Pastor Kregg Hood | Oct. 2 & 3, 2021

Vibrant Devotion

It’s time to keep growing deeper in devotion. The Lord wants us to share what we believe throughout life. We may never “preach a sermon,” but we can “preach the Word” in our conversations and behavior. Let’s look at four elements that create vibrant devotion that lasts.

This section of Scripture has two tracks:
1. Communion with God through prayer
2. Connection to the world through preaching

We want to make sure others hear the message!

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. - Colossians 4:2-6 (NIV)

FOUR WONDERFUL ELEMENTS OF VIBRANT DEVOTION
I.

– It’s the foundation for devotion

British scholar and pastor, N.T. Wright, wrote, “What opens the door, again and again, is prayer.”

Prayer is

with the God of the universe!

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ - Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)

To increase devotion, pray

and make it a

Reveal Answer

with God.

Come near to God and he will come near to you.
James 4:8 (NIV)

II. Preparation – a prayerful person is a prepared person.

Devotion means you seek to be

and stay

Reveal Answer

of God: prayerful, watchful, thankful

Get ready for “

Reveal Answer

.”

III. Presence

With Jesus in you, you are

to

Reveal Answer

Him “at every opportunity.”

Representing Jesus involves

and

Reveal Answer

.

“A filled-up prayer life leads to an impactful preaching life.” (Pastor Marty)

This is how you “preach.”
Be

– say what Jesus said
Be

Reveal Answer

– share what works
Be

Reveal Answer

– prayer will guide your approach

God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance… - Romans 2:4 (NIV)

IV. People

Paul didn’t just know people in the Colossian church, he was

to them.

“Life is heavy. Don’t lift it by yourself.” (Pastor Marty)

are the “devoted people” in your life?

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. Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.” I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. - Colossians 4:16-18 (NIV)

NEXT STEPS
1. Pray frequently and anticipate God’s nearness.
2. Demonstrate the Presence of Jesus in practical, everyday ways.
3. Build relationships with each other that have life and energy.

SUGGESTED RESOURCES
1. “Irresistible: Reclaiming the New That Jesus Unleashed for the World” by Andy Stanley
2. “Broken Signposts: How Christianity Makes Sense of the World” by N.T. Wright