WEBVTT 00:00:00.140 --> 00:00:09.500 Thank you very much Sabina. Good afternoon everyone. As Paul said, my name is Ian and I have the privilege of taking you through this passage of Colossians this afternoon. 00:00:11.560 --> 00:00:14.740 Do you ever listen to other people's telephone conversations? 00:00:15.780 --> 00:00:17.820 Now before you say, oh no, we never do that. 00:00:18.320 --> 00:00:27.100 Think of a situation where you're on a train and you're on the train and you're reading a book or you're doing the crossword or you're watching a phone on your tablet and someone's phone rings. 00:00:27.100 --> 00:00:30.040 It's, hello, I'm on a train. 00:00:31.120 --> 00:00:40.380 And they go on, although they're on a train in a very public place, they go on in quite a loud voice carrying out the conversation with whoever they're talking to. 00:00:41.359 --> 00:00:48.659 And it's almost impossible to concentrate on anything else because they're speaking loudly and you're kind of interested in what they have to say anyway. 00:00:48.840 --> 00:00:54.980 And so your book or crossword or whatever has to wait for a few minutes and you hear about their domestic situation. 00:00:54.979 --> 00:01:03.859 Or about their business or whatever else it is, they tell you a little bit about it. 00:01:04.359 --> 00:01:06.879 But you're only hearing one side. 00:01:07.659 --> 00:01:10.200 You're only hearing what the person there says. 00:01:10.299 --> 00:01:12.439 You don't really know what the background is. 00:01:12.739 --> 00:01:14.500 You don't know what the other person's saying. 00:01:14.879 --> 00:01:18.159 And you end up perhaps speculating, well what is the situation here? 00:01:18.159 --> 00:01:22.500 What's going on that I can't make out because I can't hear both sides? 00:01:23.420 --> 00:01:30.519 When we come to the end of books like Colossians where Paul's writing, we get in that kind of situation a bit. 00:01:31.000 --> 00:01:35.679 Because Paul writes about lots of people, lots of names that Sabina's read to us. 00:01:36.060 --> 00:01:38.439 And we don't know an awful lot about them. 00:01:38.519 --> 00:01:39.759 Some of them we know a bit. 00:01:40.099 --> 00:01:42.719 Some of them we know nothing apart from what's here. 00:01:43.159 --> 00:01:45.939 And we're probably quite curious, well what is the background? 00:01:45.939 --> 00:01:50.679 Why have they got instruction about what happens if Mark comes to them? 00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:56.840 What is the task that Archippus has to complete that Paul's so keen the church encourages him in? 00:01:57.200 --> 00:01:57.819 And so on. 00:01:57.840 --> 00:01:59.959 And we just, in some ways, we don't know. 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:04.180 Now it is tempting to speculate and I probably will speculate a bit as I go along. 00:02:05.060 --> 00:02:08.860 But it's also important, I think, to try and take a step back. 00:02:08.860 --> 00:02:15.140 And to think, how does this fit in with Paul's work and with the work of the Church of Colossae? 00:02:15.200 --> 00:02:19.140 Because we're learning about people who are with Paul and people at Colossae. 00:02:19.200 --> 00:02:22.660 If you like, Team Paul and Team Colossae. 00:02:23.600 --> 00:02:30.020 And as I was thinking about this passage, what struck me is it tells us a lot about working as a team. 00:02:30.020 --> 00:02:32.719 Now we can say our church is like a team. 00:02:33.020 --> 00:02:34.880 We're a group of people who have been brought together. 00:02:35.340 --> 00:02:40.060 We have a common purpose and we want to serve and to work together. 00:02:40.520 --> 00:02:45.140 So what can we learn about working as a team from what Paul writes to us here? 00:02:45.560 --> 00:02:49.900 And what can we learn about our individual roles within it? 00:02:50.439 --> 00:02:52.840 So we're going to look at the team at Team Dynamics. 00:02:53.200 --> 00:02:57.120 And we're going to look at individuals at Team Players. 00:02:58.080 --> 00:02:59.240 What about Team Dynamics? 00:02:59.240 --> 00:03:01.939 Some of you will recognise these two gentlemen here. 00:03:02.300 --> 00:03:03.600 Some of you probably won't. 00:03:03.860 --> 00:03:05.379 They're both football managers. 00:03:06.320 --> 00:03:12.180 One is manager of a team that at the moment is clearly together and united, 00:03:12.800 --> 00:03:15.580 where the star players are being allowed to express themselves 00:03:15.580 --> 00:03:17.780 and the others are supporting them very well. 00:03:18.080 --> 00:03:22.240 And the team is being pretty successful on the whole. 00:03:22.840 --> 00:03:27.560 The other is the manager of a team where there seem to be problems in the dressing room. 00:03:27.560 --> 00:03:31.120 It looks as if not all the players are really behind the manager. 00:03:31.120 --> 00:03:35.700 Some players are being played out of position and don't seem very happy with that. 00:03:36.060 --> 00:03:42.120 The team is not doing very well and is not being united as a team. 00:03:42.620 --> 00:03:46.280 Now, if you look at the two photos, you could probably guess which is which. 00:03:46.280 --> 00:03:50.939 On the left is Oli Gunnar Sokjaer, who is the manager of Manchester United, 00:03:51.140 --> 00:03:52.460 at least to the end of the season. 00:03:53.099 --> 00:03:57.900 And on the right is Maurizio Sarri. 00:03:57.900 --> 00:03:58.860 I've lost the name. 00:03:58.939 --> 00:03:59.360 Thank you very much. 00:03:59.560 --> 00:04:00.360 Maurizio Sarri. 00:04:00.699 --> 00:04:03.819 He's the manager of Chelsea, at least until this afternoon. 00:04:03.819 --> 00:04:07.219 If he gets beaten this afternoon, he might not be around very much longer. 00:04:08.699 --> 00:04:16.860 Two teams, both full of very good players and yet a lot of differences in the way they're managed 00:04:16.860 --> 00:04:19.759 and in the way things are working. 00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:22.959 Team dynamics really matter. 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:24.759 Are the team together? 00:04:25.259 --> 00:04:27.800 Are they being given a chance to express their abilities? 00:04:28.539 --> 00:04:32.420 Are they being successful and working for one another? 00:04:32.420 --> 00:04:38.140 Well, when it comes to Team Paul, I think we can say, by and large, 00:04:38.400 --> 00:04:42.160 this was a team which really worked together. 00:04:42.740 --> 00:04:48.360 And we can learn quite a lot from it about the dynamics that make up a good team 00:04:48.360 --> 00:04:51.200 and perhaps particularly if we're thinking in a Christian context, 00:04:51.520 --> 00:04:57.700 about the dynamics we would like to see in our church as we serve the Lord Jesus together. 00:04:58.560 --> 00:05:01.000 So four things I want to highlight, 00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:04.779 and then we will look at some of the team players in a little bit more detail. 00:05:06.379 --> 00:05:12.519 So the first thing that's very evident, as Paul writes, is the love that he has. 00:05:12.600 --> 00:05:15.639 He talks three times about people being dear brothers, 00:05:16.040 --> 00:05:19.639 but throughout it you can sense these are people, all of them, 00:05:19.839 --> 00:05:24.439 who he has a great affection for, who he really cares about. 00:05:24.439 --> 00:05:27.660 Someone once asked one of Billy Graham's associates, 00:05:27.899 --> 00:05:31.019 someone who'd been with the Billy Graham organization for a very long time, 00:05:31.560 --> 00:05:38.639 why is it that Dr. Graham has a team that stays around and that seems so united and so happy? 00:05:39.660 --> 00:05:42.560 And Billy Graham's associates replied, love. 00:05:43.220 --> 00:05:47.480 Whatever the situation he and the team find themselves in, 00:05:47.920 --> 00:05:50.939 Billy Graham leads with love. 00:05:50.939 --> 00:05:53.620 What a great testimony that is. 00:05:54.219 --> 00:05:59.879 The thing that drove Billy Graham was not just the success of the team, 00:05:59.959 --> 00:06:02.379 not just even preaching the gospel. 00:06:02.899 --> 00:06:09.159 It was having a love for his team and having a love for all those he went out to reach. 00:06:09.899 --> 00:06:13.800 How important it is for us that in our team, in Team Brunsfield, 00:06:14.019 --> 00:06:17.779 we are characterized by a love for one another. 00:06:17.779 --> 00:06:26.259 Jesus said, all men will know you are my disciples if you love one another. 00:06:26.779 --> 00:06:31.939 And I wonder if people came into our church and they looked around and they talked to us for a few minutes, 00:06:32.239 --> 00:06:37.899 would one of the things that really struck them be the love that we have for each other? 00:06:37.959 --> 00:06:41.399 Now I have to say a lot of people come into the church and feel really welcome and feel really loved, 00:06:41.439 --> 00:06:42.579 and that is tremendous. 00:06:42.579 --> 00:06:44.519 But let's challenge ourselves. 00:06:44.959 --> 00:06:52.459 Do we really show the love of Christ to one another day by day and as we work together? 00:06:52.979 --> 00:06:57.899 Very important of working as a team is that we have love for one another. 00:06:57.979 --> 00:07:00.599 In the business context, it might be you get on, you're friends, 00:07:00.860 --> 00:07:06.079 but in the church it's very much we have the love of Christ and we share that with each other. 00:07:06.079 --> 00:07:09.579 So that was a very important team dynamic for Paul. 00:07:11.000 --> 00:07:13.079 Second one I would suggest I've called loyalty. 00:07:13.819 --> 00:07:15.959 Now Paul actually talks about faithfulness. 00:07:16.339 --> 00:07:21.479 He talks about a faithful minister of Eutychicus, for example, in verse 7. 00:07:21.800 --> 00:07:25.719 Faithfulness, loyalty, they're much the same kind of thing. 00:07:26.519 --> 00:07:30.959 So Paul is saying, here are people you can depend on. 00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:37.339 They're really bought into the team and to the work of the team and they are loyal to it 00:07:37.339 --> 00:07:42.039 and they will do everything they can to help it to succeed. 00:07:43.219 --> 00:07:45.060 And why are Paul's team loyal to him? 00:07:45.180 --> 00:07:47.839 Well, perhaps partly the love that we've talked about, 00:07:48.279 --> 00:07:53.399 but it's their loyalty to the Lord Jesus that is the really important thing. 00:07:54.039 --> 00:07:57.899 He is a faithful minister, says Paul of Eutychicus. 