WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:23.400 Good morning everyone, it's nice to see you today. 00:00:24.660 --> 00:00:25.980 Chilly one, isn't it? 00:00:26.699 --> 00:00:28.280 Yeah, a few nods. 00:00:28.280 --> 00:00:33.240 Feel free to do ten star jumps while I get myself organised. 00:00:34.219 --> 00:00:36.179 Always a good way to get warmed up. 00:00:50.740 --> 00:00:54.060 So let's turn in our Bibles to Colossians. 00:00:54.060 --> 00:01:02.719 Colossians chapter 4, we're at the end of our studies. 00:01:02.820 --> 00:01:07.020 We've gone all the way through and if you've missed any of those talks, 00:01:07.579 --> 00:01:11.620 then you can follow up online. 00:01:13.599 --> 00:01:15.520 It would be a good way to catch up. 00:01:15.519 --> 00:01:23.280 So we're going to read this morning chapter 4, verses 7 through to 18. 00:01:23.280 --> 00:01:42.900 Starting at verse 7. 00:01:42.900 --> 00:01:48.719 Chichicus will tell you all the news about me. 00:01:49.440 --> 00:01:54.680 He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 00:01:55.740 --> 00:02:02.040 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances 00:02:02.040 --> 00:02:05.180 and that he may encourage your hearts. 00:02:05.180 --> 00:02:12.640 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother who is one of you. 00:02:13.400 --> 00:02:16.879 They will tell you everything that is happening here. 00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:26.139 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. 00:02:26.960 --> 00:02:29.479 You have received instructions about him. 00:02:30.259 --> 00:02:33.079 If he comes to you, welcome him. 00:02:34.519 --> 00:02:38.659 Jesus, who is also called Justice, also sends greetings. 00:02:38.659 --> 00:02:43.960 These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, 00:02:44.400 --> 00:02:47.340 and they have proved a comfort to me. 00:02:49.019 --> 00:02:54.680 Epaphras, who is one of you, and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. 00:02:55.680 --> 00:02:58.099 He is always wrestling in prayer for you, 00:02:58.500 --> 00:03:04.019 that you may stand firm in the will of God, mature and fully assured. 00:03:04.020 --> 00:03:09.480 I vowed for him, that he is working hard for you, 00:03:10.080 --> 00:03:13.540 and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 00:03:14.640 --> 00:03:19.880 Our dear friend, Luke, the doctor and Demas send greetings. 00:03:21.020 --> 00:03:24.640 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, 00:03:25.100 --> 00:03:28.620 and to Nympha and the church that meet in her house. 00:03:29.980 --> 00:03:32.500 After this letter has been read to you, 00:03:32.500 --> 00:03:36.680 see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, 00:03:37.539 --> 00:03:40.800 and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. 00:03:42.080 --> 00:03:43.379 Tell Archippus, 00:03:44.300 --> 00:03:49.280 see to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord. 00:03:50.599 --> 00:03:55.379 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. 00:03:56.539 --> 00:03:57.960 Remember my chains. 00:03:59.420 --> 00:04:01.060 Grace be with you. 00:04:02.500 --> 00:04:03.960 Well, let's pray. 00:04:12.460 --> 00:04:19.100 Father God, we thank you for this letter that we've been able to study together and read. 00:04:20.279 --> 00:04:23.540 A letter which is no ordinary letter, 00:04:24.540 --> 00:04:27.420 but your word to us today. 00:04:27.420 --> 00:04:31.720 And so we ask that by your spirit, 00:04:32.379 --> 00:04:38.080 you would help us in our understanding of your word, 00:04:39.080 --> 00:04:41.540 in applying it to our lives, 00:04:41.960 --> 00:04:46.660 and that you will enable us to live by its truth, 00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:49.160 so that we become everything, 00:04:49.160 --> 00:04:52.680 that you call us to be as your people individually, 00:04:53.340 --> 00:04:55.700 and together as a church. 00:04:56.460 --> 00:04:59.080 So help us now, we ask in Jesus' name. 00:04:59.760 --> 00:05:00.200 Amen. 00:05:00.199 --> 00:05:11.560 Well, it's not the most exciting text in the whole Bible, is it? 00:05:12.279 --> 00:05:16.980 Just a list of funny names and various greetings. 