Colossians 4:7-18

Running the Race

hated running

run after a ball, to be first in line, or from a bear

but not run just to run

track in 8th grade (run the mile)

some people love running

5K

cross country

marathon

many times in the NT

our Christian life is compared to a long-distance race

not a sprint, but a marathon

called to remain faithful to the end

running to win

1 Cor 9:24-25

run to win

Heb 12:1-2

how are you running the race after Jesus?

come to the end of our journey in Colossians

how to preach a “hey howdy” passage?

Paul was encouraged by these at the end of Colossians

many greetings, not really “tell Sally Sue, Hi!”

Paul didn’t know church

celebrities???

no, but these are the people that encouraged Paul

faithfully running the race

pursuing Jesus

Colossians 4:7-18 pew Bible # 1170

Are you in the race? Christian life

not everyone is in the race

gospel

response to the gospel — repent / believe expressed through baptism

Philippians 3:12-14

ESV Study Bible —The prize is the fullness of blessings and rewards in the age to come, most especially being in perfect fellowship with Christ forever.

Keep running the race faithfully

highlight those who were

all of these greetings come from people Paul was encouraged by

would Paul be encouraged by your faithfulness?

what descriptor would he put by your name?

people sent with letter (4:7-9)

Tychicus

beloved brother

faithful minister (διάκονος) description not a title

fellow servant (σύνδουλος) in the Lord

difference between those who like titles and are really pursuing Jesus

Tychicus was the real deal

Onesimus

who is one of you

from Colossae, but left on bad terms

Philemon’s slave who escaped

book of Philemon — Paul pleads to accept

not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ

Onesimus is not the same as when he left Colossae

our faithful and beloved brother

power of gospel on display in a life

these 2 bringing letter to Colossians

1. that you may know how we are

2. that he (Tychicus) may encourage your hearts

ironic that Paul (in prison) is encouraging Colossians’ hearts

people greeting but not accompanying letter (4:10-14)

Jewish coworkers (1st trio)

Aristarchus

mentioned 3 times in Acts (just read in Acts 27)

mentioned in Philemon

likely been with Paul for a while

but we don’t know much about him

fellow prisoner (συναιχμάλωτος)

only 3 times in NT

1 concerning Epaphras

may actually be in prison with Paul (no figurative language)

Sam Storms — “How would you like to be known to history for only one thing: loving Jesus so much that you willingly spent time behind bars?”

Mark the cousin of Barnabas (John Mark)

Jesus who is called Justus

4:11b — only faithful Jews

Gentile coworkers (2nd trio)

Epaphras

who is one of you

from Colossae

mentioned 2 times in Colossians and 1 time in Philemon

humanly speaking — reason Colossian church exists

he labors (4:13) for the Colossians in prayer (also those in Laodicea and Hierapolis)

always struggling on your behalf in his prayers (4:12)

that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God

Luke the beloved physician

gospel writer and author of Acts

Demas

application points: keep running the race faithfully

plan to run faithfully

PE teacher plan = don’t walk, but run the mile

plan to pursue Jesus fervently over long haul — MARATHON — (w/o plan = plan to fail)

plan your Sundays around worship

Hebrews 10:24–25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

plan to read His Word and pray

Paul’s letter was instructive and to be read (4:16)

options — you also read the letter from Laodicea

Ephesians because delivered with Colossians and Philemon

missing — not only missing letter (2/4 letters to Corinthians)

have everything God preserved

we don’t have to wait for the mailman to bring a letter from Paul

have 66 books that reveal who God is and instruct us how to live

read/study the Word

respond in prayer

plan to...

spend time in prayer for others in the race

race is hard but worth staying in

pray for those running well

pray for those “walking”

pray for those who seem to be sitting on the sidelines

pray for those at FCC

working on church app with directory

Epaphras (4:12-13)

would your prayers be described like this?

stay in the race even when it gets hard

encouragement (4:17)

Archippus (some need to hear your name inserted)

be a member of a church

leaders nurture and care for your soul (Heb 13:17)

chases after you if you stray

SS, Life Group, DM

celebrate beginning of race (baptism) but end of race is more important

How you will finish your race?

contrast Mark with Demas

Mark the cousin of Barnabas

John Mark — John whose other name was Mark

gospel writer

YET Paul and Barnabas split over John Mark

real ministry because real person in real situation

story of restoration/reconciliation

Barnabas and Paul have history

after Paul’s conversion

Barnabas vouched for Paul

Barnabas is actually nickname (Acts 4)

real name Joseph

apostles gave nickname — “son of encouragement”

sold land and gave to apostles for distribution of needs

MAP Antioch

God doing such a great work (Acts 11)

apostles sent Barnabas to be an encouragement

Barnabas went and got Paul from Tarsus

HS set apart Barnabas and Paul (Acts 13)

Antioch sent them out

1st missionary journey

Acts 12:25

Acts 13:5

Acts 13:13 (Perga — John left them and returned to Jerusalem)

missionary deserter

catalyst for Paul and Barnabas disagreement

Acts 15:36-39a

Paul’s case

mission work is hard

when the going gets tough, the tough get going

and that’s not John Mark

don’t be so soft

Barnabas’ (“son of encouragement”) case

don’t give up on John Mark

he is still useful

and he’s my cousin

ease up

nevertheless split ways all over John Mark

now in Colossians

Roman imprisonment end of Acts (Colossians written Acts 28)

means Paul has a different take on Mark from Acts 15

Aristarchus, Mark, Justus — fellow workers category (4:11b)

last letter 2 Tim 4:11

Barnabas received Mark back.

Paul received Mark back.

The church as a whole received Mark back.

But what about God?

God used him to write the Gospel of His Son!

reconciliation with God and another believer is possible in Christ

Demas

opposite story of Mark

favorable mentions

Col 4:14, Phil 24

Demas was a traveling companion with Paul

unfavorable mention

2 Tim positive update on Mark, but not on Demas

2 Tim 4:10

deserted

“not simply that Demas had left but had left him in the lurch, had abandoned and forsaken him.”

identity with Christ wasn’t enough for Demas

“He preferred material prosperity to spiritual blessings. Comfort and wealth and safety meant more to him than the advance of the gospel and the welfare of the apostle.”

maybe the chains were too much

was Demas a believer that had a weak moment?

OR was Demas never truly born again?

I won’t speak where God doesn’t in His Word

we just don’t know

beginning is important but not most important

How you will finish your race?

we don’t know how Demas finished, but we do know about Paul

Paul

Remember my chains.

Paul is in prison for the sake of the gospel

his race is not just running, but steeplechase (hurdles and puddles)

Jesus is worth suffering for

Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

2 Tim 4:6-8

Running the Race

how’s your race?

are you in the race?

what label would Paul put by your name?

John, Phil, Mary, Rachel

positive

faithful, fellow

negative

deserter, noncommittal, lover of world

how will you finish the race?

beginning is important but not most important

don’t coast at end, but sprint

next Sunday

9 - traditional service

10 - Bible studies

11 - contemporary service