00:07:57.899 --> 00:08:01.799 In other words, he's a faithful servant of Jesus. 00:08:02.979 --> 00:08:08.139 Very important in our background, in our church, in whatever Christian teams we're in, 00:08:08.500 --> 00:08:11.039 that there's loyalty, that there's faithfulness. 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:17.019 Yes, loyalty and faithfulness to one another, but above all, loyalty and faithfulness to Jesus. 00:08:17.219 --> 00:08:22.779 A desire to serve him and to live for him in all circumstances at all times 00:08:22.779 --> 00:08:29.759 and that his kingdom may be further, that people may come to know him and may grow in their faith. 00:08:30.959 --> 00:08:35.240 Loyalty, faithfulness is really important for Christians. 00:08:35.379 --> 00:08:40.360 Novel of Christians who are very keen for a while and then think they're a little bit difficult 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:46.039 and you find they're not that faithful in their service in the hard times. 00:08:46.039 --> 00:08:52.860 God wants us to recognise his love for us and for that to be expressed in our love for him, 00:08:52.959 --> 00:09:00.099 but also in our faithfulness, in our loyalty to the Lord Jesus and to his gospel. 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:05.439 Third team dynamic I've called collaboration. 00:09:06.099 --> 00:09:08.439 It is working together. 00:09:09.519 --> 00:09:14.740 Now that is one that comes out in several ways as we go through Paul's team here. 00:09:14.740 --> 00:09:16.899 There are those who are working together. 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:21.899 There are those who are chained together with Paul who are prisoners alongside him. 00:09:22.340 --> 00:09:26.899 We already talked about Epaphras, this man who is doing this tremendous work of prayer. 00:09:27.000 --> 00:09:31.860 That was his part in the work of the church, particularly in Colossae. 00:09:32.340 --> 00:09:39.620 People working together for the gospel, for the Lord Jesus, and together making a difference. 00:09:40.220 --> 00:09:42.740 Each had their role, each knew what their role was, 00:09:42.740 --> 00:09:50.759 and each was working together to help the others in the team and to move forward the work that Paul was doing, 00:09:51.120 --> 00:09:54.500 the missionary work that he was engaged in. 00:09:55.460 --> 00:09:59.980 Teamwork, collaboration, really important in a church. 00:10:00.940 --> 00:10:05.180 Perhaps I can make an observation that's been in my mind for a while about churches. 00:10:05.179 --> 00:10:09.019 Because I think when you've got a small church, a relatively small church, 00:10:09.019 --> 00:10:14.879 it is much easier for everyone to play their part and to feel they're really part of things 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:18.639 and are responsible for the work of the church. 00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:24.979 As a church gets bigger, and by the grace of God, our church has been growing in recent years, 00:10:25.699 --> 00:10:29.439 there is a danger that people lose that sense of ownership, 00:10:30.079 --> 00:10:34.399 of having responsibility for the work of the church. 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:35.779 We all have our own bits that we do. 00:10:35.860 --> 00:10:36.740 We're in a small group. 00:10:36.819 --> 00:10:41.840 Perhaps we're in some areas of service, but perhaps lose sight of the big picture. 00:10:41.939 --> 00:10:42.860 Let me give you an example. 00:10:43.579 --> 00:10:46.199 If you've got a small church and they say, 00:10:46.299 --> 00:10:47.500 we're having a church cleaning day. 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:49.539 We want everyone to come and help us clean the church. 00:10:49.860 --> 00:10:52.740 You will invariably get a really good attendance at that. 00:10:52.840 --> 00:10:53.919 People will come together. 00:10:54.340 --> 00:10:55.899 They'll enjoy the time of fellowship, 00:10:56.299 --> 00:11:00.340 and they'll enjoy working together in a practical way, 00:11:00.679 --> 00:11:02.240 serving the Lord Jesus. 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:05.500 Get a big church, and people might say, 00:11:05.580 --> 00:11:07.039 well, I'm quite busy that day. 00:11:07.220 --> 00:11:08.620 I'm not sure if I can manage. 00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:10.580 There will be other people to do it. 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:12.740 I don't think I'll go. 00:11:13.700 --> 00:11:14.720 Or the prayer meeting. 00:11:15.419 --> 00:11:19.340 Many small churches, even though there aren't that many people in them, 00:11:19.840 --> 00:11:24.759 if you see their prayer meeting, everyone or almost everyone is there. 00:11:25.539 --> 00:11:28.440 Move to a big church, and we're not alone in this. 00:11:28.440 --> 00:11:33.640 You find it's a relatively small proportion of the church who attend prayer gatherings. 00:11:34.340 --> 00:11:36.460 And again, people are saying, having a really busy week, 00:11:36.660 --> 00:11:38.300 I could do with an evening in. 00:11:38.580 --> 00:11:41.380 There will be other people there. 00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:45.120 And you really lose something when you do that, 00:11:45.380 --> 00:11:48.980 and if that's the kind of attitude that we have. 00:11:49.420 --> 00:11:52.360 All of us have responsibilities if we're part of the church, 00:11:52.480 --> 00:11:54.340 to work together for the church, 00:11:54.640 --> 00:11:57.180 and to glorify God through that. 00:11:57.179 --> 00:11:59.919 And yes, we have our individual things that we do, 00:12:00.239 --> 00:12:02.559 and they're important, let's not neglect them. 00:12:02.919 --> 00:12:05.839 But there are some things where the church needs to come together, 00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:08.779 and we need all to feel we've got a responsibility. 00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:11.219 I should be involved in this. 00:12:11.679 --> 00:12:13.379 God wants me to serve him, 00:12:13.659 --> 00:12:15.799 and to build up his church in collaboration, 00:12:16.199 --> 00:12:18.799 in teamwork with the other members. 00:12:19.379 --> 00:12:21.639 So collaboration, very important. 00:12:21.639 --> 00:12:26.039 And then the final thing Paul talks about is encouragement. 00:12:26.179 --> 00:12:27.480 Actually, he calls it comfort. 00:12:28.019 --> 00:12:29.819 But I think, again, much the same thing. 00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:32.480 Comfort, encouragement, refreshment, 00:12:32.840 --> 00:12:34.439 and all with the same idea. 00:12:35.439 --> 00:12:39.439 And this is the thought that we've got brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus, 00:12:39.440 --> 00:12:45.820 and that they are able and willing to support and to encourage one another, 00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:49.540 and to help each of us to keep going for Jesus. 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:52.420 In all our lives, there are discouragements, 00:12:52.680 --> 00:12:53.920 there are difficulties, 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:55.600 there are problems. 00:12:56.560 --> 00:12:59.140 And as a church, we need to be supporting one another. 00:12:59.560 --> 00:13:01.160 And when we are going through difficult times, 00:13:01.220 --> 00:13:02.640 be a comfort and an encouragement. 00:13:02.960 --> 00:13:04.380 Paul was in prison at this point, 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:07.580 so comfort from these people is very important to them. 00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:10.159 Whatever our circumstances, comfort one another. 00:13:10.700 --> 00:13:12.539 And when we see someone doing something 00:13:12.539 --> 00:13:14.379 and doing it to their best of their ability, 00:13:14.480 --> 00:13:16.259 using the gifts that God has given them, 00:13:16.559 --> 00:13:18.879 give them that word of encouragement, of support, 00:13:19.059 --> 00:13:22.740 to keep going and to keep serving the Lord Jesus. 00:13:23.939 --> 00:13:27.519 Four key dynamics that I think should be part of our church, 00:13:27.600 --> 00:13:30.159 of any team that is serving God. 00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:35.399 Love, loyalty, collaboration, and encouragement. 00:13:36.399 --> 00:13:40.419 Now, how does that express itself in the people we're looking at? 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:42.500 Well, as I said, there are effectively two teams here. 00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:43.799 Most of it is Team Paul. 00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:44.879 There are eight people there. 00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:47.019 We'll talk briefly about Team Colossae. 00:13:47.439 --> 00:13:49.600 There are two there, although you could argue that Onesimus 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:52.079 and Epaphras should be in that column rather than the left. 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:53.299 But let's keep them as they are, 00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:56.000 because that's the way that Paul describes them. 00:13:56.860 --> 00:13:58.860 And what I want to do in Team Paul 00:13:58.860 --> 00:14:01.860 is to take each of the eight people very briefly 00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:05.060 and to say of the four things that we've looked at, 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:09.139 which of these boxes are that person tick and why? 00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:11.060 I've read in the slide here on this side 00:14:11.060 --> 00:14:12.879 mainly to get a bit more space. 00:14:13.300 --> 00:14:15.480 So some are talked about as being dear, being loved. 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:16.340 Some are faithful. 00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:18.100 Some provide support. 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:21.159 They're working practically, collaborating with Paul. 00:14:21.560 --> 00:14:23.580 And some provide comfort. 00:14:24.060 --> 00:14:25.139 So let's just go down the list 00:14:25.139 --> 00:14:27.220 and we'll find out a bit about each of them. 00:14:27.220 --> 00:14:30.040 So the first one is Tychicus. 