Slides: Partners in God’s Mission

Partners in God’s Mission
Colossians 4:2-18

 2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

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.

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. 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. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 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. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

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

Partners in God’s mission

• Relating to God (4:2-4)

• Relating to non-Christians (4:5-6)

• Relating to fellow witnesses (4:7-18)

Relating to God

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

Make prayers:
• Continual
• Watchful
• Thankful
• Missional

Relating to non-Christians

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

• Walk in wisdom: understand others

• Lock in opportunity: use time well

• Talk gracefully: use salty language

Relating to fellow witnesses

• Stay in contact: Tychicus, Onesimus

• Value heritage and countrymen: Aristarchus, Mark, Jesus-Justus

• Appreciate prayer warriors: Epaphras

• Expect surprises: Mark, Luke, Demas

• Share great materials: Laodiceans

• Encourage to keep going: Archippus

• Personal touch: Paul’s signature and chains

Stay in contact

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.

Value heritage and countrymen

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.

Appreciate prayer warriors

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.

Expect surprises

Mark the cousin of Barnabas … Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.

• Mark had been the occasion of a quarrel and split between Paul and Barnabas. But Mark turned out well, and wounds were healed.

• Luke wrote two long, rich, inspired books of the New Testament: Luke and Acts.

• Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me. (2 Timothy 4:10)

Share great materials

15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 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.

Encourage to keep going

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

• Archippus our fellow soldier (Philemon 1:2)

• Do not neglect the gift you have. (1 Tim 4:14)

• And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)

Personal touch

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

Relating to fellow witnesses

• Stay in contact: Tychicus, Onesimus

• Value heritage and countrymen: Aristarchus, Mark, Jesus-Justus

• Appreciate prayer warriors: Epaphras

• Expect surprises: Mark, Luke, Demas

• Share great materials: Laodiceans

• Encourage to keep going: Archippus

• Personal touch: Paul’s signature and chains

For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily. And you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. (Colossians 2:8-9)