The Art of Seeking, Part 12
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Colossians 3:1.
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
In this sermon, we will learn the art of seeking the heavenly by engaging in teamwork for the kingdom.
Turn to Colossians 4:7-9. I want to introduce you to Paul’s team for engaging in teamwork for the kingdom.
We also need to see ourselves as a team. Kingdom work can only be accomplished by partnering with God and then with each other.
Other metaphors that describe this partnership are “the body of Christ” or “the family of God”. Paul uses familial language in our passage.
7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.
8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts,
9 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.
Meet Tychicus, who is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.
As a team, we relate to one another in the Lord.
In Christ, we love each other, showing God’s love to the world.
In Christ, we minister to each other.
In Christ, we choose to be slaves to God, for he is our Lord and Master.
Teamwork for the kingdom requires us to relate to each other in Christ.
Tychicus is Paul’s messenger. He is going to encourage the Colossians and tell them all about Paul’s activities.
This is very similar to when we have a missionary come and share what has been going on in their mission for the kingdom.
Tychicus is Paul's postmaster. We have an excellent mail system. We send a letter or order a package and it arrives in a couple of days.
Here is a point of cultural context. “In the first century, primarily only government officials and military personnel could use the mail system, known as the "cursus publicus" in the Roman Empire.
However, ordinary citizens could only access it with special permission from the government, often requiring a permit from the emperor himself, so they would usually rely on slaves or acquaintances to carry their mail if they couldn't use the official service.
Tychicus, then, carried Paul’s letter to the Colossians. He also carried Paul’s letter to the Laodiceans and Paul’s letter to Philemon. The letter to the Laodiceans was lost and thus not passed on to us today.
I want you to meet Onesimus, Tychicus's traveling companion.
Their traveling together reminds us that we are not called to walk alone, but together as a team for the kingdom.
Onesimus is a faithful and beloved brother, a fellow Colossian.
They know him as a runaway slave from his owner, Philemon, who is a member of their church.
One of the most challenging things for us is to not let the past define us or our view of others.
Paul encourages Philemon to be reconciled to Onesimus and not view him as his slave but as his dear brother (Philemon 14-16).
Teamwork for the kingdom requires us to be reconciled to each other in Christ.
Colossians 4:10-11.
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.
Meet Aristarchus, a fellow prisoner with Paul. He was probably arrested at the same time as Paul for preaching the gospel.
Teamwork for the kingdom means we are all in this together. When one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers.
Meet Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, who Paul had a conflict with on his first missionary journey. This conflict caused separation, but they are now reconciled (Acts 13:13; 15:37-39). This is the same Mark who wrote the Gospel of Mark and spent time with Peter.
Meet Jesus, also known as Justus, a fellow Jew working with Paul for the kingdom of God.
All three of these fellow workers bring Paul comfort.
Teamwork for the kingdom is to comfort one another in our afflictions (2 Corinthians 1:4).
Colossians 4:12-13.
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.
Meet Epaphras, the Colossian's envoy and bondservant of Christ.
He struggles in prayer on their behalf for their spiritual growth, shown in maturity and assurance of God’s will.
Teamwork for the kingdom is wrestling in prayer for one another's spiritual growth.
Colossians 4:14-16.
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.
Meet Luke, the beloved physician. He is a fellow worker with Paul and is also the author of Luke and Acts.
Meet Demas, a fellow worker, who later abandons Paul for the love of this world ( 2 Timothy 4:10).
Teamwork for the kingdom is not perfect. Sometimes we lose teammates.
Meet the Laodicean brothers who are reaching Laodicea for Christ.
This would be like our brothers and sisters in Earlville, Shabbona, and Waterman. The list could go on.
Teamwork for the kingdom goes beyond our immediate circles of influence.
Meet Nympha, who hosts a church in her house.
Teamwork for the kingdom is us showing hospitality to those in our circles of influence.
Colossians 4:17-18.
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.
Meet Archippus, who Paul is encouraging to fulfill the calling he received from the Lord.
Teamwork for the kingdom requires us to encourage each other to fulfill the ministry God has called us to.
Teamwork for the kingdom requires us to receive and give grace.
Go! Seek the heavenly by working as a team for the kingdom of God.
