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Supremacy of Christ: Book of Colossians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 31:51
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George Roche defines heroism as:
“An extraordinary act of goodness, performed by ordinary persons without whom we do not expect it” - World without heroes excerpt
Biblical heroes were just ordinary people like us. Today we are going to look at some ordinary heroes that Paul names in closing out the book of Colossians.
Flawed heroes (Gan12:10-13; Gen18:9-15; 2Sam11:1ff; Mt26:69ff, Act15:38)
Abraham’s deception
Due to beauty of his wife he had her say she was his sister in Gen12:10-13
Sarah’s doubt
Sarah had doubt that what she heard could be true about having a child at her age (Gen18:9-15)
David’s adultery
from 2Sam11:1 and following, David confronted regarding his sin
Peter’s denials
As predicted he denied Christ three times before cock crowed - From Mt26:69 and following
And then there is Mark’s desertion
Mark leaving the mission field for unknown reasons from Act15:38 and following.
What each of these passages, each of these stories have in common is they were people that were just ordinary people, with flaws that God used in extraordinary ways as a community of believers to accomplish God’s work.
Bringing this into the N.T. now and staying in the community of Colossi let me expand for just a couple of minutes
A community sharing the most, sharing the best with God (v.2)
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
A community that has strength, that has perspective that are found in the provision of prayer - they are encouraged to pray with diligence (devotion) and awareness (being alert) and with gratitude (you know the attitude of thanksgiving)
A community sharing the message with unbelievers (vv.3-6)
3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.
5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
Prayers of Christian community
Prayers for community of workers (v.3)
Prayers for mystery to be revealed (v.3)
Prayers for the right words to speak (v.4)
Other scriptures referenced (Php1:12-13, 4:22; Act28:30-31; Col4:5-6)
But hey there were answered prayers, Paul was in prison and people were coming to believe and coming to proclaim the gospel
12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,
Not only to the praetorian guard and everyone else he included all of Caesar’s household too
22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.
And as the book of history ends look at what it says
30 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.
Superheroes - We may look at Paul and think he was a superhero but take a step back, look at the bigger picture of the book of Colossians and you will see the real superhero here.
The exalted Creator and Redeemer (chapter 1)
The deity that conquered the cross (chapter 2)
The one who is seated in majesty and has all authority (chapter 3)
The one who is proclaimed (chapter 4)
Because of who He is, what He has done, may our Christian conduct be like it shows in (vv.5-6)
5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
I know I read that a little while ago, but it is good to put it before our eyes again. May we cease every opportunity for the Lord, especially with outsiders. May we, as a community of believers have our
conversation be filled with grace
conversation be seasoned with salt
So as to help preserve life and give flavor to others life.
This now brings us to our passage today
The community that shares burdens (vv.7-9)
The community of believers their example for us (vv.10-18)
I. Burden Sharing Community
I. Burden Sharing Community
Paul did not write to the church about his situation he left that to be told by two faithful servants. To go and share the burdens of Paul and the encouragement from Paul too. - We to need to be people who are willing to get face to face with each other as the community of believers to share each others burdens and joys.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
So let me give you some background, a little at least on these two faithful members who carry and share burdens.
When Paul left Ephesus he left with seven other believers and one of the was Tychicus (Act20:4; also used Gal6:2)
4 And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus, and by Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
They were bearing a gift to the saints who were in Judea.
Tychicus shared Paul’s imprisonment
Tychicus and Onesismus were carriers of letter to church at Ephesus (Eph6:21)
21 But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you.
Tychicus was the deliverer of the letter to Colossi (Col4:7-9)
Here is our first section of passage for today now
7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8 For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts;
9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here.
Paul thought highly of Tychicus
Called him beloved brother
willing to stay with Paul even in difficult situation and times
Called him a faithful minister
His love was proven by his actions in ministering to Paul and in his being used by Paul to deliver the letters to Ephesus and Colossi.
One of the greatest things we can do as a community of believers is to be dependable. Paul could count on Tychicus to follow direction and share from his heart what what going on with Paul. May we be willing to do that also.
Tychicus was also Paul’s fellow servant
Though not an apostle, he still helped in the apostolic ministry of Paul
He was sent to Crete, He was sent to Ephesus
12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
and then there is
12 But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
Tychicus did not take the easy way, but rather the right way Our churches can all used more people like Tychicus!
This now brings us to Onesimus
Onesismus means “beneficial, profitable” - he had only been a Christian for a short time and was brought to faith by Paul while Paul was in prison in Rome. Paul sent Onesismus back to Philemon who was his master
Onesismus was called faithful and beloved brother
One who was trusted to bring message to the church at Colossi with Tychicus.
These two community members had ministry work to perform
To encourage the church and to
Inform them of Paul’s situation
Paul was not looking to drum up financial support, he was looking to give them word about Him and seek prayer from them.
They were not alone in community this now brings us to
II. Community of believers (our example)
II. Community of believers (our example)
Paul was not only a soul winner, he was a friend maker. In our closing section of the Epistle, he names a few of them.
Those who stayed (vv.10-11, 14a)
Those who prayed (vv.12-13)
Those who strayed (v.14b)
Let me read the section and that will make sense to you. Let these names sink in. Let what transpired with each be an example before us, don’t let it just be a list of names.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house.
16 When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. 17 Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.
Those who stayed (v.10-11, 14a) - Aristarchus, John Mark, Jesus Justus and then there was the Gentile Luke.
