[0:00] We thank God you have tuned in to this message by David and Tree at Carish Church. No hand can help you with the fulfillment of your destiny but the Word of God. May God hand a line with you further into your destiny through this Word.
[0:14] Colossians chapter 4, I'm reading from verse 12 to the end. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluted you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
[0:31] For I bear him record that he has a great zeal for you and them that are at Laodicea and them in Herapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greets you.
[0:42] Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea and Nymphas and the church which is in his house. And when this epistle is read amongst you, cause that he be read also in the church of the Laodiceans.
[0:57] And that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. And say to Akippus, take it to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it. The salutation by the hand of me, Paul.
[1:10] Remember my bones. Grace be with you. Amen. Father, thank you so much for the privilege to gather together this morning to express our gratitude to you and to hear your word.
[1:24] As we hear your word, we pray that let the heavens be opened, that illumination will be granted every one of us under the sound of our voice, that Jesus will be realized, and the Holy Spirit will be captured in our living for us to be the expressions to your glory.
[1:42] Thank you for the power in your word, the transforming power in your word, the healing power in your word, the grace-releasing power in your word.
[1:56] We thank you in Jesus' name. Amen. So now we've seen a few names, a few names like Tachicus, Onesimus. They have a standing group.
[2:07] These are people who were with Paul, who Paul sent. Others were with him, who stayed with him. We have Aristarchus, we have Marcus, and we have Jesus, or Justus.
[2:18] These three were the only Hebrews, or the only Jews, or those of the circumcision, who were with Paul. And now, we hear another set of people who were also with Paul.
[2:31] We have Epaphras. Now, you remember, I taught on Epaphras in chapter one, Epaphras was actually the main pastor of the church of Colossae.
[2:43] And he now has found himself with Paul, giving Paul the update of what's going on in the church, how the church is doing. So even though Paul had never seen the church, had never been there, he was very well updated with events in the church.
[2:58] And for that matter, he wrote an apostolic letter to go and help the church, or inoculate the church, because so long as church life is concerned, Christ is supreme, and Christ is sufficient.
[3:11] If they have Christ, they don't need any other thing. Christ is enough, and Christ takes. So Paul wrote that letter because of Epaphras, who brought, and Epaphras was with him whilst he sent the letter.
[3:23] So that means Epaphras was not there. But because he was with him, he had to let them know Epaphras is here. And he says that Epaphras, who is one of you? Greet you.
[3:34] There's no way Epaphras would be aware I'm sending a message to you without him wanting to add his voice. You know how when you make a call to grandma, or grandpa, or auntie, or uncle, and the child said, Daddy, I want to say hello.
[3:51] Daddy, daddy, daddy. And sometimes a child will cry because you didn't let him say hello to grandma when you're on the call. And sometimes the parents say, it's okay, it's okay. Shh, shh, shh, shh. Epaphras said, you can't send a letter to the church in Colossae without, please, add my voice to it.
[4:06] Tell them about me. Tell them. Paul said, Epaphras, who is one of you? A servant of Christ. Look at the credentials they gave him. He's actually a servant of Christ. He's not a master in the church, but he's a servant of Christ.
[4:20] He's not a supervisor in the church. He's a servant of Christ. Saluted you. Why? He doesn't care where he is. Paul said, this guy is a servant. In fact, it looks like he was the one I should have sent.
[4:31] I should have sent him to have brought the letter. But he, I didn't send him. I sent Aristarchus and Onesimus. And he's still here. He was thinking, but I should have been on stage to be saying that.
[4:44] He didn't let me say, but he doesn't mind. Anyone who goes, he said, please. He supports him. He said, send them my greetings. Epaphras said, it doesn't matter who he sent with the letter. Because really, he should have been sent with the letter.
[4:56] Why? Because he was the one who was pastoring the church. He's one of them. He should have been sent with the letter. Epaphras, a servant of Christ. A servant.
