Built different

Read Colossians 4:17–18 “And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.”

Intro

Common english phrases

Hang in there

Under the weather

The ball is in your court

You can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs

Built different

Today, I want to reveal

our new student theme

and motto.

Built different.

You all know

what built different means.

But for student ministry,

built different means that God

built you different.

To be holy,

pleasing,

kind,

loving,

and a new creation.

Today, we’re going to see

a group of people from the Bible,

who were built different.

And there are 4 lessons

we will learn from these people who were built different.

1. Appreciate the differences (v.7-14)

Today,

we conclude,

the book of Colossians,

and this series on Why Christ is All You Need.

This final section of Colossians

is often ignored and overlooked.

‘Here are a bunch of names,

and people

that were from over 2000 years ago,

I don’t know who they are,

I don’t know what they are going through.

Don’t all I need to know about is Jesus

and Paul?’

If that’s what you were thinking,

when you’ve read this part,

I wouldn’t be surprised.

But there is a reason

why God

decided to make this a part of His Bible.

And it’s to remind you that these people are real.

That this isn’t some made up fairy tail.

These were actual people,

that had real plans and goals for life,

and failures.

These people were unique.

These people were different.

As we look at each person,

I want you to reflect

and consider which of these people you relate to the most,

and which of these people remind you of people you know.

So let’s look at the first person, Tychicus.

v.7, ‘Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all news about me.’

Tychicus was converted to Christ

by from hearing the gospel.

He became a leader within the church.

Paul calls him beloved, faithful, and a fellow servant in the Lord.

In other words,

Paul trusted him.

Look at v.8, ‘I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts’.

Paul sent Tychicus

to encourage

the church,

but also for a very special mission.

To deliver the letter

which we know today as the book of Colossians.

But he was to also deliver a few other letters.

Which today we know as the book of Ephesians,

and the book of Philemon.

This was not easy.

He had to travel hundreds of miles

on foot

and by sea.

It would take weeks

and months.

What if Tychicus

lost the letter?

We would be missing 3 books of the Bible.

But Paul trusted him.

Because Tychicus was a trustworthy man.

Next let’s move on

to Onesimus.

v.9, ‘with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.

Onesimus is a very interesting person.

Onesimus was a slave.

His master was Philemon,

but he ended up running away.

In this time period

if a slave ran away

he was to be put to death.

Philemon ran all the way to Rome.

And do you know who he ended up coming across?

The Apostle Paul.

And he ended up getting saved

by the Lord Jesus Christ

from hearing the gospel from Paul.

However,

Paul wanted him to return

to his master Philemon.

But in the letter to Philemon,

Paul tells Philemon to release Onesimus as a slave.

Philemon 10 (LSB)

I plead with you for my child Onesimus, of whom I became a father in my chains,

Philemon 15–16 (LSB)

For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

This passage by the way students,

is what abolitionists used

during the civil war

to end slavery.

Because the Bible teaches against slavery.

Onesimus

was the person with the broken past.

The next person is Aristarchus.

v.10, ‘Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you,’

Aristarchus was a greek Jew

who was with Paul during the riot at Ephesus.

He was also with Paul

when he went to Rome.

Aristarchus was a prisoner.

A man who was a true companion,

and went with Paul wherever he went.

The next person is Mark.

v.10, ‘with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him).’

What’s interesting about Mark,

is that there was some drama.

Acts 15:37–39 (ESV)

Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other.

Mark abandoned Paul at some point during the trip.

So Paul didn’t want Mark to come anymore.

And that led to the disagreement and separation.

But things changed,

and they eventually reconciled,

and Mark returned.

And Mark is the one who eventually wrote the Gospel of Mark.

Mark is a person who is a failure

but was redeemed.

The next person is Jesus-Justus.

v.11, ‘and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me’.

If you remember,

this is the man who had the same name as Jesus.

And the reason why you must not believe in any Jesus,

but the Jesus of the Bible.

He was also called Justus, because he head the same name as Jesus the Christ.

Justus was a Jew who believed in the Messiah.

Students what is remarkable about a Jew who believed in Christ?

Did most of the Jews believe in Jesus?

They did not.

Very few did.

Which makes Justus rare.

He was a person that was uncommon.

The next person is Ephaphras.

v.12-13, ‘Ephaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.’

Epaphras was mentioned all the way back in chapter 1.

He was the pastor of the Colossian church.

Paul describes him as having great zeal for them.

Another way to translate it is a deep concern and care.

