How Maturing Christians are to Live in the Church & Work in the Gospel Ministry
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Dear Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Epaphras their church planter and brother had crossed land and two seas with bad news of not only church problems, but people giving up on living in Christ and with Christ. Remember the heresy of Christ and legalism, Christ and mysticism, Christ and asceticism. Christ plus anything is nothing, actually subtraction And so Paul wisely didn’t begin with a list of do this, but who is Christ and what is the Head of Creation & the Body is doing . And when we again see Christ in His role as head of creation and the new creation, and understand what it means to live in him, die to old life and rise to new life () . Saw that what can turn a church around, rescue them from disaster and danger isn’t just negative don’t do this or that, but positive - and simple - character in Christ, and then the duties in the economy, household, work, - real way to do everything in and through and for the Lordship of Christ.
Then lastly we saw Paul give them a tool that will enable them to truly live not only in Christ, but with Him - that spring - compressed is time alone in gospel-prayer petition, and then released in gracious and salty word and action to unbelievers outside our circle. Turns struggling ingrown inward focused and scared church about to stumble into powerful instrument of grace in Christ’ active hand.
That’s the substance of this letter and why I think we should read it over and over again. The result will be not a mature Christian in terms of an individual who is like Buddha - individual with lots of knowledge and insight, or an activist who is like Greta Thunberg (here are all the things I am going to do and tell others to do) or a social justice warrior; This kind of maturity comes only in connection with the living head - mature in Christ and with other living parts of the body of Christ, in the WALKING, manner of life, service in this community.
Remember the theme verses:
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Well with all of his teaching, extending promises of grace in and with Christ, with all of his practical directions for living it out, with all of the simple tools laid out, what more is there for Paul to say. He close the letter, but how? Not just with hope to see ya soon, Good bye Love Paul. But with a moving picture of what living this out looks like. A slice of life, of gospel life -of those Paul's is sending the letter with, and those who are receiving that shows what it means to live the mature Christian life. , underlining the themes and tools that will keep them on the path to maturity. As I hold it up this moving picture before us, I need to ask you to look around at your relationships - with each other, with me and and the leadership of this church, other Christians in your life - call fellow servant? with other church’s around us - and comparing it to this picture ask what is God calling me to next in his kingdom? Paul does this with relationship of nine people in three different categories, perhaps one especially will resonate with you.
Key Truth: Your maturity in Christ must be lived out in a community of mutual service.
Do you ever drop names? Think of a certain individual in our congregation who seems to know everyone and there uncle - has done - in line for certain favours. Reminds me of a brother in law Rick. One way to drop a name, Another when just getting to know someone -For instance, visisting in Holland Anne Van Schubbert - havne’t been here in 20 years, 40! OH who are you from? This is what happens often a conference - who have you read followed. Kids on playground - drop names of players they follow really like - situated. Well Paul is dropping at least 9 names here and names of 3 other congregations, for very important reasons that tie into not only the teaching of his letter - but the lives of these Christians in their life IN AND WITH CHRIST. Most often when you read these NT letters just skip the name sections. But to do so would be to miss out on how this teachings is actually to hit the ground, were the rubber meets the road. And the names aren’t difficult actually met many of them in Acts, and I dare say you have relationshisp like these tool. A. Open your heart to some who the most common thing you have with them is your life in Christ
A. Open your heart to some who the most common thing you have with them is your life in Christ
A. Open your heart to someone who shares life in Christ
Remember Paul has never visited these guys. He is hundreds of miles away in prison, and he has written against the most influential teachers who are right in the living rooms of the Colossians. And Paul begins his conclusion, by saying make sure you have those who really get being IN CHRIST, and really get serving in their various ROLES and CHARACTER in CHRIST - they GET WITH CHRIST daily - make sure you have relationship with some of them in your life.
Many of the Christians you have in your life - you have others things in common with them - that is good and natural - from same family, or you like the same activity. But Paul actually sends this letter with a dedicated Christian whom these guys never met and he says - not only is going to fill you in on the legal situation and ministry to the Gentiles and how I am doing - I am sending him to you to encourage your hearts.
