Colossians #12: Marks of Maturity
Colossians: Jesus is Enough • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 21:47
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· 33 viewsPaul concludes his letter by outlining the roles of several of his friends had in the ministry God called them to.
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Hurricane season… Hurricane Isabel…
floods every year in MS… marks on the telephone poles of where the water came up to.
High Water Marks
What would be the high water marks of your relationship with Jesus?
Maybe you don’t any water marks. You haven’t seen God work in your life; maybe you haven’t surrendered your life to Jesus yet.
Would it be something that you look back to and think… man if I could ever get there again…
or maybe you can’t see them because - well - you are living it. You’ve never gotten closer to Jesus than you are right now.
Today we are concluding a series of messages we began 12 weeks ago working our way through the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Colossea. He had been told of the church’s situation by a friend, Epaphras. Paul had never met the people of this church, yet he loved them just the same.
Paul was worried about them. He had heard that there were false teachers in Colossea teaching a doctrine different from that which Jesus had given for the church. They had people teaching that in addition to belief, Christians had certain practices to observe, traditions to hold, and special knowledge to learn.
But Paul was sure tot tell them that believing that It was Jesus plus anything actually made less of Jesus… because it meant that Jesus didn’t accomplish what he claimed to accomplish on the cross.
Think about it, if you say you have to believe in Jesus and you have to be holy, then believing in Jesus isn’t enough - or you have to believe in Jesus and worship on Sunday at 9, then believing in Jesus isn’t enough.
But Jesus said, believe in me and you will see the father.
So either Jesus was wrong, or these teachers were wrong. Paul was pretty sure it wasn’t Jesus. He wanted to make sure the church remembered what they had been taught… that Jesus was enough to save you and Because Jesus was enough, it changed you too.
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We come to the end… list of names… not important?
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.
I’ll admit, often times when I have read the end of one of Paul’s letters I’ve seen these lists of people and sort of approached it as the credits after a movie… unless you are related to one of the people named… fairly irrelevant… like looking through a 1982 year book from Pine Bluff AR… just a bunch of names not meaning much of anything to me. In fact you could read it like Charlie Brown’s teacher.... wohw wohw wohw wohw wohw
But in reality, we can learn quite a bit from what Paul tells us. By looking at his words, we actually find a great deal of wisdom in Paul’s ministry, as we seek to have a gospel impact here in our community. Let’s face it, Paul’s ministry changed the world; and in these verses, we see qualities that reveal the state of things in the ministry - qualities that would be worthy goals for us to see revealed in our ministry here in Rock Hall.
In fact our merger team has discussed these concepts as parts of what we are planning to see realized in our unified ministry going forward. We describe them as marks of transformation… because as our lives are changed more and more these qualities become more evident in out lives… our lives and our ministry become marked by them.
The first quality is revealed in the life of Paul’s friend Tychicus - I know you are thinking… Tychicus who?
When we think of the apostle Paul, we think of a man with an amazing ministry, who started churches all over Asia. We think of someone who seemed to be have a huge capacity to get things done and keep them going. But that’s not really true. Sure Paul was a gifted leader, but when we think of the ministry of Paul, there was a lot more than Paul.
Not unlike when you think of your church… there are many people involved in making it happen. Rarely does anything with years of significance revolve around one person. It may start with one, but very quickly, it gets bigger than one can handle and more and more people are involved in making the ministry a success.
Mark #1: Close Relationships
Mark #1: Close Relationships
TYCHICUS
You may not remember Tychicus, but he has been in the background of the NT for a while. The early church fathers listed Tychicus as one of the 72 apostles that Jesus sent out in Luke 10. Meaning he wasn’t a recent convert, but he was one who knew and followed Jesus.
He could have made that into a ministry of his own, but instead here he is, delivering Paul’s letter. But this wasn’t a simple mail delivery.
Paul was in prison in Rome over 1,000 miles away. Tychicus would have to walk across Italy, then sail across the Adriatic Sea to Greece, walk across Greece, then get in another ship and sail across the Aegean Sea and finally, walk the final 100 miles on foot to Colosse. Quite a task for a ancient world UPS man.
He did this to deliver three of the letters in the New Testament. Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon.
It’s believed that he also delivered Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth as well.
Paul describes Tychicus in ministry in the letters of Titus and Timothy. In fact he takes over after Timothy leaves Ephesus, serving as the interim pastor.
Paul trusted Tychicus, unquestionably.
But what’s inspiring of Tychicus isn’t just the ways he delivered the word, he also had a ministry of presence.
