Sermon Tone Analysis

The Christian Community

(insert a picture of superman here; already saved on computer)

(insert Janice Munson story here: see attached)

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)

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)

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

Not only to the praetorian guard and everyone else he included all of Caesar’s household too

And as the book of history ends look at what it says

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)

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

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.

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)

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)

Tychicus was the deliverer of the letter to Colossi (Col4:7-9)

Here is our first section of passage for today now

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

and then there is

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)

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.

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.

Originally from Thessalonica (Act20:4) who risked his life in Ephesus during the riot (Act19:28-41) and shipwrecked with Paul (Act27:2)

Let me give you the shipwreck too, the riot, well you can read the story in your own study.

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?