00:14:30.660 --> 00:14:32.279 Tychicus is the only one you'll find 00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:34.540 who ticks three of the four boxes. 00:14:35.160 --> 00:14:40.040 He's loyal, he's faithful, and he's hardworking. 00:14:41.080 --> 00:14:44.180 I used to think of Tychicus as being like Paul's postman. 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:47.080 If Paul had a letter to send to a church, 00:14:47.340 --> 00:14:49.220 then he would get Tychicus to take it, 00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:51.660 whether it was to Colossae or to Ephesus 00:14:51.660 --> 00:14:53.940 or whoever else Paul was writing to. 00:14:53.960 --> 00:14:55.000 And of course it was very important, 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:57.480 particularly in those days because you couldn't rely 00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:58.639 on a postal service. 00:14:58.960 --> 00:15:02.340 The only reliable way to make sure your communication got across 00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:06.399 was to send someone with it and they delivered it personally. 00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:07.820 And that was Tychicus. 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:11.539 But Tychicus, when you look at it, 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:14.039 was far more than that. 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:16.759 He wasn't just someone who delivered letters. 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:20.639 I think he'd more accurately be described as Paul's ambassador. 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:25.399 He's someone who Paul sent to represent him in other places 00:15:25.399 --> 00:15:28.659 and to tell them about what was going on and to encourage them 00:15:28.659 --> 00:15:34.259 and no doubt also to report back to Paul about what he saw. 00:15:35.179 --> 00:15:39.100 Tychicus was very much part of Paul's A-team, if you like. 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:42.480 We were familiar with people like Timothy and Titus. 00:15:42.480 --> 00:15:46.200 I think we put Tychicus in the same kind of category. 00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:50.740 He's someone who Paul could absolutely depend on 00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:55.639 and know that he would carry out whatever Paul asked him to do. 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:58.580 So we come across Tychicus first in Acts chapter 20 00:15:58.580 --> 00:16:01.519 and he's part of a group of people who are heading with Paul 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:03.519 from Greece along to Jerusalem 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:05.779 and they're taking a gift with them. 00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:08.460 Tychicus, it says, was from the province of Asia. 00:16:08.460 --> 00:16:10.960 So it may all have been from Ephesus or somewhere like that, 00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:14.660 perhaps even Colossae, but he was someone who Paul felt 00:16:14.660 --> 00:16:17.960 was a good ambassador to bring with him to Jerusalem. 00:16:19.460 --> 00:16:21.280 He took the letter to the Ephesians, 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:23.080 perhaps at the same time as Colossians, 00:16:23.139 --> 00:16:26.000 but certainly he was the person who carried the letter to the Ephesians. 00:16:26.400 --> 00:16:29.560 And again, Paul says, he'll tell you everything that's going on. 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:31.300 He'll encourage you. 00:16:32.280 --> 00:16:33.940 When we come to the book of Titus, 00:16:34.400 --> 00:16:36.100 we find that Titus is in Crete 00:16:36.100 --> 00:16:38.780 and Paul is really keen for Titus to come and to see him. 00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:40.480 Now Titus was a real troubleshooter. 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:42.839 Lots of problems in the church in Crete 00:16:42.839 --> 00:16:44.539 that we can read about in the book of Titus. 00:16:44.939 --> 00:16:48.480 And Paul said, I'd really like you to come and see me, 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:50.699 but I need to send someone else first. 00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:54.600 And Tychicus was one of those who was mentioned. 00:16:55.199 --> 00:16:56.959 So in other words, he was someone you could send 00:16:56.959 --> 00:16:58.399 into a difficult situation 00:16:58.399 --> 00:17:02.000 and you would know that he could deal with it. 00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:04.680 Last time Tychicus is mentioned chronologically 00:17:04.680 --> 00:17:06.320 is in 2 Timothy. 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:08.440 Paul is very near the end of his life. 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:12.340 He's in prison and he knows he's facing death. 00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:15.680 And Tychicus has been with him almost to the end, 00:17:16.080 --> 00:17:18.360 but Paul has sent him to Ephesus. 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:21.160 Perhaps there was a problem in the church in Ephesus. 00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:23.640 Paul knew he needed to send someone there. 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:24.900 Who did he send? 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:26.700 It was Tychicus. 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:30.660 So here's someone who Paul knew was reliable, 00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:34.100 would be able to go and to relay messages effectively 00:17:34.100 --> 00:17:38.539 to the church and be a real encouragement to them. 00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:42.220 He was, said Paul, a dear brother, 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:46.819 a faithful minister and a fellow servant. 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:48.600 Great if we can have people like Tychicus 00:17:48.600 --> 00:17:50.580 who are absolutely reliable 00:17:50.580 --> 00:17:52.720 and we know if something needs done 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:54.200 and perhaps something's a bit difficult 00:17:54.200 --> 00:17:55.799 or a bit sensitive, 00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:57.579 we can rely on them. 00:17:57.919 --> 00:18:00.539 They're not going to let us down. 00:18:00.659 --> 00:18:01.639 Great to have people like that 00:18:01.639 --> 00:18:02.879 and we do have people like that 00:18:02.879 --> 00:18:05.079 in our church here. 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:10.159 Second person is Onesimus. 00:18:10.659 --> 00:18:12.619 If you said about Onesimus in Colossians 4, 00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:15.639 you wouldn't really get to know very much about him. 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:18.000 In some ways what Paul says about him 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:20.460 is similar to what he says about Tychicus 00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:24.059 because he says he's dear and he's faithful. 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:27.359 But we know about Onesimus mainly from another book 00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:28.179 in the New Testament, 00:18:28.619 --> 00:18:29.839 the book of Philemon. 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:34.019 And the background of Onesimus was Onesimus was a slave. 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:35.980 He ran away from Philemon, 00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:37.879 perhaps stole some things as he went 00:18:37.879 --> 00:18:40.519 and he ended up alongside Paul. 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:43.159 Now probably Paul was in Rome, 00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:43.799 it's not certain, 00:18:43.879 --> 00:18:45.059 but probably Paul was in Rome 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:48.480 so Onesimus had found his way from Colossae to Rome 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:50.779 which is quite a considerable distance. 00:18:50.779 --> 00:18:52.240 While he was there, 00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:54.279 he'd become a Christian by the grace of God. 00:18:54.379 --> 00:18:57.240 He had accepted the Lord Jesus as his savior 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:59.759 and Paul had looked after him 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:03.639 and was obviously teaching him about the faith. 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:08.079 And Onesimus is now going back to Colossae. 00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:11.700 He's going back with Tychicus, 00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:14.980 again a sensitive mission that Tychicus is entrusted with. 00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:16.900 They're going back to Colossae. 00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:19.000 They're going back to Philemon, 00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:20.740 Onesimus' master. 00:19:21.880 --> 00:19:23.099 And they're not terribly sure 00:19:23.099 --> 00:19:25.640 what the response is going to be. 00:19:26.120 --> 00:19:28.360 Paul writes this wonderful letter of Philemon 00:19:28.360 --> 00:19:30.839 as he lays out and lays it on thick 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:32.880 and how great it would be 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:35.079 if Philemon accepted Onesimus 00:19:35.079 --> 00:19:36.319 not just as a slave, 00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:38.680 but as a brother in the Lord Jesus. 00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:40.799 But perhaps still as they went, 00:19:40.920 --> 00:19:41.819 Onesimus would be thinking, 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:42.940 well, will he do that? 00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:45.580 Or am I in for real trouble? 00:19:46.580 --> 00:19:48.420 How significant then is it 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:50.460 that Paul describes Onesimus 00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:53.799 as a faithful and dear brother? 