The Fellowship of the Saints – Colossians 4:7-18

Colossians verse by verse – Lesson # 28. This lesson covers the salutations and final commands of the Epistle. Some precious truths in these concluding verses.

1. The nature of Gospel ministry – it requires unified effort.
2. One of the great marks of New Testament Christianity is its community spirit (See Acts 2:41-47).

The Bearers of the Letter (Vs. 7-9)

Tychicus – a reliable administrator (7-8)

1. His background – Tychicus was from Asia (Acts 20:4). He accompanied the Apostle Paul into that area at the end of the Apostle’s 3^rd missionary journey. He ministered to the Apostle Paul during his first and second imprisonments. He also ministered in Ephesus and possibly Crete as an interim pastor (II. Tim. 4:12; Titus 3:12).
2. His character
   1. A beloved brother.
   2. A faithful minister.
   3. A fellow servant.
3. His responsibilities
   1. Deliver the Epistles of Ephesians, Colossians & Philemon.
   2. Inform the Colossian church on Paul’s affairs.
      • Tychicus must have been a man of honesty and integrity. A man who could be trusted to give an accurate report.
   3. Enquire into the state of the church.
   4. Exhort and encourage the church.

Onesiumus – a converted runaway (9)

1. His background – a runaway slave of Philemon. Read Paul’s letter to Philemon.
2. His character
   1. A faithful brother.
   2. A beloved brother.

The Salutations of the Brethren (Vs. 10-14)

1. Aristarchus – a loyal companion (10)
   1. His background – a Jew from Thessalonica. He first appears during the Apostle Paul’s ministry in Ephesus on his third missionary journey (Acts 19:29). He, along with Gaius were almost killed by the pagan silversmiths of the city.
   2. His character – a fellow prisoner
   3. His nationality – Jewish (11)
2. Marcus – a matured saint (10)
   1. His background – This is the same John Mark who accompanied the Apostle Paul and his uncle Barnabas on the first missionary journey and turned back part way through. Barnabas wanted to take him on the second journey and this cause sharp contention between him and the Apostle Paul. Mark obviously learned his lesson as he was used of the Lord to pen the Gospel of Mark and is latter described by Paul as “profitable for the ministry.”
   2. His character – had been a messenger of apostolic instruction to the Colossian church.
3. Justus – a co laborer (11)
4. Epaphras – a loving shepherd/pastor (12-13)
   1. His description
      1. A fellow Colossian.
      2. A servant of Christ.
         1. Servant = bond slave
         2. This title is only used elsewhere of the Apostle Paul and Timothy.
   2. His intercession
      1. The Frequency of his Intercession.
      2. The Fervency of his Intercession.
      3. The Focus of his Intercession.
   3. His passion
      1. ‘zeal’ – comes from the Greek word zh:los which is translated elsewhere as ‘indignation’ (Acts 5:17); ‘envy’ (Acts 13:45); ‘jealousy’ (2 Cor. 11:2); ‘desire’ (1 Cor. 14:1); ‘covet’ (1 Cor. 14:39). It means to have fervency and eager desire for someone or something.
      2.  His burden was not just confined to Colosse only but extended to his whole home region.
5. Luke – a medical doctor & historian (14)
   1. Background – author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts. A faithful companion of Paul’s throughout much of his ministry and one of the last who stood by him at the end of his life (II. Timothy 4:11)
6. Demas – a (14)

The Commands of the Apostle (Vs. 15-17)

1. Greet the saints (15)
2. Read the Epistle (16)
   1. Read Colossians at Laodicea.
   2. Read Ephesians at Colosse.
      Note: The reading of the Scriptures is a vital part of the life of the church.
3. Encourage Archippus (17)
   1. To focus on the ministry.
   2. To fulfill the ministry.

The Signature of Paul (Vs. 18)

1. The Apostolic Seal.
2. The plea
   “The chain would drag and rattle as he took the pen.” Moule
3. The blessing

Conclusion

1. We may never become a well-known worker for the Lord like the Apostle Paul, but we can be a humble servant like these men were, bearing the load for the cause of Christ.
2. We need to cultivate a life of prayer for others.
3. We need to guard against a self-centred Christian experience. We need to have a love and care for the saints; a keen interest in their spiritual well-being.
4. We need to learn basic Christian courtesy – e.g. greeting one another.

Sermon 28 of 28 in Colossians Series

Sermon Audio Id: 211172054421