God Be With Ye

Origin of the word Goodbye.

God be with ye

Godbwye

Colossians 4:7–18 ESV

Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Inform and Encourage

He wants to share about what is happening with his ministry.

It is wild to think about all that God was doing at the time of Paul and his ministry.

the Gospel is spreading all through the area and Paul wants to be sure to inform the Christians at Colossae of all that God is doing.

Show maps of Paul’s Missionary journeys.

He traveled over 10,000 miles! By foot (and boat)

It is likely he didn’t start these missionary journeys until he was in his 40’s.

It is important that we keep in mind the Global picture of the Kingdom of God in mind. It isn’t just about one local church, it isn’t just about one city, state, country. It is aout the Kingdom of God.

From this we should...

Inform one another about our lives.

Too often we get caught up in church platitudes. “How are you?” “Good! You?” “Great!”

We should be real with one another.

We should share the good, and the bad.

We cannot help one another if we aren’t sure how to come alongside one another.

We also should encourage one another.

Hearing of what God is doing in others and being reminded of these things should encourage us.

We should bear with one another in such a way that we are encouraged.

Displays the Beauty of the Body of Christ

Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus are the only men of the circumcision (Jews) among those working with him.

Epaphras, Luke, Demas, the brothers at Laodicea, Nympha, and Archippus are Gentile believers.

A Pharisee, A Doctor, and a wealthy Lady walk into a room… and they all are united by serving the same God.

It can feel a little bit strange to just spend time looking at all of these names and realizing that you have no idea who they are… but that is the beauty of it.

Not only did Paul do a lot, but there were ton’s of Christians who played a part in the ministry that was done and the spread of the Gospel.

What we should learn:

The work of the body of Christ takes all sorts of people

Billy Graham was successful, but many faithful men and women worked behind the scenes and discipled those who came to faith.

The Gospel is the bond that unites even the most opposed people.

The people who are currently lost and appear to be most at odds with Christ are just the kind of people that God will use to His glory.

Commission to Christian Living

Paul ends this letter in a way that is calling the believers live out their lives in obedience to God.

Everything that he has taught them, he is now challenging them to put into practice.

He has focused thoroughly on the Gospel

He has focused on who Christ is, “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”

He has shared what his ministry is, seeking to share the mystery of Christ with the Gentiles.

He has explained that Christians are to be dead to their old lives and alive in Christ.

He has explained our freedom to be obedient in Christ.

He has talked about putting to death the things of the flesh and putting on the new self.

He has talked about the Christian family.

Giving some final instructions about how to talk the talk and walk the walk.

“See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

Remember my chains

He is asking for their prayers.

Grace be with you.

A final greeting and prayer that they would be able to fulfill what he has called them to.

What we should learn:

We must put into practice the things that we learn about God.

We can’t forget what God calls us to.

We must remember that it is only by God’s grace that we can do this.