D) THE . 4:2-6 After having exhorted about the Christian home, Paul now exhorts about the spiritual priesthood. v.2-6 These verses are about Witnessing to a Watching World. V.2 a) Earnest - Devoted prayer. I. The spiritual priest 1.Pet.2:5, 9 1st duty is to minister to God in prayer. II. The 2nd duty is thanksgiving, and prayer can’ t be effective without sincere thanksgiving. III. Vigilant (Gr. gregoreuo) means to keep awake, thanksgiving causes our prayer life to be fresh and awakened. IV. 6 aspects of thanksgiving in Colossians: 1. For the saints. 1:3 2. For having qualified us. 1:12 3. For spiritual growth. 2:7 4. For having called us. 3:15 5. Through Christ. 3:17 6. Through watchfulness. 4:2 V.3 b) Evangelism - Door opened to speak. I. One important prayer is the salvation of souls and for the workers of harvest. Matt.9:38 II. Praying for an open door for the Word of God. Acts 14:27; 2.Cor.2:12 III. Paul was still witnessing in spite of being in chains. V.4 c) Exactness - Declaring with precision. Ought to speak. (Picture - door) Praying for direction and exactness of speech. The Walk. v.5 The Talk. v.6 V.5 d) Examining - Demonstrative Walk and Detective Watch. I. The 3rd duty of a spiritual priest is to walk in wisdom. Eph.4:15 II. Wisdom is the application of Truth (knowledge). III. The 4th duty of a spiritual priest is to spend our 24 hours ministry time in the best way. Eph.4:16 V.6 e) Explanative - Defensive and Definable speech. Ought to answer. (Picture - salt) I. Speaking Truth in love. II. Salt preserves, makes food tasty and create thirst and so does Truth spoken graciously. III. The 5th duty of a spiritual priest is to explain and teach people about Scripture and God, to be a good and faithful witness. IV. Seasoned: Our speech should meet the needs of people’ s lives. Luke 12:42; 1.Pet.3:15 V. Answer: A spiritual priest has to be grounded and build up in Scripture. Heb.5:12-14; 1.Cor.3:1-2; Col.2:7; 1:23 Compare this verse (6) with the preparation of a meal. 1. Always - If we do not keep stirring it might burn and smell bad and become distasteful. (Stay in God’ s gracious Word and presence) 2. Grace - Do not stir too hard or force the spoon into their mouth, make sure the food is not too hot. (Allow God’ s grace and gentleness come through you) 3. Salt - Make the food tasty, make sure it will not quickly corrupt, give enough salt to make people thirsty for a drink of the River of Life. If it is too salty they will spit out the food, make sure it meet the tasteful need of the person. 3 ways to be an effective Christian. Right Praying 1. Faithful in prayer. v.2 2. Watchful in thanksgiving. v.2 3. Specific in prayer. v.3-4 Right Walking 4. Walking in Wisdom. v.5 5. Time managers. v.5 Right Talking 6. Possessing graciousness, meeting the need, understandable speech. v.6