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:56.740 He's not just sending back a slave 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:58.400 who's done Philemon wrong. 00:19:59.019 --> 00:20:00.980 He's not just asking for mercy 00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:03.720 for someone who really doesn't deserve it 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:06.340 or in some ways that might have been true 00:20:06.340 --> 00:20:08.480 of Onesimus. 00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:11.080 Rather, he's saying to Philemon 00:20:11.080 --> 00:20:12.480 and to the church at Colossae, 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:14.819 here's someone who in the short time 00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:15.740 he's been a Christian 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:18.759 has really proved himself. 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.759 He's someone I've come to have 00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:22.380 a deep affection for. 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:23.920 He's a dear brother. 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:26.720 But he is also someone who's reliable, 00:20:27.319 --> 00:20:28.259 who is faithful, 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:30.599 who you can trust. 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:32.960 The name Onesimus means useful. 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:34.519 And one of the things Paul does 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:35.839 in the letter to Philemon, 00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:37.059 he does a bit of a word play 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:40.700 on how useful Onesimus is going to be 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:42.220 for Philemon. 00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:44.740 So he is someone who's not a core member 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.419 of team Paul, 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:46.019 like Tychicus, 00:20:46.139 --> 00:20:47.159 not someone who's been with him 00:20:47.159 --> 00:20:48.099 throughout his travels, 00:20:48.599 --> 00:20:50.839 and yet he's a trophy of God's grace. 00:20:51.399 --> 00:20:52.299 And he has become, 00:20:52.679 --> 00:20:55.059 through knowing Jesus and truth, 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:56.579 the discipling of Paul, 00:20:56.919 --> 00:20:58.059 someone who is loved 00:20:58.059 --> 00:21:00.059 and who is faithful. 00:21:00.539 --> 00:21:01.399 Wonderful, isn't it, 00:21:01.399 --> 00:21:03.119 when people come to know Jesus 00:21:03.119 --> 00:21:05.659 and they have a real joy in their faith 00:21:05.659 --> 00:21:07.059 and the things they've done in the past, 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:08.579 they might be terrible 00:21:08.579 --> 00:21:09.899 or they might think they're terrible, 00:21:10.339 --> 00:21:12.539 and yet their lives have been transformed 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:14.279 by knowing Jesus. 00:21:14.419 --> 00:21:15.779 Again, we have people like that 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:17.599 in our church. 00:21:18.179 --> 00:21:19.139 And for all of us, 00:21:19.419 --> 00:21:21.599 however much we may have failed, 00:21:22.099 --> 00:21:23.559 however bad we might think 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:24.779 things have been in our lives, 00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:26.119 we can look at Onesimus 00:21:26.119 --> 00:21:27.779 and we can take encouragement 00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:30.039 that it is people like Onesimus 00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:31.459 that Jesus died for, 00:21:31.719 --> 00:21:32.979 people like you and me, 00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:34.599 and that none of us 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.759 has done too much, 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:37.159 too many bad things 00:21:37.159 --> 00:21:39.539 to experience God's grace. 00:21:39.699 --> 00:21:40.979 Jesus died on the cross 00:21:40.979 --> 00:21:42.019 for all those 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:43.139 who will trust in him, 00:21:43.179 --> 00:21:44.500 will put their faith in him, 00:21:44.739 --> 00:21:46.079 and will come to him 00:21:46.079 --> 00:21:47.099 for forgiveness 00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:48.779 and eternal life. 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:49.779 What an encouragement 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:51.659 Onesimus is. 00:21:54.139 --> 00:21:55.539 Number three is 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:56.480 Aristarchus, 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.539 and we'll be a little bit 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:58.159 brief with the others. 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:59.599 Aristarchus gets two texts. 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:02.139 He's a comfort to Paul 00:22:02.139 --> 00:22:03.819 as one of his fellow Jews. 00:22:03.899 --> 00:22:04.559 We'll come back to that 00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:05.000 in a minute. 00:22:05.379 --> 00:22:07.119 And he's a support for Paul. 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:08.899 He's a fellow prisoner. 00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:10.700 Something very interesting here. 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:11.980 If you read the book of Philemon, 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:13.319 which is probably written 00:22:13.319 --> 00:22:14.440 at the same time, 00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:16.000 Paul talks about someone 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:17.200 who's his fellow prisoner. 00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:19.200 But that person he talks about 00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:19.879 in Philemon 00:22:19.879 --> 00:22:21.500 is Epaphras. 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:23.539 He doesn't mention 00:22:23.539 --> 00:22:26.240 in his letter to Philemon 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.279 that Aristarchus 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:28.460 is a fellow prisoner. 00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:29.319 And conversely, 00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:30.319 he doesn't mention 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:31.059 this letter, 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:32.640 that Epaphras 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:33.700 is a fellow prisoner. 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:34.579 So what's going on? 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:36.579 Well, it is speculation, 00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:38.380 but I find it quite attractive. 00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:40.240 Some people think 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:41.700 that the situation was 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:43.359 that Paul had been arrested. 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:44.680 Paul was in prison, 00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:46.559 and he had been arrested 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:48.240 by the Roman state. 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:50.819 And these two men, 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:51.740 these two fine 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:53.400 first century Christians, 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:55.579 Aristarchus and Epaphras, 00:22:55.900 --> 00:22:56.740 had volunteered 00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:58.019 to be in prison 00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:59.440 alongside him. 00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:00.980 So perhaps taking turns, 00:23:01.059 --> 00:23:02.140 which would explain 00:23:02.140 --> 00:23:03.620 why you get one mention 00:23:03.620 --> 00:23:04.220 in one place 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:05.859 and one in the other. 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:08.099 Don't know if that's true, 00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:09.299 but if it is, 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:11.380 isn't it a tremendous example 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:12.680 of Christians 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:14.380 supporting one another? 00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:16.380 One of us is in trouble. 00:23:16.380 --> 00:23:18.520 they need some help. 00:23:18.840 --> 00:23:19.760 What do you do? 00:23:20.060 --> 00:23:21.380 Someone else goes along 00:23:21.380 --> 00:23:23.340 and they sit alongside them 00:23:23.340 --> 00:23:24.560 and they provide 00:23:24.560 --> 00:23:25.620 the support 00:23:25.620 --> 00:23:26.800 that they need. 00:23:28.040 --> 00:23:29.200 When people in our church 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:30.300 are going through 00:23:30.300 --> 00:23:31.440 times of difficulty, 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:33.160 how good are we 00:23:33.160 --> 00:23:34.740 at sitting alongside them 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.700 and supporting them 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:37.080 and empathizing with them 00:23:37.080 --> 00:23:38.180 and helping them 00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:39.080 through their time 00:23:39.080 --> 00:23:40.680 of problem? 00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:42.360 That's how Aristarchus. 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:42.800 We'll come back 00:23:42.800 --> 00:23:43.640 to the comfort section 00:23:43.640 --> 00:23:44.100 in a minute. 