The Fountain & Foundation of Fellowship

Colossians • Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

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In Colossians 1:1-2, Paul displays that true fellowship is in the family of God and is made possible by the power of God.

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Introduction

Friendship is important, right? From my childhood, I can vividly remember agonizing over making sure that I had people to sit with in the cafeteria at school. At the time, I couldn’t think of anything more embarrassing or humiliating than having to sit by myself for the entirety of the lunch period. I thought about all the movies, all the TV shows, and I never wanted to be seen as that one kid who eats lunch in the bathroom so that nobody would see him sitting by himself. Ironically, my sophomore year in high school, my fears became reality, and I became that one kid eating lunch in the bathroom, because I didn’t know anybody during my first few months at the new school I had transferred to on the other side of town.

Fundamentally, we’re all afraid of being alone, are we not? It’s something that we can all empathize and sympathize with on a human level. And, there’s a lot of different ways people respond to this natural desire for companionship. Some people try to fill the void by dating as much as they can. Others surround themselves with dogs, cats, and various pets. Still, others might rush at a sorority or fraternity. The list goes on and on.

And, Christians aren’t exempt from this aspect of the human condition either. But, the difference is this: Christians always have friendship in the body of Christ. Let me say that again: Christians always have friendship in the body of Christ.

And this friendship isn’t just friendship: it’s family. We find brothers. We find sisters. We find mothers. We find fathers. Grew up an only child? No worries. You’ve got brothers and sisters who love you dearly in the church. Grew up without a dad? Not a problem. Older men in the church provide godly leadership and godly counsel to you. Grew up without your mom? You guessed it - older women in the church body bring you into their home life and family life. This mutual love and care and service is only found in the church of Christ.

But it’s hard work to find them, isn’t it? More often than not, no matter how close we get with people, it’s rare to find people who are exactly on the same page as us. And that limits our friendships.

But what drives all of this, though? How is this even possible? It almost sounds too good to be true. And it is too good to be true… if you and I were the ones running the show.

But, in , Paul

But we’re not. God is. And His power is what fuels true friendship, true family. We’re connected with our physical family because we share the same blood. We’re connected with our spiritual family even more because we share Christ’s blood.

The apostle Paul knew this reality very well, and in his letter to the church in Colossae, he appealed to this spiritual connection to introduce himself to a group of people he had never even met. In , Paul shows that true fellowship is found in the family of God and is made possible by the power of God.

Turn there in your Bibles and read with me.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

2To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

WHO

Now, look at the beginning of verse 1 for a moment. “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God...”

Here, we get introduced to the apostle Paul, who’s known for his special ministry to the Gentiles, the people groups outside of the Jews. Last time, we saw his love for the lost, his care for Christians in the church, and his desire for all believers to live like Christ. As an apostle, he was a special messenger handpicked by Jesus Himself to preach the gospel all across the Roman Empire. He also wrote 13 letters in the New Testament, including this one.

Look at the second half of verse 1. “and Timothy, our brother...”

Timothy is Paul’s protege and right-hand man. Timothy was half-Jewish and half-Greek, and accompanied Paul for a large part of Paul’s missionary journeys. Timothy ended up pastoring at many of the churches Paul planted, including Ephesus and Corinth.

WHAT

What is this letter even about, anyway? A few weeks back, we looked at the content of this epistle, which is best described as one of encouragement and instruction about Christ and Christlikeness.

WHEN

We know that the letter was written sometime between 60-62 AD, because Paul wrote it alongside Philemon and Ephesians while he was on house arrest in Rome.

WHERE

Colossae was about 1300 miles away from Rome, and Paul sent Tychicus and Onesimus to carry the letter from Rome to Colossae once he had written it.

WHY

Here in the first two verses of the chapter, we come across Paul’s first words to this church. The scene would’ve went something like this: The Colossians would’ve been huddled together in the house of Philemon, where they met, listening to every word as their senior pastor read what the famed apostle Paul had to say to their little congregation.

Now, it’s important to know that Paul had never met the Colossians before. He has no idea who they are, and vice versa! The only information he has is what has been given to him by the planter of the church, Epaphras, who we looked at last time. The only info they have is that Paul is one of the apostles, and therefore has the utmost authority in the church at large. So, how exactly does Paul connect with people he has never even seen? By appealing to the one thing he knows they have in common: Fellowship with Christ.

Here in this greeting, Paul shows us two realities about fellowship: True fellowship is in the family of God and is made possible by the power of God.

