A New Years Sermon Reflection of the Past

A New Years Sermon Reflection of the Past, and Resolution for the Future

Colossians 4: 7 -18 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.

Colossians 4: 7 -18 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts,

Colossians 4: 7 -18 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.

Colossians 4: 7 -18 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),

Colossians 4: 7 -18 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.

Colossians 4: 7 -18 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.

Colossians 4: 7 -18 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.

Colossians 4: 7 -18 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.

Colossians 4: 7 -18 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

Colossians 4: 7 -18 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.

Colossians 4: 7 -18 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord. ”

Colossians 4: 7 -18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Colossians 4: 7 -18 Final Greetings

7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 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. -Colossians 4: 7 -9

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. -Colossians 4: 10 -11

12 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. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. -Colossians 4: 12 -13

Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. -Colossians 4: 14

Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. -Colossians 4: 15

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. -Colossians 4: 16

And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord. ” -Colossians 4: 17

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. -Colossians 4: 18

Main Point › These are final greetings from Paul and his ministry team › Those delivering the letter are mentioned, as well as those close at hand during his imprisonment › Paul concludes the letter with a hope of grace

Application Points › Fulfilling Ministry – One of the final points of the letter is for Archippus to fulfill his ministry – We need to be reminded to fulfill our ministries as well – Each of us are called to be ministers – Spouses, children, parents – I notice those who have been working their ministries for years and years – Those who ask how they could serve more – Those who aren’t sure yet

Application Points › Fulfilling Ministry (2) – Many of you have served for years and are exhausted – The world may not understand your devotion, there are many who do – It’s upon your shoulders we stand, and they are strong shoulders – Know that even if you aren’t able to serve as you once did, this does not mean your service is ended – Your prayers, love, hospitality, you continue to serve in these ways

Application Points › Fulfilling Ministry (3) – – – We have large shoes to fill! We are to be no less devoted Learn from their love for us Their labor is for the Lord and our benefit When we feel tired, we can look to them and be encouraged to keep going – Let them be our encouragement to fulfill the ministries we are called to here

Application Points › Fulfilling Ministry (4) – My hope is that each one of us would continue to seek out the Scriptures – That our ministries extend beyond Sunday Mornings – Likewise, that we would remember that not all ministries are the same – In today’s texts we see letter carriers, evangelists, and simply helpers – All are important, all help fulfill our role together as the body of Christ – We are saved individuals, and with this salvation comes a great family of faith

Application Points › Fulfilling Ministry (5) – Let love guide us to fulfill what we are called to – Be encouraged by those who have come before you, and those who will come after you – Pray steadfastly, and be devout to read the Scriptures, to know how you can glorify Christ personally, as well as here together

Application Points › Who is God Gonna Use? – There a variety of individuals involved with Paul’s ministry – There are 11 named individuals – There is something more about each one of them – They’re all different – They are from different places – They are not the same ethnicity (both Jews and Gentiles) – Onesimus the runaway slave, Luke the physician

Application Points › Who is God Gonna Use? (2) – God called each of them from different areas and social standings – “Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is call, and in all. ” (Col. 3: 11) – Paul can say this because he is experiencing the grace of God in these individuals – The Gospel can take root and produce fruit

Application Points › Who is God Gonna Use? (3) – No matter our personal experience, God can bring us around for His glory – There is no one too much a sinner, too much a slave, to be outside of the outstretched arms of Christ – So many think, “I haven’t fulfilled my ministry well…” – Well, you can let go of the doubt, and failure, and start being faithful now – Onesimus is the example – He could of stayed a runaway slave – But instead, he goes back, and Paul

Application Points › Who is God Gonna Use? (4) – The marvelous thing about Christ is that He causes change within us – This change can be accomplished in any person – God can cause growth in you – Consider all these names – These names, these people, from the history of our faith – They sought to glorify God – Some were messengers, helpers, evangelists, slaves, doctors…yet all used by God for His glory

Application Points › Who is God Gonna Use? (5) – He can use you too! – Be faithful to remember our God is great, and we are vessels of His glory if we are in Christ – No greater blessing than that we were once lost and now found – Though we were once broken, we are now redeemed – All because of the blood of Jesus Christ

Application Points › The Gospel of Christ – Origins – Fall – Redemption – Glorification