Epaphras was a man who cared deeply for others.

Last but not least are two final names.

First, Luke

v.14, ‘Luke the beloved physician’.

Paul was getting sick a lot during his trips.

And so he brought Luke with him,

a doctor.

Luke is the one who ended up writing the gospel of Luke,

and the book of Acts.

Luke reminds you,

that everyone has a different part to play,

in the ministry.

You don’t have to be a pastor.

You can do other things

and still serve God.

And the last person, Demas.

v.14, ‘and Demas greet you.’

Demas is the person with a dark future.

He was with Paul on so many trips.

But eventually he left.

2 Timothy 4:9–10 (NKJV)

Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world

Demas loved the world more.

Perhaps it was money,

or some other thing.

Demas was fake.

He was Paul’s Judas.

A betrayer.

Students even in this group there is or will be a Demas. A fake.

I‘ve seen it many times.

People who after they finish their time in student ministry.

They reject Jesus and stop going to church.

And you can see signs of people who might be that.

You can tell by the things they watch or the music they listen to.

You can tell if they act one way at church but completely different outside of church.

You can tell that they don’t really want to be here by the way they act.

I hope that’s not any of you,

but the reality is there is always a Demas in any group.

These are quite a few names.

But what’s common about all of them,

is actually the lack of similarity.

That they’re all different.

In this group of people,

there were Jews,

there were Greeks,

there was a prisoner,

a betrayer

a slave,

and a doctor.

It’s such a hodge podge group,

that it almost sounds like the beginning of a joke.

A priest, a rabbi, a minister, and a duck walk into a bar. (bar joke pic)

How in the world

are they all going to get along

and work together?

And that’s the beauty of it,

students.

Is that they’re all different.

Jesus Christ has the power to unite the most completely different people,

a group of people that would never be seen in school or at work together,

and create unity among them.

And here’s another lesson we learn from this group of people

the more differences,

the better. (diverse group pic)

Each and every one of these people had something different to contribute.

Who is reliable enough,

to deliver 3 whole books of the Bible

from Rome,

across the sea?

Who has the skill to treat medical conditions?

Because everyone had a different gift to offer,

the ministry was more effective,

not less.

But do you see the differences

within the student ministry,

as a blessing

or a curse?

1 Corinthians 12:19–20 (ESV)

If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

Paul was making an example of different gifts everyone in the church has.

And he uses the example of the human body.

Basically he’s saying, ‘if everyone was a hand where is the body?’

Or if everyone is the eye, where is the body?

There is no body,

without the different parts.

We think Paul was so influential and important,

but if everyone was a Paul,

nothing would get done!

If everyone in student ministry,

was like me,

nothing would get done!

You know why?

Because I’d keep forgetting things!

I need all of you,

and your help!

So students,

remember that God has made you built different,

so that you can appreciate the differences,

of others.

How boring would student ministry be,

if everyone

was exactly the same as you?

Instead of complaining,

when you come to student ministry,

that certain people are here,

and other people are not,

be grateful to the Lord

that these people are different than me,

because it brings glory to God,

and we can all help in unique ways.

2. Don’t ____ __ (v.10)

2. Don’t give up (v.10)

With this point

I want us to look closely

at Onesimus,

and Mark.

Onesimus was a slave who rebelled against the law.

And Mark ran away from his duties.

Seems like Paul did a horrible job,

at creating a ministry team no?

Choosing a bunch of failures?

Students,

church is not a TedTalk,

or a top 100 Forbes business conference.

Church is not the gathering

of people who are extremely successful,

and have zero mistakes.

No the church,

is glorious

because even people who have failed

have been redeemed by Christ.

Have you guys ever seen a home renovation show? (home renovation pic)

Where they completely change,

an old broken home,

into a modern beautiful one?

That’s what Christ does.

He gives you a new life,

and another chance.

And if you fail again,

Christ gives you another chance.

So don’t give up.

If you feel like a failure,

I want to encourage you to remember Onesimus

and Mark.

Mark was a big failure,

but ended up writing

the Gospel of Mark.

Onesimus was a slave who ran away and deserved death,

but became free.

These are people who have failed miserably,

but have become who went on to do great things,

and people that we will remember for eternity.

God has you all built different,

different pasts,

different failures,

to remind you to don’t give up.

3. Serve one another (v.15-17)

Let’s look at v.15-17,

‘Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas the church that is in his house. Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, ‘Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.’

So the previous verses we just read,

Paul shares greetings from himself and all the other people he mentioned.

