Introduction

• Fallen Condition: living for ourselves and not for God's glory due to a lack of true knowledge of God
• Sermon Proposition: Since the Lord has given us this prayer today that we may lead a life worthy of the Lord, we ought to make it our aim and prayer to fulfill it

I. Our purpose for this year - to live worthy of the Lord fully pleasing to Him (Col. 1:10; cf. Eph. 4:1)

II. Our means of fulfilling this purpose - being filled by God with the knowledge of his will with spiritual wisdom and insight (Col. 1:9; cf. Eph. 1:16-17)

III. Our program for living worthy of our Lord, fully pleasing to God this year (Col. 1:1-14)

A. Bearing fruit with every good work (Col. 1:10; cf. John 15:5)

B. Increasing in the knowledge of God (Col. 1:10; cf. Col. 2:2-3)

C. Being strengthened with God's power for endurance and patience (Col. 1:11; Eph. 3:16)

D. Joyfully giving thanks to God for his great salvation (Col. 1:12-14; cf. 2:7; 3:15, 17; 4:2)