00:05:18.279 --> 00:05:21.339 At best, we might look at it all and think, 00:05:21.339 --> 00:05:25.639 maybe I could find a name here for my new child. 00:05:26.799 --> 00:05:28.959 How about Tychicus, dear? 00:05:29.959 --> 00:05:32.339 Well, no, that sounds like a disease. 00:05:32.819 --> 00:05:34.579 What about Aristarchus? 00:05:35.299 --> 00:05:37.339 No, that's far too hard to spell. 00:05:37.459 --> 00:05:39.019 Let's just go for Luke. 00:05:39.019 --> 00:05:43.680 Clearly, there's not much here, so let's move on. 00:05:44.539 --> 00:05:45.719 But not so quick. 00:05:46.259 --> 00:05:48.919 All these names that are written here 00:05:48.919 --> 00:05:52.560 give us an insight into the Christian community. 00:05:53.560 --> 00:05:55.779 You see, when God saves us, 00:05:56.639 --> 00:05:59.500 he saves us not just personally, 00:06:00.439 --> 00:06:04.259 but he saves us into a local church family. 00:06:04.259 --> 00:06:10.139 And with that connects us to the global church family. 00:06:11.159 --> 00:06:13.879 So look at all these various greetings 00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:15.899 that we have here and comments. 00:06:16.399 --> 00:06:17.199 Look at verse 7. 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:21.219 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. 00:06:22.139 --> 00:06:23.199 End of verse 9. 00:06:24.360 --> 00:06:27.699 They will tell you everything that is happening here. 00:06:28.819 --> 00:06:30.039 Verse 12. 00:06:30.040 --> 00:06:34.300 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, 00:06:34.860 --> 00:06:37.020 sends his greetings to you. 00:06:38.360 --> 00:06:39.819 Verse 14. 00:06:40.220 --> 00:06:43.140 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas, 00:06:43.460 --> 00:06:44.879 they send greetings. 00:06:45.960 --> 00:06:49.200 And give my greetings to the brothers and sisters 00:06:49.200 --> 00:06:52.580 at Laodicea, the church just up the road, 00:06:52.580 --> 00:06:56.460 and Nympha, where the church was meeting in her house. 00:06:56.459 --> 00:07:01.120 But it wasn't just these personal greetings one to another. 00:07:01.519 --> 00:07:03.519 It was something bigger and wider. 00:07:03.739 --> 00:07:06.099 It was a church-to-church greeting. 00:07:06.699 --> 00:07:07.859 So look at verse 16. 00:07:08.259 --> 00:07:10.680 After this letter, the letter to the Colossians, 00:07:10.779 --> 00:07:11.899 has been read to you, 00:07:12.699 --> 00:07:16.699 see that it's also read in the church at the Laodiceans. 00:07:16.839 --> 00:07:20.639 So 50 kilometers up the road in Laodicea 00:07:20.639 --> 00:07:21.539 was another church. 00:07:21.740 --> 00:07:23.759 And, well, the church in Colossians, 00:07:23.759 --> 00:07:26.219 well, they would send the letter to them 00:07:26.219 --> 00:07:27.959 and they in turn would read the letter 00:07:27.959 --> 00:07:29.719 that was sent to Laodicea. 00:07:30.680 --> 00:07:34.659 You see, all these greetings back and forth 00:07:34.659 --> 00:07:39.139 reveal a grand big family of God's people 00:07:39.139 --> 00:07:43.079 who deeply love one another. 00:07:44.420 --> 00:07:47.339 For Christians are not isolated individuals 00:07:47.339 --> 00:07:50.000 choosing and doing their own thing. 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:55.459 And gospel churches don't live in independence either. 00:07:56.160 --> 00:07:59.899 We are, if we want a summary for this whole text, 00:08:00.360 --> 00:08:02.500 look at the middle of verse 11. 00:08:05.660 --> 00:08:06.800 He says, 00:08:06.939 --> 00:08:12.019 My fellow workers for the kingdom of God. 00:08:12.600 --> 00:08:16.079 That's a great way for us to view and see each other 00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:17.939 as we gather this morning. 00:08:17.939 --> 00:08:20.139 Not as individuals who've come 00:08:20.139 --> 00:08:22.219 and will just disappear into the week. 00:08:22.859 --> 00:08:25.139 No, we are fellow workers 00:08:25.139 --> 00:08:29.000 for the kingdom of God. 00:08:29.979 --> 00:08:32.960 So what can we learn together this morning 00:08:32.960 --> 00:08:35.159 from all these people? 