00:23:46.380 --> 00:23:46.820 Mark. 00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:47.760 You know the name Mark. 00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:48.660 Mark wrote a gospel. 00:23:50.120 --> 00:23:51.040 You probably also know 00:23:51.040 --> 00:23:52.560 that Mark was someone 00:23:52.560 --> 00:23:53.920 who went on Paul's 00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:54.880 first missionary journey 00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:55.200 with them. 00:23:55.320 --> 00:23:56.120 Paul and Barnabas 00:23:56.120 --> 00:23:56.760 were sent out 00:23:56.760 --> 00:23:58.040 by the church in Antioch 00:23:58.040 --> 00:24:00.220 and Mark went alongside them, 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:02.080 but he didn't last very long. 00:24:02.760 --> 00:24:03.740 When it appears 00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:05.160 that going got a bit difficult, 00:24:05.640 --> 00:24:06.320 Mark decided 00:24:06.320 --> 00:24:07.640 he didn't want to keep going 00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:08.820 with Paul and Barnabas 00:24:08.820 --> 00:24:10.500 and he headed back 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.980 to Jerusalem. 00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:13.940 And Paul was pretty upset 00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:15.200 about that. 00:24:15.820 --> 00:24:16.740 When Paul and Barnabas 00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:17.380 came back 00:24:17.380 --> 00:24:18.039 and they reported 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:19.140 to the church in Jerusalem, 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:20.160 they were going to go out 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:21.500 again on the missionary journey 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:23.080 and Barnabas said, 00:24:23.400 --> 00:24:25.360 let's take Mark with us. 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:26.680 And Paul said, 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.180 in effect, 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.779 over my dead body, 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:31.059 he's not coming with us. 00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:32.580 And they had such 00:24:32.580 --> 00:24:33.700 a sharp fallout 00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:34.720 that actually Paul 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.460 and Barnabas 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:36.440 ended going 00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:37.500 their separate ways. 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.420 In some ways 00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:38.900 that turned out 00:24:38.900 --> 00:24:39.539 to be a good thing 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:40.120 because the gospel 00:24:40.120 --> 00:24:41.320 went in two directions 00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:42.659 rather than one. 00:24:43.159 --> 00:24:44.299 But Mark was someone 00:24:44.299 --> 00:24:45.519 who had really hurt 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:48.619 and had really upset Paul. 00:24:49.720 --> 00:24:51.059 And yet here we find 00:24:51.059 --> 00:24:54.480 Mark is part of Team Paul. 00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:56.599 And if we fast forward 00:24:56.599 --> 00:24:57.399 to 2 Timothy, 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.819 written quite a lot later, 00:24:59.439 --> 00:25:00.859 Paul has a really strong 00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:02.079 commendation of Mark 00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:02.679 as someone 00:25:02.679 --> 00:25:04.059 who is really useful, 00:25:04.539 --> 00:25:07.039 who is really helpful to him. 00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:08.980 So Mark had gone wrong. 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:10.920 He turned back 00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:12.680 and in his Christian life 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:13.200 we might say 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:14.660 he was a backslider. 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.440 And yet now 00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:17.579 he has been restored, 00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:19.240 he is following Jesus 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.960 and he will continue 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:22.440 to serve him. 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:24.140 Don't know what it was 00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:25.420 that the instruction 00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:26.400 that Paul sent 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:27.940 to the church 00:25:27.940 --> 00:25:29.140 at Colossae about Mark, 00:25:29.400 --> 00:25:30.140 perhaps it was 00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:31.200 that they should receive him 00:25:31.200 --> 00:25:31.779 warmly 00:25:31.779 --> 00:25:33.599 because he was again 00:25:33.599 --> 00:25:35.140 following Jesus. 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:36.940 Great to know, 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:37.440 isn't it, 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:38.460 that we have a God 00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:40.299 who gives second chances. 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:42.019 When we fail, 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:43.640 when we don't do 00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:45.200 all that we should for him, 00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.380 when our love 00:25:46.380 --> 00:25:47.580 grows a bit cold 00:25:47.580 --> 00:25:49.279 and we're not really 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:50.160 following Jesus 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:51.299 the way we should, 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:53.180 yet there is always 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:54.720 a way back. 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:56.400 And Mark was able 00:25:56.400 --> 00:25:57.259 to go from someone 00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:57.980 who Paul would have 00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:59.000 nothing to do with 00:25:59.000 --> 00:26:00.620 to being one of Paul's 00:26:00.620 --> 00:26:01.559 closest companions 00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:02.299 at the end, 00:26:02.660 --> 00:26:03.539 someone he found 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:05.120 really useful. 00:26:05.119 --> 00:26:06.500 if you've been 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:07.079 in a situation 00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:07.719 like Mark 00:26:07.719 --> 00:26:08.559 where perhaps you feel 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.839 I've failed as a Christian, 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:10.899 I haven't done 00:26:10.899 --> 00:26:11.719 what I should have 00:26:11.719 --> 00:26:12.659 for Jesus, 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:14.279 take encouragement. 00:26:14.919 --> 00:26:16.459 God always gives us 00:26:16.459 --> 00:26:17.719 another opportunity 00:26:17.719 --> 00:26:18.459 and is happy 00:26:18.459 --> 00:26:19.579 to welcome us back 00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:20.819 and to have us 00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:21.559 continuing 00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:23.079 to serve him. 00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:26.259 Jesus' justice. 00:26:26.399 --> 00:26:26.879 Know nothing 00:26:26.879 --> 00:26:28.099 about Jesus' justice 00:26:28.099 --> 00:26:29.279 apart from the fact 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:29.720 that he's one 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:30.619 of Paul's fellow Jews. 00:26:30.699 --> 00:26:31.339 That's the only thing 00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:32.019 we know about 00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:33.939 that Paul tells us here 00:26:33.939 --> 00:26:34.919 that he is 00:26:34.919 --> 00:26:35.980 one of the 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:36.939 three Jews 00:26:36.939 --> 00:26:38.079 among Paul's 00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:39.079 fellow workers. 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:41.019 And these three Jews 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:42.059 are a real comfort 00:26:42.059 --> 00:26:43.059 to Paul. 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.960 I think perhaps 00:26:44.960 --> 00:26:45.500 they're a comfort 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.539 to Paul partly 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:47.199 because Paul 00:26:47.199 --> 00:26:47.539 has had 00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:48.899 some fallout 00:26:48.899 --> 00:26:50.439 with the Judaizers 00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:52.240 in the Christian church, 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:53.360 even people like Peter 00:26:53.360 --> 00:26:53.940 when they were 00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:55.019 a bit too strong 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:56.019 on the Jewish side 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.420 of things 00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:57.700 and on circumcision 00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:58.440 and so on. 00:26:59.059 --> 00:27:00.160 But now he's got 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:01.140 these three men 00:27:01.140 --> 00:27:02.320 who are with him 00:27:02.320 --> 00:27:04.059 and they're enjoying 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:05.840 a good relationship. 