Who Or What Do You Proclaim? Self, A World View, Christ Jesus?

Good afternoon from here in the Panhandle. We have just finished our Vacation Bible School and what a lot of fun. We were blessed to have our good, good friend Kelly come up and help. We also had a lot of kids this year, we ran over 40 every day. I count it a privilege and blessing to be able to share the Good News with them.

Well we are nearing the end of our study in the Book of Colossians. As Paul brings his letter to the Church at Colosse to a close and he prays for opportunities to evangelize, Christ Jesus remains central. Christ Jesus is the exalted Creator and Redeemer in chapter 1. He is the fullness of deity, and He conquers by His cross in chapter 2. He is seated in majesty and authority in chapter 3. And in chapter 4 it is Christ Jesus who is proclaimed. - Max Anders

But where do we proclaim Christ Jesus? Just at Church? Maybe just at home with your family. You could proclaim Him at work with your friends, that would be enough wouldn't it? No, Paul tells us we are to proclaim Christ Jesus where ever we are, even to those outside our regular circle of friends and family. We are to live for Christ Jesus where ever we find ourselves, and with whom ever we are with. To live for Christ Jesus demands wisdom, opportunism, graciousness, and readiness to testify in apt and appropriate ways.

There is a story of a man that got saved as a young, adult. He was so excited about Christ for the first couple of weeks, he told everybody the difference Jesus had made in his life. One Sunday night he was at his church and they sang this song, "Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, snatch them in pity from sin and the grave, weep over the erring one, bring them to Jesus, tell the poor sinner that Jesus can save." He heard that song and he got so excited that as soon as the service was over he rushed up to the pastor, and said, "Pastor, I'm ready."

The pastor said, "Ready for what?"

He said, "Man, I'm ready to go rescue the perishing--let's do it!"

The pastor looked at him and said, "Well, that's not something we really do, that's just a song we sing."

It wounded that man's spirit for many years until he realized that the normal Christian life is to be excited about rescuing the perishing. - (From a sermon by Fred Markes, Do I Have A Burden For The Lost?, 8/30/2011)

Colossians 4:4-18

5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

17 Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord."

18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

1. Conduct Yourselves With Wisdom (vs. 5)

Paul shifts his evangelistic interest from himself to the believers at Colosse. If believers are to be effective in sharing the message, they must be wise in the way (they) act toward outsiders.

“Conduct yourselves with wisdom towards outsiders” (4:5). This has special meaning for all of us as we share the gospel. Paul had a since of urgency not matched by many when it comes to telling the Good News of Christ Jesus. Yet he sounds a word of caution concerning our relationship with “outsiders.”

Phillips translates his word, “Be wise in your behavior towards non-Christians.” How much of our “evangelistic witnessing” disregards the feelings and sensitivities of those we seek to win. We are to be wise but not crafty, as Satan is. Remember Christ Jesus advised us to be wise, wise as serpents and gentle as doves (Matthew 10:16). As Christians we must not present ourselves as unwisely aggressive, self-righteous, and demeaning of unbelievers. Remember you were an outsider once.

Neurotically driven to “witness” and to save those who are lost, we forget that we do not save, God does. We have no power to convert; that is the work of the Holy Spirit. Our witness is not ours; it is our witness of Christ Jesus. If our words, and the way we present those words, do not reflect Christ Jesus' love and concern, then we should not be surprised when they fall on stony ground. Wisdom lets us combine boldness with tact. It enables us to discern the right way to present the Gospel in specific situations and with particular individuals. If we are to be effective in sharing the good news of Christ Jesus we must be wise, and we must also make the most of every opportunity. 

 

2. Redeem the Time (vs. 5)

The literal translation of the phrase “make the most of every opportunity,” is redeem or buy back the time. As believers we should be snapping up every opportunity to share the Gospel that comes. After all Christ Jesus bought us back from the curse of sin, and He will do the same for our families, friends, and neighbors. Why this since of urgency? We all live, in measured days and so we must grasp the fleeting moment share the good news that Christ Jesus saves!

