A Fulfilled Ministry (Colossians 4:7-18)

A Fulfilled Ministry

Colossians 4:7-18

Sunday, August 30, 2026 — Land O’ Lakes Bible Church

Introduction

Please take out your Bibles and turn with me to Colossians 4:7-18. That can be found on page #______ in the Red Bibles there in your seats.

When our hearts are feeling downcast with discouragement and weariness, a good word is fitting. For with a good word of encouragement, our hearts are strengthened. For the word of encouragement speaks to where we are discouraged and weary with truth and helps us to press on.

And I think it is this kind of encouragement that we see that the Apostle Paul has been laboring to bring about to these Colossians. He has told us as much already back in Colossians 2:2. For there he wrote:

Colossians 2:2 (ESV)

2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ,

Paul has made clear, it is this kind of encouragement that he labors and toils with all the energy that Christ works within him.

A labor and toil that he is eagerly willing to do as he labors to encourage them by pointing them to the all Supreme Christ! Reminding them that there is none before or above Jesus! For he is before all creation and all redemption. For in his cross, he has triumphed over every ruler and authority, both in this world and in the spiritual realm.

But not only does Paul encourage in this letter with the truths of who Christ is, but who we are in Him! That all who have received Christ are filled with Christ! And that by the same power that he has conquered these enemies, he is now powerfully working with in us and calling us to walk in this newness in him!

A newness that moves our eyes and minds from this world to the things above where our King is seated next to our Heavenly Father! A newness that kills and puts off the things of old while putting on the new in Christ!

But to do that and to continue bearing fruit, the Colossians are encouraged to continue in devoted prayer, relying on the power of God along the way. Having now reminded the Colossians all of this so that they may not be taken captive by the empty deceit and philosophies of the false teachers, Paul turns to close his letter. A closing that we will look at this morning.

But a brief word on this closing that needs to be said before we read it. Yes, this is a list of names and personal greetings. A list and greetings that if we are honest with ourselves, we are often tempted to quickly pass through or even skip all together.

Beloved, all of God’s word is profitable for teaching and reproof, including these closing greetings. Let us never think that God’s word in any passage is not profitable for us through the lens of Christ!

Therefore, may our God, YHWH, speak plainly to us through His Holy Word. READ Colossians 4:7-18…

Main Point: If we are to endure in the faith, we must remain dependent upon the ongoing grace of God in our lives, including the grace of others, to encourage and strengthen us.

1. Gospel Affection

2. Gospel Greetings

3. Gospel Ministry

4. Gospel Grace

I. Gospel Affection (4:7-9)

Three different affections are shown here in verses 7-9.

A. Paul’s Affection for His Fellow Workers (4:7, 9)

First, we see Paul’s affections for those he has sent to the Colossians with this letter in how he speaks of Tychicus and Onesimus.

In verse 7, Paul says that Tychicus is a beloved brother and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. Then in verse 9, he says that with Tychicus is Onesimus who he calls a faithful and beloved brother. Two men, both dearly loved by Paul.

We know that Tychicus had been with Paul for some time as a co-laborer. This is why Paul mentions that he is a fellow servant, a slave in the Lord and a faithful minister. Tychicus was preaching the gospel with Paul to the Gentiles.

He was with Paul laboring in Ephesus as recorded in Acts 20:4 and was a courier of another letter of Paul’s to those at the Church of Ephesus as mentioned in both 2 Timothy 4:12and Ephesians 6:21-22. He was also mentionedas a possible courier to Titus in Titus 3:12. So Paul had a deep trust in Tychicus.

Yet there was more than trust, for we see not only Paul mention Tychicus’s role and trustworthiness, but Paul also first mentions that he is a beloved brother. A brother in Christ whom he clearly has deep brotherly affections for.

This affection again is also shown towards Onesimus. Certainly, the same Onesimus that is mentioned by Paul in his letter to Philemon. This then making Onesimus the run-away slave who had proven himself more than useful to Paul regarding the gospel. And so, Paul sends him back to Philemon and encourages him of his usefulness as a worker and a brother in Christ.

But in that, Paul mentions to Philemon that Onesimus has become his very heart. This is the affection between these two in light of the mystery of Christ as found in the gospel.  