His presence with Paul was an encouragement, a resource to Paul to endure his hardships because he was doing it with people he truly loved.
That’s the first thing I see in this part of the letter that any successful ministry needs, close, sacrificial, trustworthy friendships.
Paul trusted Tychicus, unquestionably because they were close, close friends.
Who could you befriend in the church - starting today?
Are you in ministry with close friends? Do you have close friends in the church?
If we want to become a ministry that changes lives, we need them.
Do you have close friends in the church? No? No one has reached out to you? I understand how you feel, I really do. When we started going to church we didn’t know anyone, and God led some folks to reach out and include us. Why was that? Maybe God is saying hey you… why don’t you reach out and develop a friendship with someone new, someone you don’t know well? Why not let it start with you.
Well I’m not comfortable with that… I understand, but they probably aren’t either.
But that’s just the first of ___ qualities a ministry that seeks to be last and have a transforming impact on the world.
The next name that I want us to notice is Aristarchus in verse 10.
Mark #2: SERVICE
Mark #2: SERVICE
ARISTARCHUS
You may have never heard of Aristarchus, but he and Epaphras, who we will talk about in a moment, had a very important part in the ministry. They actually took turns serving Paul - in prison. They voluntarily gave up their freedom to serve the ministry. That is inspiring.
They voluntarily made less of themselves in order to help Paul’s ministry.
They didn’t say… hey Paul is out of the picture, let’s be the man… let’s move in and take over the ministry. No instead they said, Paul, Jesus has called you to do something special, how can we help you keep doing it.
No, Aristarchus was willing to serve what God was doing. He didn’t need it to be about him. He wanted it to be all about Jesus, even if that meant that he had to sacrifice greatly in order to serve.
I often look for places I can serve that fit my schedule. I was just struggling with this this week. I was considering something, but then thought, I don’t have time for that. Aristarchus would say, if you are serving Jesus, how can you not have time to serve?
What is a way you could serve the church today, if you made the time?
Service is one mark, Close relationships is another mark of transforming ministries; a third is prayer.
Look again at what Epaphras prayed in verse 12
“...He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God.”
“...He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God.”
Mark #3: Prayer
Mark #3: Prayer
EPAPHRAS
Epaphras knew these folks, this was his community, he knew what they needed and he made it a priority in prayer.
That’s the third mark of a ministry that changes lives and the community… prayer.
We distribute a list of prayer needs every week in our weekly email to over 200 people. I wonder how many people see that list as real needs for prayer… or a place to get up to date on some current events.... how many people even care enough to pray.
Prayer changes things y’all.
The small group that my wife is a part of have this bowl of prayers… it sits on our dining room table. We pull names out to pray for as we go by. I’m amazed again and again that God leads us - either individually or their small groups’ prayers to draw out names of people in deep need.
There are real needs in our community we know that right… We say we believe God is our best hope to address them… Oh would our prayers would reflect our belief that God is our best hope.
Do you struggle with prayer? I want to share something with you that may help, it may push you a bit, but I pray it helps you as it did me. You see, I’m not that different from you, I struggle to pray as well.
I was listening to a podcast this week and someone there said the reason we struggle with prayer - may be that we don’t see immediate results - but when you get down to it, it’s pride. We actually think we can handle it… we don’t really need supernatural God at work in our lives… we may not be thinking this, but that’s the thought process that we have bought into.
So let me ask you:
Who would be the first people on your prayer list?
Who’s prayer list would you be on?
How can you schedule time for prayer in your day?
We are going to begin a concerted effort to help you develop a healthier prayer life, that we might become a people of prayer.
Mark #4 is one that isn’t something we ask for usually, but it is something we all need.
Mark #4: Accountability
Mark #4: Accountability
ARCHIPPUS
In verse 17: Paul tells Archippus
Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
None of us likes to be called out for not doing what we know we should… but can you imagine getting called out in the best selling book of all time by one of the greatest leaders of all time?
That’s Archippus.
Who was he?
We aren’t sure, but in Paul’s letter to Philemon, Paul referred to him as a “fellow Soldier”. That tells us something about him. It sounds like Paul thought a great deal of him and his ability. We know Paul thought a great deal of God’s call on his life and Archippus’ as well.
This calling was not to be dismissed, but was to have our attention, dedication, and focus.
Our calling was to have our commitment; of that Paul was obviously convinced. He wanted this for Archippus as well.
It might be helpful to see this as encouragement, maybe that’s a better word for you.
Encouragement sounds more positive I guess; and Paul was that.
