Teamwork (2)

Aristarchus went with Paul after responding to the Gospel. He was also tasked with taking the offering back to the church in Jerusalem when they were struggling. He also didn’t leave Paul when Paul when to talk to the emperor in Rome after he was arrested. He was in prison with Paul but not because they put him in prison but because he wanted to go along side Paul and be with him through the struggles.

If you want to comfort well, if you want to take the great commandment, encompasses this idea of comfort you need to

1. Engage in the ministry of Presence

2 Corinthians 7:5-6 “For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,”

John 14:15-17 ““If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

The comfort comes from the spirit of God through his people because you have the helper the holy spirit to engage in the ministry of presence.

IF you want to be comforted you must be the one that comforts

Mark was in conflict with Paul (v 10) but Paul encouraged people to welcome Mark.

Acts 13 - Mark leaves the crew and in Acts 15:36 “And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”” Acts 15:38 “But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.” Acts 15:39 “And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,”

Later in Paul’s life 2 Timothy 4:11 “Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.” you see his heart change towards Mark.

2. Get Past Prior Grudges (v.10b)

Grudges are like Cane Toads, they are deadly and invasive. Don’t pick them up and be careful if you see a lot of them. Call the Game warden (the Pastor)

You need to get over grudges with people in other churches

Get over your desire to hold grudges

Holding a grudge is antithetical to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Getting past my grudges is a simple exercise in keeping with the Gospel. It makes it a lot more easy, holy, fruitful

Nothing is more motivating than knowing the mission of the team (Reaching, Teaching, Training)

Acts 20:24 “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

When you keep your eyes on the missing the ministry of comfort becomes easier to you

The gospel means that you are also here for one another.

3. Keep the mission in mind (v.11)

God saves others through the ministry that you have been given.

This might not be your church if you don’t have the missing in mind (Reaching, Teaching, training)

Pastor Hayden Thomas • Compass Bible Church Hill Country • June 12, 2022 • Msg. 22-21

Colossians 4:10-11 10 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), 11 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.

1. Write down one observation or application you found particularly helpful from this week’s sermon.

2. Read 2 Corinthians 1:3–5 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.”

and 1 Thessalonians 3:6–7 “But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.”

How do these scriptures explain what God’s will is for Christians when it comes to comforting one another? Write down three ways these scriptures tell us to comfort one another.

3. How has the presence of Christian brothers and sisters comforted you?

4. Read Philippians 4:2–3 “I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.”

and Romans 12:16–21 “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

What roadblocks do grudges create between Christians who are commanded to be a comfort to one another? How do these two verses tell us to respond to Christian grudges?

5. Read Philippians 1:27 “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,”

and 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

Why is keeping the mission in mind so important when it comes to comforting brothers and sisters? What personal costs can be associated with comforting others? This Week’s Memory Verse John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.