UNIQUELY YOU

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God created you "uniquely you" with an abiblity to love, worship, and serve like no other

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Introduction
Matthew 7:9–11 NIV
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Prayer
The best examples of fatherhood cannot compare to our Father in Heaven. He is our model.
My dad, Homer Lee Pryor, was born on groundhog day in 1913. He and my mother had 6 other kids before I sneaked in under the radar when dad was 48-49 — my mom was 39-40. My dad was unique: he was very quiet, loved to watch football and Gunsmoke, loved to fish and hunt, was a master gardener, could get humming birds to come and land on his finger, was very good with numbers, loved to play practical jokes on his family (cold hands, firecrackers, whisker burns, etc.), and so many other things. He was the hardest worker I have ever known - He took his responsibility as a provider very seriously and he took pride in his work. He spent more than 25 years of his life working for Phil Batt — tending to his fields and orchards. He never made much money — he wasn’t able to really go to school at all because he had a rough upbringing. He worked from the time he was a child, taking care of horses, farming, and anything else he and his brothers could find to do.
I’m sure he worried about me because I was not good at mechanical work (he was really good) and I didn’t really like fishing — which was his favorite pastime. I went…I enjoyed being with him…but fishing was boring part of the time and stressful the rest of the time — he was never very happy with me if my hook got stuck and had to be broken off. He spent a lot of time helping me with that. One fun part about fishing is that dad had one of those electric rods that you stick in the ground until the night crawlers start coming out. Before fishing, we always went out to the yards to shock the worms into submission.
Dad wasn’t perfect. He had a temper and could lash out in frustration or anger at times. But, on the whole, he was a great dad. I was so happy when he finally surrendered his life to Jesus.
Here’s the thing: when I think of my dad…I see an extremely unique person — there is no one just like him anywhere. He was one of a kind. But, guess what? His good work ethic, sense of humor, or his amazing love for his family never brought him fame or fortune. He is, like so many other fathers and mothers, an unsung hero.
Many fathers are truly unsung heroes. They keep the family sane and together — not perfect but with some kind of security. They work hard, honor their wives and treat them with love and affection, try their best to be there for their kids as a protector, provider, playmate, and disciplinarian. They sacrifice a lot to take care of their family. Of course, most men have a immature gene in them that never really goes away — it may lay dormant at times — but you never know when it will come calling.
Squirrel Illustration: The other day Linda and I were driving near ISU and a squirrel ran out in front of us. I hit the brakes. The squirrel hesitated and finally crossed the street. Linda made a comment: “Why do squirrels always run out in front of cars and then stop in the road before deciding what to do next? No wonder they get ran over. They are stupid.”
I responded something like this: “It’s a good thing we aren’t squirrels. I would be dead by now because I am pretty sure the reason they hesitate is because their wives yell at them from the sidewalk, ‘Wait, why are you going that way? You are going to get hit!‘ In that moment of hesitation (should I get across or try to do what she is saying?)....SPLAT!” So yes, fathers are often unsung heroes, but we are men, which means we have a handicap that is beyond our control.
Most of us will never be famous, but our role in the lives of so many people is essential, not only to our families, but to our community. Therefore, it is vital that we take God’s plan for us seriously and accept it with open arms. I want to funnel this message down to a truth that applies to all of us: dads, moms, kids, grandparents, single people, married people…you name it.
Most of us will never be famous, but our role in the lives of so many people, beginning with our family, is essential, not only to our families, but to our community. Therefore, it is vital that we take God’s plan for us seriously and accept it with open arms. I am not going to zero in on a bunch of famous dads today because I want to funnel this message down to a truth that applies to all of us: dads, moms, kids, grandparents, single people, married people…you name it.
Big Idea: God created you "uniquely you", with an ability to love, worship, and serve like no other
Big Idea: God created you "uniquely you", with an ability to love, worship, and serve like no other
Transitional: Let’s take a look at a few “unsung heroes” in the New Testament - each unique and each sort of obscure in the big picture of history.
Exposition
Transitional: Let’s take a look at a few “unsung heroes” in the New Testament - each unique and each sort of obscure in the big picture of history.
is the home base for us in this message
Paul wrote the letter to the Colossian church from prison. This church came about as a result of Paul’s missionary/evangelistic activity in Ephesus (AD 52-55).
Paul consistently trained new believers — equipping them to be his associates in spreading the Gospel far and wide.
Paul wrote the letter in response to Epaphras’ visit to him in prison. He told Paul of their great love and faith, but also about some false teaching that was springing up from within the church. You will need to study the book of Colossians too learn all about this (only 4 chapters).
The main thing I want to point out today is how Paul closed out the letter…by acknowledging some of the “unsung heroes” of the early church. They were each unique and provided specific blessings and service to the church
Remember: God created you “uniquely you” — and has given you an ability to love, worship, and serve in a way that nobody else can.

