4:2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 4:3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4:4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (New King James Version)

The Bible is always God's relevant Word in any time. The relevancy is the same to the twentieth century, and the twenty-first century as well as to the first century. The Bible teaches us that we should not compromise the time, but redeem the time. Verse 5 says, "Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time." In the original language, Paul wrote "exagorazo," which meant "to redeem something out of somewhere." What was Paul trying to say by using this word? It means that we should utilize the time which we live for God. How can we do this? I will give you three key words this morning; "The Name of Jesus," "Prayer," and "Wisdom."

In the Name of Jesus

Today's portion is still in the context that begun from 3:17."And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." This is the Christian principle of conduct. In Colossians, this principle was explained in three situations or relationships, which are: husband-wife, parents-children, and masters-servants relationship. In 4:2-6, this principle was applied to the relationship of Christian-Everyone. God desires us that we speak and do all in the name of Jesus in marriage, family, and employment. God also desires us that we have the relationship to everyone in the name of Jesus when we live in this country, in this time.

What does it mean to do "in the name of Jesus?" When we pray, we conclude our prayer saying, "in the name of Jesus." When we say so, we say we are trusting in His intercessory work. In another words, we trust in his office as the High Priest. John 1:12 says, "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." In this verse,"believing in His name" means accepting Jesus as the One who exists with God the Father from eternity, as the Son of God, and as the Christ who was sent to us by God. The name is not only for identifying the person, but also for showing the person's position or office. Why do the names such Bill Clinton and Al Gore have power? Because they have positions and offices as the president and vice-president of United States. We are powerless when we try to do something for God. We need the power that is in His name. Without the name of Jesus, we cannot please God.

"Doing it in the name of Jesus" means also doing not for our own honor but for the God's glory. Once Jesus said in John 5:43, "I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive." Jesus was sent with all authority from the Father and for showing the glory of the Father. But another who call himself Messiah came with his own power and showing his own honor. In Japan, the donator's name is shown somewhere in the shrine or the temple with the amount of his donation. For example, Mr. Suzuki donated ten thousand dollars. Not only at the shrines and temples, the "Chonai-kai", town block meetings, also do same thing. Most of the "chonai-kai" have their own meeting places and put the names of the donors in the buildings. But, we Christians do not do it for our own names or reputations. We do it in the name of Jesus. Though we do not publicize our names, we may have a hidden motivation seeking our own reputations. Such deeds are not deeds in the name of Jesus.

Through Prayer

Next, Paul encourages us to pray. There is a book entitled "Too Busy To Pray." Like the title, we always give the excuse not to pray because of our busyness. I heard an interesting message at the Evangelism Seminar last month. The speaker said, "Today's younger people always say that they are too busy to pray since we do not live in 1960's. I heard people said the same thing in 1960's!"

In any century, even when the times change drastically, prayer should be a top priority for Christians. "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving." Being vigilant spiritually, we need prayer. Jesus told the disciples, "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation." (Mark 14:38) When we stop our praying, temptation will come.

It's important to ask other Christians to pray for you. Paul gave his prayer requests to the Colossians. "Pray also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak." Church is the place to worship God, to pray together, and to study the Word. However, only a few people come to church for the worship, prayer meetings, and the Bible studies, while many people come to "Fun and Food" meetings. I don't hate "Fun & Food" meetings. They are necessary for evangelism and fellowship. But they will be fruitful only when we keep worshiping reverently, praying fervently, and studying diligently. Come to the prayer meetings. It will make you grow spiritually. It also make you enable to participate in the ministry of the Gospel. The ministry needs your prayer. God urges us to continue in prayer for ourselves, for others, and the ministry of the Gospel through the passages of Paul's prayer request.

With God's Wisdom

Thirdly, we need wisdom. Jesus said, "For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light." (Luke 16:8) It's true the non-Christians are smarter than the Christians. They never miss a single chance to benefit themselves. They work hard to survive in the race for success. Christians may be naive and generous, and sometimes lazy. Jesus requires Christians to be wiser than the people of the world are. Jesus also told to the disciples, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." (Luke 10:16). We need God's wisdom to live in the world.

Now as in the first century, Christians suffered because of the criticism of the people. This is my story in Japan. I had to talk with a man of "Soka-gakkai." He tried to get me angry saying bad words. Since I knew his motivation, I heard the words with a peaceful mind. Then he attacked me saying, "Christians are hypocrites. They become angry in their mind, but they cover their anger under a smiling face." He twisted what I said and opposed anything I said. Finally, he threatened me over phone. I was so disturbed at that time. But God gave me the victory."Soka-gakai" and the "Watchtower" people have their manuals. They are trained how to attack Christians' weak points and answer their counterattack through the manuals. Therefore when they face the questions which they have not learned through the manuals, they would say, "I'll be back after getting answers from high ranking leaders." We don't have such manuals. We need to study the Word at our daily devotions. In every situation we can expect God to guide us. Here are the words of promise. "You may know how you ought to answer each one."

What does the Bible teach us when it says, "the speech seasoned with salt"? This means the speech with God's wisdom. Salt prevents corruption. Salt means righteousness and royalty. Our speech should be true first of all. But it should be kind at the same time. We desolve salt well in food. Otherwise nobody can enjoy the food. If we push our justice toward people we may make people allergic to the truth and we may fail to lead the people to the truth. We want to have the holiness and righteousness of God in our daily life. And through our lifestyle, we want to let the light of the holiness shine toward people.

His name, our prayer, God's wisdom. These are keys to survive the time, and redeem the time for God. How do you utilize these keys?

Prayer

Dear Father, the time changes so fast, and we tend to be swallowed into the stream of the time. However time is in your hands. We have the unchanging in the changing time. The name of Jesus; Prayer; and God's wisdom. Guide us to keep steadily these unchanging things. Many think it is foolish that we believe in God and follow to Christ. However, it is we who have your plan that is at work unto the end of life. Use us to redeem this time and lead this generation. Make us to be sign posts to the people who have lost their way. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

(Preached at SDJCC, Nov. 10, 1996)