[5:07] He said, Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ. He salutes you. He salutes you. Look at what he's, he's liberating. That's why Paul felt I don't have to send this guy. Because what this guy is doing for the church, if I send him with the letter, the letter won't work.
[5:24] The letter will not work. Why? Because there must be someone doing what this guy is doing for the letters I'm sending to work. Because this thing is a spiritual thing. I need someone who must be laboring on their knees for the people who are about to receive the letter.
[5:40] And no one does it better than Epaphras. So he said, Epaphras, I can send you. You'll be a proper candidate. But there's something you can do others can't do. And because he has such desire and zeal for them.
[5:53] He said, laboring fervently for you in prayer. So that's one of the interesting things about servants of Christ. You don't have to see them doing it. You don't even know they are doing it.
[6:05] Someone has to tell you they are doing it. Someone has to tell you. Because Epaphras is laboring and the testimonies that were happening in the church of Colossae and they didn't know it was because of the labors, prayer labors of Epaphras.
[6:19] You will not see Epaphras. It's about, oh, that God will raise us people who will be behind the scenes. Always laboring and laboring and interceding for the church. Interceding for the souls that are saved.
[6:31] Interceding for those who are hearing the preaching. Interceding for the branches. Interceding for new branches and everywhere. People behind the scenes who are genuine. Laboring.
[6:42] Laboring. And he didn't say they are just praying. He said, laboring in prayer. You can tell this guy is pushing himself in prayer. Pushing himself. God cares about church in the city.
[6:54] Not just a single church. The city church. The city. So Colossae. Colossae is not the name of a church. It's the name of a city. Colossae is the name of the city.
[7:07] So God is a city. A city God. A God for a city. Laboring. The Bible says that Epaphras, laboring fervently. They use the word intensely.
[7:19] Laboring alone is a lot of work than to add the fervency in their labor. So he was laboring fervently for you. And he said in prayer.
[7:32] Laboring in prayer. When you labor in prayer you hardly become a victim in life. Laboring in prayer. Laboring. Pray before your children are conceived.
[7:46] Pray before your children are born. Some of us start looking for schools before they are born. Instead of beginning to pray first before you search for schools. He didn't say pray and watch.
[7:57] He said watch and pray. So it goes together. Watch and pray. In other words be alert.
[8:09] And let your prayer life be informed about things that you need or things that are going to rise up. Laboring. Learn how to pray behind the scenes. Behind the scenes.
[8:22] And sometimes you don't need to talk about it to just gain credit with people. You don't need to talk about it. Before you contribute your comments to what you think that praise and worship should have been doing for a few months that has not been doing.
[8:37] Before you contribute your comments to what you think the pastor should have been saying make sure you have already contributed your prayer behind it. Labor. I'm not talking Father I pray for that guy in Jesus name and then you move on to something.
[8:50] I'm talking about labor in prayer. Stay on it for a while. Stay on it for a while. Fervently narrow with intense intensity. You are serious about it you forget about other things.
[9:04] Epaphrase. He was no wonder Paul said he accounts and he says that he stands and look at his prayer topic that you may stand perfect and complete in the will of God.
[9:15] We need someone to pray this kind of prayer. He's praying fervently that we will stand perfect and complete in the will of God. So hallelujah.
[9:27] So it's important to be mindful of what kind of prayer topic is important for people's spiritual life. Your interest in people in church should be first of all that they will stand we have to be an epaphrase that they will stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
[9:47] You need someone to be praying this before Paul sends the letter. Because it's not just the preaching that changes people but intercession behind the preaching that makes the preaching affect people.
[10:00] That's why a pastor must pray before he preaches. Pray. A choir must pray. Singer must pray. Must pray.
[10:11] Don't be a performer. Someone receiving something. Paul said I bear him record oh somebody's he said I'll put my reputation on the line for this guy.
[10:23] I said I bear him record that he has great zeal for you. he's so interested in you guys. He has great zeal. And not only you those in Laodicea as well.
[10:35] And not only those in Laodicea Herapolis these are three cities that are close to each other. Epaphrase he said this guy he said I should send you his greetings. He said he saluted you.
