Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction
You and I were designed for relationships.
We are designed to have a relationship with God and we are designed to have a relationship with each other.
The cross is a powerful symbol of that design.
We have a vertical beam that signifies our relationship with God and a horizontal beam that represents our relationships with those beside us and around us.
The center point of both of those relationships is redemptive work of the One that hung on that cross where the vertical and horizontal come together.
His name is Jesus and because of His love for you and me, we can receive that love and in turn live out that love with others.
Paul recognized that truth as he dictated the last words of this letter to the Colossians and then gave his final signature and blessing on it.
It is the last passage in this great letter to the Colossians.
Colossians 4:
A quick glance of this passage may cause one to say, “what is so important about these names?”
My first reaction is that if I had friends who had names like these I would want to write about them too!
A closer look at these verses show us several things that we can learn from these relationships Paul mentions.
We can learn why relationships matter, how to make relationships matter, and finally when to make relationships matter.
Why Relationships Matter
Every Christian should be a minister of the Lord and a beloved brother or sister in the Lord.
We see this in the characteristics of those listed in this passage.
Paul calls Tychicus a fellow servant in the Lord.
The wording is the same as that which we see in other passages as deacon.
We have in our church a group of deacons that serve to minister to our families.
It is a position in which that person is prayerfully nominated and then voted on by our church.
The word here that is used for servant means more of a function than a position.
It comes as the result of a changed life.
It is obvious in this passage that each one of these names mentioned is a life that has been changed by the power of the Gospel.
Alistair Begg said, “The Gospel doesn’t simply alter our relationship with God; it actually alters our relationship with everyone and everything.
The Gospel is a life-changing transformation.”
Because of Christ reigning in you and through you, you and I are transformed in a way that the overflow of our transformation seeps into our everyday lives.
Paul showed the importance of the bonds of personal friendships.
His letters reveal that he and those that received those letters were deeply involved in each other’s lives.
References like dear brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant indicate that this was more than just a casual relationship.
In order to make such a claim their lives had to be intertwined and mingled together.
Paul believes that as the church hears of Paul’s work and concerns, they will be strengthened and gain confidence as they continue to mature in their faith.
How beautiful it is to be encouraged by another’s faith.
This can only happen if it is demonstrated and given the opportunity to be shared.
Communication is vital in all relationships and this is an example of God can use our communication to build His Kingdom.
One of my favorite authors is John Maxwell.
I have many of his books and am currently reading two of them now.
One of his early books was titled WINNING WITH PEOPLE.
The thesis of this book is that almost all the negative things and positive things in our lives have to do with the relationships with people.
We add value or subtract value in people’s lives as well as others doing so in ours.
I have to ask, “Am I a plus or a minus?
Do I add value to you or take value from you?”
He goes on to say, “If you want to do well with people, add value to them.
If you want to be miserable with people, take value away from them.”
Good relationships don’t happen, they have to be grown and cultivated.
When this happens, we see the fruit of as demonstrated in this passage.
We can see why relationships matter, let’s look now at how relationships matter.
How to Make Relationships Matter
How to Make Relationships Matter
When I first sat down and studied this passage, I was intrigued by the descriptive words that are used.
I made a list and came up with 18 words that show us how to make relationships matter.
These words are either listed in the text or implied by the text.
They are listed for further study on the outline and I would encourage you to look at when they are practiced and how they in essence make relationships matter.
We further see through the listing of these names, there are also examples of how to make relationships matter.
In we see the name Onesimus.
We learn from that Onesimus was a slave and in chains with Paul.
In our text from Colossians we see him called faithful and dear brother.
This reminds us that no matter what background we come from, in Christ we have a bond that unifies us and completes us.
Romans
In , we see Aristarchus listed as “my fellow prisoner.”
This shows us that we have a special bond with those who join us in service and suffering.
I have watched many of you sit with a friend in a hospital waiting room while a loved one is having a procedure done.
The bond that is developed truly is life-changing and propels all those involved to grow closer together in holy love.
We also see in this same verse the importance of instruction.
Each of us would do well in teaching each other the things we have learned in the Lord.
As we share these things, again we grow and experience the richness of the Kingdom of God.
We see the name Mark mentioned in that same verse.
Mark had been in a disagreement with some of the church leaders in the past.
Acts 15:3
Paul is mentioning his name here to show the importance of restoration.
It may be a surprise to you but there will be matters in which we will not all agree!
This is evident today.
There are places not too far from here that I can take you to that within one mile on a road there is the “first church of so-and-so” and just a bit further the “second first church of so-and-so.”
Unfortunately, it happens due to some disagreement that is usually petty and really doesn’t matter, yet it has turned into a major battle.
The lesson we see in the mentioning of Mark is that in relationships, we must be willing to forgive.
Acts 15:30
Paul is mentioning his name here to show the importance of restoration.
Paul indicates in that we should associate with other cultures.
I am saddened that even in this 21st Century the most segregated time in our country is the eleven o’clock hour on Sunday morning.
We need to remember that the cross was for the whole world.
If we are in a true relationship with Jesus, it will not matter the race, color or gender and we should have relationships with all people which the Lord connects us.
We see in verse 12, that Christian relationships are strengthened through prayer for each other.
Epaphras prayed for believers in three different cities - Laodicea, Hierapolis and Colosse.
Christian relationships not only pray for each other, but they strive to help each other :stand firm in all the will of God, be mature and be fully assured.”
What a joy it is to help another Christian to be convinced fully that they are doing what they are called to be and do!
We see in verse 13 where Paul was able to vouch for Epaphras.
Who can you vouch for?
That’s a funny word to say, but it means to “bear witness to.”
Who can you “bear witness to” that they are doing the will of God?
An outsider can’t do that.
You have to know that person and be around that person in action.
Christians are able to vouch for one another because they are doing what they are called to do.
This means that there is no question about their integrity.
Who can you vouch for?
Who can vouch for you?
Enter into relationships where that can happen.
We see relationships should be formed across socio-economic lines.
mentions Luke the Doctor and Demas.
In our world, typically doctors are often associated with wealth.
In we learn that Demas later went out into the world, a phrase that indicates he went after wealth and prosperity.
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