The Power of Connection: Living Out Our Faith Together
Notes
Transcript
THE POWER OF CONNECTION: LIVING OUT OUR FAITH TOGETHER
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent 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, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
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.
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. 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.
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.
INTRODUCTION - THE CONCLUSION OF PAUL’S LETTER (Wrapping it up - coming full circle)
The Fellowship of Prayer
The Fellowship of Prayer
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.
The Fellowship of Prayer
The Fellowship of Prayer
The Colossians are new Christians.
Paul is the great apostle [elaborate]. He writes to instruct and encourage.
Our passage today starts off with instruction - Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.
He asks them for help.
He started his letter by assuring them of his prayers: Col 1:3-4
We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.
They received the good news and it has grown in their lives, transforming them and their community.
Now he asks them to pray for him. [Elaborate on humility, transparency in need admitted - trust extended to the Colossian church - who will grow as they step into responsibility.]
Paul understands his work - teaching & preaching are not effective unless God opens the door for the word to go through. It is by the Spirit of God that people receive the Good News and experience transformation.
It is by prayer that we join with God, prepared to share the Good New when he opens the door. Paul is inviting the Colossians to support his ministry - to join in God’s mission with him, praying that Paul would be able to speak the Good News clearly and effectively - that he would be responding to the Spirit - not getting in the way.
Paul’s invitations to the Colossians echoes his words to the church in Thessalonica.
Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you, and that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
DON’T FORGET TO PRAY FOR ME, CALEB AND DART AS WE PRAYERFULLY PREPARE THE MESSAGES EACH WEEK. Pray that we too may declare the Good News of Jesus as clearly as we should so it can have its full effect in transforming our lives as well.
This isn’t just a call for long-time Christians to pray - it is a call for people just beginning their journey following Jesus. Following Jesus means stepping into the ministry and mission of Jesus, even if we don’t feel quite ready - stepping up to prayer is a means to grow in faith.
In addition to inviting them to step into the responsibility to pray for Paul to preach the Good News clearly and effectively, he calls them to speak the Good News themselves.
Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.
They may be new Christians, but they have heard the Good News and they have experienced transformation and new life as a result. They have a story of their own to tell. Paul obviously wants them to live out their responsibilities in the Kingdom of God, especially as they join Jesus’ mission to take the Good News to the world.
Notice he doesn’t give them a script to memorize and repeat to people. He urges them to be gracious as they talk to others - seasoning their speech with salt - not pepper. I take this to mean thinking about how God has been at work in their lives, the changes they have experienced, and the beauty of the new life they see in Christ. I can also imagine salting their speech, by listening to others - to their questions, their circumstances and needs, praying for God to give them wise words and a gracious attitude.
Paul isn’t issuing commands here - he is issuing an invitation to growth and maturity.
He’s inviting them to do more than just receive the Good News and blessings of God, but to be a conduit of God’s love and blessing. Most of the Colossian church had not met Paul. They’d only heard about him. He hadn’t met them. But he had not only heard about them, he had prayed for them. This gave him a bond, a connection to the Colossian church, because that’s what happens when you pray for someone over time - you develop a relationship - you realize you are all part of the same family.
Paul goes on to strengthen the connections the Colossian church has to the larger family of God.
Embracing Faithful Friendships in the Family of God
Embracing Faithful Friendships in the Family of God
Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts; he is coming with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
Tychicus was bringing the letter. Letter carriers were more than just couriers. They read the letter to the congregation and were authorized to explain and expand on the letter as needed.
Onesimus - runaway slave returning to Philemon (Philemon 1)
Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him. And Jesus who is called Justus greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
Paul sends greetings from some of his Jewish friends and co-workers:
Aristarchus, a co-worker of Paul’s from Thessalonica (Acts 20:4) who assisted Paul’s ministry in Ephesus - now in jail, too.
Mark - Barnabas’ cousin - apparently the Colossians were acquainted with Barnabas who was Paul’s first partner in mission.
Jesus, called Justus [Jesus - Greek form of Hebrew name Yehoshua or Yeshua we know as Joshua.
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always wrestling in his prayers on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in everything that God wills. For I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.
Finally, Paul sends greetings from one of his coworkers who had come from their fellowship - Epaphras, as well as Luke and another disciple - Demas.
Embracing Faithful Friendships in the Family of God
Embracing Faithful Friendships in the Family of God
Note the extensive list of people Paul names. This letter is not from Paul alone. It represents the love and companionship of several churches.
These people were from various cities and walks of life. Relationship among believers crosses all kinds of human boundaries.
It was a new kind of extended family.
[Maybe explore how Paul’s personal greetings exemplify the value of deep relationships within the church. Tychicus and Onesimus are examples of faithfulness and partnership. Highlight the idea that authentic connections mean embracing others and working together towards a common purpose, demonstrating Christ’s love.
Consider the diversity among Paul’s companions, emphasizing the unity within Christ despite different backgrounds. This reminds us that the church’s strength lies in its diversity. Strengthening ties among believers aids in spiritual growth and upholds our common faith, demonstrating to the world the power of unity in Christ.]
Cultivating Wider Connections
Cultivating Wider Connections
Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea.
And say to Archippus, “See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord.” I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Cultivating Wider Connections
Cultivating Wider Connections
Paul concludes his letter with a challenge for the Colossian church to reach out to others, sharing what they have received.
They are called, not to be a dependent church, simply relying on the apostles and leaders, but to be inter-dependent: receiving and giving.
They received Paul’s prayers and they are challenged to pray for him.
They have received this letter - take it to heart, but share it also - pass it on to churches in other cities - probably made a copy and sent it with reliable letter carrier who could read the letter, answer questions and explain as needed.
[Note the importance of acknowledging and remembering those who labor behind the scenes. Through prayers and letters, Paul shows that every member’s contribution is vital to the church. Encourage believers to recognize and appreciate contributions, fostering an inclusive community reflecting the body of Christ.]
The Power of Connection: Living Out Our Faith Together
The Power of Connection: Living Out Our Faith Together
The Good News and the Kingdom of God experienced in the church is not a life of isolation - it is a life of connected inter-dependence. Living out our faith together does not mean we need to live in a commune, to be physically in one place. But it does require a unity, a oneness, that transcends limits of distance, language, nationality, gender, economics, occupation, and tradition.
How does such a diverse group of people come together harmoniously? by Living Like Jesus -
(talk about the triangles)
Through unity of the Holy Spirit, maintaining our connection first with the father through prayer.
We come together with humility, compassion and grace, that flows out of our relationship with the father sustained by prayer for one another. Prayer not only connects us with the Father, son and Holy Spirit - the source of our life and the power to live it out, Prayer also connects us to one another. When we consistently, determinedly pray for one another, we grow united in mutual dependence.
As we close today, let’s cluster in small groups. One person start with a word of thanksgiving and then identify a need. Someone else pray aloud over that word of thanksgiving and need. The one who has prayed then offers their thanks and their need. The first person to share will be the last one to pray.
Commit to pray daily over that need. If you would like, share contact information and share updates and prayers throughout the week.
