Wholehearted Partners for Jesus
COLOSSIANS • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 9 viewsAs members of the body of Christ, we are called to cooperate and collaborate as we serve Jesus and partner with others to prayerfully fulfill his mission and build his kingdom.
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REFLECTION TEXT: Psalm 32
SERMON TEXT: Colossians 4:7-18
We desperately need the Lord to enlarge our hearts if we’re going to live FULL lives for Him and glorify him in healthy ways.
PAUL demonstrates this so vividly as we come to the end of our time in Colossians.
We’ve themed this study around KEEPING THE FOCUS ON CHRIST.
That’s the underlying beat to this incredible letter to the church at Colossae.
Most of the NT is written TO or ABOUT the local church
a called out / assembled body of believers in covenant with one another, to fulfill the one-anothers of the NT
The Colossians needed their hearts enlarged, like the Apostle Paul’s had been.
PAUL WAS NOT A LONE RANGER.
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
THERE IS NO SNAPSHOT in the New Testament of a healthy Christian fulfilling the great commission or living out the great commandment alone. WE NEED ONE ANOTHER to fulfill the ONE ANOTHERS in the Bible.
Paul knew the only way forward was TOGETHER!
As we look at some of the people Paul is “decorating” in the text, I believe we’ll be encouraged and instructed today.
We aren’t naturally BIG-HEARTED for God or people unless we yield to God in our lives. But when we do, and we cultivate that big heart - WE get to experience life in new ways!
WHEN GOD ENLARGES OUR HEARTS,
THERE IS PURPOSEFUL WORK…TOGETHER (Partners with purpose)
THERE IS PURPOSEFUL WORK…TOGETHER (Partners with purpose)
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,
Tychicus (7-8)
delivering the letter / the news
beloved brother & faithful minister & fellow servant
sent with a purpose
encourager
Epaphrus (12-13)
servant of Christ Jesus
always passionately interceding in prayer (working in prayer)
for the maturity of the saints
so that everyone is in step with the will of God
He has a desire for the kingdom beyond this one church and his community (V13) Laodicea & Hierapolis
We are described as laborers in the vineyard of the LORD!
publishing the good news to all who will listen / telling everyone, everywhere about Jesus
encouraging the saints - being kind and thoughtful in the way we engage
not just saying nice things…but demonstrating that GOD is at work in our LIVES
(MEN’S & WOMEN’S EVENTS ARE FILLED WITH SCRIPTURE & TESTIMONIES!)
praying for open doors, open hearts, and open mouths!
Epaphras is the very illustration to Paul’s call to being prayed up and poured out in verses 2-6
WHEN GOD ENLARGES OUR HEARTS,
THERE IS AN ABIDING LOVE…TOGETHER
THERE IS AN ABIDING LOVE…TOGETHER
Onesimus (9)
the beloved brother (NOW)
BUT WHAT HIS “BEFORE”
He had fled COLOSSAE in dubious circumstances… He was a runaway slave.
He is described as miserable, ungrateful Onesimus.
He had stolen from Philemon and fled to Ephesus and then on to Rome. Probably hoping to disappear in the crowd.
But instead of being unknown…he discovered he was fully known, found, and radically saved by his master’s Lord, Jesus Christ.
What a transformation!
He once was lost - but now is found.
“Once restless and insolent, Onesimus was now clear-eyed and straightforward.
Once ungrateful and unloving, Onesimus now abounded with love.
Once dishonest, he was willing to make restitution.
Once sad & dejected, he now entered joyfully into the psalms and hymns and spiritual songs of the persecuted church in Rome.
NO WONDER THEY CALL IT AMAZING GRACE!
Although his previous desertion was punishable by law, Paul is sending him home as a beloved brother.
He gave him the same description that he gave Tychicus us in v7.
11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
THERE IS LOVE FOR PEOPLE FROM EVERY STATION OF LIFE.