Paul calls them all fellow workers for the kingdom of God.
Aristarchus - a fellow prisoner (Col4:10, 11; Act19:29, 20:4, 19:28-41 and ACt27:2)
He was fellow prisoner (v.10)
Fellow worker (v.11)
He was from Macedonia and was a travelling companion to Paul.
29 The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.
Originally from Thessalonica (Act20:4) who risked his life in Ephesus during the riot (Act19:28-41) and shipwrecked with Paul (Act27:2)
4 And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus, and by Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
Let me give you the shipwreck too, the riot, well you can read the story in your own study.
2 And embarking in an Adramyttian ship, which was about to sail to the regions along the coast of Asia, we put out to sea accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica.
Aristarchus was willing to stick with Paul regardless of circumstance, from riot to voyage to a storm and a shipwreck and even to prison.
There is no record of Aristarchus being an official Roman prisoner, but in being claimed fellow prisoner we see his willingness to share in the burdens with Paul so as to minister to Paul in his time of need.
Are we willing to be a voluntary prisoner for the furtherance of the gospel? We all need to have friends like him that are willing to come along side.
Like Tychicus he did not chose the easy way, but the right way!
John Mark (v.10b)
He is the writer of the second gospel in the N.T. but could be the earliest of the gospels recorded.
He was a Jew from Jerusalem where his mother kept an open door for believers (Act12:12)
12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
There is a great possibility that John Mark was lead to Christ by Peter.
13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark.
Oh his life and discipleship was not perfect we know that he went out with Paul on first journey but left too (Act13:5-13) and it created problems with Paul and Barnabas and lead to their furthering the gospel apart from each other
While there was a time of separating there was a time of reconciling too and John Mark was important to Paul (2Tim4:11)
11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
Though we see the failure of John Mark, he should be an example for us not to give up. IF we fail at first in ministry work, don’t stop, don’t give up. John Mark did not sit back and sulk. He got back into ministry work and proved himself to be useful. - - he was one of the one’s who stayed.
Jesus who is called Justus (v.11)
A Jewish Christian who served with Paul, we know nothing more really about him scriptually
He is the type of example of one who serves behind the scenes, whose deeds are not announced for everyone to know, but he is faithful to what he does. - - - so if you work behind the scenes, know God knows and God will reward you even if you are not noticed now.
Luke - the Gentile (v.14a)
Writer of Gospel of Luke and book of Acts
Luke was with Paul in Troas (Act16:10) and in Jerusalem (Act20:5ff) as well as the voyage to Rome (Act27:1ff); He was with Paul until the end (2Tim4:11)
11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
Without a doubt he was a comfort and an asset to Paul, as a friend, as a physician
An example of a professional man using his talents for the kingdom of God and for service of the Lord. One who was willing to go wherever the Lord sent him, in shipwreck and in prison he was a faithful servant.
Those who prayed - Epaphras (vv.12-13)
He was a prayer warrior, an evangelist and a church planter
He was a servant of Christ (v.12) and a faithful minister (Co1:7)
12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
One who was fully committed to the will of God and had deep concern for others.
We all need more people like this in our community of believers
He did not work alone, he came along the side of other saints in the local work and in the mission work as exampled by his life. So saying he was a fellow servant was a great compliment!
As a prayer warrior I want to touch on that just a bit
He prayed constantly
prayed always as was Paul’s words in Col4:2
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
He prayed fervently
This is the same type of prayer, one of agony like Jesus in the Garden (Lk22:44) - prayer was a serious business for Epaphras
We are a congregation that gives all, that take prayer as serious business and set it as a part of our worship to corporately pray
He prayed personally
He did not pray in general, he prayed personally, he prayed for “you” meaning the people with the church in Colossi, Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Like we pray by name on Sunday nights, can you image that Epaphras did the same thing too!
He prayed definitely
Going along with personally praying he prayed definitely, or specifically
Prayed that the three congregations of believers would stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God (v.12)
He prayed sacrificially
Do you ever struggle in staying focused in prayer?
Epaphras prayed with much distress, meaning he wrestled, struggled for them and did it with zeal!
John Jowett said “praying that costs nothing accomplishes nothing”
All of this leading us to one last man
The man who strayed (Col4:14b)
14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.
Demas who was considered a fellow laborer
Demas who was then also known as good man (Philemon24)
Then there is Demas mentioned again who had forsaken the faith (2Tim4:10)
10 for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
what we can learn from Demas is even a believer who is a laborer who is known as being a good man can stray if not careful and be lured back into the world.
A couple more Nympha and also Archippus (v.15, 17)
We know nothing about Nymphas except about the church in his house, some believe the name as Nympha and it was a woman. The point being the doors of home opened for a church to meet there.
Archippus we know was working a ministry that was a gift from God and Paul encouraged to fulfill the work.
May we know that the talents we are given, the gifts we are given are all gifts from the Lord and we need to fulfill His mission for His purpose and for His glory.
So the take-away for today may we be counted as faithful fellow servants who are prayer warriors for Christ who use their talents for the furtherance of the gospel at whatever the cost is. And we need to be faithful to complete the work He has for us since before the world was created. (Eph2:10)
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
You can be an ordinary person, and an extraordinary hero by sharing your faith and completing the work that He has for you! Be a superhero for God! He can use you flaws and all!
(Lead to invitation) (insert invitation slide)
Christ is looking for us to be faithful
Christ is looking for you to come to faith so that He may save you by grace through faith.
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