Are you living worthy of the Lord? This message helps us understand how and why we should live worthy of the Lord; plus, learn how to push back spiritual darkness and what brings endurance and strength.

What choices are you making this year? Will you choose to live God’s best for you, no matter the circumstances? This series explores what it means to live in Christ, why it's important and how to do it. When you believe, trust, and seek the Lord with all your heart, you will be able to look back and see God accomplishing his will in your life and the lives of others. Make Jesus first in your life and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in paths of righteousness.

Walk In a Manner Worthy of The Lord

Decide To Put Jesus First

Several weeks ago, we saw that every believer, every child of God, will find that living in Christ in a fallen world is not always easy. It is difficult. Temptation to compromise, false teaching, worldly philosophy, and sin is all around. Each person has a choice to decide for themselves what they will believe and what choices they will make regarding how they will live in this fallen world.

• Choose to live in Christ and for Christ.

• Choose to live in Christ in the city, state, or nation where you live.

• Choose to live in Christ for all to see.

Let’s be honest, every person will make their own decisions regarding how they will live. Either they will live the way of the world and in rebellion towards God, and the things of God, or they will live in Christ and in obedience to God’s will.

In this new year of 2023, let’s decide to put Jesus first no matter what may come. No matter what others might say, trust in the Lord. Make the decision to live in Christ from this day forward. Make the decision to seek the will of God and live your life to the glory of God. Both now, in 2023, and until Christ returns.

• Choose to grow in God’s word.

• Grow in obedience.

• Grow in wisdom and spiritual understanding.

As you do, Paul tells us we will live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way.

Make the decision to live a life worthy of the Lord. When you do, you will live the best life and you will please him in every way.

Paul Encourages and Instructs Believers to Live Worthy of The Lord

This portion of Colossians records Paul’s prayer and passion for the believers at Colossae. In Colossians 1:9-14 we find the apostle Paul prays for the believers who are at Colossae and challenges them to live a life worthy of the Lord. This prayer is not limited to the Colossians alone, I believe it is for all believers in Christ, both down the ages and for us today. Paul is praying and encouraging the believer to live in such a way that they live a life worthy of the Lord. A life that glorifies God. A life that is obedient to God’s will for them.

We are to live our lives in a manner that is worthy of the Lord every day. When you stumble and sin, ask the Lord to forgive you, and then turn and seek the Lord with all your heart. Make Jesus first in your life and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in paths of righteousness. Let your love for God be known because he is worthy.

Remember how much God loves you:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17, NIV).

Remember the word of truth, the gospel message, is a message of love and from it springs hope. These two scriptures tell me that God’s love is not based upon what I do or who I am. Rather God’s love is demonstrated in God sending his one and only son to pay the debt I could never pay myself. He is worthy of your love and praise.

“The faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace” (Colossians 1:5-6).

Paul knew the Old Testament scriptures and he prayed that the gospel message would accomplish its work in people’s lives. So that lives would be changed, and the people of God would display fruitful lives, in increasing measure.

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11).

The gospel message has a purpose, and it will accomplish what God desires. Paul began praying for the believers at Colossae from the time he heard about their faith in Christ, and he continued to pray.

Paul was in prison at the time he wrote this letter. He may never have visited Colossae, however, the gospel he preached was taken to many cities by other believers. Epaphras was such a person. Epaphras, a faithful minister, may have been a leader or possibly the one who first preached the gospel message at Colossae. He was also the one who shared with Paul the situation at Colossae.

Paul responds to what he was told with this letter. A letter to encourage, warn, and instruct the believers regarding living a worthy life in Christ.

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:9-14).

Paul tells us that the reason he prayed this way is because of the believer’s faith and love for God and for others. Paul knew, to live a life worthy of the Lord, the believer would need to grow spiritually. It would take growing in wisdom and spiritual understanding regarding the truth of the gospel. The believers demonstrated their growth in faith and love for God by their actions.

Paul knows the gospel message changes hearts and lives.

• The gospel message speaks of redemption and forgiveness of sin.

• The gospel message plants a seed in a person’s heart that will produce fruit, and that person will embrace and grow in wisdom and spiritual understanding of the gospel and the things of God.

What does it take to live a life worthy of the Lord? Paul understood that spiritual wisdom and understanding of God’s word would result in the believer living a life worthy of the Lord.

Where does spiritual wisdom and understanding come from? Spiritual wisdom and understanding comes from the holy spirit opening our spiritual eyes. It comes as we seek to know the will of God. Not the will of God as to what shirt to wear; rather his will to live a life worthy of the Lord.

What does it mean to live a life in Christ? Living in Christ and for Christ is not a one-time event. Living a life worthy of the Lord is a life of increasing fruitfulness. It is a lifestyle of growing deeper in love for God and others. It is a way of life that comes from a heart of faith in Christ and love for Christ. It comes from having spiritual wisdom and understanding regarding the things of God, that the spirit of God extends to all who seek the Lord with all their hearts. It springs from the blessed hope that is stored up for you in heaven’s glory.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 peter 1:3-5).

The hope of heaven is yours as you place your faith in Christ the Lord.

How To Push Back Spiritual Darkness

Several weeks ago, we learned that Paul thanked God for the believers in Colossae. Paul was told of their love for the saints and how it was being displayed since the time they had heard the gospel message.

Paul encourages the Colossian believers by saying that the whole world is bearing fruit and increasing in faith, as it was doing in them, from the time they first heard the gospel message.

The truth of the gospel will change your heart and life. The gospel message produces results.