TYCHICUS I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts,
I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts,
This has to happen in a church - that you let someone in - who is for your soul - Myself personally as pastor - most live outside or above the church - don’t think they need this - I do. So do you - a faithful servant - general term for someone working int he church all of us in one way - a service, but Tychicus - from Thessalonian - travelled with Paul -
Would you let someone in to your house - appointed by church with a letter - not to rebuke false teaching first of all, not to judge your progress or lack of it, - but in these truths to encourage your hearts… to share where we are at.
ii. But listen this person - we are called to receive into our lives may be someone you have very little in common with, may actually have stuff against, someone that God is calling into your life for better service and growth and fellowship in his church.
That is the second one commissioned to show up in their lives, that may be one God is calling you to receive. His name is Onesimus - and you can just see these guys rolling their eyes - he is one of us, oh yeah we know about that guy.
ONESIMUS our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.
and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
He was an unbelieving insubordinate run a way slave, and his master was a member of the church in Colosse. But guess what - trying to lose himself in Rome, and Christ found him. Paul not only disciples him come to some kind of private maturity in Christ, spirituality - ok now live however. But other letter Tychicus carries, is for Philemon - outlines the radical transformation the gospel has made in Onesimus’ life - receive back doesn't give judgment on what should happen in term of slavery - but wrongs repaid - and new freedom as
And did you catch how he describes Onesimus - faithful and bleoved brother - This is what Paul means that we no longer judge from a worldly perspective - problem isn’t it - you only see a person here based on their past, or their worst mistakes. We’ve got to stop that! People change here! Gospel says see them in Christ. That word agapetos,- only used for Christians those who have received the agape love of Christ, are now treasured as receiving unconditional love - not earned, not merited, freely given, conditions in terms of how now live, but not on how valued. Is there an Onesimus - have not received, but God has so much growth for you and me in receiving.
Well, the next gropu of people that we are to make room for in our hearts and fellowship and even our living rooms are those with a diffrent heritage, differnt family ethnic backgorund, even different denominatoinal background. Vv.10-11
B. Open your heart to those with a different background, but partner in a kingdom-work
Now these next three Aristarchus, Mark, and Jesus are all the same nationality as Paul, they are Jewish and of the circumcision (whether by conversion or ethnically).
ARISTARCHUS my fellow prisoner greets you,
Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him),
But they are decidedly different than the Colossians who are Gentiles like most of the churches in the Roman Empire. But Paul, in sending these greetings, is not only building a bridge between different silos of groups inthe church - liberals, conservative, activist, doctrinal - - pietists - ethnic grouping, new comers, life long members!
Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him),
i. We have falling outs, suspicions and don’t really talk in same circles at least not on a faith level, some time won’t serve with them. But Aristarchus a Jewish background believer from Thessalonica, also one of the seven went to Jerusalem, but it seems he volunteered to go to prison with Paul. Don’t be suspicious of Jewish background - laying his life and livelihood down for Gentile mission.
liberals, conservative, sactiviest, doctrinal - - pietists - We hav falling outs, susspiicion and don’t really talk in same circles at least not on a faith levlel, some time won’t serve with them. But Aristarchus a jewish background believer from Thessalnica, also one of the seven went to Jeursaelm, but it seems he volunteered to go to prison with Paul. Don’t be suspciious of jeiwshi backgorund - laying his life and livelhood down for Gentile mission.
ii. But who else are greetings sent from and with a n instruction for further relationship. Mark - do your remember cousin/nephew of Barnabas, remember back in Acts he went out with them first missionary journey got to Asia Minor - bandits in mountains - risk life - turned away not ready for this. Barnabas wants to take him on second, and they bitterly part ways, and you can understand why - but now Mark who was with Peter in Rome. Mark who now stayed with Paul. Mark you had taken Peter’s preaching about Jesus and written one of the four gospels. Mark. It seems he is gong on a a bit of a mission tour- received instructions that he is legit and the rift healed, reconciled, and if in this tour he shows up - accept him welcome him, be taught by him. and then v.11 Jesus also called Jesus who they sem to have known.
By way of application - gospel reconciliation with anyone here - so thankful little detail recorded here - so thankful for that wording in our form, based on Jesus teaching of leading your offering at the altar and go and be reconciled -
But the even greater point is that these three brothers from Hebrew, different background, they are what in common with Paul and with Colossians?
