Closing Recognition - pt 1

Introduction

(Previous Messages in the Colossians Series)

‘For the Faithfulness of Epaphras’ - Col. 1:1-8

In that message, we looked at how because Epaphras was Faithful to serve the LORD, the gentiles there at Colosse gained:

Faith in Christ

Fellowship with each other

A Future home in Heaven

Fruit for their Labor

And Friends - that would be there & pray for them

‘Paul’s Prayer for the Colossians’ - Col. 1:9-12

Our next message dealt with v9-12 and it focused on Paul’s Prayer for the Colossians.

Paul Prayed for a Filling - of His Will, Godly Wisdom & Biblical Watchfulness

Paul then Prayed for Faithfulness - in their Manner of Life & the Mark to Strive for

Paul then prayed for Fruitfulness - Testifying of who they were in Christ

Then Paul Prayed for Favor - For God to give them Strength & Satisfaction

Lastly Paul Prayed for Focus - Upon God and His Grace

‘The Incredible Christ’ - Col. 1:12-22

Then as Paul began to get into the meat of the letter, we preached a message titled ‘The Incredible Christ’ focused on v13-22 and in it Paul is just bragging about Jesus!

He spoke of the Performance of Christ

The Pardon of Christ

The Picture of Christ

The Power of Christ

The Preeminence of Christ

The Peace of Christ

The Presentation of Christ

‘A Presentation Without Regret’ - Col. 1:20-29

Paul Spoke of:

The Peace through His Cross (v20-22)

The Presentation Desired (v22; 28; 23)

Paul spoke of the fact that everyone was going to stand before God and give account.

The Person God Utilized

Then Paul made clear that God was using him to communicate truth

Now that Paul has laid this ground work, he speaks of himself for the purpose that they would take heed unto what he had to say.

‘A Call to Stand’ - Col. 2:1-10

Paul spoke of:

A Knowledge Imparted

A Course Implored

A Fulfillment Identified

‘Understanding Our Position in Christ’ - Col. 2:11-15

Paul spoke of:

The Circumcision of the Believer (v11)

The Comparison in Baptism (v12)

The Culmination of the Work of Christ (v13)

The Canceling of Our Debt (v14)

The Conquering of Christ (v15)

Given Complete Victory - and He is a Commander to Follow

‘Beware, Lest Ye Be Spoiled!’ - Col. 2:16-23

Beware the Philosophy of the Jews

Beware the False Doctrines of the Gentiles

Be Mindful of What You Are

‘Live Different!’ - Col. 3:1-11

Seek Out Heavenly Things (v1)

Set Affection on Spiritual Things (v2)

Surrender your Life (v3-4)

Subdue your Flesh (v5-11)

‘Additional Things’ - Col. 3:12-17

Things for Adorning (v12-14)

A Spirit of Humility (Bowels of Mercy; Kindness; Humbleness of Mind; Meekness; Longsuffering)

A Sense of Forgiveness

Being Steadfast in Lovingkindness

Things to Allow (v15-16)

The Peace of God to Dominate

The Word of Christ to Dwell

The Songs of God be Delivered

Things to Do Alway (v17)

Represent God in Word and Deed

Recognize His Grace (v17b)

‘Principles Specified’ - Col. 3:18-25

Principle’s for the Home

For the Wives

For the Husbands

For the Children

For the Fathers

Principles for the Help

Perfect Obedience

Pretense Discouraged

Purported Reasoning

Purpose Observed

Promise Recompense

‘Calls & Considerations’ - Col. 4:1-6)

A Continued Principle (v1)

The Care & Comparison

A Call to Pray (v2-3)

Consistently, Expectantly, Appreciatively (v2) & Personally (v3)

Be Considerate in Our Walk

In Manner of Conduct to the Lost (v5)

In Manner of Conversion of the Lost (v5)

In Manner of Consideration for the Lost (v6)

Tonight we near our close of the book with the message titled - Closing Recognition

I. Salutations (v7-14)

They Should Expect Reports (v7-9)

TICH-i-cus

The man mentioned in v7 is spoken of 4 other times in Scripture.

Act. 20:4 “And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.” We see when he joined up with Paul & where he was from

2Tim. 4:11-12 “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.”

Eph. 6:21 “But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:”

Tit. 3:12 “When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.”