00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:07.160 Perhaps also 00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:07.700 takes comfort 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.380 from the fact 00:27:08.380 --> 00:27:09.680 that with these three men 00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:10.360 he can talk about 00:27:10.360 --> 00:27:10.920 some things 00:27:10.920 --> 00:27:12.140 about the Jewish heritage 00:27:12.140 --> 00:27:13.720 that he perhaps couldn't 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.559 with some of the 00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:15.580 Gentile Christians. 00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:17.519 They'd put behind them 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:18.559 the Jewish religion 00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:19.900 and all that 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:20.740 that involved 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.600 but they knew 00:27:21.600 --> 00:27:22.420 the Old Testament 00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:23.060 they understood 00:27:23.060 --> 00:27:23.720 the background 00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:25.140 and with Paul 00:27:25.140 --> 00:27:25.940 were able 00:27:25.940 --> 00:27:27.960 to be a real comfort. 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.740 Perhaps just a slightly 00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:31.700 bit in a church like this 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.140 there are people 00:27:32.140 --> 00:27:32.560 who have been here 00:27:32.560 --> 00:27:33.320 a long time 00:27:33.320 --> 00:27:34.460 and know the church 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:35.780 has changed an awful lot. 00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:36.860 There are lots of people 00:27:36.860 --> 00:27:37.500 who are new 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.100 and it's great 00:27:38.100 --> 00:27:39.980 to have everyone with us. 00:27:40.320 --> 00:27:40.920 Perhaps those 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:41.800 who have been here 00:27:41.800 --> 00:27:42.280 a long time 00:27:42.280 --> 00:27:43.420 we can encourage 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:43.980 one another 00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:44.820 as we think back 00:27:44.820 --> 00:27:46.040 yes we think back 00:27:46.040 --> 00:27:46.940 to things that were 00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:47.560 in the past 00:27:47.560 --> 00:27:48.380 and they were good 00:27:48.380 --> 00:27:49.759 but also encourage ourselves 00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:51.400 how God has been working 00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:52.660 and we can look back 00:27:52.660 --> 00:27:53.660 over many years 00:27:53.660 --> 00:27:54.799 and we can see that 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:56.259 God has blessed our church 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:57.299 he has grown it 00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:58.640 and together 00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.559 we can rejoice 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:01.079 in where we were 00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:03.339 and where we are now. 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:04.400 So that was I think 00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:05.279 Jesus Justice, 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.480 Mark and Astarchus 00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:07.400 why they were a particular 00:28:07.400 --> 00:28:08.859 encouragement to Paul. 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:10.240 Not much to go now 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:10.940 Epaphras 00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:11.559 Epaphras already 00:28:11.559 --> 00:28:12.680 mentioned this morning 00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:14.000 I've only given him 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:14.460 one take 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:15.180 but actually 00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:15.879 if we went back 00:28:15.880 --> 00:28:16.720 to chapter 1 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.680 Paul describes 00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.600 Epaphras in almost 00:28:18.600 --> 00:28:19.780 exactly the same way 00:28:19.780 --> 00:28:21.080 as he describes Tychicus 00:28:21.080 --> 00:28:22.520 he's a dear brother 00:28:22.520 --> 00:28:24.200 he's a faithful servant 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:25.500 he's a fellow 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.480 he's a faithful Christian 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.380 he's a fellow servant 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:29.400 for the Lord Jesus. 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.580 Epaphras was the man 00:28:31.580 --> 00:28:32.320 who had established 00:28:32.320 --> 00:28:33.500 the church in Colossae 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:34.620 he was the one 00:28:34.620 --> 00:28:35.140 who had brought 00:28:35.140 --> 00:28:36.680 the gospel to that place 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:37.940 to begin with 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:38.480 not Paul 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:39.160 Paul had never been 00:28:39.160 --> 00:28:39.920 to Colossae 00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:41.420 and now Epaphras 00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:42.240 for whatever reason 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:43.160 was with Paul 00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:44.779 and what was he doing 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:46.440 he was praying. 00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:48.259 We're told nothing 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:49.100 about Epaphras 00:28:49.100 --> 00:28:50.000 in this passage 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:52.440 apart from his prayers. 00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:53.940 He couldn't be 00:28:53.940 --> 00:28:54.640 with his church 00:28:54.640 --> 00:28:55.700 for whatever reason 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:57.300 but he hadn't forgotten it 00:28:57.300 --> 00:28:58.759 he was fervent 00:28:58.759 --> 00:29:00.080 in his prayers 00:29:00.080 --> 00:29:01.140 for it. 00:29:02.080 --> 00:29:02.980 And as Paul 00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:04.040 pointed out to us 00:29:04.040 --> 00:29:05.300 what great things 00:29:05.300 --> 00:29:05.759 it is 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:06.620 he's praying for 00:29:06.620 --> 00:29:07.920 he's wrestling in prayer 00:29:07.920 --> 00:29:09.420 can you see the work 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:10.320 and the effort 00:29:10.320 --> 00:29:11.580 that's in that 00:29:11.580 --> 00:29:12.620 he's praying 00:29:12.619 --> 00:29:13.659 you may stand firm 00:29:13.659 --> 00:29:14.679 in the will of God 00:29:14.679 --> 00:29:15.619 mature 00:29:15.619 --> 00:29:17.139 and fully 00:29:17.139 --> 00:29:18.179 assured. 00:29:19.619 --> 00:29:20.500 Isn't it wonderful 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:21.639 to have prayer 00:29:21.639 --> 00:29:22.459 warriors? 00:29:23.199 --> 00:29:24.199 There are some people 00:29:24.199 --> 00:29:24.859 in this church 00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:25.379 I know 00:29:25.379 --> 00:29:26.439 who are prayer 00:29:26.439 --> 00:29:27.239 warriors. 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:28.959 They may not appear 00:29:28.959 --> 00:29:29.799 to be active 00:29:29.799 --> 00:29:30.419 in the work 00:29:30.419 --> 00:29:30.939 of the church 00:29:30.939 --> 00:29:31.799 they're not up front 00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:33.059 like some of us 00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:34.519 they're not very visible 00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:36.279 but they pray 00:29:36.279 --> 00:29:37.500 and their prayers 00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.079 would be me 00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:39.179 and probably many others 00:29:39.179 --> 00:29:39.519 here 00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:40.439 to shame. 00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:42.100 they really 00:29:42.100 --> 00:29:42.960 get down 00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:43.600 to the work 00:29:43.600 --> 00:29:44.080 of prayer 00:29:44.080 --> 00:29:44.660 and for praying 00:29:44.660 --> 00:29:45.559 for God's people 00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:47.140 and for God's work 00:29:47.140 --> 00:29:47.980 in a way 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:49.000 that few of us 00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:49.640 do. 00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:51.559 Great if we were all 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:52.500 prayer warriors 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:53.380 like that. 00:29:53.799 --> 00:29:54.640 If we all 00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:55.539 had this deep 00:29:55.539 --> 00:29:56.539 desire to lay 00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:57.220 hold of God 00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:57.680 and to pray 00:29:57.680 --> 00:29:58.420 for one another 00:29:58.420 --> 00:29:59.740 and to constantly 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:00.200 pray 00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:01.740 and as Paul said 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.420 it's not just 00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:03.340 for those who are ill 00:30:03.340 --> 00:30:03.960 or those who are 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:05.059 doing special things 00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:06.820 it's for all of us 00:30:06.820 --> 00:30:08.140 that we may stand 00:30:08.140 --> 00:30:08.640 firm 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:09.780 that we may be 00:30:09.780 --> 00:30:10.280 mature 00:30:10.280 --> 00:30:11.560 and fully 00:30:11.560 --> 00:30:12.820 assured. 