ARISTARCHUS, MARK, JESUS my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
Fellow workers for the kingdom of God. Now remember the context of this book. What were the false teachers saying the path to fulness and spiritual enlightenment lay - individual without Christ - practices rules, visions of angels, strict body ; but what about Paul - talks of fulness starts with the fulness of Christa s head of creation, and then head of the enw creation - Fullness isn’t an individualistic thing, it is in Christ and Christ means anointed King - and every king has a what? a kingdom. In the CRC we have too big errors on one side those - want the kingdom without the king - social justice is everything, a gospel devoid of Christ reconciling sinners to God , on the other and in reaction to this, that Christianity is just asking Jesus into your heart, church not really important accept for your individual walk, Christ reign and Lordhisp not relaly important, Have the King without the Kingdom you feel good, and get to go to heaven. What about you? But remember that spring what’s that second half? Realesed with grace of God in your heart that you’ve experienced, and gospel truth salt in your conversation, beyond the boundaries of church relationship, to outsiders - grace and salt words and actions.
We are to have fellow workers in the kingdom - band of brothers - sisterhood - based on Christ but also on his kingdom and service in it -
IE like campaign team - bus together, eat on the road, - serving, like Plowing Match OUtreach, like CHP, like pregnancy resource centre, like Gurret, Indai church planter - Redeemer Hamilton Inner City outreach? Do we have not only a vision to be engaged in mission but relationships - are we investing - would you come Sunday night Oct 12 , write I can’t - asking the congregation at Colosse -
What may such a relationship look like for you with a fellow kingdom worker - share prayer requests for lost child, volunteer at Bible for missions and pray about it, write imprisoned, sponsor child together with , knit… As a family are you kingdom minded with each other … does you prayer your giving, your service reflect that?
ie Youth Group Gems,shoebox, how about KNIGDOM PROJECT WITH Bible League - NOV 17th perseucted church;
Church across town doing SERVE - gospel opened, mercy extended, practical stuff for kingdom work … would you partner … NEXT WEEK JANINE AND WIL TEBOKKEL?
When you are connected to people like that - Bible Study Coffee break - find what Paul didn - they encourage your heart. Just like he called us to open our hearts to Tychicus, Onesimus - not just share life, but real encouragement - Holy Spirit comfort and strength and direction Paraklesis.
But then comes the last and warmest and most personal snap shot of the types of relationships we need for Christain maturity. Vv. 12-14 And in particular not Luke or Demas, but then one Paul gives the longest description to:
C. Make sure you have a dear Epaphras in Your Life, and try to Be One
Now I am sure they had heard of Onesimus, the run away unbelieving slave, and it seems were familiar with Mark by reputation and Justus. And that is the interesting part of being in a gospel-fellowship is openness, an open door to new people in your life - ie Rosaria Butterfield’s new book - the gospel comes with house key - hospitality
Perhaps Paul was already aware of Demas's spiritual slide because he was the only one of the six about whom there was no comment in the greeting. Christian fellowship is not meant to be perfect. It must always be stretching.
Some draw a circle that shuts men out;
Race and position are what they flout;
But Christ in love seeks them all to win,
He draws a circle that takes them in!
(Edwin Markham, altered)
Our Lord even takes in those who disappoint and hurt. Christian fellowship makes us bigger people who have a greater capacity for sorrow — and for joy.
Some draw a circle that shuts men out;
Race and position are what they flout;
But Christ in love seeks them all to win,
He draws a circle that takes them in!
(Edwin Markham, altered)
Our Lord even takes in those who disappoint and hurt. Christian fellowship makes us bigger people who have a greater capacity for sorrow — and for joy.
Demas later fell away but still a door open here for fellowship. Others so new - have an empty chair around your table for some one knew to come in. Lego block - dear freinds, relationshisp like this, but have one connector free.
But I love that Epaphras who would soon return, also sends greetings. Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold. Epaphras remember is their beloved pastor, the one who painstakingly began the church after he gotten rooted in Ephesus he came to town, he and look how he id described - you need some like this in your life to reach maturity and you need to seek to be like this to someone.
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers,
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
Brother let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you. In as much you did it to the least of these my brethren you did unto me. Remember that spring - launched out in witness and outreach; but what was the other half the first part, werere does the blessing finds its energy and source - gospel prayer. Look at Epaphras - agonizing - duration and intensity devoted to prayer! stressed; remember Paul didn’t just say pray - all people do that.. but be devoted to prayer - intensity and duration
Amazing thing: the more I care about situations you are in the more you open that up - the more I actually pray in the car, on my knees at night can't sleep - for those situations … More I go through struggle with my kids… Epaphras an illustration of the first part of the spring of the Christian life - do you have living illustration f that in your life - someone who agonizing in prayer for you - you can - but it takes opening up and asking - trusting someone here - even me.