[10:47] So that means that he is sending greetings. No I'm greeting you on his behalf. He saluted Epaphrase salutes you. Epaphrase he salutes you. He saluted King James saluteth you.
[11:00] So in other words he was writing oh please greet them for me. And after saying greet them for me he went back. Paul said where are you going? Oh I'm busy. I'm just I'm just and then when they're sleeping he was in prison when they're sleeping Paul would hear him pray hey hey hey hey hey the guy's waiting.
[11:16] He goes and listens he's praying for the people in Colossae. Wow. Every time Colossae but don't you have a family? Colossae Colossae Herapolis Laodicea Colossae and he swears and he listens to the content he says Lord that they will stand perfect and complete in you oh Lord I'm interceding for you oh Lord oh and then when I'm writing then he comes and says salute them I will salute them too much for you.
[11:45] Epaphras he's busy praying so we don't have to send him. Sometimes it's good to leave some people to continue because what they are doing others can't do. Epaphras salutes you.
[11:55] May God raise Epaphras amongst us. May God give us the grace to be like an Epaphras in other people's life. You might not be in the entire church which is good which is better but it's good to be at least there's somebody you are an Epaphras in their life or you are laboring fervently for them in prayers.
[12:15] And then he continues to talk about after mentioning Epaphras he continues to mention Luke. Luke. Everybody say Luke. He said Luke the beloved physician.
[12:30] In other words this is just so loved. One of the things I want you to find out and understand this Paul used to travel alone. He had those days when you are wealthy and you are traveling you go with a doctor.
[12:44] There's a medical doctor with you. His job is always accompanying your journeys. Paul had God is God is an amazing God. Paul had Luke who is a physician he's a medical doctor with Paul.
[12:57] Why was he with Paul? He's not I believe he wasn't there primarily for Paul's health but he was there primarily for the work of God but it's like an addition. He said he said medical doctor.
[13:08] Any issue he can also chip in. Medical doctor. Medical doctor following an apostle. Medical doctor serving faithfully.
[13:20] Medical doctor serving in the ashes. Medical doctor serving in the choir. Medical doctor serving in the sanctuary team. Medical doctor.
[13:31] So these are people who watch this. They are people he sent and then the category of people who were with him first of all were the three Jews.
[13:42] The the circles those of the circumcision. They were the only Jews. He said it clearly. He said these are the only people of the circumcision who are with me. Verse 11. The only people that those of the circumcision these only are my fellow workers until they are when you read other translation it makes it very clear they are the only from the circumcision who are with me.
[14:04] So those three who are Aristarchus Marcus and Justice they are the only Greeks. Then afterwards we have Epaphras.
[14:15] Colossae is not a Jewish territory. It's a Gentile. So it comes from Colossae. Epaphras is from Colossae. And then the next person is Luke. Luke was a Greek. Luke was not Jew.
[14:27] He was Greek. But he was the only non-Jew who wrote one of the Gospels. The only non-Jew. Mark from the text with Marcus Marcus even though Mark is a Roman name Mark is Jewish.
[14:45] He's Jewish. So Matthew is very Jewish. Mark is Jewish. John is Jewish. And yesterday someone said among the disciples of Jesus Mark Mark is not one of the disciples of Jesus like 12 apostles Mark is not Matthew Mark Luke John was Matthew was but Mark was not and Luke was not.
[15:06] Mark was very close to Peter. So in 1 Peter he says that my son Peter was referring to Mark to Mark to Mark as my son. So Mark was very close to Peter and so it is believed that the gospel Mark wrote was a Peter's Peterian gospel.
[15:24] So chapter 5 verse 13 rather it says that elect together salute you and so doth Mark my son. So Mark was like Peter's son.
[15:35] And so theologians believe that the gospel that was written by Mark Matthew Mark that Mark is influenced heavily by Peter's understanding. And how about Luke?
[15:46] Luke wrote two books. Luke in between the two books of Luke was this heavenly book called John. So John the gospel according to John Matthew, Mark, Luke and John is in between the two books written by Luke.