WHO

But first, we need to set the stage in verse 1. Look there with me.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

Here, we meet the apostle Paul, who’s known for his special ministry to the Gentiles, the people groups outside of the Jews. Last time, we saw his love for the lost, his care for Christians in the church, and his desire for all believers to live like Christ. As an apostle, he was a special messenger handpicked by Jesus Himself to preach the gospel all across the Roman Empire. He also wrote 13 letters in the New Testament, including this one.

Now, look at the second half of the verse. “and Timothy, our brother...”

Timothy was Paul’s protege and right-hand man. Timothy was half-Jewish and half-Greek, and accompanied Paul for a large part of Paul’s missionary journeys. Timothy ended up pastoring at many of the churches Paul planted, including Ephesus and Corinth.

WHY

Paul had sent two guys to deliver this letter some 1300 miles away, on foot, for two reasons: 1) to encourage the Colossians for their growing faith, and 2) to combat false teaching that was starting to look like a threat to that growing faith. This is why Paul identified himself as an apostle in verse 1. He wanted to let the Colossians know from the start that he was addressing them with full authority.

In this greeting, we come across Paul’s first words to this church. The scene would’ve went something like this: The Colossians would’ve been huddled together in the house of Philemon, where they met, listening to every word as their senior pastor read what the famed apostle Paul had to say to their little congregation.

So here in this greeting, Paul shows us two realities about fellowship: True fellowship is in the family of God and is made possible by the power of God.

HOW

Fellowship in the family of God ()

The first reality is that true fellowship is in the family of God… the family of God.

What is fellowship, anyway? Fellowship is basically a group of people meeting to unite for a shared cause, or a friendly association with people who have the same interests. If anybody is in the medicine field, then you’ve probably heard this term before. In the Bible, it’s used to describe the unity of Christians, who are all united for the cause of glorifying God through Jesus Christ.

So with that in mind, let’s move on to verse 2.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

2To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

2To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

After identifying himself and his partner-in-crime, Paul now finds common ground with the Colossians. How does he do that? By reminding them that they’re members of the same family.

We’ve all had this experience before. You meet some distant cousin twice removed at a family reunion, and you get to talking about where they’re at in the family, and where you are, and then all of a sudden, you mention the same people! “Auntie Tara? That’s my mom’s sister!” “No way! That’s awesome. Does that mean Billy’s your brother?” “Yeah bro, he is!” And instantly, you’re best friends and go play pool and darts together for the rest of the week. I only speak from experience.

It’s the same way in the body of Christ. The beauty of God’s family is that you can meet another Christian from anywhere, anytime, and if they’re truly saved, then you immediately can strike up a friendship. However, the difference is this: rather than connecting about where you are in the family tree, which doesn’t last, you connect about the truths in God’s Word, which last forever.

This reality is what Paul is appealing to early on. And within this reality that fellowship is in the family of God, we see three dynamics that are at play in the family of God.

God’s family is a family (“brethren… in Christ at Colossae...”)

INTERPRETATION

So with that in mind, let’s move on to verse 2.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

2To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

2To the asaints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Col. 1

After identifying himself and his partner-in-crime, Paul now finds common ground with the Colossians. How does he do that? By reminding them that they’re members of the same family.

This reality is what Paul is appealing to early on. And within this reality that fellowship is in the family of God, we see three dynamics that are at play in the family of God.

The first dynamic is this: God’s family is just that - a family.

Look at the affectionate way Paul addresses the Colossians here in verse 2. He doesn’t just say, “To the Colossians,” or “To the church folk”. Look at what he calls them: “saints and faithful brethren.” The first word we’re going to look at is “brethren”.

can be understood as near kinsmen, in a familial sense

This word can be understood as kinsmen, in a familial sense, or a collection of brothers. If you were talking to a bunch of your family members or people from the same ethnicity as you, it would be appropriate to use this term “brethren.”

In this context, this term is used by Paul to connect the Colossians with himself in the family of God. They’re more than just friends, comrades, or sheep underneath his charge. They’re brothers. They’re brethren.

In this context, this term is used by Paul to connect the Colossians with himself in the family of God

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 2

Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 28

10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 2

37Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 6

8On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren.

EXPLANATION

The Colossians would’ve read this and immediately been disarmed, if they hadn’t been already. The truth is that although pastors and elders shepherd the church, they’re still sheep too! The best illustration I’ve heard is one I shared last time and I’ll share it again: “Pastors are just sheep who stand up on their hind legs, are given a cane, and tell their fellow sheep to follow the Chief Shepherd, who is Christ.”

Paul is saying here that if you’re a Christian, then you’ve got a new family. You’ve now been adopted into the universal family of God, and you’ve got a whole new set of brothers and sisters not just in your church, but worldwide.

