TEXT:  Col. 1:7-14

INTRODUCTION:

A.      THE PRAYER OF PAUL - FILLED WITH KNOWLEDGE.

          1.       Col. 3:16;  2 Pet. 3:18.

          2.       Spiritual wisdom & understanding, not carnal.

B.      TRUE KNOWLEDGE RESULTS IN RIGHT CONDUCT.  PAUL MENTIONS 3

          CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE RESULTING FROM TRUE KNOWLEDGE.

I.      A LIFE OF SERVICE ( vs. 10 ).

A.      WALK WORTHILY.

          1.       Jesus is the standard( Acts 17:30-31;  1 Cor. 11:1 ).

          2.       Of the calling( Eph. 4:1-3 ).

          3.       Of the gospel( Phil. 1:27 ).

          4.       Purpose - Glorify God( 1 Pet. 4:11 ).

B.      BEARING FRUIT.

          1.       Every branch must bear fruit( John 15:1-8 ).

          2.       Ready unto every good work( Titus 3:1, 8, 14 ).

          3.       Purpose of fruit bearing( John 15:8 ).

C.      INCREASING IN("by")THE KNOWLEDGE(2 Tim.2:15; 3:16-17; 1 Pet.2:1-2).

D.      OF GOD - NOT OF MEN( Col. 2:8 ).

II.     A LIFE OF STRENGTH( vs. 11 ).

A.      WE NEED TO KNOW THE POWER OF GOD.

          1.       God can do anything( Matt. 19:26 ).

          2.       Demonstrated in Creation & Resurrection( Eph. 1:18-20 ).

          3.       He enables us( Phil. 2:12-13;  4:13 ).

B.      THE RESULT.

          1.       Patience( steadfastness )

                                                                   (Heb. 12:1-2;  Matt. 5:10-15).

          2.       Longsuffering with joy.

III.    A LIFE OF THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE( vs. 12 ).

A.      PRAISE TO THE FATHER( denotes children )FOR HIS BLESSING.

          1.       Made us "meet" - sufficient, qualify, empower.

                   a.       Partakers of inheritance of saints in light( 1 Pet. 1:3-5 ).

                   b.       Once in darkness( Eph. 5:8 ).

                   c.       Light - Right( Eph. 5:7-9 ).  Knowledge( Eph. 1:8 ).

                   d.       Accomplished by obeying Jesus( John 8:12 ).

          2.       Delivered us out of the Power of Darkness( vs. 13-14 ).

                   a.       God's love involved( John 3:16 ).

                   b.       In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins.

                   c.       The kingdom is where the light is( 1 Pet. 2:9 ).

B.      DEMANDS GRATITUDE - APPRECIATION.

          1.       Repentance( Rom. 2:4 ).

          2.       Sacrifice( Rom. 12:1 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      THE KEY TO LIVING A LIFE OF STRENGTH AND SERVICE IS A   KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S WILL.

B.      HIS WILL DEMANDS GRATITUDE.

C.      GRATITUDE DEMANDS OBEDIENCE TO HIS SON.