[16:02] Luke wrote Luke, right? And then he wrote Acts. Luke wrote Luke so Luke chapter 1 verse 3. If you don't very interesting one interesting thing about Luke is you hardly see his name in the Bible.
[16:15] His name appears only three times in the Bible. Meanwhile he wrote two significant books. He wrote the book of Luke so he was saying that I have taken it seems good to me that's Luke talking also having perfect understanding of all things from the very first to write unto you orderly account most excellent Theophilus.
[16:36] And then Acts chapter 1 verse 1 he also writes again to see this same Theophilus guy. He says that the former account I made O Theophilus so he's made reference to the first one he wrote which is the book of Luke.
[16:51] Now he's coming to write the book of Acts. How do you so this tells us Luke wrote the book of Acts. And one interesting thing about Luke was that he was with Paul.
[17:02] Paul had three missionary journeys. All these three missionary journeys Luke was there. How do you know? In Acts chapter 16 verse 10 Luke the writer didn't mention his name but he adds himself in there.
[17:16] He says that now after he had seen the vision immediately what? We. Who are the we? I mean the writer added himself. He said we sought to go to Macedonia concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
[17:34] We. So Luke is part of the team who went. That's the first missionary journey. Luke was there. We sought when you read through to verse 17 you see Luke making references to himself.
[17:45] And then when you look at Acts chapter 20 verse 5 and 6 all the way to chapter 21. Look at verse 5. It says that these men going ahead waited for us.
[17:58] He's part of the team. And look at verse 6. Waited for us. But we sailed away from Philippi after the day of our living. So he said we sailed.
[18:09] He was part of the team going. I want to draw attention to something. So he was part of the first missionary journey. He was part of the second missionary journey. When you read chapter 21 verse 18 he still this is all one missionary journey.
[18:23] On the following day Paul went in with us to James. With who? Luke was part of him. So this one who wrote the book of Acts always included himself.
[18:37] He kept making reference that I was part of it. And then the last missionary journey in Acts chapter or when they were going before they ended up in prison. In Acts chapter 27 verse 1. See he also includes himself.
[18:49] Acts chapter 27 18 verse 15 27 verse 1 it says that and when it was decided that we should stay. It's all part of we are going.
[19:02] So everything read in the book of Acts Luke is making a comment. He's writing. Luke was the one writing saying that we we but he's talking about Paul and Paul did this and Barnabas did this and this one did this and when we got there so he never mentioned his name but he was part of it.
[19:19] Chapter 28 verse 15 you see that he is part of the team even when they got to Rome and from there when the brethren heard about us that's when they got to Rome.
[19:33] They came to meet us as far as happy forum and three inns. When Paul saw them he thanked God and took courage.
[19:45] So he said us then when Paul saw them. So he's like in the shadows of Paul. That's very interesting. This guy was with Paul throughout now in prison. Paul was writing a letter and he says Colossians chapter 4.
[20:00] He was making reference to the fact that Luke the beloved physician. He's mentioning him. The three areas where Luke's name is mentioned in the Bible is here. One. Number two is Philemon.
[20:13] You remember that letter included Philemon 1-2. The same. So Philemon verse 24. He mentioned almost the names he has just mentioned. He mentioned Philemon said so as do Mark.
[20:24] You remember the Mark? You remember Aristarchus? And we are here to come to Dimas. And he said Luke my fellow laborers. So Luke was there. And then I like the way he mentioned Luke in 2 Timothy chapter 4 verse 11.
[20:39] It's so endearing. No wonder he said my beloved physician. Look at it. He said only Luke is with me.
[20:53] This kind of Luke guys is great to have them around you. Especially when you are doing God's way. They never leave you. They know the ins and outs of everything but they stick with you to the end.
[21:06] This was 2 Timothy. Listen brothers and sisters. 2 Timothy was the end of Paul's life. This letter was written towards the end of his life. He said I'm now being poured out as a drink offering.