IMPLICATION

So in response to this truth, we need to ask ourselves this question: in the church you go to, are you immersed in the life of your brothers and sisters in the body? Or do you stay close to the fringe? More often than not, we spend more time around our worldly friends and family than we spend with our spiritual family, and that’s a shame. The people you spend your time around always reveal where your heart is.

God’s family is holy (“To the saints...”)

INTERPRETATION

The first dynamic in the family of God was that God’s family is a family. The second dynamic is that God’s family is holy.

Look at the first word Paul uses to describe the Colossians: “saints.”

This can be understood as a person of God, or someone who has the same essence as Him, that essence being holiness.

Amazingly, Paul uses this to describe the Colossians, and by extension, every believer in Christ!

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

24saying, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

49“For the Mighty One has done great things for me;

And holy is His name.

49“For the Mighty One has done great things for me;

And holy is His name.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 7

33“BUT THE LORD SAID TO HIM, ‘TAKE OFF THE SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, FOR THE PLACE ON WHICH YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY GROUND.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

49“For the Mighty One has done great things for me;

And holy is His name.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 8

27and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

EXPLANATION

Paul described the Colossians like this because he wanted to encourage their proven faith, but also to hold them to God’s standard. God is holy, and as a result, His people must be holy, too. We see this all throughout the book of Leviticus with the people of Israel and all throughout the New Testament with the church.

When we are saved by faith, righteousness is credited to us. We’re justified, sanctified, and glorified immediately when the Holy Spirit seals us for eternal life. However, in the meantime, we’re still trapped in our sinful bodies here on earth. So, like describes, we’re called to become increasingly holy as we put off the old man, the deeds of the flesh, and put on our new man, the deeds of the Spirit.

IMPLICATION

The implications here are massive. Paul is saying that if you’re in God’s family, then by default, you’re living a holy life. No one in God’s family is unholy. No one is unrighteous.

Now, this doesn’t mean that all of God’s people are perfect, all the time. That’s impossible until we go to heaven or when Christ returns. But, it does mean that they are not dominated by sin as a pattern of life. It does mean that they are putting on righteousness as a pattern of life.

So, if you profess to be a child of God, do you live like one? Or, do you live like everyone else in the world does? Scripture doesn’t provide any category for “carnal” Christians. You’re either 100% in or 100% out when it comes to following Christ.

God’s family is faithful (“faithful...”)

INTERPRETATION

The first dynamic in the family of God was that God’s family is a family. The second dynamic was that God’s family is holy. And the third dynamic is that God’s family is faithful.

Faithfulness here means characteristic reliability, responsibility, and trustworthiness. In Scripture, it typically describes believers, those who are known for following Christ.

can be understood as characteristic reliability, responsibility, and trustworthinessIn this context, this word is used by Paul to further describe the Colossians

In this context, Paul is saying that the Colossians have a stellar reputation. And their reputation is that they have shown exemplary service in the cause of the Gospel.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 25

21“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

15It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 2

11It is a trustworthy statement:

For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;

EXPLANATION

Here, Paul is teaching the Colossians a key reality about the Christian life: A Christian can know he is a Christian by his faithfulness.

Back in Ancient Rome, the early church would have no concept of someone who professes to be Christian but keeps it on the DL. It was impossible because if you professed to believe in Jesus, you would immediately face persecution from both the Jews and the Romans. The cost of discipleship was extremely clear.

IMPLICATION

So here’s a question we can ask ourselves: Would people be surprised if you told them you were a Christian? What about your friends? What about your family? If so, we have to wonder: “Am I faithful, or faithless?”

Fellowship in the power of God ()

The first reality Paul showed us about fellowship was that fellowship is in the family of God. The three dynamics of God’s family were that God’s family is a family, God’s family is holy, and that God’s family is faithful. Now, the second reality Paul shows us about fellowship is that true fellowship is made possible by the power of God… the power of God.

How does God’s power energize fellowship in the family of God? By two factors: the strength of His grace and the might of His peace.

God’s family experiences God’s grace (“grace to you...”)

INTERPRETATION

The first factor in powering true fellowship is God’s grace. Look at the end of verse 2 in chapter 1 with me… “Grace to you...”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 3

24being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

There’s a lot more to this word “grace” than we think.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 5

20The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

21so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In this one word, Paul is describing “a transforming action that can never be repaid and cannot be accomplished by man; God’s unilateral intervention in your life” (Abner Chou)

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 12

10“I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.

Basically, Paul is sending this mighty power of God to the Colossians at the outset of the letter.

