Are we completing it?

Today we are completing out study of Colossians. You may wonder by the title if we are completing it. Yes, we are completing our study on Sunday mornings through this book. I hope you will continue to study this book which is rich concerning us knowing how we are Christians, and concerning how we live as Christians.

I have found it challenging over the past weeks as we looked into this book, and asked questions about our own lives as we saw what the Spirit is teaching us through this book.

What are we known for?Colossians 1:1-8

The believers in Colossae were known for their faith and love. What are we known for?

What do we pray for?Colossians 1:9-14

Paul prayed that believers would have full knowledge of the will of God so that they would live lives worthy of Him, pleasing Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, having great endurance and patience and giving joyful thanks. Are we praying for these things that really matter?

Who’s the Boss? Colossians 1:15-20

Do we really see Christ as our Lord, or are we the boss? Do we give him supremacy in our lives, our homes, our workplace, our marriages, our relationships, our entertainment? Who’s the Boss?

Do you Remember? Colossians 1:21-23

Do we remember that Christ died to present us holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation? Do we remember this great news daily, so that we might live accordingly?

What’s our purpose? Colossians 1:24-29

Do we have the right purpose, to proclaim him so that we might help everyone to mature in Christ?

What’s the goal? Colossians 2:1-5

Do we have the right goals in our lives? Are they so that others might be encouraged and united in love? That they might have a full, complete understanding of the mystery of Christ?

What is your anchor? Colossians 2:6-15

What is your anchor in this life? What do you cling to to get you through? Is is Christ who canceled all charges against us, nailing our sin debts to the cross? The one who overcame and disarmed all powers and authorities, that is, all the spiritual forces of darkness in this world? Is He our anchor so that we are not overwhelmed with guilt, shame, or discouragement?

Why do you do that? Colossians 2:16-23

Why do we do the things we do? Are we trying to be super spiritual by our efforts? Do we take pride in what we do? Do we try to live by rules, or rituals? Not that all rules or rituals are bad, but we are not true Christians because of what we do. We are because of what Christ has done!

Where’s your head? Colossians 3:1-4

Where is your head? Are we caught up with things of this world, or do we have our hearts set on things above? Do we set our minds on things above and not on earthly things?

What do you need to put to death? Colossians 3:5-11

What do we need to put to death? God is not just looking for outward legalism. He wants our hearts and minds. Then the actions will follow. What do we need to put to death? The old earthly nature is still with us: sexual immorality, lust, evil desires, greed and idolatry. Anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language. These things need to be put to death. It was for these evil desires, these self-centered desires for which Christ died.

What do you need to wear? Colossians 3:12-14

Are we getting up and putting on Compassion, kindness, gentleness, humility and patience each morning? Are we forgiving as the Lord forgave us? Are we putting on love, which is others focused each morning to wear throughout the day?

How do we have peace? Colossians 3:15-17

Do we have peace? Are we letting the peace which Christ gives rule in our hearts? Are we letting the message of Christ dwell in us richly? Are we living thankful?

Are we living as Christian Families? Colossians 3:18-21

Are we letting Christ change our hearts to be the wives, husbands and children he desires us to be?

Just do it? Colossians 3:22-4:1

Are we doing all we do as working for the Lord?

Are we devoted to the right things? Colossians 4:2-6

Are we devoted to prayer, acting wisely with heavenly wisdom, and speaking with grace so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, the hope which the world desparately needs?

Are we completing it? Colossians 4:7-18

And, as are we completing it? This all isn’t once and done is it? It is needed daily. Are we completing these things the Lord has given us?

And are we completing it? What is it? The ministry the Lord has given to us. That is what the final passage in Colossians is about.

Paul is closing his letter with greetings from himself and the others around him.

Who were they? What made them special that we still read about them today?

What was Paul’s final challenge to the believers?

Let’s read the passage.

Colossians 4:7–18 NIV

Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.” I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Examples

Here at the end of the letter, Paul lists these men. Why? I believe the Colossians knew them. They were examples. They were men who were true Christians. They knew the Lord as their savior. they knew he paid for their sins, and they were living as true Christians. They were setting their hearts on things above, and their minds on things above. They were completing the ministries that the Lord had given to them.

Tychicus

Tychicus was from the province of Asia (Acts 20:4). So the Colossians most likely knew him. He accompanied Paul after his ministry in Ephesus.

He is said to be a dear brother, a faithful minister and a fellow servant. In Ephesians 6:21, Paul also says he is a dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord. Tychicus most likely went with Paul to Jersusalem, and went through all the trials that Paul did. He was there as Paul waited in prison for a fair trial. He was with him on the perilous journey to Rome. He was with Paul in Rome as Paul was under house arrest.

Tychicus was a good example from their home province. He was faithful. He served the Lord, working as for the Lord, doing what needed to be done, no matter the difficulties that came.

He carried Paul’s letters. Ran Paul’s errands. He was faithful.

Onesimus

From Colossae.

Aristarchus

from thessalonica

arrested during the riots in Ephesus (Acts 19:29)

was with Paul on the journey to Rome (Acts 27:2)

Mark

cousin of Barnabas

Abandoned Paul on his first journey (Acts 13:13, 15:37-39)

Jesus/Justus

Jewish

proved a comfort to me

Epaphras

from Colossae, founder of the church there

servant of Christ

Wrestling in prayer

Luke

Demas

only here Philemon 24 and 2 Timothy 4:10

deserted for things of the world.

Colossians 4:17 NIV

Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”

See to it! Complete it!

1 Corinthians 12:4 NIV

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.

1 Corinthians 12:7 NIV

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

1 cor 12.18

1 Corinthians 12:18 NIV

But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

1 Corinthians 12:27 NIV

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Ephesians 4:16 NIV

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Are you completing it?