[21:20] He said I might not even see your face again. That was this. He was saying bye bye. He said farewell letter. He didn't know how long he was going to live. He was ending that.
[21:31] Look at what he says in chapter 4 verse 7 and verse 8. He says I fought a good fight. That's somebody who is finishing now. I fought a good fight. I've kept the faith. He said I've kept it.
[21:43] I've finished the race. Ah! Finished it. That was the end of his life. So therefore there's laid down for me a crown of that was the end. And this chapter 4 of 2nd Timothy and then look at the next verse 9 and verse 10.
[22:00] Be diligent to come to me quickly. You don't have time. He was writing to Timothy and said Timothy come quickly. And then the verse 16 said when you are coming.
[22:11] And then I told him come before winter. I don't know if I will make it. He said come before winter. Because winter is coming. And when you are coming bring me my parchment my books and bring me my coats.
[22:22] I left your coats. Come quickly. Don't delay in coming. He said come quickly. Verse 21 he said do your utmost to come before winter. Come before winter. And then I think verse 16 somewhere it talks about bring me my parchment bring me my stick to the end.
[22:49] Stick to the end for a good cause. Don't let your emotions determine how you stick. The only difference between people who have been married for a long time is not because there were no emotional challenges.
[23:03] They committed to their commitment. It's the same. Marriage is the same like church. When you keep doing the same thing for a long time. If you don't have discipline and the value for stickability you are likely to easily cave in.
[23:21] You are like Luke think about Luke he was with Paul throughout the journey and now in prison everybody said only Luke is with me what and it's not like he didn't have a job not like he didn't have any career this guy was a medical doctor medical doctor well trained if he went back I'm sure there was unemployment waiting for him but he walked away from all that to stick with an apostle just in case this stress has been going through it affects itself let me keep managing theologians believe Paul had a health issue so he wrote it in second Corinthians he said only Luke is with me only Luke is with let's all say that together before he said that look at the verse 10 we are coming to Demas we are coming to Demas and you know why he left he wanted a soft life Thessalonica was those days the party city the
[24:25] Las Vegas of those days was Thessalonica yes Demas has forsaken me at this time if you want to it isn't this time so Luke was a man who sticks throughout all the journeys he was there now after everybody has gone towards the end of Paul's life he said only Luke is with me so now when you are coming bring Mark because he's profitable to me for the ministry but Luke has always been with me only Luke is with me only Luke is with me do I have some only looks in this way when people leave a good church where the word of God is taught don't follow them be Luke because one day they will find their way back and they will come and meet you and you still welcome them there's no fight but don't just leave a church because your friend left because we will not die together as friends and
[25:31] God even if you are twins God will never judge twins together so we must all stand before the throne of Christ second Corinthians chapter five verse 10 and each one before we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and each one will give an account for everything doing it each one the phrase there each one not each two or not each group or each set of friends don't do church because of your friends it's good to have good friends to do together but sometimes your friend might not have the revelation you have Luke is with me so you see three times where Luke's name was mentioned the one that appeared is in Colossians chapter chapter 4 verse 14 and then the next appearance is first second Timothy chapter 4 verse 11 and then
[26:33] Philemon that's this powerful guy now theologians believe that the gospel of Luke is gospel under the influence of Paul Paul's influence in the Bible is so strong even the gospel he had influence there because Luke was always with him so Luke caught Paul's understanding of Christ Luke stuck with Paul no wonder his name made appearance in the gospels like his book was one of the most important books in the gospel Luke why because it was someone who knew how to stick Luke and then he says Luke then Demas Colossians 4 14 it says that Luke beloved physician and Demas greets you Demas name made three appearances Demas greet you Philemon verse 24 you see Demas there so as do Mark Aristarchus Demas see so
[27:34] Demas also was so this one it says that Demas is my fellow laborer Colossians it says Demas greet you then it comes to 2 Timothy chapter 4 towards the end of his life we didn't see Demas in the acts anywhere it's just the missionary journey and then Demas 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 10 he said for Demas has forsaken look at verse 9 verse 9 he had today be diligent to come quickly Timothy why because Demas has forsaken me he didn't say Demas has left there's a difference there's a difference between leaving and forsaken he forsook when you needed him most at the time that Demas this is the time that we have to stick together this is the time he didn't just leave he said I don't want to stay with you there are important things I can do with my life I don't care about whatever is going on