Accountability or Encouragement - however you see it, it’s important to remember that people are watching. People who support you, people who pray for you, people who have suffered for you… and we are accountable - not to them, but to Jesus because we have been called Christ to follow him.
We know encouragement is a blessing.
When I say, you are gifted, you are special. God has a purpose for you to make a difference in your family. To represent him at work. To stand for Justice. To give people hope. To bring healing to broken relationships. To forgive. When we hear that we start to stand a bit taller… it’s encouraging.
And when I say… How are you doing in your family? Are your representing Jesus at work? How about your customers, do they know you serve Christ? When have you stood for justice recently? Can you tell me a story of showing people hope? What relationships have you brought to healing? Who have you forgiven?
You have a calling! How are you doing with your calling?
When we hear it that way it gets harder… but it’s just saying… hey, you have a calling… how are you doing with your calling? Both are a gift and a blessing.
So we have Close Relationships, Service, Prayer, Accountability, and Mark #5 is seen in Paul’s mention of Onesimus and Mark. Mark 5 is Forgiveness
Mark #5: Forgiveness
Mark #5: Forgiveness
Onesimus
You may have heard of him.
Onesimus was from Colossea. In fact he was a runaway slave. He had escaped his master Philemon… who Paul wrote a letter to and sent with them. He was a runaway slave, but under the ministry of others in Rome had become a Christian and now Paul introduces him to his home town as a faithful brother.
He was a new person. His past offense was to be forgiven because he was now IN CHRIST and could be received just like as a brother would be received home.
Paul said, he has been forgiven, now forgive him.
Who do you need to forgive?
The other person Mark you have probably heard of - he wrote the gospel of Mark.
Acts 13 tells us that Mark, with Barnabas, was on Paul’s first missionary journey, but he soon deserted them. Paul and Barnabas had a heated disagreement over Mark and they too split up on the next missionary trip in Acts 15. Mark then joined in ministry with the apostle Peter.
Now remember, Mark lost trust with Paul when he deserted him during his first missionary journey. But here we have Mark working with Paul once again.
Paul tells the church to welcome him… “yall may have heard stories about our beef” but welcome him. In his letter to Timothy, Paul will even call for Mark to come and comfort him in prison.
Are you walking in God’s forgiveness?
Mark is a great reminder that God is not finished with you, even if you’ve failed. Everybody has a past. But your past doesn’t determine your future. Your next step does. And that step can be into God’s future for you, or it can be into your past mistakes. God is the God of second chances, and just as Mark was restored to ministry, God can restore you, too.
All of us need forgiveness.
All of us need restoration in some way or another.
Maybe you turned this on today desperate for a fresh start. I want you to know it is one decision away.
That decision is to accept the forgiveness and love that God offers us through his son Jesus. We claim it when we turn to God. When we turn from our mistakes, from our hurt, from our failure and turn to the one who promises that he CAN when we can’t.
Do you want that? I ask you to pray with me.
Lord Jesus, I need forgiveness, i need a second chance. I want to start over. I know you love me and gave your son to die that I might live. Thank you for new life. I want to live for you. Fill me with your spirit to show me and teach me how to live in freedom.
Thank you Jesus! I love you Jesus!
Amen!
Now, I’ve set out these 5 marks as marks that the church to emulate… but don’t mistake thinking… yea, they should. They really need that one, someone should do that.
The church is people. Paul was talking about the ministry of his group. People in ministry, just like the local church is called to be in ministry. Being marked by these same qualities will see us become a transforming force in this community. Let me ask you. which one do you need God to help you with today? Is there more than one?
Forgiveness, Prayer; accountability; Service; Close Relationships
Marks of transforming ministries.
But also marks of transforming ministers. And as a follower of Jesus you are a minister. You want to be marked as a transforming disciple of Jesus, you want these to mark your life in faith? Right.
If you want your life to be marked by these, we are going to pray that the Holy Spirit would come and equip us to live these out… because it is Jesus that changes us. We don’e have to change in order for God to love us… but when we trust Jesus for our salvation, he begins to transform our desires… our call is to cooperate with what he is doing. He’s calling you to forgive, forgive. He’s calling you to pray… pray. He’s calling you to encourage and hold one another accountable… do it. He’s calling you to service, serve. He calls us to love each other… love.
Let’s pray!
Benediction:
Life is much more than an accident. Where ever you go, believe God needs you there. Where ever you are, trust God has put you there. He has a purpose for you being there; Christ, alive in you, wants to do something through you, no matter where you are Believe this and go in His grace and His love and His power. Amen.