B. Paul’s Affection for the Colossians (4:8)

Secondly, we see Paul’s affections for the Colossians themselves in verse 8. For in sending Tychicus and Onesimus to the Colossians, Paul expresses his aim to encourage their hearts. For Paul feels like he is a grandfather to this church. For Epaphras had learned the gospel from him, and then the Colossians from Epaphras. Therefore, Paul has the loving affection of a grandfather towards the Colossian Church.

And out of this affection and desire to encourage the Colossians, Paul sends his two fellow brothers in Christ with this letter to the Colossians to strengthen them and aide them along the way.

C. The Colossians Affections for Paul (4:7, 9)

Thirdly, we see the affection here of the Colossians towards Paul. An affection visible in the redundancy in verses 7 and 9. For twice in these two verses does Paul tell the Colossians that Tychicus and Onesimus are sent to tell them of how others are and all that has taken place.

For you see, Tychicus and Onesimus are not like modern day mail couriers. A modern-day mail courier delivers the mail, including letters sent to you, but they do not know anything of the contents of this mail. In fact, if they were to do so, it would be disastrous for them.

Tychicus and Onesimus aren’t only the couriers for this letter, but they have more insight into the events going on for Paul and those with him, and they are to elaborate even further. Including that of Paul’s imprisonment. And they are able to tell of Paul and Epaphras’ further desires and prayers for them.

Paul communicates this, knowing that just as he is concerned for the Colossians, that they are concerned for him out of their loving affection! A concern that has grown from their knowing that Paul has labored on their behalf.

D. An Encouragement towards Affection for Others

Consider then why Paul writes these things though to the Colossians. He writes them to further stir their own affections for one another as they are mutually united to Christ. And that is the very same for us in reading the end of this letter. We are being stirred to show and express this same kind of affection towards one another.

Saints, do you give yourself affectionately towards other Christians? Investing in them, caring for them, laboring for their good, seeking their encouragement in Christ? To even go out of your way to do so?

One of the ways we try to stir this here at Land O’ Lakes Bible Church is in our Membership Covenant. Our Membership Covenant is a set of promises that we make to one another and re-affirm at our Members’ Meetings. And one of those covenant promises is this:

That we will participate in each other’s joys and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other’s burdens and sorrows.

This promise is one of the most beautiful and remarkable displays of loving affection when it is put into action.

Consider what happens when you have two couples both struggling with infertility. And during a Sunday Evening prayer service, one of those couples is able to ask for prayer as they have found out they are pregnant. And before the service leader is able to appoint someone to pray, the husband of the other infertile couple says I want to pray and does with a beautiful prayer of praise to God for the gift of life given to this other couple, despite his and his wife’s own continued sorrow, they are able to rejoice for their brother and sister in Christ because of their loving affection for them.

Saints, this is the kind of loving affection that is both being displayed here and that we are being pointed to so that we can put on this same kind of affection for one another.

How then do we go about having this kind of affection for one another? Three examples of this:

1. We seek to put on this affection for one another by investing and drawing near to one another. Often when I have heard others moan about us needing but not having this kind of affection, a big truth eventually comes out, revealing why they don’t experience such. It’s not always the case, but most of the time the reason people don’t experience affection in the church towards others is that they don’t allow others to draw near to them. They don’t make themselves available. They are those who are so intent on being isolated that they show up late and leave early to the gathering of the saints. They are those who say they want relationships with other Christians but then keep an arm’s length distance between them and others.  Beloved, we have to allow others to move near to us and us move near to them to have this kind of affection.

2. We seek to put on this affection for one another by giving ourselves to prayer for one another. As I mentioned last week, that outside of the Sunday Morning Corporate Gathering of the Church, corporate, meaning the whole of the church, the prayer service is the most important gathering of the saints. Because it is in this time of praying for one another that our hearts are most knit together for one another. For it is in these times then that we are able to know how to better pray for one another when we are not together. Saint, you want your heart to grow in affection towards others, begin to pray for them! Praying for their good in Christ!

3. We see to put on this affection for one another in the ways we have been seeing throughout this entire letter, by looking to Jesus and putting on our newness in Him, while putting off the old. For as we do this, we begin to count others more significant than ourselves as we humble ourselves before them, just as we are seeing here in these closing paragraphs.

Beloved, let us pursue gospel affections for one another in Christ, starting with these and continuing to grow from here! That’s point #1.

II. Gospel Greetings

In the next part of this closing section, we see various greetings to the Colossians. And while to a degree these greetings may feel random, they reaffirm some of the key themes we have seen in this letter.