Now this word of advice from Paul is connected with how we should behave toward outsiders. Among the early Christians, just as today, there were people whose fanatical behavior prejudiced outsiders against them. Paul wanted people to be attracted to the Gospel, not repelled from it. This is the key to understanding his words.

If ever there was a person who could have offered Jesus an excuse, Robert Reed would be that person. His hands are twisted and His feet are useless. He can’t bathe himself. He can’t feed himself. He can’t brush his teeth, comb his hair or put on his clothes by himself. His shirts are held together by velcro. He has cerebral palsy. This disease keeps him from driving a car, riding a bike and just going for a walk. But it didn’t keep him from graduating from high school and then from college with a degree in Latin. It didn’t keep him from eventually teaching at the college level. And it didn’t keep him from going on 5 overseas mission trips. And it didn’t keep him from becoming a missionary to the country of Portugal. He moved there, rented a hotel room and began to study Portuguese. He found a restaurant owner who would feed him after the crowd was gone and he found someone who would tutor him in the language there. Then he stationed himself daily in a park where he gave out brochures about Jesus. Within 6 years he led 70 people to the Lord. - (From a sermon by David Henderson, "A Lame Excuse," 1/5/2011)

Instead of offering up excuses or complaining, Robert spoke with grace about the grace of God. Our wise walk must be accompanied with words of grace to share the message of Christ Jesus effectively.

3. Speak the Word of Grace (vs. 6)

Paul’s final word to guide us in our relationships is found in verse 6. “Gracious,” here has its classical meaning: pleasant, agreeable, charming disposition, sweetness and courteousness in conversation. In other words Paul is saying be careful about your conversation. Our conversation should be both wholesome and appealing. You could say, “We need to speak with grace as well as of grace.” - The Broadman Bible Commenrtary 

 

Paul was speaking in the context of how we relate in conversation to outsiders in our efforts to win them for Christ Jesus, but his suggestions are relevant to our conversation with all people. 

Here is a guide for personal evangelism and for the ministry of sharing, that is one of the most available and exciting opportunities we have. With rare exceptions, all of us have the opportunity to speak with people every day. How we speak and what we say can bless or curse, create or destroy. The Epistle of James says it well: “The tongue is a little member and boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire” (3:5–6, rsv). Words can also bless and heal, encourage and give hope. “We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Let your speech be seasoned with salt. In Greek, “salty speech” often meant witty, concise conversation, sparkling conversation. Salty speech is earthy. It is rooted in where we live, and the content of it is personal. It is pertinent, interesting speech, not “sanctimonious dullness.” My best witness is not in my knowledge of doctrinal points, memorized scripture, or in a well-formulated, flawlessly presented “plan of salvation.” Rather, it is the honest sharing of what Christ Jesus has done and is doing in my life. 

We need to guard against stuffiness or language that makes no sense to an outsider. Remember Christ Jesus told the disciples to be the “salt of the earth” in Matthew 5:13? While we must not bore our friends with pious platitudes, our visit should always contain that salty flavor which Christ Jesus gives our lives. But again remember there is a big difference between the endless demand of religious bore, and the gracious, tasty conversation that points others towards Christ Jesus. 

“so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” Everyone is different, with different needs, concerns, hopes, desires. Stay on task so to speak, remain centered on the person with whom you are sharing. Give the person your full attention. Know when to speak and when not too. Remember their need is more important than yours at that moment—if you really want to love that person with the love of Christ Jesus. If you respect the person, they will respect you and will hear what you have to say when the time is ripe for you to say it.

Conclusion: In all of this guidance there is an overarching ingredient to remember. Speech with grace not only suggests the way it should come through to the ears of the hearer—pleasant, interesting, charming, earthy—but also the way it comes through to the heart of the hearer—helpful, affirming, challenging, calling, inspiring, actually the word of the Lord.

Because it is to be a gracious word, we can count on God’s grace to guide us in what we say, even to give us the right words when we need them. We don't have to depend on our own resources for speaking. He who is Lord of our lives can certainly be Lord of our lips.