Stop Serving Yourself

Stop Serving By Yourself

INTRODUCTION

Having a great staff and a great church.

Great teams go farther than great talent.

Colossians 4:7–18 ESV

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. 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), 11 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. 12 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. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 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.” 18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

5 Outcomes of Working Together

1. Multiplication(7-9, 13, 15-16)

We Cannot Be Everywhere (7-9)

Colossians 4:7–9 ESV

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.

We Accomplish More Together (13)

Colossians 4:13 ESV

13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.

he worked hard for them, not self.

We Proclaim the Word of God to More (15-16)

Colossians 4:15–16 ESV

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.

2 Timothy 2:2 ESV

2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

2. Companionship (10a, 11)

We Will Not Be Alone in Trials (10a, 11)

Colossians 4:10–11 ESV

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), 11 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.

Aristarchus- native of Thessalonica who traveled with Paul in Acts 19 and 20. He accompanied the money that was sent to Jerusalem.

Jesus called Justus

cord of 3 or more is not easily broken.

how can one stay warm alone.

3. Comfort (11)

Colossians 4:11 ESV

11 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.

It is great to have people in your life that comfort you when times are tough.

We are called to comfort because we've been comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 1:3–7 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

4. Prayer (12)

We Get Prayer Support (12)

Colossians 4:12 ESV

12 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.

"struggling on your behalf"- we make prayer too casual.

Daniel prayed intensely for 21 days.

Daniel 10:12–13 ESV

12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia,

5. Accountability (10b, 17)

We Hold Each Other Accountable (17)

Colossians 4:17 ESV

17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

We Get to Practice Grace (10b)

Colossians 4:10 ESV

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),

Holding people accountable is part of discipline.

Why do we discipline? for a change of behavior- Not Punishment.

Mark- left the first missionary journey early. Caused division between Paul and Barnabas.

Becomes important to Paul's ministry.

2 Timothy 4:11 ESV

11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.

CONCLUSION

Are you committed to serve together as the Body of Christ?