Time and again we see this man Tychicus demonstrating what Paul says he is - Faithful.

What God needs is some faithful men.

Paul says that Tychicus is going to give report as to what Paul’s state is.

This is a good example of reporting missionaries.

Onesimus

Paul also includes Onesimus as one who will give report for him as well.

Onesimus is also spoken of at length in the book of Philemon. That of which we’ll not examine here tonight.

These men were to give reports unto the church of Colosse - and that they could examine the state of the church there.

Paul says they should expect reports

Those that have Earned Recognition (v10-14)

Ari-star-cus (v10)

Much the same as Tychicus, Aristarchus is mentioned 4 other times as well.

Paul and his people started a riot: Act. 19:29 “And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.”

Act. 20:4 “And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.”

He suffered shipwreck with Paul: Act. 27:2 “And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.”

And as result, Paul designates him a ‘fellowprisoner’

Church, but that’s not a bad thing!

Mat. 5:10-11 “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.”

Mat. 19:28-29 “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”

Aristarchus earned Recognition

Epaphras (v12)

The same mentioned at the beginning of the epistle. One who was instrumental in the founding of the church, was not present with it at that time - but notice what it says about him: Col. 4:12 “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”

Epaphras earned Recognition

Demas

Demas is also mentioned elsewhere in Scripture:

When he writes Philemon: Philemon 23-24 “There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.”

Of course here - mentioned with Luke. (v14)

But once more as well. Paul is telling Timothy in his last words: 2Ti. 4:7-13 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.”

Demas needs recognition - not in the sense that it’s commendable what he did, but as a warning… for there are many Demas’ around.

We see some Salutations. Next we see some Expectations

II. Expectations (v15-16)

A Fullness of Understanding (v16)

Paul states that he wants them to read the epistle that he wrote to the Laodicean church, and for them to read this one. Why do you think that is?

It’s because many church’s struggles are alike - and they can learn from AND RELATE to one another.

In each epistle, we see certain traits that these churches have:

The church in Corinth was a carnal church

The Bereans were a church who diligently studied the Scriptures

The Laodiceans were a church that was lukewarm

The church at Ephesus laboured, but left their first love

So as we look at the various churches in the Scriptures, we see see what happened with them, where they were lacking and learn from it!

He desired for them a Fullness of Understanding

A Fellowship with Like-Minded Believers (v15)

Paul is encouraging them to engage one another.

The Bible speaks of fellowship of brethren:

We see the idea log & results of like-minded mindset: Act. 2:42-47 “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

To be perfectly clear. I want to stress the importance of fellowship with like-minded believers, and also stress the importance of distance from the otherwise minded.

Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”

When we yoke up with diverse doctrines, it muddles the message.

(Ill.) Let’s pretend that we yoked up with the Church of Christ, the Methodists, the Catholics & the Warehouse - everyone would promote Jesus. But what message would be conveyed?

We say - The Word of God is true and salvation comes by Grace Alone through Faith alone.

The Church of Christ would say ‘yes you need faith in Jesus, but you need baptism and works to go with it’

The Catholics would say ‘Jesus is good, but Mary is better - and absolution comes from confessing your sins to the priest behind the curtain’

The Warehouse would say ‘who cares, rock on!’

You see, unless you have a unified message, the message gets muddled. This is why I’m not in favor of holding hands and singing with everyone who proclaims the name of Christ - we couldn’t even agree on what and how to sing it!

We see the Expectations

We see some Salutations. Next we see some Expectations, Lastly we see Recollections

III. Recollections (v17-18)

Remember God’s Call (v17)

Paul then points out a man by the name of Archippus. This is presumed to be the bishop of the church there at Colosse. Whether there or elsewhere, Paul reminds him of the ministry that he has.

But not just the ministry that he has, but the ministry that he recieved of the LORD

Church, I don’t know what your ministry may be. But let me remind you: If you recieved it of the LORD, take heed - and fulfill it!.

Remember God’s Call on your life - don’t grow complacent.

Remember my bonds (v18)

Not just that he’s suffering.

But that he’s suffering for the cause of Christ.

That some things are worth suffering for.

That he’s still doing what he can for the LORD regardless of circumstance.

We will do well to Remember these things.

Conclusion