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“ Summary, Part 3 (final) ” B. THE ESSENCE OF THE EXHORTATION: GRACIOUS, SAVORY SPEECH [39:17]. Salt is nutritious, flavorful, preserving, and therapeutic, and so should be our speech, which will stand out in an increasingly vulgar world. We certainly don’t need to imitate its speech in order to reach it (cf. Eph 4:29-30). C. THE KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED IN PERSONALIZING THE EXHORTATION [45:20]. If this is difficult, we always have Christ as a model. He spoke many different ways to many different people, but always with grace (cf. 1 Pet 3:15). III. CONCLUDING APPLICATIONS [48:26]. 1. View your life as an opportunity to witness to the power of saving grace. We must heed both our walk and our talk. What we are inside will be evident outside. 2. Look for opportunities to witness for Christ. We must have a gospel outlook on life. 3. Understand that opportunities to witness are as varied as life itself. We need wisdom to spot them. 4. Season your words with grace if you would gain a hearing. The golden rule applies here, and remember that you represent your Lord. 5. Personalize your witness. That gives it life and credibility over a script that has been heard and dismissed before. It is also easier to substantiate and defend.
Ian Migala (1/14/2016)
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
“ Summary, Part 2 ” b. We walk wisely when we adapt ourselves to people’s differences and understanding. c. We walk wisely when we choose the best way to reach the lost. Some points about this wisdom: i. It doesn’t permit us to damage our conscience. ii. We must seek to do positive good to the lost. iii. We don’t make false promises about the faith. iv. We must give unbelievers credit where it is due. v. We must shun needless opposition (which means we must speak when appropriate). vi. We must not needlessly offend or annoy. People are not argued into the Kingdom of God. You can win an argument and lose a soul. C. THE URGENCY EXPRESSED IN THE EXHORTATION [30:47]. This speaks of opportunity because wisdom is opportunistic (cf. Eph 5:15-17). Christians merchant in opportunity. God wants us to use time as He wills, not as we will. Our opportunities for doing good are brief, and many have already passed away. Future opportunities are uncertain, and our eternal happiness will depend on it. II. AN EXHORTATION TO A WORTHY SPEECH (v. 6) [36:17]. A. TWO ASSUMPTIONS UNDERLYING THE EXHORTATION. 1. WISE CONDUCT INVOLVES WORTHY SPEECH. Paul’s behavior and speech were harmonious. 2. WORTHY SPEECH REQUIRES PREPARATION. Paul prayed before he wrote to the Colossians. Forethought is crucial as well.
Ian Migala (1/14/2016)
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
“ Summary, Part 1 ” Christianity is a faith to be lived. It has spiritual and practical meaning (Col 4:1-6). I. AN EXHORTATION TO A WISE WALK (v. 5) [starting at 4:06 of the audio]. A. TWO ASSUMPTIONS UNDERLYING THE EXHORTATION. 1. A PERSON’S CHRISTIANITY IS HIS LIFE. We are Christians first; whatever else we are is secondary. “Walk” is translated from the Greek word meaning a manner of one’s life: what is open and obvious to all (cf. Col 1:10, 2:5-7, 3:4-7). 2. A PERSON’S CHRISTIANITY WILL BE OBSERVABLE [8:50]. Does our conduct have a gospel influence on those around us? B. THE ESSENCE OF THE EXHORTATION: WISE CONDUCT TOWARD NON-CHRISTIANS [10:46]. Paul wrote this letter from prison; he was a living apostle of Christ. 1. THE DEFINITION OF WISE CONDUCT [14:01]. This is spiritual wisdom, which is foolishness to the carnal mind (cf. Col 1:9, 28; 3:16). We don’t only talk about Christ, but also must reflect Him in our lives. 2. THE DIRECTION OF THIS WISE CONDUCT [17:56]. We have a responsibility to live toward outsiders to show a testimony for our faith; it opens windows to gospel witness. “When a soldier is in enemy territory, he is much more on his guard.” Some points about our walk: a. We walk wisely wen our goal is to win the lost.
