Col 4:2-16 "Departing Words and Deep Friendship

Intro:

Outline:

Deaparting Words: “Continue Steadfast” (vs. 2-6)

Deep Friendships: “” (vs.7-16)

Summary: You cannot do this alone!

Illustration:

Prayer:

Departing Words: “Continue Steadfast” (vs. 2-6)

Prayer: Privately (v. 2)

Continue steadfastly- “proskartereite” pre, act imperative, 2nd, pl, persist, continue in

in prayer

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 4:2

Prayer is not a spiritual luxury; it is essential for growth. Prayer—as vital to one’s spiritual health as breathing is to one’s physical health—should be continual (1 Thes. 5:17), not casual.

Being watchful in it- “gr-eh-gorountes” pres, act, part, nom, mas, pl, to be alert/awake

with thanksgiving- “eucharistia” the acto of expressing gratitude or showing appreciation to someone.

Clear speech about the gospel (vs. 3-4)

At the same time- as continuing steadfast in prayer

pray also fo us- “proseuchomenoi” pre, mid/pass, part, nom, mas pl, to pray, to address a deity or say a prayer. Paul asks for prayer here! Wow, if Paul can do this and not be imbarassed, what is our problem? But what was it for? a change of circumstances...

That God may open to us a door for the word- an entrance, not the door to his cell.

to declare the myster of Christ- “lal-eh-sai” aor, act infinitive

On account of which

I am in prison

that I may make it clear- “phanerwsw” aor, act, subj, 1st, sg, to make manifest

which is how I ought to speak- “dei” pres, act, ind, 3rd, sg, to be obligatory

Romans 1:14–15 “I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.”

Walk and Talk: Publically (vs. 5-6)

Walk in wisdom- “peripateite” pres, act, imperative, 2nd, pl, to walk; live

toward outsiders- not a member of the group, outside the household of faith

Making the best use of the time- “exagorazomenoi” pres, mid, part, nom, mas, pl to utilize- redeem

Ephesians 5:16–17 “making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Let your speech- words

always be gracious- “chariti”

seasoned with salt- “eh-rtumenos” perf, pass, part, nom, mas, sg, to be seasoned/flavoured. Salt, both preserving and enhancing.

Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

so that

You may know- “eidenai” perf, act, infinitive, to know

how you ought- “dei” pres, act, ind, 3rd, sg to be obligatory. Same as verse 4.

to answer each person- “apokrinethai” pre, mid/pass, infinitive, to answer, to react verbally

Application/Implications:

What would be your departing words to people that you cared deeply for? What have been some of the departing words from someone in your life that are meaningful to you?

Paul commands the Colossians to remain steadfast in prayer and to walk in wisdom. Which one do you struggle with more?

Is your speeach that different from those that do not know Jesus?

What are some phrases or tones that need to change in your speech?

What does gracious and seasoned with salt communication sound like?

Transitional phrase: In his departing words, Paul commands us to live out the truth of what we have leard. Good theology is meant to lead to right living! But right living is never possible alone in isolation! It is meant for deep friendship...

Deep Friendships: “j” (vs. 7-16)

Tychicus and Onesimus: “The Travelers” (vs. 7-9)

Tychicus- Acts 20:1-6; Eph 6:21; Col. 4:7,8; Titus 3:12; 2 Tim. 4:12

will tell you all about my activites

He is a beloved brother- in the gospel to Paul

and faithful minister- in Ephesus, Colossae, Macedonia and Greece, and Crete.

and fellow servant in the Lord

I have sen 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- “profitable” Philemon 16,

our faithful

and beloved brother- once he was not profitable, but look at how Jesus changes people

who is one of you- from Colossae, hometown boy, everyone knew his shortcomings!

they will tell you of everything that has taken place here

Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus: “Men of the Circumcision” (vs. 10-11)

Aristarchus- Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2; Philem. 24; Rom. 16:7

My fellow prisoner- “prisoner of war” a Macedonian traveling companion of Paul. He and Gaius were seized by the Ephesians during the riot of the silversmiths in Acts 19. Some of the closest people you will meet are people that have gone to war side-by-side.

greets you

And Mark- author of the gospel of Mark

the cousin of Barnabas- Acts 15:37, 39.

concerning whom you have received instructions

if he comes to you

welcome him- 2 Timothy 4:11 “Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.”

and Jesus- Acts 1:23; 18:7.

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, Luke, and Demas: “The Greeters” (vs. 12-13)

Epaphras- Col. 1:7; Philem. 23; Col 4:13

Who is one of you- from Clossae

a servant of Christ Jesus

greets you

always struggling on your behalf in 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 Heirapolis

Luke- the author of the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel of Luke Philem 24; Col 4:14; 2 Tim 4:11

the beloved physician- he had specialty skills

greets you

Demas- Col 4:14; 2 Tim 4:10; Philem 24

as does Demas- according to 2 Timothy 4:10 “For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.”

Brothers in Laodicia and Nympha (vs. 15-16)

give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicia

and to Nympha- christian woman

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

Archippus and Paul (vs. 17-18)

Archippus- Col 4:17; Philem 2

and say to Archippus

see that you fulfill

the ministry that you have received

in the Lord

Paul-

I, Paul

write this greeting

with my own hand

Remember my chains

grace be with you

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What caught your attention in this section?

Which verses or words would you like to study a little more this week?

Engage the Heart (humility vs. pride):

Think about 10 friends in your life. How have they been an encouragement to you to become more like Jesus? How have you been an encouragement to them?

There you have it, the book of Colossians: Maturing in Christ.

What caught you attention the most about being filled with the fullness of Jesus?

What is your ministry? How has God gifted you to serve others?

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

Transitional phrase:

Discussion Starters:

Who is one friend that has encouraged you to become more like Jesus?

What caught your attention the most about being filled with the fullness of Jesus in the book of Colossians?

What is your ministry? How has God gifted you to serve others?

Summary: You cannot do this alone!

Song:

Benediction/Looking ahead: INVITE PEOPLE TO THE CAFE