And also their care for the Colossian church.

And now he wants the Colossian church to show the same care.

Paul is saying,

‘we served you,

now serve others’.

He tells the Colossians to greet the other folks from the church in Laodicea.

And they were also to make sure that this letter was read in their church.

And they don’t even know these people.

Students remember to greet people at church.

Say hi to people you don’t know.

Talk to people you don’t usually speak to.

Dont just go to your seat without greeting someone.

Don't underestimate the power of saying hi,

of dapping someone up.

I’ve had times where I was having an awful day,

but someone smiled and said hi,

and my day got a lot better.

Students you can also make someone’s day just by smiling and saying hi.

And this responsibility doesn’t end with you,

but me as well.

Paul tells Archippus

a leader or pastor in the church

to pay close attention to the ministry.

This applies to me

but also to you

if you are serving in a ministry at church.

If you are serving in the sound room, or in the music

for example

do it with great care and diligence.

Don’t be lazy about it.

The reason why Paul was telling the Colossians to serve another church

that they don’t even know,

is because you need each other.

We all have different gifts,

and we can all help one another in unique ways,

that I can’t do,

or you can’t do,

but only one of you can.

If one of you is the hand of the body

for example,

but don’t serve,

how can the body do anything?

If one of you are the eye,

but don’t serve,

how will the body see anything?

Students fill the role,

God has given you.

And many of you

are filling that role.

You’re helping with setup,

You’re helping with growgroup.

People like Mr. Matt and

Mr.Greg,

Mr. Adam,

Ms. Beth.

Without servants like these,

no group could thrive.

And they don’t have to be always in the front

to be considered a servant.

When Abby

helps collect the communication cards,

she is being a helpful servant.

When Ebube, Noah, and Gabe

help with the curtains

that most of us can’t reach,

they are being helpful servants.

And to Hannah,

Kaitlyn,

thank you for serving in music.

To Ben,

Kamma,

Noah Vick,

Ryan

and Jeff,

thank you for helping in the sound room in the back,

Just keep it down there!

To Kevin

Brady

and Mason

thank you for reading scripture.

To Lizzy,

Nathan,

and Ryan

thank you for doing the announcements.

Without real people

with real names

who serve

Paul could do nothing.

That’s what we learn from this passage.

Paul was not a one-man show.

And neither am I.

It’s a team effort.

Students God built us different

because He designed us to be a team.

Look out for one another.

Serve one another.

4. Love one another (v.18)

Last verse, v.18, ‘This salutation by my own hand- Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.’

To further authenticate this letter,

Paul wrote this last part

by hand.

Usually Paul would dictate his letter,

he would speak it out,

and someone else

would write it for him.

But to add his own

personal touch,

he handwrote the last verse.

Because not only did real people

with real names

care for the Colossians,

so did Paul.

In fact he cared so much for them

because he loved them.

‘Remember my chains.’

Paul wrote this letter from prison.

He sacrificed his wellbeing

for the good of others.

Even when he was betrayed by Demas

he loved him.

That is true love.

Romans 15:1–3 (ESV)

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”

Paul told the Roman church,

that the strong

have a duty to serve the weak.

Because

Christ who was the strongest,

laid his life down for the weak.

Romans 5:8 (ESV)

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Students, love one another.

And love those who are weaker than you.

Those are younger than you.

Those who don’t know as much as you do.

Instead of being annoyed by each other,

lay down your comfort,

like Christ did by being born in a manger,

and just serve

and love one another.

I also want to encourage you students,

to go to MFUGE if you are able.

I encourage you to go to MFUGE,

not solely

because your friend is going or not going,

but to go because you want to serve.

This is a mission trip.

Come not thinking, ‘what can I get?’

But instead, ‘how can I help?’

Just like how the early church,

served the community around them who they did not know,

you have an opportunity to serve and show love

to the lost people

in Phili.

They need your help students.

Gospel/conclusion

I want to conclude,

by reminding you of God’s goodness. (God’s design slide)

God built us different

so that we would love one another.

But because of sin, (sin slide)

instead of loving one another,

we hate one another,

and create disunity and cliques. (broken slide)

That is brokeness.

But the good news (gospel slide)

is that Jesus lived a sinless life,

died on the cross to be the substitute for the punishment we deserve,

and rose again into new life.

And you too can have a new life,

eternal life

simply by putting your faith in Christ

for the forgiveness of your sins.

This is the only way

that you can be restored, (restored slide)

and truly be built different.

Let’s pray.