00:30:14.040 --> 00:30:14.860 Going towards the end 00:30:14.860 --> 00:30:15.960 Luke gets two-taked 00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:16.820 Luke is loved 00:30:16.820 --> 00:30:17.520 and I put him 00:30:17.520 --> 00:30:18.420 as a sport for Paul 00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:18.980 Luke I think 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:19.960 was Paul's doctor. 00:30:20.580 --> 00:30:21.340 Paul had some kind 00:30:21.340 --> 00:30:21.740 of problem 00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:22.540 probably a physical 00:30:22.540 --> 00:30:23.060 problem 00:30:23.060 --> 00:30:23.780 he described as 00:30:23.780 --> 00:30:25.100 as thorn in his flesh 00:30:25.100 --> 00:30:26.660 in 2 Corinthians 00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:28.040 and it looks as if 00:30:28.040 --> 00:30:28.780 Luke who travelled 00:30:28.780 --> 00:30:29.660 with Paul broadly 00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:30.200 from when he went 00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:30.940 to Philippi 00:30:30.940 --> 00:30:32.480 until the end 00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:33.759 it looks as if 00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:34.700 Luke was in a sense 00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:35.980 his personal physician 00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:37.200 he was playing his role 00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:38.380 in the team 00:30:38.380 --> 00:30:39.600 and he was someone 00:30:39.600 --> 00:30:40.940 Paul really loved 00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:42.200 and respected 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:44.779 as our dear friend 00:30:44.779 --> 00:30:45.319 and of course 00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:46.140 Luke was the author 00:30:46.140 --> 00:30:48.120 of the third gospel. 00:30:49.340 --> 00:30:49.940 Moving on quickly 00:30:49.940 --> 00:30:50.860 for the sake of time 00:30:50.860 --> 00:30:51.920 Demas 00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:53.279 Demas 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:54.240 notics 00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:56.140 nothing that Paul 00:30:56.140 --> 00:30:57.120 can say here 00:30:57.120 --> 00:30:58.799 about Demas 00:30:58.799 --> 00:31:00.519 he doesn't even say 00:31:00.519 --> 00:31:01.740 our dear friends 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:03.080 Luke and Demas 00:31:03.080 --> 00:31:04.500 he just says 00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:05.660 and Demas 00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.759 at the end 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.319 what do we know 00:31:07.319 --> 00:31:07.920 about Demas? 00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:08.619 Well we read him 00:31:08.619 --> 00:31:08.900 about him 00:31:08.900 --> 00:31:09.599 two other places 00:31:09.599 --> 00:31:10.440 in the New Testament 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:11.779 in Philemon 00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:12.299 probably written 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:12.940 at the same time 00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:13.279 as this 00:31:13.279 --> 00:31:13.839 he's described 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:14.799 as a fellow worker 00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:15.500 along with lots 00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:16.079 of others 00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:18.140 and then in 2 Timothy 00:31:18.140 --> 00:31:19.379 Paul says 00:31:19.379 --> 00:31:20.119 to Timothy 00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:22.420 Demas has forsaken me 00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:23.480 he loved 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:25.500 the present world 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:27.059 now quite what 00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:27.619 that means 00:31:27.619 --> 00:31:28.440 I'm not sure 00:31:28.440 --> 00:31:29.039 did it mean 00:31:29.039 --> 00:31:29.779 that Demas 00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:30.299 had gone off 00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:30.779 to the flesh 00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:31.619 parts of Rome 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:32.579 or did it mean 00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:33.220 that when he came 00:31:33.220 --> 00:31:33.940 to the crancher 00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:34.500 he was maybe having 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:35.500 to be martyred 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.119 for his faith 00:31:36.119 --> 00:31:37.119 Demas drew back 00:31:37.119 --> 00:31:38.220 we don't know 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:40.839 but in 2 Timothy 00:31:40.839 --> 00:31:42.059 there's a problem 00:31:42.059 --> 00:31:43.279 with Demas 00:31:43.279 --> 00:31:45.079 perhaps in Colossians 00:31:45.079 --> 00:31:45.740 there's a hint 00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:46.279 of a problem 00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:48.200 with Demas 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:49.240 Paul can find 00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:50.400 nothing good 00:31:50.400 --> 00:31:51.319 to say 00:31:51.319 --> 00:31:52.420 about him 00:31:52.420 --> 00:31:53.400 how sad it would be 00:31:53.400 --> 00:31:54.279 if there were some of us 00:31:54.279 --> 00:31:55.059 if someone was writing 00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:55.680 about the church 00:31:55.680 --> 00:31:56.359 at Brunsfield 00:31:56.359 --> 00:31:57.539 and they mentioned 00:31:57.539 --> 00:31:58.099 our name 00:31:58.099 --> 00:31:58.880 there would be 00:31:58.880 --> 00:31:59.839 nothing positive 00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:00.559 they could say 00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:01.119 about us 00:32:01.119 --> 00:32:01.759 no sign 00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:02.759 of God's grace 00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:03.720 no evidence 00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:04.579 of working hard 00:32:04.579 --> 00:32:05.539 for the Lord Jesus 00:32:05.539 --> 00:32:07.299 we're just here 00:32:07.299 --> 00:32:08.599 and maybe we're just 00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:09.259 hanging on 00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:09.879 and not that 00:32:09.879 --> 00:32:11.079 often here 00:32:11.079 --> 00:32:11.660 either 00:32:11.660 --> 00:32:12.799 let's not be like 00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:13.240 Demas 00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:14.920 let's seek to 00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:16.259 be wholehearted 00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:17.299 for Jesus 00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:19.299 and to work 00:32:19.299 --> 00:32:20.160 faithfully 00:32:20.160 --> 00:32:21.339 beside those 00:32:21.339 --> 00:32:22.420 in the church 00:32:22.420 --> 00:32:23.539 our time is rapidly 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:24.079 running out 00:32:24.079 --> 00:32:24.799 let me just talk 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:25.400 briefly about 00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:26.180 Team Colossae 00:32:26.180 --> 00:32:27.400 we have Nympha 00:32:27.400 --> 00:32:28.799 Nympha had a church 00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:29.720 in her house 00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:31.039 she probably wasn't 00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:31.900 the leader of the church 00:32:31.900 --> 00:32:32.600 knowing the way 00:32:32.600 --> 00:32:33.819 that Paul set up churches 00:32:33.819 --> 00:32:35.160 but she was the most 00:32:35.160 --> 00:32:36.019 important person 00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:36.559 in the church 00:32:36.559 --> 00:32:38.000 she provided the hospitality 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:39.600 she provided the encouragement 00:32:39.600 --> 00:32:40.819 the only woman 00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:41.940 mentioned in this chapter 00:32:41.940 --> 00:32:43.180 but clearly a woman 00:32:43.180 --> 00:32:44.220 of great substance 00:32:44.220 --> 00:32:45.779 both in physical terms 00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:46.720 which she had a house 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:47.799 the church could meet in 00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:49.240 but also spiritually 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:50.720 that she was the one 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:52.200 who'd provided 00:32:52.200 --> 00:32:53.180 the church facilities 00:32:53.180 --> 00:32:53.900 and know that was 00:32:53.900 --> 00:32:54.839 a great encouragement 00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:55.839 and strength 00:32:55.839 --> 00:32:56.759 within the church 00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:59.000 and Archippus 00:32:59.000 --> 00:33:00.160 Archippus is a man 00:33:00.160 --> 00:33:00.900 with a mission 00:33:00.900 --> 00:33:01.759 Paul says 00:33:01.759 --> 00:33:02.319 see to it 00:33:02.319 --> 00:33:03.059 that you complete 00:33:03.059 --> 00:33:03.799 the work you have 00:33:03.799 --> 00:33:05.339 received in the Lord 00:33:05.339 --> 00:33:06.420 possibly Archippus 00:33:06.420 --> 00:33:07.519 was Philemon's son 00:33:07.519 --> 00:33:08.720 we could gather that 00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:09.720 in the book of Philemon 00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:11.039 