[28:35] I don't care sometimes it's it's human to be very self centered even when it comes to your worship you have a music album but there has never been once you have made an attempt to join the choir but you want to be the next do sing Demas Demas likes soft life convenience so he got to a time in his life he realized that Thessalonica that thing is booming booming people are I want to be in Thessalonica this guy is in prison his life is ending you know what sorry Paul you know I love you but Paul sorry and he blocks Paul Paul sends a message no response Paul will call it doesn't go through and then when they put a message in the group chat use birthday only birthday you comment birthday you see comment happy birthday you are such darling but when you send your message no comments
[29:44] Demas Demas Demas Demas Demas Demas they are busy building their own alliances within the federation personal alliances Demas he said Demas has forsaken me having loved this present world and has departed for Thessalonica yes and then Christians also have led for Galicia Titus Demas but I started with this Demas guy he said he loved this present world he wanted to go and have fun he wanted friends he wanted a certain lifestyle of this restriction and we are fasting generally I'm tired of this thing I'm tired of this thing they want a soft life they loved this present world now so first time they said
[30:54] Demas salute you they said my fellow workers are here Demas is also here and the next they said Demas has left him he has abandoned me Demas tell somebody be a Luke not a Demas because today your name can be mentioned Paul maybe should have mentioned Demas if he knew he was going to forsake him but you can be known but what's the guarantee we have that next five years you will still be at here the way you are I'm fiery I'm doing this thing for the Lord what's the guarantee that it's not a Demas kind of work or a paphras it should be then can I run up why is the place online are you receiving something hallelujah let me run up
[31:59] I want to finish this so verse 15 salute the brethren which are in Laodicea so Paul now writes now these are the people who are with me the Jews and then Demas and Luke and Demas so Luke was not Jewish from the text you can tell then he says that now greets people for me so he continues to say salute the brethren who are in Laodicea time will not permit me to emphasize on the brethren they are brothers they might be in different jurisdictions but we are one salute the brethren which are at Laodicea and then he mentions a very important person named Nymphas and the church which is in his house wow church in his house no wonder he said please greet him in my prison state he is on my mind greet him for me first of all he mentions a whole territory greet the brethren the
[33:01] Christians the brothers and sisters brethren means brothers and sisters so don't say sistering it's just brothers greet the brethren which are in Laodicea then he mentions one person you should have thought that is okay and those who are in Hierapolis and those but he said the brethren and Nymphas and the church in his house see his influence in early church he might not look a very important person in Colossae Nymphas and the church in his house when they were mentioning the people who are supposed to be in Colossae for salutation Nymphas was the first he said greet the Laodiceans but Colossae remember Nymphas and the church in his house he's making a difference he's making a difference church in the house how Mark turned out to be church in the house where people can gather in your house and doing
[34:08] Bible Nymphas where are you Nymphas Nymphas think about God when you are signing up for contracts think about God every step we are moving remember first you are Christian many Christians make decisions without considering the kingdom of God make decisions consider God and heaven will consider you consider God Nymphas Nymphas whatever position you are in think about how can I use this to enhance the kingdom of to promote the kingdom of God you may not have to be preaching it but you are very instrumental in making room Nymphas Nymphas where are you Nymphas where are you Nymphas where are you let's end this is someone receiving something
[35:09] I want to finish Colossians today so the last two verses I'm finishing in five minutes is that okay will you permit me to finish it is that okay will you spare me just a bit of your time what next verse now Colossians it says that and when this epistle is read amongst you cause that it be read also in the church of the auditions and that ye likewise read the because it is the same whatever I'm writing to them it is one body it's written to them by applies to you I'm preaching to you by applies to her I'm preaching to her by applies to you I'm preaching to you by applies to me anything God says to the church it says to all that tells you we are one big family we are one big family and make sure whatever I'm writing to you give it to the but I thought it's for us when someone sends a text message would you share it with me that okay this is also for you no it's your text message but this one is not yours it's ours but it was sent to you you are the recipient for the rest and they're also receiving for us