THE COMMON THREAD HERE IS JESUS
THE COMMON THREAD HERE IS ADVANCING GOD’S KINGDOM
NOT OUR SHARED INTERESTS
NOT OUR SHARED SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS
NOT OUR SHARED EDUCATIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
NOT OUR SHARED HERITAGE
Jesus Saves! Jesus Saves!
from the guttermost to the uttermost
from our neighbors to the nations
9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
Our IDENTITY IS IN CHRIST.
Let the Redeemed of the Lord, say so!
Paul is going to press the Colossians to live out what they would likely “amen” in a sermon…as he sends Onesimus - the beloved brother (a slave who ran from Philemon) - to be received as one of their own
10 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),
Mark (10)
It’s quite beautiful that Mark is mentioned here because of Paul and Mark’s rocky relationship from the past!
36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”
37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.
38 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.
39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,
40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
But it’s clear to see they have been reconciled by this point. Paul wants to encourage the church to be hospitable.
He doesn’t anyone dissing him
He wants them to let LOVE UNDO the knots of past disagreements
APPLICATION:
There was no way that two men who both loved God and were walking in fellowship with him would not have fellowship with one another.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
This is what true fellowship brings!
If two believers cannot be reconciled, then either one of them is NOT in fellowship with God or BOTH of them are NOT in fellowship with God.
>>> Is there someone that you will not forgive—that you have no desire to forgive though this person has humbly sought your forgiveness?
Before your bed hits the pillow tonight, you need to ask the LORD to fill you with His Spirit - the Holy Spirit - who makes you like Jesus.
You have been FORGIVEN. Get full of Him and you will be like him—FORGIVING!
It’s worth noting here that there were 3 Jews & 3 Gentiles metioned in this passage.
3 JEWS WITH HIM
Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus
btw, there may be a tinge of heartbreak in the statement, “the only Jews among my fellow workers for the Kingdom of God.”
Paul’s ministry was costly.
He needed people - he longed for partners in the work of the ministry.
We do too!
3 GENTILES WITH HIM
Epaphras - the prayer warrior.
Luke & Demas
Luke - the physician…not a prominent profession in that day.
Demas - if you know this name well…it’s likely because you’ve heard him used as a warning - from the other passage where he appears in the Scriptures.
10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
Notice the distinction here among these men:
Luke - we know. (Luke / Acts)
Epaphras - a prayer warrior.
Demas - mentioned as near, but not commended in any way here or in Philemon.
Paul had disciples of Jesus around him - on his team - who were like him and who were not like him.
Paul had strong & weak disciples with him.
WHEN GOD ENLARGES OUR HEARTS,
we can experience purposeful work TOGETHER
we can experience abiding love TOGETHER
We also get recognize,
THERE IS A KINGDOM FOCUS…TOGETHER
THERE IS A KINGDOM FOCUS…TOGETHER
Col 4.13, 15-17
Verse 13 - Paul notes that Epaphras has worked for more than just the Colossians; he’s labored for Laodicea and Heirapolis.
not just “us four and no more”
We LONG TO REACH OUR NEIGHBORS - OUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, COWORKERS
We want to see Christ the hub of every home where we LIVE, where we WORK, and where we PLAY
That’s our Jerusalem.
But our Judea, Samaria, and uttermost parts of the earth need to hear as well
And when God enlarges our hearts, he gives us a heart for the nations!
A heart for Christ is a heart for the nations!
Verses 15-17
15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
16 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.
17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
Notice there is concern here also for other Churches. Not only prominent established churches, but very small gatherings as well. How appropriate for mission Bible that this passage reminds us just how important a few people gathered in Jesus name are.
That’s not a license for us to get comfortable here. :-)
He mentionS the brothers at Laodicea
He mentions this precious lady Nympha, and the church gathered in her house
He mentions ARCHIPPUS, wants to encourage him in the work that he’s doing where he is serving.
This PURPOSEFUL WORK and ABIDING LOVE is meant to be shared in covenant relationship of the local church.
But This kind of kingdom togetherness brings about a kingdom focus that keeps us from gazing at ourselves and idolizing our slice of the kingdom. It Reminds us that it is all about Jesus and his ministry being done on his terms so that he gets all the glory!
We will love and support other churches, other ministries, other endeavors!