But what are we to ask for prayer for from each other, what should you be praying for for kids in your Gems group, coffee break - of course those petitions of daily life and need, daily bread, work sickness, bodily health. But even more is there someone here today that knows spiritually where you are at? growing dull, tested, stretched, tempted? Any one here who knows what character from COL3 you struggle with growing in, stumbling over - Listen to what Epaphras prays:
that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
STAND - that’s the opposite in Gk of Fall. He knows the weak points and how defended in prayer, but stand how MATURE - complete with fulness - husbands and wives do you know that your spouse has another spouse and that is Christ, and just like your job is to support and encourage spouse be best husband wife, father mother, - in prayer you and I are to shoot for effectiveness, completeness growth to perfection.
Same word that Jesus used, - be perfect as I am perfect - only in Christ - through prayer growing towards that not as how saved, but as how live in Christ.
Would you let your elder - pray for you like this, would let me in on;
But what is the second thing that will be prayed about when you have an Epaphras in your life - “assured in all the will of God”. The Colossians with all the false teachings, do this, get vision like this, practice this diet - like walking into Christian bookstore or self-help isle, or flipping Christian channels. I don’t know how with this kaleidoscope of teachings and choices how to live my Christian life - paralyzed by all the choice.
But Epaphras with Paul - has a biblical vision of what maturity in Christ looks likes - duties with Christ as Lord of your life - in home, in work, in church, in neighbourhood, ini world - Old Puritans always clear on duties - how to please God, events leave up to God. And when you are sure of your duties - not paralyzed but a confidence Its great to have assurance of salvation - I hop you have that, but maturity in Christ in living daily with Him serving Him, requires assurance of God’s will for the day to day. I pray for my kids - calling - do you but even more basic are the little things done for Christ. So much anxiety - circle of things to be concerned about, but not your responsibility, be clear what is your duty!
Remember like Corrie TenBoom big deal isn’t work you do, but work Christ does through you… It’s the little things we are to be in prayer for in each others lives too - recognizing that God uses the ordinary and little things done as unto Christ in a big time way:
Think of Onesimus - sometimes feel second rate Christian failure compared to others. But the big deal is that we are in God’s will that Christ is at work in and WITH US, and we need to be in community of prayer and mutual kingdom service for that to happen.
Myra Brooks Welch tells the story of a battered, scarred violin held up for bid by an auctioneer who hardly thought it worth his time. And it apparently wasn't, for the final bid was a grudging three dollars. But as he was calling, "Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three," a gray-haired man came forward and picked up the bow, wiped the dust from the old instrument, tightened the strings, and played the most beautiful melody —"as sweet as an angel sings." When the music ceased, the auctioneer, holding it up with the bow, said in a different tone, "What am I bid for the old violin?" Instead of three dollars, it went for three thousand!
Paul has a visoin of this not only for Onesimus, but for each believer at Colosse.
CONCLUSION:
Well congregation with that Paul signs off in his own signature with two simple requests:
And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
Have this letter read. What we do in church - Understanding Word of God coming to us - official ly read together - but in Laodociea - danger of going luke-warm - how keep them mature. Martyn Loyd Jones WWII attendance plumemet - bathing suit? No steady pure preaching of Word of God ,lady stood up -why Ia m here. Don’t change the cenral thing.
Have this letter read. What we do in church - Understanding Word of God coming to us - officially read together - but in Laodociea - danger of going luke-warm - how keep them mature. Martyn Loyd Jones WWII attendance plummet - bathing suit? No steady pure preaching of Word of God ,lady stood up -why Ia m here. Don’t change the central thing.
But with that he says something to Philemon the slave owners son, who had been awakened to Christ and was serving in a big time way. He says, look Mark probably coming, got Tychicus and Onesimus, got false teachers pressing in still,
ARCHIPUS “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
Devote ourselves to the Scriptures, but also recognize a ministry given to pastor, to elders, to the church in general - tempted to give up , tempted to change it to suit needs of all competing felt needs of various groups. No understand calling not from the people, but from the Lord of the Church, - It’s the Lord’s ministry - and you are stewards of His word, of ministry that he is carrying out the rough the Word and Spirit, be faithful to that call.