Those Without

Those “Without” (Colossians 4:5-6) [KJV] INTRODUCTON: THESIS: Faithful Christians must try to convert the lost

I. Those “Without” are those: Outside the Kingdom of God (Colossians 1:12-14)  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  (13)  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  (14)  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

1. Those under the power/control of darkness

2. They are in the world (Ephesians 2:11-16) Who are NOT a part of Christ’s Body (Ephesians 1:20-23) We are saved IN the body/church/kingdom (Ephesians 5:23)  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

II. Two Groups of those Without: Alien sinners, those who have never been Citizens of the Kingdom (Ephesians 2:12)  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: Unfaithful Christians (1John 2:19)  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. (1Timothy 1:18-20)  This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;  (19)  Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:  (20)  Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

III. Christians are saved TO save Others (Matthew 28:18-20)  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  (19)  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 5:14-16)  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  (15)  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  (16)  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 1 2 Discussion:

I. The POVERTY of those without

A. All spiritual blessings are IN Christ (Ephesians 1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Salvation from sin (Colossians 1:14) “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” Reconciliation to God (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) Adoption INTO God’s Family (1John 3:1-2)  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  (2)  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. Hope of Heaven (Colossians 1:27) “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory”

B. People WITHOUT are denied these blessings, “having no hope, and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:11-12) {see above} Those WITHOUT travel a road (way of life) which leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14) “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” Do WE really believe this? ---An Elder, overheard at his atheist brother’s funeral, “At least he isn’t suffering any more”

II. The RESPONSIBILITY of those WITHIN toward those WITHOUT “Walk in wisdom”

1. “Walk to order one’s behavior” (Wuest)

2. It is wise to try to win the souls of those WITHOUT (Proverbs 11:30) “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life: and he that winneth souls is wise” (Daniel 12:2-3) Dan 12:2-3  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.  (3)  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

B. “Redeem the Time” (i.e.) “To make wise use of every opportunity for doing good” (Wuest)

1. As we have opportunity to do good (Galatians 6:9-10) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  (10)  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. 3 The Christian must look for opportunities to teach (Acts 8:1,4) (1)And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. (4)Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Speak graciously to them (Colossians 4:5-6)  Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.  (6)  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (2Timothy 2:24-26)  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  (25)  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;  (26)  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. The speech of the Christian should be edifying (Ephesians 4:29) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers

a. Would gossip edify?

b. Would Teaching a Bible Class in the home of one “without” edify?

c. Would harsh, unkind words edify?

d. Would instruction relative to the plan of salvation, worship, and Christian living edify? “Answer them”

1. There are people “without” who can be taught

2. There are some who sincerely seek an answer to the reason for our hope (1 Peter 3:15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer, to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”

Conclusion: Christians have an obligation to people “without” the kingdom

1. Christians are obligated by the great commission to teach

B. Christians have an opportunity to help those “without”

C. What are we doing to “redeem the time”?

D. WE (Christians/church) must:

a. Abound in the LORD’s WORK (1 Corinthians 15:58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord”

b. Use up our lives leading others to Christ and serving Him (Philippians 1:21-30)