Tychicus: Encourage Others With God’s Word

Colossians 4:7–8 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.
Col 4:
Dear Brother and Fellow Servant
Encourager
Encourager
We don’t know alot…but we know he was faithful to the Lord, and a humble servant

Onesimus: From Useless to Invaluable

nesimus: From Useless to Invaluable

Colossians 4:9 NIV
He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
Philemon 16 NIV
no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
Onesimus had run away from his master, Philemon, and met with the Apostle Paul during his imprisonment. Because of his meeting with Paul, Onesimus became a follower of Jesus.
Philemon 10 NIV
that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.
Philemon 1
Philemon 10 NIV
that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.
Phil
Philemon 1:16
Philemon 16 NIV
no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
{jo
Philemon 18 NIV
If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.
An unsung hero
Onesimus had run away from his master, Philemon, and met with the Apostle Paul during his imprisonment. Because of his meeting with Paul, Onesimus became a follower of Jesus.
Onesimus had run away from his master, Philemon, and met with the Apostle Paul during his imprisonment. Because of his meeting with Paul, Onesimus became a follower of Jesus.
Slavery
Set Free
Sent
From useless to invaluable

Aristarchus: Willing to Face Anything for the Lord

Colossians 4:10 NIV
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.)
Col 4:
Acts 19:29 NIV
Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together.
Philemon 24 NIV
And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.
Exposition:
He was from Thessalonica and accompanied Paul from Greece to Jerusalem as he returned from his 3rd missionary journey
Later, he ended up in prison with Paul
Persecution
Prison
Passion
When you do something from the depths of your heart…you are willing to face anything to see it through

John Mark: Not a Quitter

Mark: If You Fall, Get Back Up

Or...Get Back Up When You Fall

Colossians 4:10 NIV
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.)
Exposition:
Accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (Acts 13)
Left after the first stop in Cyprus — later causing a split between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15)
Acts 13:13 NIV
From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.
Acts
Later on, however, we find John Mark with Paul once again — in Rome — ()
2 Timothy 4:11 NIV
Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
Things Happens
Don’t Quit
We don’t know exactly why he left…but he obviously did not turn his back on the Lord…he didn’t quit just because Paul rejected him…later Paul embraced him.

Justus: Faithful to the Gospel

Exposition:
Jesus - Yeshua - Joshua
Justus — Justice
“Joshua the Just”
Behind the Scenes
Always Faithful
There would be no church today without the unsung heroes that use their unique talents and passions behind the scenes to serve the Lord

Epaphras: Intense prayer for others

Colossians 4:12–13 NIV
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.
Exposition:
Came to faith through Paul’s ministry (most likely)
Came to faith through Paul’s ministry (most likely)
Faithful Foot soldier
A valued fellow servant of Paul’s
Faithful Foot soldier
Colossians 1:7–8 NIV
You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
Col 1:
Faithful Prayer Warrior
Faithful Prayer Warrior
...He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in the will of God, mature and fully assured (4:12b)
The Message of Colossians and Philemon But Why Did He Write? (Colossians 1:1–2)

Possibly it was early in this period that a man named Epaphras, who had come from Colossae in the Lycus valley, was brought to faith in Christ. A hard worker (4:13, a fact which doubtless appealed to the writer of 1 Corinthians 15:10), he seems quickly to have developed into a mature servant of Christ (4:12), and to have been acknowledged by Paul as one of his valued fellow servants (1:7). It was this man whose privilege it was to become the evangelist to his own people.

The immediate result of the ministry of Epaphras was the planting of new churches in Laodicea and Hierapolis as well as at Colossae. For these congregations Epaphras worked and prayed with good success: we know this because some years later (c. AD 62), on a visit to Paul who was now under house arrest in Rome, he can report on that hallmark of genuine Christian life, love, as being characteristic of these believing communities (1:8).

(He mentions Luke in these passage also…NOT an unsung hero…we know a lot about him)

Archippus: Faithful to the Call of God

Colossians 4:17 NIV
Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
Exposition
Philemon 2 NIV
also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:
Fellow Soldier
Fellow Soldier
Fellow Worker
Unsung…but not unimportant or unknown to the Lord
Galatians 6:9–10 NIV
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Demas: Stay Focused…please!

Philemon 24 NIV
And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.
Colossians 4:14 NIV
Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.
Col 4:

Demas: Focus on Sound Doctrine

In both Philemon and Colossians, Demas sends greetings to the church at Colossae - he had been involved in ministry there in some capacity.
Focused
Unfocused
2 Timothy 4:9–10 NIV
Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
2 Tim 4:
Challenge
What did all these fellow servants of Paul have in common?
They are not well known (for the most part)
They each had unique gifts, personalities, and passions with which to serve the Lord
They were faithful (for the most part)
They were important to Paul and, by extension, to the spread of the Gospel in Asia Minor.
Folks…we are no different. God has provided everything we need to make a difference in our family, church, community, and the world for the sake of the message of Christ.
God created you "uniquely you", with an ability to love, worship, and serve like no other
Realize this:
You can bring encouragement and hope to others
Regardless of your past “enslavement” to sin, Christ has set you free and made you a valuable member of His team
Do this:
Be willing to face anything for the sake of the Gospel message
When you have setbacks, and you will, get back up — don’t quit
Embrace the gifts, passions, and abilities you have — for God’s glory
Stay focused on the prize — don’t get sidetracked
Ask God to enable you to realize that you are fellow workers in His Kingdom
Please don’t abandon the Lord, His call, and His family..like Demas abandoned Paul
Ask God to give you so much love for Him and for people, that you are driven to passionate prayer for people
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