The Sufficiency of Jesus Christ in Colossians
The letter to the Colossians emphasizes the preeminence and sufficiency of Christ. It includes sections on Christ as Lord, Life, and Leader, with a focus on faithful friends who supported Paul. The overview delves into Paul's circle of friends, highlighting the importance of companionship in ministry under Christ's leadership.
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A Friendly Farewell A Friendly Farewell 4:7 4:7 4:18 4:18 The Sufficiency of Jesus Christ The Sufficiency of Jesus Christ Week 49 Week 49 25 April 2023 25 April 2023
COLOSSIANS OVERVIEW As we close our study in Colossians, remember that the overall theme of this letter is the preeminence and sufficiency of Christ in all things. Paul wrote this letter to rebut the false teachers and to defend the sufficiency of Christ. In the first section of Colossians (1:1 2:23), Paul underscores the sufficiency of Jesus Christ as our Lord. In the second section of Colossians (3:1 4:1), Paul underscores the sufficiency of Jesus Christ as our Life. In the remaining section of Colossians (4:2-18), Paul continues to emphasize the sufficiency of Christ as our Leader.
COLOSSIANS OVERVIEW So, here in verses 4:7-18, we see a group photograph of all the people who supported or was with Paul in ministry while he was a prisoner in Rome. Now you might think these verses are just Paul s personal data thrown in at the end that don t really have anything to do with us, since we haven t got the faintest idea who these people are and we re not too sure it even matters. But it does matter! In this final section, A Friendly Farewell, Paul expresses his deepest gratitude for the faithful friends who stuck by him, and made it possible for him to accomplish his ministry calling because of their faithfulness.
COLOSSIANS OVERVIEW In these last twelve verses the apostle Paul names ten friends who had been a vital part of his life and ministry. Friends who stayed with him through thick and thin, who prayed with him and supported him, and even one who strayed. Let s examine Paul s friendly farewell to the Colossian Christians, as we get to know his circle of friends, learn the great need for faithful friends in ministry, and glean wisdom and insight for our own lives lived under the leadership of Jesus Christ.
Pauls Pattern of Presentation Christ Is Christ Is Preeminent in All Things Preeminent in All Things Supreme Lord Supreme Lord - - Sufficient Savior Sufficient Savior Colossians 1 Colossians 1 Colossians 2 Colossians 2 Colossians 3 Colossians 3 Colossians 4 Colossians 4 Supremacy of Supremacy of Christ Christ Submission to Submission to Christ Christ Doctrinal Doctrinal and Corrective and Corrective Practical Practical and Reassuring and Reassuring What Christ What Christ Did For Us Did For Us What Christ What Christ Does Through Us Does Through Us Christ Christ Our Lord Our Lord Christ Christ Our Life Our Life Christ Christ our Love our Love Christ the Christ the Head of the Body Head of the Body Christ the Lord Christ the Lord of the Universe of the Universe Christ the Christ the Head of the Home Head of the Home Instruction Instruction Warnings Warnings Exhortations Exhortations Reminders Reminders Reconciliation Reconciliation Creation Creation Submission Submission Conversation Conversation His Person His Person and Work and Work His Peace His Peace and Presence and Presence
COLOSSIANS LESSON OVERVIEW A Friendly Farewell ! Swindoll opens this lesson by reminding us of the immeasurable blessings of true Friendship. Quoting Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Friendship is a sheltering tree. To that Swindoll says How right he was. Think about it. Friends reach out to us and offer us refuge like the branches of a tree. They give us shade, shelter, provision and protection. They invite us to a familiar place of refreshment, retreat, and repose.
COLOSSIANS LESSON OVERVIEW True friends provide threethings vital for a quality life. Friends provide: Companionship without which we d be lonely and isolated. Comfort a pat on the back, a shoulder to cry on and kind words of consolation when we need them. Accountability & Perspective which we need to keep us on the straight path. By sharing our lives with others outside our families, our world is enlarged, our hearts are strengthened, and our minds are sharpened with new and fresh insights.
COLOSSIANS LESSON OVERVIEW Listen as a Psychologist notes the importance of friendship to our overall health: I have discovered that friendship is the springboard to every other Love. Friendship spill over onto the other important relationships of life. People with no friends usually have a diminished capacity for sustaining any kind of love. They tend to go through a succession of marriages, be estranged from various family members, and have trouble getting along at work. On the other hand, those who learn how to love their friends tend to have long and fulfilling marriages, work well on business teams, and enjoy their children.