The word of God is powerful. The message of Christ; the truth of the gospel, will push back the spiritual darkness in your life. The light of the gospel will push back the spiritual darkness that is in the world today much like it did when God said “let there be light,” and he separated the light from the darkness in the garden (Genesis 1:3-4). Jesus said he is the light of the world and we will never walk in darkness when follow him (John 8:12).

In Ephesians 5, Paul tells us that we were once living in darkness, but no longer. As believers in Christ, we are to avoid the fruitless deeds of darkness.

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:8-11).

John tells us that spiritual darkness does not understand the light of the gospel (John 1:5).

‘For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ’ (2 Corinthians 4:6).

How Can We Grow in Wisdom and Do God’s Will?

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do” (James 1:19-25).

God desires the believer in Christ to live a righteous life. God desires that we do more than simply know about God, but rather to live in a manner that glorifies God by doing his will.

Two Things to Consider in Paul’s Prayer for The Believer:

1) Paul asks God to fill the believer with the knowledge of God’s will.

How can we grow in God’s will? This is only accomplished with the believer hearing the gospel. Spiritual eyes are opened to the truth of the gospel and faith is placed in Jesus. As a believer, each person will be filled with spiritual wisdom and understanding by the Holy Spirit. As they press in to know more of God, they will learn to live in Christ where they live.

Why grow in spiritual wisdom? Growing in spiritual wisdom and understanding has a purpose. It is so the believer will live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way, resulting in bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might. So that the believer would have endurance, patience and joyfully give thanks to God the father. So that the believer shares in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light having been rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought into the kingdom of the son he loves, having redemption and forgiveness of sin.

2) Growing in God’s wisdom and spiritual understanding instructs the believer:

• In the way to live a life worthy of the Lord.

• In the way to please him in every way by being filled with the knowledge of his will and acting upon that knowledge.

• In the way to bear fruit, abundant fruit, and being obedient to his word in all you do.

Knowledge and Understanding Brings Endurance and Strength

Last week Joel spoke about an abundant life and living a fruitful life. Living an abundant, fruitful life is living a life of loving God and loving people. It is a life of living in Christ and for Christ. It is living in the light of God’s word and doing God’s will. It is joyfully giving thanks to God, having been rescued from the dominion of darkness.

Paul told the Colossians that he heard of their faith in Christ and the love they had for all God’s people (Colossians 1:4). Paul told the Colossians that the gospel message was bearing fruit and growing throughout the world as it was doing in them (Colossians 1:6). This would not have been possible without the gospel message being shared and the believers embracing and growing in the knowledge and spiritual understanding of God.

The word Paul used for knowledge is epignosis. It is full knowledge, precise knowledge, correct knowledge. It is the knowledge of knowing Christ as Lord and how to live in Christ. How to conduct our lives. It is the moral aspect of God’s will. This knowledge of the truth of the gospel will bear fruit in our lives.

What can we do to live a life worthy of God? The believer is to grow in increasing measure regarding the spiritual knowledge and understanding of God’s word. Every person of faith is to grow in knowledge and understanding of the things of God. In doing so, the believer will have all that is needed to live a life worthy of the Lord and do his will. This will only happen when we study scriptures and seek to know God’s word. As we pray, we ask and seek the Holy Spirit to give us spiritual wisdom and understanding regarding God’s will for our lives through his word. It happens as we seek to embrace the wisdom and spiritual understanding of God’s word.

As you grow in the knowledge and understanding of God’s word, you will find that your faith is strengthened.

What happens when you grow in knowledge and understanding of God’s word?

• You will be able to endure the attacks of the enemy.

• You will endure times of suffering.

• You will be able to endure hardships and situations that appear impossible in the natural world.

• You will grow in the knowledge of his will.

• Your understanding of God’s word will deepen, and the truth of God’s word will strengthen you in your spirit to do his will.

How Do We Live Worthy of the Lord?

Joseph trusted God even after his brothers sold him into slavery and he was placed in prison after being falsely accused. God had a plan that Joseph did not understand at first, but Joseph trusted God and it was revealed later to Joseph that he was used by God to provide for the family of God. Joseph understood later that all he experienced was in the plan and will of God.

Abraham believed God, and he believed Sarah would have a child even when she was well beyond the age of having children. Abraham did not understand all God had planned at first. However, Abraham believed God and walked with God and, as he did, God revealed more and more to Abraham.

The same will happen in your life. When you believe, trust, and seek the Lord with all your heart, you will be able to look back and see God accomplishing his will in your life and the lives of others, like Joseph and Abraham. All for the glory of God.

Living a life worthy of the Lord and pleasing God is accomplished by:

• Having faith in God.

• Doing good continually as you trust the Lord each day.

• Growing in spiritual understanding.

• Trusting God with all your heart.

• Depending on his power.

Have patience and endurance of heart. Display the love and joy for God that is in your heart for all to see. Be his hands extended as you love and serve others, giving thanks for all things.

Living in a manner worthy of the Lord in a fallen world is possible as you trust him and grow in wisdom and spiritual understanding.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” (Proverbs 3:5-8).

One day, the religious leaders asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was. Jesus replied:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40).

If you are going to live a life worthy of the Lord, it begins with making Jesus first in your life. It is seen in your love for God and your love for others. Ask the Holy Spirit for spiritual wisdom and spiritual understanding. Choose to live according to God’s word every day. Love God and love others as Christ loved you, and you will be blessed.

Remember: God loved you first. He is worthy of all praise. Living your life worthy of the Lord is loving God and others.

Suggested Praise and Worship

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