possibly he was 00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:11.900 fulfilling the road 00:33:11.900 --> 00:33:13.420 Epaphras previously had 00:33:13.420 --> 00:33:14.599 in leading the church 00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:15.259 in Colossae 00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:16.160 slightly speculative 00:33:16.160 --> 00:33:17.619 but there's some task 00:33:17.619 --> 00:33:18.339 that Paul 00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:19.420 is encouraging 00:33:19.420 --> 00:33:20.619 the church at Colossae 00:33:20.619 --> 00:33:22.640 to encourage Archippus 00:33:22.640 --> 00:33:23.259 in 00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:24.579 again good if we can 00:33:24.579 --> 00:33:25.519 encourage one another 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:26.539 in the work 00:33:26.539 --> 00:33:27.579 that God has given 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:29.119 us to do 00:33:29.119 --> 00:33:30.920 I've been through 00:33:30.920 --> 00:33:32.059 a lot fairly quickly 00:33:32.059 --> 00:33:32.500 there 00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:34.059 and let me just 00:33:34.059 --> 00:33:34.680 finish 00:33:34.680 --> 00:33:36.460 by thinking about 00:33:36.460 --> 00:33:37.920 what kind of people 00:33:37.920 --> 00:33:39.700 are we in the church 00:33:39.700 --> 00:33:41.700 what kind of a person 00:33:41.700 --> 00:33:43.039 am I 00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:44.700 so there are four groups 00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:45.839 of people which broadly 00:33:45.839 --> 00:33:47.480 tie in with the people 00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:47.980 we've met 00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:49.619 there are faithful servants 00:33:49.619 --> 00:33:51.399 there are the people 00:33:51.399 --> 00:33:52.500 like Tychicus 00:33:52.500 --> 00:33:54.180 or like Epaphras 00:33:54.180 --> 00:33:56.240 who are working hard 00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:56.920 for God 00:33:56.920 --> 00:33:57.759 who are faithful 00:33:57.759 --> 00:33:58.779 dependable 00:33:58.779 --> 00:33:59.519 loyal 00:33:59.519 --> 00:34:00.839 and you know 00:34:00.839 --> 00:34:02.059 that you can trust them 00:34:02.059 --> 00:34:04.160 to do God's work 00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:06.000 am I like that 00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:07.359 can people really 00:34:07.359 --> 00:34:08.420 depend on me 00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:09.340 as someone 00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:10.320 who is 00:34:10.320 --> 00:34:11.300 reliable 00:34:11.300 --> 00:34:12.699 in the service 00:34:12.699 --> 00:34:13.800 of the Lord 00:34:13.800 --> 00:34:15.360 there are prayer warriors 00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:16.000 I've mentioned that 00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:16.780 we have prayer warriors 00:34:16.780 --> 00:34:17.360 at Brunsfield 00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:18.480 great if more of us 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:19.260 could be that 00:34:19.260 --> 00:34:20.519 and could be really 00:34:20.519 --> 00:34:21.760 in prayer for each other 00:34:21.760 --> 00:34:23.920 and for God's work 00:34:23.920 --> 00:34:25.700 trophies of grace 00:34:25.700 --> 00:34:26.380 I'm thinking 00:34:26.380 --> 00:34:27.200 in this 00:34:27.200 --> 00:34:28.140 are Onesimus 00:34:28.140 --> 00:34:29.160 and Mark 00:34:29.160 --> 00:34:30.300 people who have 00:34:30.300 --> 00:34:31.240 gone wrong 00:34:31.240 --> 00:34:32.740 and God has worked 00:34:32.740 --> 00:34:33.620 in their lives 00:34:33.620 --> 00:34:34.560 and brought them 00:34:34.560 --> 00:34:35.120 to know 00:34:35.120 --> 00:34:36.380 and to follow 00:34:36.380 --> 00:34:37.140 Jesus 00:34:37.140 --> 00:34:39.400 in one sense 00:34:39.400 --> 00:34:40.020 all of us 00:34:40.020 --> 00:34:40.680 who know Jesus 00:34:40.680 --> 00:34:42.200 are trophies of grace 00:34:42.200 --> 00:34:42.980 none of us 00:34:42.980 --> 00:34:43.940 by ourselves 00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:45.100 have any great 00:34:45.100 --> 00:34:45.860 merit 00:34:45.860 --> 00:34:47.460 but great to be encouraged 00:34:47.460 --> 00:34:48.520 particularly by those 00:34:48.520 --> 00:34:49.320 who have recently 00:34:49.320 --> 00:34:49.880 come to know 00:34:49.880 --> 00:34:50.540 the Lord Jesus 00:34:50.540 --> 00:34:51.240 and the work 00:34:51.239 --> 00:34:52.079 that he has done 00:34:52.079 --> 00:34:53.259 in their lives 00:34:53.259 --> 00:34:54.239 and continues to do 00:34:54.239 --> 00:34:55.739 in all of our lives 00:34:55.739 --> 00:34:57.359 and perhaps for some 00:34:57.359 --> 00:34:58.219 we're not even 00:34:58.219 --> 00:34:59.679 at that point yet 00:34:59.679 --> 00:35:01.199 that we haven't actually 00:35:01.199 --> 00:35:02.019 come to the point 00:35:02.019 --> 00:35:03.059 of trusting in Jesus 00:35:03.059 --> 00:35:03.939 or recognizing 00:35:03.939 --> 00:35:05.179 his death on the cross 00:35:05.179 --> 00:35:05.739 for us 00:35:05.739 --> 00:35:06.759 and the forgiveness 00:35:06.759 --> 00:35:08.279 that that brings 00:35:08.279 --> 00:35:10.419 if you're in that position 00:35:10.419 --> 00:35:11.059 I urge you 00:35:11.059 --> 00:35:11.779 to consider 00:35:11.779 --> 00:35:12.979 what Jesus 00:35:12.979 --> 00:35:13.859 has done 00:35:13.859 --> 00:35:15.299 what he can do 00:35:15.299 --> 00:35:16.839 and what you need 00:35:16.839 --> 00:35:17.819 from him 00:35:17.820 --> 00:35:19.059 and you too 00:35:19.059 --> 00:35:20.120 can be one of these 00:35:20.120 --> 00:35:20.960 trophies 00:35:20.960 --> 00:35:22.180 of grace 00:35:22.180 --> 00:35:23.760 and let's make sure 00:35:23.760 --> 00:35:24.680 we're not like Demas 00:35:24.680 --> 00:35:25.200 I've called him 00:35:25.200 --> 00:35:25.780 a hanger on 00:35:25.780 --> 00:35:26.960 maybe slightly unfair 00:35:26.960 --> 00:35:27.360 on him 00:35:27.360 --> 00:35:28.760 but you do get people 00:35:28.760 --> 00:35:29.260 in churches 00:35:29.260 --> 00:35:30.180 that are hangers on 00:35:30.180 --> 00:35:30.660 they're there 00:35:30.660 --> 00:35:31.519 irregularly 00:35:31.519 --> 00:35:32.360 they don't really 00:35:32.360 --> 00:35:33.000 get involved 00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:33.720 in things 00:35:33.720 --> 00:35:34.880 and they're not 00:35:34.880 --> 00:35:35.320 growing 00:35:35.320 --> 00:35:36.519 in their faith 00:35:36.519 --> 00:35:37.600 let's make sure 00:35:37.600 --> 00:35:38.140 none of us 00:35:38.140 --> 00:35:38.860 are like that 00:35:38.860 --> 00:35:40.059 that we are committed 00:35:40.059 --> 00:35:41.019 to the Lord Jesus 00:35:41.019 --> 00:35:41.680 that we want 00:35:41.680 --> 00:35:42.440 to follow him 00:35:42.440 --> 00:35:43.519 and to grow 00:35:43.519 --> 00:35:44.700 and to live 00:35:44.700 --> 00:35:45.720 for him 00:35:45.720 --> 00:35:48.079 I'm sorry 00:35:48.079 --> 00:35:48.860 I've taken a bit longer 00:35:48.860 --> 00:35:49.679 than I probably should have 00:35:49.679 --> 00:35:50.940 but let's pray together 00:35:50.940 --> 00:35:52.200 now to finish 00:35:52.200 --> 00:35:53.940 Our Father 00:35:53.940 --> 00:35:54.420 we thank you 00:35:54.420 --> 00:35:54.920 for your word 00:35:54.920 --> 00:35:55.639 to us this morning 00:35:55.639 --> 00:35:56.240 we thank you 00:35:56.240 --> 00:35:57.280 for these people 00:35:57.280 --> 00:35:58.519 who Paul brings 00:35:58.519 --> 00:35:59.340 before us 00:35:59.340 --> 00:36:00.519 in some ways 00:36:00.519 --> 00:36:01.179 just names 00:36:01.179 --> 00:36:02.380 from a long time ago 00:36:02.380 --> 00:36:03.619 but in other ways 00:36:03.619 --> 00:36:04.320 people we can 00:36:04.320 --> 00:36:05.679 really identify with 00:36:05.679 --> 00:36:06.980 and who have so much 00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:08.159 to teach us today 00:36:08.159 --> 00:36:10.059 we pray that all of us 00:36:10.059 --> 00:36:10.920 may be trophies 00:36:10.920 --> 00:36:11.400 of grace 00:36:11.400 --> 00:36:12.160 that we may know 00:36:12.160 --> 00:36:12.840 your grace 00:36:12.840 --> 00:36:13.599 in our lives 00:36:13.599 --> 00:36:14.619 that we may have 00:36:14.619 --> 00:36:15.300 a relationship 00:36:15.300 --> 00:36:16.380 with the Lord Jesus 00:36:16.380 --> 00:36:18.119 as our saviour 00:36:18.119 --> 00:36:19.039 as the one 00:36:19.039 --> 00:36:20.139 who died for us 00:36:20.139 --> 00:36:21.200 we pray that you 00:36:21.200 --> 00:36:21.800 will help us 00:36:21.800 --> 00:36:22.599 to be faithful 00:36:22.599 --> 00:36:23.720 to be servants 00:36:23.720 --> 00:36:24.619 of the Lord Jesus 00:36:24.619 --> 00:36:25.900 and to live for him 00:36:25.900 --> 00:36:27.480 help us in our prayer life 00:36:27.480 --> 00:36:28.579 that it may be real 00:36:28.579 --> 00:36:30.639 and it may be fervent 00:36:30.639 --> 00:36:31.960 that we may wrestle 00:36:31.960 --> 00:36:32.480 in prayer 00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:33.200 that we may be 00:36:33.200 --> 00:36:34.079 prayer warriors 00:36:34.079 --> 00:36:35.559 and help us 00:36:35.559 --> 00:36:36.260 to avoid 00:36:36.260 --> 00:36:38.099 becoming hangers on 00:36:38.099 --> 00:36:39.280 to becoming 00:36:39.280 --> 00:36:40.180 becoming those 00:36:40.180 --> 00:36:40.740 about whom 00:36:40.739 --> 00:36:41.619 there is nothing 00:36:41.619 --> 00:36:42.519 that could be said 00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:43.159 positively 00:36:43.159 --> 00:36:44.959 about our Christian life 00:36:44.959 --> 00:36:46.419 keep that flame 00:36:46.419 --> 00:36:46.919 of love 00:36:46.919 --> 00:36:47.679 in our hearts 00:36:47.679 --> 00:36:48.359 and help us 00:36:48.359 --> 00:36:49.259 to follow Jesus 00:36:49.259 --> 00:36:49.959 faithfully 00:36:49.959 --> 00:36:51.359 and to serve him 00:36:51.359 --> 00:36:52.259 we thank you 00:36:52.259 --> 00:36:53.000 for our time together 00:36:53.000 --> 00:36:53.519 we thank you 00:36:53.519 --> 00:36:54.119 for our worship 00:36:54.119 --> 00:36:55.579 and we commit ourselves 00:36:55.579 --> 00:36:56.199 to you now 00:36:56.199 --> 00:36:56.959 in the name 00:36:56.959 --> 00:36:57.779 of the Lord Jesus 00:36:57.779 --> 00:36:58.859 Amen