COLOSSIANS LESSON OVERVIEW So, if we look to Christ our Leader, as our example, we see that He, too, had friends who labored with Him some very close, others more on the periphery of His ministry. He had more than five hundred brethren to whom He appeared after His resurrection (1 Cor. 15:6). He had the seventy whom He sent out in pairs to preach (Luke 10:1). He had the twelve disciples who were with Him day in and day out (Matt 10:2-4). Within that group there was (Peter, James, and John) with whom He had an especially personal bond (Mark 5:37; 9:2; 14:33).
COLOSSIANS LESSON OVERVIEW Even among these three, he seemed to have an especially intimate friendship with John, the disciple whom He loved (John 19:26; 21:20). All of these and many others were involved in Jesus life and ministry. They provided companionship not only for Jesus Himself but also for one another. These concentric circles of friends were like sheltering trees, giving comfort and accountability. Paul uses this circle of friends to encourage the Colossians, and all the churches that will read this letter, by telling us a little bit about each one. Who were these friends?
COLOSSIANS 4:7 - 9 7Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,9with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
COLOSSIANS 4:7 - 9 First, Paul mentions two of these friends, one who carried not only this letter to the Colossian church but also a letter to the church at Ephesus and the letter to Philemon (Eph. 6:21-22). described as a much-loved brother, a faithful minister and a fellow servant. Paul portrays him as consistent, loyal, trustworthy, and reliable (4:7-8). Tychicus a the man with a servant s heart. Who Paul could reflect the character of Paul, the life of Paul, the ministry of Paul. He was intimately familiar with Paul s condition. He Tychicus served as one of Paul s trusted personal envoys, (see: Titus 3:12 and 2Tim. 4:12).
COLOSSIANS 4:7 - 9 Being from Asia Minor himself, Tychicus knew the culture and could be trusted to represent Paul well. describes as a faithful and beloved brother (4:9). He was a runaway slave from Colossae who had come to know Christ when he encountered Paul in Rome. Onesimus is a man with a sinful past. Whom Paul traveled west, all the way to Italy, ending up by God s providence in Paul s rented home in Rome. When Onesimus escaped from service to Philemon, He in a desire to make things right with his owner, Philemon. This encounter led to his conversion to Christ, resulting
COLOSSIANS 4:7 - 9 It s interesting how Paul describes these two close friend: Onesimus, who was legally a slave, was simply called a brother in Christ, while Tychicus, who was free, was called a fellow bond-servant (literally, slave ) in the Lord (4:7). perspective. The unity believers have in Christ as brothers and sister doesn t cancel out social distinctions. Perhaps he was intentionally trying to put things in secondary to our primary identity as members of the same family, regardless of our ethnicity, social status, or gender (Gal 3:28). However, we must regard those distinctions as
COLOSSIANS 4:7 - 9 In Colossians 4:9, we are told that both these men -- Onesimus would represent Paul to the church in Colossae. They would give an oral report about what was happening to him in Rome. The veteran minister Tychicus and the new convert while he was stuck in Rome under house arrest. Tychicus - a man with a servant s heart. Paul depended on them as his hands, feet, and mouth Onesimus - a man with a sinful past.
COLOSSIANS 4:10 - 11 10Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
COLOSSIANS 4:10 - 11 Next Paul mentions six more friends who were remaining with him in Rome: Aristarchus, Mark, Jesus (Justus), Epaphras, Luke, and Demas. The first three are Jews; the second three are Gentiles. Paul had mentioned one of them Epaphras, earlier in the letter (1:7). Two of them Mark and Luke are well known to us as Gospel writer. Three of them are probably new to most of us Aristarchus, Justus, and Demas. Aristarchus is a man with a sympathetic heart. Who was originally from Thessalonica, and was one of Paul s traveling companions during his ministry in Greece, Macedonia, and Asia Minor (Acts 20:4).
COLOSSIANS 4:10 - 11 In Colossians 4:10, Paul calls him his fellow prisoner. While we are told if he was under arrest with Paul in Rome or was a fellow prisoner elsewhere, Aristarchus had shared some harrowing ministry experiences with Paul. When you re in the Lord s work, you need someone who is around to feel your burdens with you. Consider what happened to Aristarchus and Gaius who were dragged along by the rushing mob during a riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:29). He was with Paul during the long and treacherous voyage by ship to Italy to appeal Paul s case to Caesar (Acts 27:2).
COLOSSIANS 4:10 - 11 On that journey he survived a shipwreck in the Adriatic Sea and ended up on the island of Malta (Acts 27:14 28:1). The fact that Aristarchus was still with Paul in Rome when he wrote this letter to the Colossians demonstrates the tenacious loyalty he had toward. Every ministry needs an Aristarchus, the sympathetic heart that helps us bear the burdens of ministry. The trials and hardships they experienced together served to strengthen their bond and their loyalty toward their mutual leader, Jesus Christ.
