Colossians 1:9-14
GET THIS: As we pray for ourselves and others to walk with Jesus, the ballast of these prayers is the gospel.
1: Gospel Ballast [v12b-14]
We’ll start with the final verses (v12b-14) of our passage: these verses discribe the Gospel Ballast that gives weight/stability to the prayers of v 9-12a
(See Colossians 1:14) Redemption & Forgiveness (in Jesus): Gospel Terms
- Redemption (ἀπολύτρωσις) = ‘buying back’ a slave or captive, i.e. ‘making free’ by payment of a ransom.
- Forgiveness (ἄφεσις) = the act of freeing from an obligation, guilt, or punishment, pardon, cancellation
(See Colossians 1:13) New Citizenship: Gospel Results
We were in darkness: this condition is described in: [SD] Ephesians 2:1-3 But by grace through faith… we have new citizenship. Transferred into the Kingdom of Jesus!
(See Colossians 1:12) Promised Inheritance: Gospel Future
“Inheritance” is the english translation of a greek word meaning “that which is assigned by lot or simply given as a portion or share” AND something “that inevitably happens”. The Sum Total of All of God’s Promises to His Children Completely and Fully Yours!
This is the gospel message! This is our ballast. We are forgiven & free! We are forever citizens of an invincible kingdom. And all the promises of God are yes and amen for us… the children of God.
The most dangerous ship in a hurricane is an empty one. That’s because the weight of cargo [as ADDITIONAL ballast] helps stabilize the ship against the waves…. Max Hardberger tells Popular Mechanics, “…I’ve been on ships (with too little ballast), where we would go from thirty degrees heeled over on one side, and we would whip across to thirty degrees heel on the other side in a matter of three and a half seconds, so you can imagine something like that will roll your eyeteeth out.” —How Ships Survive a Hurricane at Sea (Popular Mechanics) (2014)
A Ballasted Prayer [9-12a]
Paul has FOUR prayer requests (that are ballasted in the gospel):
(Colossians 1:9) That the saints may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding:
What is God’s will for more life?
1. That you walk with Jesus. (Matthew 11:28-30)
2. That you invite others to walk with Him too. (Matthew 28:18-20)(Colossians 1:10) That the saints would be marked by obedience and fruitfulness:
(Colossians 1:11) That the saints would have strength for the longhaul and joy in the journey:
(Colossians 1:12a) That the saints would be marked by thankfulness to God.
Yoking up with Jesus and inviting others to do the same alongside you in fruitful obedience, with joy and thankfulness, for the long-haul is a place of promised rest! But it is NOT a place of eternal sunny days and calm oceans. There are going to be times when the waves of life crash up against the hull of your ship like a hurricane! A loved-one loses their way in life. CRASH! A beloved parent dies. CRASH! Anxiety or Depression (or both or more) CRASH! CRASH! CRASH! Cancer diagnosis. CRASH! Job loss. CRASH! Divorce. CRASH! Doubt and despair. CRASH! But can you hear Jesus saying “my yoke is easy and my burden is light…BUT MY BALLAST IS HEAVY!” And if your ship is ballasted by the gospel. The waves might crash! BUT Jesus’ ships never ever sink! You will make it to the shore.
If you’re not a Christian: there is a story in Mark of when the disciples were in a storm at sea (see Mark 4:39) you can have Jesus in your boat today. By grace through faith: believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.
If you are a Christian:
1. Be Always Ballasting Your Boat: The disciplines (prayer, scripture, fasting, etc) are not chores, they are literally ways of experiencing the presence of Jesus which is the ballast for our boats in this life.
2. Pray Colossians 1:9-14 three times this week: Once for yourself. Once for some people you love. Once for MVC.
Take Time To Reflect
(1) How will you practice ballasting your boat with the presence of Jesus and truth of the gospel this week?
(2) This week, who will you pray the prayer of Colossians 1:9-14 for?
GET THIS: As we pray for ourselves and others to walk with Jesus, the ballast of these prayers is the gospel.