[36:22] Paul is trying to suggest and make a statement that this thing is one body it doesn't matter where you find yourself it's one body and he said make sure it's read and then he finishes by what pastor preached akibu's name makes an appearance I tell him that he should see to it don't get distracted by so many other things that are going on see to it that you fulfill your ministry and I think pastor preached a very powerful message on that already see to it that you fulfill your ministry fulfill it ministry is supposed to be fulfilled you have done it the way God wants to fulfill your ministry everybody who is born again has a ministry to fulfill don't just be a church attendee it reduces your rating in heaven God is not going to reward you because you are a nice person he's going to reward you because your ministry you fulfill that's where faithfulness comes in how do you call me faithful if nothing has been committed to me faithfulness is always in the context of commitment so if
[37:34] God is going to reward you and say well done thou good and faithful servant that means there's something as soon as you get born again which is committed to your trust and so there's something to do when it comes to the kingdom of God for every believer every believer and see to it that you fulfill it it's not my job to make you fulfill it you have to see to it that you fulfill it see to it take heed that you fulfill it don't let a departmental head interfere with it because of his attitude now you know what please don't do that because at the end of the day you are the one to give an account for your life so the point I'm making is that fulfilling your ministry is your personal responsibility it's not a pastor's job it's not your leader's job it's your responsibility to make sure you fulfill your ministry when you become born and look for God what is it that I'm supposed to be doing for you and then ask your thoughts look out for opportunities to fulfill your ministry especially when it comes to the wider church let me say this don't think of being a blessing to the body of Christ when you can't even be a blessing to your local church it doesn't work like that it doesn't work like that it doesn't work like that and then finally after fulfilling your ministry he said oh I like this let's read the last verse together we are finishing he always starts amen he always starts by saying grace to you you remember grace to you
[39:05] Colossians chapter 1 it says the 2 rather it says I salute you and then from grace be unto you so it's like grace be unto you but when he finished he said grace be with you grace be with you grace be with you grace I come with grace but when I finish I want this thing to be your identity he's staying with you now he said remember the salutation by the hands of me Paul most of his letters were not written by himself because he somewhere in chain so he can imagine this one said me by my hands he had to the hands were in chains and trying to write sometimes you may underestimate what it has taken to produce this letter that's why you need to send a letter because it's pain technically produced hands in chains writing a letter so if they mention your name that means that you are top of the range because it's taking a lot to write anything that's why it's not too many chapters can't you write 20 chapters with hands in chains only four is enough hands in chains people have labored for the kingdom so today we are reading
[40:20] Colossians and we don't know what it caused Paul to write this thing and he said I salute you this greeting by my own hands Paul it's me and he said don't forget my chains I'm writing to you in chains don't forget that because if you forget that you easily complain in church others are writing in chains what is it that is upsetting you so much that you can't be safe others are writing in chains name fast demons don't forsake us demons don't move look stay because others are going through a lot to produce this small letter small letter this small preaching is taking over 20 25 years to arrive at this small preaching don't underestimate anything that builds a church done by anybody what somebody might have been through this week and is still in church never take for granted any service anybody renders in church remember my chains remember my chains today I present to you
[41:27] Luke dimas nevers and akibus don't forget I see you doing very well I see you doing very well I see many looks in the building I see great neverses in this building so shall it be in Jesus name amen did you receive something thank you for listening to this message by David Entry we pray you have been strengthened and enlightened you can connect to David Entry on all relevant social media platforms including Instagram and LinkedIn you can also hear many more messages from David Entry on all relevant streaming platforms and the Carriage Church app don't forget to like and share the message be blessed you