. By Conversing with Grace.

To enhance your witness To enhance your witness Concentrate on developing your Concentrate on developing your

character & relationshipcharacter & relationshipwith the Lord.with the Lord.

Your witness will bubble over from Your witness will bubble over from your committed life!your committed life!