A. Greetings from one who embraced Gospel Suffering with Paul

First, we see a greeting in verse 10from Aristarchus. Aristarchus was with Paul in Ephesus when a riot broke out as recorded in Acts 19:21-41. And in this riot, Aristarchus and Gaius, two travel companions of Paul’s were dragged by the crowd in opposition while Paul was prevented by others from entering.

And now, Aristarchus, with Paul is a fellow prisoner. Yet, despite his own chains with Paul, he seeks to encourage the Colossians as they seek to grow in Christ!

A gospel greeting then that is a reminder to us as we follow Jesus to embrace our sufferings. For though we may suffer at present, we can remain joyful along the way as we await the day that Jesus will come again in glory, a glory that we too will appear in with Him!

B. Greetings from one now Reconciled to Paul

Still in verse 10, a second greeting comes. This greeting is from Mark.

But note the words Paul uses regarding Mark. It says that this Mark is the cousin of Barnabas. This making it clear that this is the same John Mark that had joined Paul and Barnabas in Paul’s first missionary journey. However, this John Mark had previously withdrawn from Paul and Barnabas in that missionary journey, and this caused a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas as noted in Acts 15:36-41.

Paul had thought Mark not worthy to go. But now, Paul ensures the Colossians in likely being aware of this previous conflict, that it is good and right to welcome Mark. This signaling a restitution of the two. Even a rejoicing in how Paul and Mark were able to bear with one another and forgive one another, applying that from earlier in the letter, which we find in Colossians 3:13.

Disagreement and complaint will arise within the church. It has through the ages. But these things should not be allowed to continue on! For when forgiveness is not sought and pursued, the mission of the church will suffer hindrance and damage.

May the Lord strengthen us then with this greeting to be those who seek then to bear with one another and forgive one another for our good and the glory of our God!

C. Greetings from Justus

A third greeting to the Colossians comes in verse 11. A greeting from Jesus who is called Justus.

It is said that this disciple had been named Jesus but took the name Justus out of honor for the name of Jesus and to not muddy the waters of the gospel with confusion. We know little though about this Jesus who is called Justus other than this.

But what makes this greeting worth mentioning is what Paul follows with, that Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus are the only men of the circumcision among his fellow workers for the kingdom of God. In other words, they are the only ones serving and ministering with him that are Jews. All others are Gentiles.

And while Paul is thankful for all his other workers, as he himself has just written back in Colossians 3:11: “Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.”

He acknowledges here that his three fellow Jews have been a comfort to him. It is wondered here why Paul mentions these three only, since there were the other Apostles who themselves were also Jews. But I think we should be careful and not read more into that than we should. I think that he acknowledges these three Jews who are with him in his mission to the Gentiles. Acknowledging that the other workers laboring for these churches are Gentiles. But there is some extra comradery amongst those with similar backgrounds. A shared comfort as they labor together to build the kingdom of God amongst even the Gentiles.

This reminding us that gospel ministry is meant to be done among the nations, but that there is a comfort in having those who share a commonality with you as you labor against much opposition and through much hardship.

D. Greetings from One of Your Own

A fourth greeting is mentioned in verses 12-13 from Epaphras. Paul encouraging them how he greets them and continues to struggle on their behalf through his prayers. More on that in a moment.

But this greeting comes from one of their own people, one who brought to them the gospel and should be of great encouragement to them.

E. Greetings from the Beloved Physician

A fifth greeting is quickly mentioned there at the start of verse 14 from Luke the beloved physician. Luke who would record accounts of the gospel in the book of Luke and that of Acts in accounting the spread of the church from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

How even as he records the spread of God’s Kingdom among the nations, is cheering each of these churches on!

F. Greetings from One who Turned Away

And then there is a final greeting there also in verse 14 from Demas. Nothing here is said of Demas as one beloved or any information.

But there is a warning here found in this greeting. For this Demas who previously greeted the Colossians would go on to making a shipwreck of his faith. For Paul would write in his second letter to Timothy there in 2 Timothy 4:10 this about Demas: “For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.”

Even as this greeting comes, take caution beloved. For to love the world and fail to put off the things of it will destroy your faith. See the glory of our God and delight more in him than the things of this world, choosing then to put on that of God as found in the Beloved Son through the help of the Spirit!

