Title: A Verse by Verse Study of Colossians.

Lesson 8 – Paul’s prayer for the church at Colossae.  (Part Four)   
 

Text: Col. 1:11d - 12
 

1. Introduction.
   1. V. 11 “Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power” Paul told us to be “Strengthened with all might” but not on our own but rather “according to his glorious power”
   2. Paul also told us “unto all patience” The word “patience” means to “endurance when circumstances are difficult” This is one of the single most important possessions for a maturing Christian. It comes with time and with much grace and power from God.
   3. “Longsuffering” Longsuffering means forbearance which means self-control or restraint. That is opposite of revenge which so many have today.
2. Paul ends V. 11 with the word “with joyfulness”
   1. The word joyfulness means cheerfulness, or calm delight. Paul is praying for these Colossian believers to have joyfulness while writing this letter in prison.
   2. All three “patience”, “longsuffering” and Joyfulness are only possible because of “according to his glorious power”.
   3. It takes special power to have these three because it goes against our fleshly nature.
   4. Paul counted it joy to suffer for the Lord.
   5. After John and Peter suffered in the court of the High Priest for the second time and was beaten,   Acts 5:41 “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.”
   6. Joyfulness is cheerfulness, or calm delight in everything and that is only possible with  “according to his glorious power”, much “patience”, and “longsuffering”.
3. V. 12 “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
   1. Paul encourages these Colossian believers to not to forget to thank God. Remember Gnosticism like Arminianism are man-based therefore no thanks to God is required.
   2. Theirs and our prayers should always give God thanks Colossians 4:2 “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;”
   3. Thankfulness is the opposite of selfishness and we that are blessed of God have reason to be thankful while these man-based religions are selfishness. 
   4. The more a Christian becomes mature a Christian becomes; the more thankful we become because we understand that live is a gift from God (no matter what it holds) and the more we understand God’s grace in it.
4. V. 12b “which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:”
   1. Paul really slaps these teachers of Gnosticism. Paul says to thank God for the salvation God has given to us.
   2. Notice the word “meet” that word means qualified; This is why we thank God. Here is something strange in our time; God has made us qualified for heaven, and WOW!! it is not man-based.