COLOSSIANS 4:10 - 11 Mark Is a man with a promising future. Paul refers to John Mark as Barnabas s cousin. It s likely that the Colossians had heard of Barnabas but may not have been familiar with Mark, who had earlier abandoned Paul and Barnabas midway through Paul s first missionary journey (Acts 13:5, 13). And whose departure later caused a break in the relationship between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:37-40). Now, some years later, Mark had been reconciled with Paul and was serving alongside him in Rome.
COLOSSIANS 4:10 - 11 In fact, toward the end of his life, Paul would request Mark s presence saying for he is useful to me for ministry (2Tim. 4:11). Though the friendship between the young John Mark and Paul had been strained early on, both of them grew through their struggles. Mark grew in maturity and fortitude, and Paul grew in patience and forgiveness.
COLOSSIANS 4:10 - 11 Jesus (Justus) Jesus (Justus), is a man with a strong commitment. He was the third of the Jewish believers mentioned by Paul and he happens to share the same Hebrew name as our Lord Joshua. men in the book of Acts (Acts 1:23; 18:7). He also shares his Latin name Justus with two other Aristarchus, and Mark were the only Jewish people that Paul called fellow workers for the kingdom of God who were an encouragement to him in ministry. We know little about this Justus except that he, Saying they have prove to be a comfort to me. (4:11)
COLOSSIANS 4:12 - 14 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
COLOSSIANS 4:12 - 14 Among any group of Christian friends there are usually one or two who are known for their faithful intercession. In Paul s circle of friends, Epaphras filled that role. originally a member of the Colossian church, in fact, he was the one who initially brought the Gospel to them (1:7; 4:12). Epaphras is a man with the single passion. Hewas can be measured as he prayed earnestly and specifically for the Colossians and the neighboring congregations in Laodicea and Hierapolis (4:12-13). He was an all-in servant of Jesus Christ, who passion
COLOSSIANS 4:12 - 14 Always laboring fervently for you in prayers (4:13). Laboring Fervently in prayer - is not simply flipping up little thoughts to God; it is agonizing, it is struggling, it is wrestling with God like Jacob, and saying, I m not going to let go until You bless me, God (Gen 32:26). Paul says I hear him laboring fervently, meaning agonizing in prayer for you. He was always on his knees laboring, working at it, agonizing, in prolonged, intense, effectual, fervent prayer. Every ministry needs an Epaphras, a faith minister with a single passion. A prayer warrior who is always laboring fervently for the ministry.
COLOSSIANS 4:12 - 14 Paul s knowledge of the spiritual condition of the Colossians was not simply because he discussed with Epaphras but because he had witnessed the passionate prayers and the deep concern of Epaphras for them. Luke is a man with a specialized talent. And like Aristarchus, he had been with Paul through many ups and downs in ministry over a long period of time (2Tim. 4:11). Luke was not just a friend with a special talent, but he served as Paul s personal physician, helping him cope with the lingering condition he referred to as a thorn in the flesh (2Cor. 12:7).
COLOSSIANS 4:12 - 14 Having been trained as a physician, Luke is a great illustration of a man who had a specialty to offer. Not only could he attend to the spiritual and practical needs of those to whom he ministered. He could also address their medical needs. While we don t know the extent of the role Luke played in Paul s ministry, we know that he was a gifted researcher and writer who was personally responsible for writing the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. Demas is a man with a sad future. In Colossians the only thing we learn about Demas is that he sends greeting with Luke (4:14).
COLOSSIANS 4:12 - 14 However, in the short book of Philemon, Demas is mention as a fellow laborer with Paul (Phlm. 1:24). Then in 2Tim. 4:10, Demas is mentioned as having abandoned Paul because he fell in love with the world, Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. All of us know friends whose camaraderie cooled and whose faithfulness waned. They began to drift, ultimately becoming absent or even leave the ministry. Some like John Mark return to service, but Demas had apparently lapsed in his later years, and we re not told if he ever repented and returned.
COLOSSIANS 4:15 - 18 15Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house. 16Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea 17And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it. 18This salutation by my own hand Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
COLOSSIANS 4:15 - 18 Finally, Paul sends greetings to the believers in Laodicea and too two more friends a woman named Nympha and a man named Archippus. Nympha(s) is a Greek name that means bride or bridegroom, scholars believe that a proper reading of the text in Colossians argues for the female form of the name. In the early centuries of church history, when Christianity was an illegal religion in the Roman Empire, churches met in private homes and in 4:15, Paul mentions that the church in Laodicea meets in her home. Usually the owners of these homes were wealthy church members whose houses were large enough to host a sizable group.
