Col 4:10-18  Bound together in Christ (11/28 2021)

1. This week we will be bringing to a close our time in Colossians. In the last number of months we have looked at Paul unfold…
   1. our resources in Christ
   2. The sufficiency and perfection of Christ
   3. Our great call to sanctification; to become like Christ
      1. Warnings about those things that hinder that process
      2. Instruction on those things that encourage that process

• Specific areas/relationships where our sanctification is practiced and perfected

1. Finally, we come to Paul’s closing greetings.
   1. Col 4:7-18 “As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8 For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here. 10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. 16 When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. 17 Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” 18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.”
      
2. Paul starts this section by addressing the very natural concerns and questions that are on the minds of his readers
   1. His imprisonment
   2. His ministry

• His spiritual and physical condition

1. Paul is sending greetings from those around him and imprisoned with him
   1. Reports on their condition and ministry as well
   2. Encourages them with reminders of their joint love and care for the Colossians

• He speaks of those sending their greetings; Tychicus, Onisimus, Aristarchus, Mark and Justus. He goes on, mentioning Epaphras, Luke and Demas. He then greets some by name; Nympha and Archippus.

2. So what does this have to say to us? Is there truth to be gleaned or lessons to be learned from these closing comments and greetings?
   1. We see a closeness of fellowship and concern… we can ask the question, “Upon what is that fellowship based?”
      1. Shared faith
         1. “beloved brother… in the Lord”
         2. 1 Cor 12:12ff. “For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit… But now there are many members, but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”
         3. Eph 4:16 “from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”
      2. Shared service
         1. “fellow bond-servant”
         2. Acts 2:41ff. “So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

• Shared concern
  1. “will bring you information… that you may know about our circumstances… They will inform you about the whole situation here”
  2. 2 Cor 11:28ff “Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?”

1. Shared love
   1. “always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.”
   2. John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
   3. 1 Thess 4:9 “Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia.”
2. Shared circumstance/difficulty
   1. “Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner”
   2. 2 Tim 2:3ff “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”
3. Shared locale/background
   1. “Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number”
   2. “Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings”

• Shared commitment/vision/calling
  1. Entire passage