Rooted in the Mission

Colossians 4:2-6; Matthew 4:12,17-25

“Pray… that God may open a door for our message…to  proclaim the mystery of Christ.” Colossians 4:3

“And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” (Matthew 4:19)

We are living in a changing world. Technology is advancing, and things are evolving, with certain companies and movements genuinely transforming the world, such as Amazon, Apple, and AI. A few decades ago, computers were large and tied to specific locations; there were no cell phones. Medical technology has also revolutionized healthcare systems; as a result, there are treatments or management options for certain illnesses that once caused death. Those revolutionary companies are grounded in their vision and mission, which changed the world!

The same is true for those of us living the Christian life. Not a single one of us was saved to remain inactive. We weren't saved just to show up, sit quietly, or passively absorb everything without purpose. We were called and saved for a purpose – to be sent out to fish for people! Living a Christ-centered life involves sharing Christ with others.

If you lead a sports-centered life, you probably spend a considerable amount of time talking to others about sports. If you have a pet-centered life, you likely spend a lot of time discussing your pets. Similarly, if you are living a Christ-centered life, as Paul advised, you should dedicate a significant portion of your time to telling others about Jesus.

Paul's words in Colossians 4 remind us that faith is not meant to be stationary. It’s not about standing in a corner as an observer; rather, it's about being sent—launching into a mission with clarity, urgency, and purpose. In this text, Paul emphasizes that if you are truly rooted in Christ, it should propel you into mission. Being rooted in Christ involves not only growing deeper in your faith but also reaching wider in your outreach.

With this mandate, how can we effectively share Christ with others in our contemporary society, where expressing one's faith can be challenging? In Colossians 4:2-6, we find three key points: 1) Pray for opportunities to share the gospel; 2) Live your life in accordance with the gospel; and 3) Guard your speech for the sake of the gospel. Let’s examine each of these in detail.

Paul highlights the power of prayer in outreach, emphasizing that sharing the gospel should begin with prayer (verses 2-4). Are you afraid of sharing your faith with others? The first step is to immerse yourself in prayer. Don't underestimate the power of persistent prayer. Elijah prayed, and the drought stopped. Hannah prayed, and a prophet was born. Jesus prayed, and the world was redeemed. Prayer is not what prepares us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work. Mission is driven by prayer.

Paul identifies three essential aspects of prayer: persistence, watchfulness, and thankfulness, as exemplified by the Apostles (see Acts 1:14). He did not urge the Colossians to preach more loudly; he encouraged them to pray more deeply. This prayer should be continually committed and expectant, viewed as a priority rather than a last resort.

Staying "alert" in prayer, along with thanksgiving, is crucial because effective missions begin there. We must be aware of the needs around us and seek guidance from the One who opens doors for gospel opportunities. In Colossians 4, Paul asks believers to pray for access to share the message of Christ, urging them to remain devoted to seeking these open doors.

If you want God to use you to reach people and make a difference for His Kingdom, it starts in your prayer closet, not on a platform. Before speaking to others about God, we must first talk to God about them. This is because prayer aligns our hearts with God, prepares the hearts of the people, and harnesses the power of the Holy Spirit to convert them. By praying for someone before we speak to them, we invite the Holy Spirit to work in ways that our words alone cannot..

Second, in verses 5-6, Paul transitions from prayer to presence. He encourages us to reflect Jesus in our interactions. He states, “Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so you may know how to answer each person.”  The Greek word for "wise" conveys living with skill and intention, underscoring the importance of embodying Christ’s character. We are called not just to live righteously but strategically, as we may be the only representation of Jesus that others encounter. It's crucial to represent Christ well to those who do not yet know Him. In other words, your walk needs to match your talk, because, rightly or wrongly, people will judge your talk by your walk. It’s been said that your life is the only translation of the Bible some people will ever read.

Third, he tells us, "Make the most of the time, and let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt." Mission is about recognizing that every moment has eternal significance and that our words should convey truth, add value, and inspire a desire for more. If our words don't mirror Jesus, our witness won't lead others to Him. Imagine being in a restaurant where the waiter never comes. You’re hungry, and your food is ready—you can see it in the kitchen—but no one ever brings it to you. You’d likely leave frustrated. Likewise, many people are starving for hope and meaning. If we don’t share the gospel, we are like waiters who are hoarding food. The gospel is not just to admire; it is meant to be shared.

How do we share the gospel? We do it through our words. Paul instructs us that "Let your speech always be gracious and seasoned with salt." This means that the words that come out of our mouths should be purposeful, edifying, loving, thoughtful, and kind. This was the testimony that people gave concerning Jesus in Luke 4:22: “All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips.” Our speech should uphold the truth, add value, and reflect Christ as we guide people toward the solution they desperately seek.

Sometimes we make 'living on mission' seem much more complicated than it really is. You don't need to be a preacher or a seminary graduate to be a voice for God. It truly is not that difficult. D.T. Niles once said, "Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread." And that's what God has called us to do!

Living a life rooted in Christ means sharing Christ with others. Jesus called His disciples to follow Him and “fish” for people (Matthew 4:19). We are on a mission in the world. God calls us to engage in devoted prayer, wise living, and gracious speech. Let us commit to growing in these areas so that we can be better equipped and prepared to share the Gospel.