One of our core values is the fact that we will be generous kingdom partners… We get this from Scripture.
Remember when the disciples had small hearts with regard to this?
38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.”
39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me.
40 For the one who is not against us is for us.
41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.
They needed their hearts enlarged!
We don’t want to struggle to celebrate when churches that CHRIST-EXALTING, BIBLE-FOCUSED, GOSPEL-CENTERED are succeeding!
We want to CELEBRATE THEM!
WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER!
“DECORATION DAY”
“DECORATION DAY”
Tomorrow we will celebrate Memorial Day as a nation.
Originally known as decoration day – a deliberate act to honor those who had lived courageously and gone on before.
A pause in the noise and traffic of everyday life, to remind ourselves of the great sacrifice paid by so many in the protectors/defenders of freedom for this nation both near and far.
Small hearts think only about the here and now - and staying safe.
Enlarged hearts think of those who paid for that luxury.
Paul has a way here of decorating the lives of those around him in significant ways.
He could not accomplish the purposeful work God called him to do alone.
If he kept his heart small, he could maybe keep it “safer” - but that’s not possible when we’re filled with the Holy Spirit.
He could not give or receive the kind of love that only God’s family knows - if he kept his heart small.
He had been deeply hurt, mocked, abused, gossiped about - but he still let God enlarge his heart as he was filled with the Holy Spirit.
He could not have a Kingdom focus beyond his limited near-sightedness…if he stayed alone.
Small hearts typically don’t beat in sync with God’s heart for the nations!
A LIFE OF WHOLEHEARTEDNESS IN KNOWING, LOVING, AND OBEYING JESUS means cultivating a BIG HEART for God and people.
Keeping a small heart is safer.
it minimizes the risk of sorrow in life.
it helps avoid all trouble and disappointment.
it will keep you from pushing yourself to do anything uncomfortable
you might get by in life with minimal tribulation and heartbreak.
you may experience of measure of sentimentalism; but you likely won’t experience true sympathy and empathy for others
But keeping a small heart will keep you OUT OF STEP with the HOLY SPIRIT.
You will consume instead of contribute.
Cultivating a big heart is riskier…but far more rewarding.
you will know the most JOY
you will leave a greater MARK on others for Jesus’ sake
you will accomplish more for God TOGETHER for His purpose than is possible alone
you will LOVE and BE LOVED and helped, and encouraged, and lifted more than is possible without
you will begin to see the world in new ways…YES, with a heart that breaks for the lost; but with a heart that rejoices as the nations are touched with the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
After dictating the letter, Paul picks up the pen himself to sign his name and give 2 prompts…
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
REMEMBER MY CHAINS
HIs enlarged heart was still beating strong for / with those around him - while he was suffering
His wholehearted love for Jesus was strengthened - because of those around him
GRACE BE WITH YOU.
Paul wanted everyone everywhere to experience the grace that he had…
lest we forget THIS WAS SAUL.
Met Jesus
Was confronted with his SINFULNESS and CHRIST’S Holiness
Repented and believed the Gospel
SAUL The destroyer has become Paul the declare
Saul the PROSECUTOR has become Paul the PREACHER
Saul the TERROR has become Paul the PREACHER
Saul, the MISGUIDED has become Paul the MISSIONAL
Saw the FOOLISH has become Paul the WISE
Saw the AGITATOR has become Paul the PEACEMAKER
Saul, the STIFFNECKED has become Paul the SURRENDERED
No wonder they call it amazing grace.
We all need it. We can ALL EXPERIENCE IT TOGETHER in a way that we cannot alone.
If God can do this for Paul…what can he do for your lost loved one - your neighbor - your friend.
Where does God need to expand/enlarge our hearts a bit?
so we might work as sent ones
encouraging one another
praying passionately for open doors
loving and being loved richly in the family of God
so that we might see our neighbors, neighborhood, and the nations as Christ does
WE NEED EACH OTHER!
WHOLEHEARTEDLY as we partner with Jesus - the lover of our souls - the one who came to seek and to save the lost.
LET’S PRAY!