(Talk about OT use, hesed, lovingkindness)

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 34

6Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Psalm 31

16Make Your face to shine upon Your servant;

Save me in Your lovingkindness.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Psalm 86

13For Your lovingkindness toward me is great,

And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 3

24being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 5

20The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

21so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 12

EXPLANATION

This is the thrust of Paul’s greeting right here. He is sending this grace, this action of lovingkindness, this sovereign power that comes only from God, to the Colossians from himself and Timothy. This is powerful.

Grace is everything to fellowship. It’s the ultimate key to fellowship! And not just fellowship, but the key to the Christian life! By grace, you have been saved, . By grace, Christ has reconciled all things to Himself, . By grace, there is a common goal that all Christians can unite over: glorifying God, .

Grace is what overpowers a racist heart and can unite white and black. Grace is what overpowers a selfish heart and can unite a splintered family. Grace is what overpowers a betrayed heart and can unite a broken marriage. Grace overpowers all things. Grace fuels unity. As a result, grace fuels true fellowship. What greater thing is there to unite with people over than Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior?

God’s family exudes God’s peace (“peace from God...”)

INTERPRETATION

So we’ve seen that fellowship is in the family of God. We’ve seen that God’s family is a family, God’s family is holy, and that God’s family is faithful. We’ve seen that fellowship is made possible by the power of God. The first factor of that power was God’s grace. The second factor comes as a result of grace: peace from God our Father.

Look now at the last section of verse 2 in chapter 1… “Peace from God our Father.”

When we hear the word “peace”, we have a lot of different ideas on what that might mean. Forget them all. Here, peace can be understood as harmony or a state of security that comes from being right with God through the blood of Jesus Christ by the power of His grace.

In this context, Paul is sending this awesome state of mind that is a result of the aforementioned grace to the Colossians earlier in verse 2.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 53

5But He was pierced through for our transgressions,

He was crushed for our iniquities;

The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,

And by His scourging we are healed.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 9

6For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;

And the government will rest on His shoulders;

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 2

14“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 4

7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 5

1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 4

7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

EXPLANATION

The peace of Christ is what seals fellowship in the family of God. Paul is a recipient of the same divine peace that the Colossians have received, and in a grand act of brotherly affection, he’s saying to them here, “I’ve experienced this divine power of grace and peace in abundance. What’s mine is completely yours as well.”

The peace of Christ is truly an amazing thing. There’s so much agony and angst that comes from being unsure of your safety. And I don’t just mean a physical safety. We all get that on a human level. But this peace is referring to an eternal safety.

For those of us in Christ, we enjoy a divine contentment, a relaxed state of mind, a permanent sigh of relief, an unburdened conscience. And why? Because our futures are sealed! The outcome is secure. Our hope is laid up in heaven, . We have died to the world and our lives are hidden with Christ in God, . And when Christ is revealed, we will be revealed with Him in glory, . So truly, every believer can give an “amen” when Paul says to the Philippians, “to live is Christ & to die is gain”, chapter 1, verse 21.

But if you profess to be a Christian and don’t have this peace Paul is speaking of, then there’s a concerning problem at hand. There are only a few reasons a professing believer can be lacking in divine peace, and they are if:

You’re not walking in a manner worthy of the Lord, .

You’re not continuing in the faith firmly established and steadfast, .

You’re moving away from the hope of the true gospel, .

You’re not holding fast to Christ, the head of the church, His body, .

And if all the reasons above apply to you, then you may want to evaluate whether you are a member of the body of Christ at all.

Conclusion

Our time’s gone. We’ve seen and we know now that true fellowship is found in the family of God, which is a holy, faithful, and literal family. We know that true fellowship is made possible by the power of God, that power being God’s grace and the divine peace that comes as a result of experiencing God’s grace.

The main implication we can draw from this greeting is this: “Are you a member of God’s family?”

The reality is that no one can answer that question for you. But at the same time, we can have a pretty good idea of where each one of us stand. So test yourself by the criteria Paul applies here in :

Are you living a holy life, or at the very least seeing signs of growth in holiness?

Are you faithful? Do the people around you know you by your love for the gospel, or by your love for the world?

Have you experienced the power of God’s grace? Do you have a lust for God’s Word, or a lust for the pleasures of the world? Are you gaining power over your sins, or are you getting dominated by them?

Have you tasted the divine peace of God? Does the thought of facing God when you die terrify you, or excite you? For believers, there will be nothing more sweet than hearing, “Well done, good & faithful servant.” For unbelievers, there will be nothing more bitter than hearing, “Depart from me, you evildoer, I never knew you.”

I’ll end with this verse from . As you think about this verse, have this question in your mind: “How much do I care about my soul?”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 3

10By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.

So who’s family are you a part of? Are you a child of God, or a child of the devil? Let’s pray.

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