Each of these greetings are given to encourage our hearts further, but also further apply the truths of this letter. So let us heed each of these greetings and what we learn through these situations for our own lives.

Further, these greetings destroy any modern notion of us that Paul was some isolated, lone ranger Christian. Beloved, see how depended on these fellow workers and how they were to encourage the Colossians. If they needed one another, how much more do we? Gospel Greetings, that’s point #2.

III. Gospel Ministry

A. Final Instructions

In verses 15-16, Paul gives some other last instructions in passing on his greetings to others namely two other churches. The church of Laodicea and the church gathering in the house of Nympha.

Along with instructions regarding this letter and the letter to the Laodiceans, a letter that has not survived through the ages. These two letters were to be exchanged and read among the other church for the mutual edifying of one another. A display that even then these letters were circulating and becoming authoritative in the lives of these churches under the Apostles Ministry.

B. Fulfill Your Ministry

Then in verse 17 comes an instruction for one named Archippus. We know very little about Archippus as he is recorded only here and in Philemon 2 as a fellow solider. The ESV Study Bible makes mention that it is possible Archippus was the son of Philemon since they are mentioned together, or possibly Philemon attends the church that meets with Archippus.

Regardless of the relationship, we see that Archippus is charged to fulfill his ministry as one who is a fellow soldier in Christ. A ministry that he has received in the Lord.

A humble reminder that all ministry is a gift and responsibility given to us from the Lord. That it is a work that he has entrusted us with. So let us be found faithful in it and fulfill that which he has given to us.

Let us then see the example of the ministry here of Paul and Epaphras in which they labored and toiled so hard for. A labor not borne out of obligation, but love. A labor desiring for the good of the Colossians here!

As one of your elders, this means that I must faithfully labor to fulfill the ministry given to me. A ministry given to equip you, the saints to do the work of God as I teach you the word of God and seek to then faithfully apply it. Laboring not out of obligation, but joy. YHWH help me in this!

This means for you who are parents, you have been given a ministry to your children as their primary disciple makers. A ministry in which you are to labor to be faithful in and fulfill by regularly pointing them to Jesus! By modeling for them what a faithful Christian is! By not being a hypocrite who worships on Sunday morning, then coming unhinged Monday through Saturday as one harsh with them.

As those working, you have been given a ministry to fulfill in your jobs. Taking opportunities to build relationships with those who are outsiders, non-Christians, to share the things of Christ while living a distinct life from that of the world.

Even within the church, seek to fulfill your ministry by laboring to encourage and build up one another by pointing one another continually back to Jesus!

Whatever you are in and involved with, see that you are being faithful in it and fulfill the ministry opportunities that have been given to you to advance the kingdom of heaven! May God give us grace and strength to fulfill that which he has given us. That is point #3.

IV. Gospel Grace

Look now at Paul’s closing of this letter in verse 18…

Timothy likely transcribed most of this letter as he is mentioned in the greeting as the co-author of it. But here in closing, Paul writes with his own hands and asks the Colossians to remember his chains, that is ask for their prayers for him as he is in prison for open doors as he has already asked for. To remember his chains in that he himself would be encouraged as he continues to face afflictions on account of the gospel.

But then he closes as he opened the letter. He says, Grace be with you.

The very grace be with you that Paul opened this letter with, he now closes. But in closing we have seen how this grace reigns! It reigns through the Supreme One, Jesus Christ! For he in his supremacy is seated next to the Father above! Grace reigns, because the Supreme One has already triumphed and put to shame all rulers and authorities. Grace reigns in having canceled the record of debt with its legal demands that stood against us, having nailed it to the cross. Grace reigns as it has brought us who are in Christ from death to life. And grace reigns in us now, because it reigns through Christ who has filled us! 

This is the grace that is ours in Jesus, beloved! Let us be encouraged in it and rest in it!

If you though are not a believer, a Christian. Let me then invite you to behold this grace. Grace is a free gift. It is not something that is earned or deserved. And it is a free gift being extended to you friend as you have heard about this Jesus! He has already died to pay the payment for all the debt that we owe for our sin. The question for you, will you accept this gift by turning from your sin in repentance and running to the arms of Jesus, resting in him alone for the forgiveness of your sins?

Friend, he died so that you could be forgiven. He rose again, so that you could be brought from death to new life in him! So come, come to Jesus and believe today! Come and rest in him who reigns over all and invites you into his kingdom!  

Let’s pray….