COLOSSIANS 4:15 - 18 The message to the church in Laodicea recorded in Revelation 3:14-22, indicates that Laodicea was a wealthy church. Nympha may have been a wealthy matron who opened her doors and served the entire congregation of Laodicea. Women were deeply involved in both the ministry of Jesus (Matt 27:55-56; Luke 8:1-3; 10:38-39) and the ministry of Paul (Acts 16:14-15). In Romans 16:1-15, Paul mentions 10 women whom he regarded as ministry partners. These women were not just committed servants of the church, but also faithful friends of the apostle.
COLOSSIANS 4:15 - 18 Archippus in Philemon 1:2, Paul calls Archippus our fellow soldier implying that he was a hardworking, committed, faithful minister of Christ. However, in Colossians Paul exhorts Archippus to take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it (4:17). While we are not told the kind of ministry. Archippus may have been one of the pastoral leaders in the church at Colossae, and this exhortation was meant to encourage him in defending the faith against the threat of Gnostic heresy. Regardless Paul sought to encourage him by telling him to stay the course.
COLOSSIANS 4:15 - 18 Paul ends this letter to the Colossians with a touching, handwritten farewell. He says I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you (4:18). With these brief words, he asks for their prayers of concern and intercession ( Remember my imprisonment ) and then he prays a blessing of them ( Grace be with you ). Paul s farewell demonstrates his priority on prayer, reminding us that our sufficiency comes not from ourselves but from Jesus Christ, who is sufficient as our Lord, our Life and our Leader.
APPLICATIONS OF THE LESSON There Are No Nobodies
APPLICATION THERE ARE NO NOBODIES Many of us can name some major figures that have impacted our lives in big ways. Many whose influence on Christianity around the world has been felt far and wide. People like Ray Stedman, Howard Henricks, Charles Ryrie, and Dwight Pentecost, just to name a few. If you ve never heard of some of them, a quick internet search will show just how instrumental they were in shaping a whole generation of Christians. But to be honest, there s another list of men and women whose names probably wouldn t yield a single entry in an online search.
APPLICATION THERE ARE NO NOBODIES To the world at large, they re nobodies. They didn t invent anything, write a best selling novel, star in a blockbuster movie, go platinum in record sales, or run for president. History has for the most part, forgotten them except for names etched in headstones or brief summaries of their lives in newspaper obituaries. But when we close our eyes and review the newreels of our own lives, those nobodies make the headlines. People like: A high school teacher who taught you how to speak with stuttering.
APPLICATION THERE ARE NO NOBODIES People like: A Sunday school teacher who urged you to be more engaged in memorizing scripture, leading, teaching and evangelizing. A faithful friend who believed in you and was there when you struggled with some tough personal issues. A parent who influenced you to trust God without fearing the unknown. A Pastor who invited you to teach a life-changing Bible class. These ordinary people whom the world may consider nobodies, proved to be invaluable to us during the maturing years of our lives.
APPLICATION THERE ARE NO NOBODIES If we could quantify influence, we d likely conclude that their effect on us through both words and actions exceeds that of the big names. In fact: A nobody taught the reformer Martin Luther his theology. A nobody visited evangelist Dwight L. Moody at a shoe store and spoke to him about Christ. A nobodyfinanced William Carey s ministry to India. A nobody faithfully prayed for Billy Graham for over twenty years. A nobody found the Dead Sea Scrolls and revolutionized biblical studies in the twentieth century.
APPLICATION THERE ARE NO NOBODIES And a nobody refreshed the apostle Paul in a Roman prison as he wrote his last letter to Timothy. Think about it! The visible 10 percent of the iceberg wouldn t be seen without the 90 percent of its mass that is obscured under the water. Just as a pastor couldn t preach the Word week in and week out without the behind-the-scenes work of numerous yet anonymous nobodies. Without the nobodies of this world, there would be no somebodies. The men and women laboring behind the scenes are all somebodies anonymous somebodies, yes, but somebodies nonetheless.
APPLICATION THERE ARE NO NOBODIES In the body of Christ, there are no nobodies. Francis Schaeffer once said, There are no little people. Not in your life, not in mine. Take some time and reflex on your life, write out your own list of somebodies who have been, and who still are instrumental in your life. Thank God for each one of them personally. Then take some time to write them a sincere note of encouragement and gratitude. Remind them, that they are SOMEBODYin God s economy and then tell them how valuable they have been in your life.
NEXT CLASS 03 May 2023 Before next class, read the below chapters in Before next class, read the below chapters in the NKJV and in one other versions of the Bible, the NKJV and in one other versions of the Bible, i.e., KJV, NRSV, NIV, CEV, etc i.e., KJV, NRSV, NIV, CEV, etc Chapter 1:1 25 A Study in Forgiveness