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:37.819 Some we know very little about 00:08:37.819 --> 00:08:39.259 other than their names. 00:08:40.419 --> 00:08:43.659 Well, using that summary text there, 00:08:43.659 --> 00:08:46.000 my fellow workers for the kingdom of God. 00:08:46.659 --> 00:08:50.000 Let's look at it first as our fellow workers. 00:08:52.019 --> 00:08:54.919 There's no independent Christian 00:08:54.919 --> 00:08:57.559 in Christ's church. 00:08:58.159 --> 00:08:59.639 We're fellow workers. 00:09:00.959 --> 00:09:04.319 We are diverse in our background, 00:09:04.879 --> 00:09:08.579 but we're equal and we are united. 00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:11.860 First, look at our diversity. 00:09:13.300 --> 00:09:15.460 The names may seem strange to us, 00:09:15.560 --> 00:09:19.100 but they do indicate a great variety of people. 00:09:19.259 --> 00:09:21.740 We have Tychicus, Aristarchus, 00:09:22.379 --> 00:09:24.080 Jesus, who is called Justice. 00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:26.300 These were all Jewish names. 00:09:27.259 --> 00:09:30.920 And then we have Epaphras, Luke and Demas. 00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:32.620 Well, they were Greek names, 00:09:32.759 --> 00:09:34.460 so there was different cultures, 00:09:35.080 --> 00:09:36.900 there was different religious backgrounds, 00:09:36.899 --> 00:09:40.899 there were men and women like Mark and Nympha. 00:09:41.860 --> 00:09:43.220 And then in verse 9, 00:09:43.379 --> 00:09:44.899 we have this character Onesimus, 00:09:45.720 --> 00:09:47.639 who we'll discover in just a minute 00:09:47.639 --> 00:09:48.899 was a runaway slave. 00:09:50.059 --> 00:09:51.360 And then in verse 14, 00:09:51.500 --> 00:09:53.000 we have Luke, 00:09:53.779 --> 00:09:55.559 who was a doctor, 00:09:56.500 --> 00:09:57.919 a respected person. 00:09:58.100 --> 00:10:01.120 So there's a rich diversity of people, 00:10:01.179 --> 00:10:01.639 isn't there? 00:10:01.939 --> 00:10:03.559 Socially, nationally, 00:10:03.860 --> 00:10:05.159 religiously, economically, 00:10:05.159 --> 00:10:08.799 from all kinds of different backgrounds. 00:10:10.240 --> 00:10:11.519 You see, this tells us 00:10:11.519 --> 00:10:15.639 that the Gospel is for all people. 00:10:16.539 --> 00:10:18.759 No matter what background we come from, 00:10:19.039 --> 00:10:21.419 we are all in need of Christ. 00:10:22.199 --> 00:10:24.419 We were born separated from God, 00:10:24.419 --> 00:10:27.259 and we need to be reconciled to God. 00:10:28.179 --> 00:10:29.339 So it doesn't matter 00:10:29.339 --> 00:10:31.699 whether we see ourselves nationally 00:10:31.699 --> 00:10:33.419 as Irish or English 00:10:33.419 --> 00:10:35.399 or Hindu or Muslim. 00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:38.500 It doesn't matter if people identify themselves 00:10:38.500 --> 00:10:40.360 as gay or straight 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:42.039 or man or woman. 00:10:42.519 --> 00:10:45.879 Whatever people's background might be, 00:10:45.879 --> 00:10:47.860 we, all of us, 00:10:48.419 --> 00:10:51.340 need to turn in repentance 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:54.299 to the one true God, 00:10:54.659 --> 00:10:56.340 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:10:56.480 --> 00:10:58.039 and live our life 00:10:58.039 --> 00:10:59.799 under his rule 00:10:59.799 --> 00:11:01.200 and his authority. 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:03.639 So we are a diverse people 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:05.259 in our background. 00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:07.899 But we are also, 00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:10.960 if we are trusting in Christ, 00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:13.539 we are also a people 00:11:13.539 --> 00:11:16.279 who are equal in Christ. 00:11:17.559 --> 00:11:18.740 Look at verse 7. 00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:23.179 Tychicus will tell you 00:11:23.179 --> 00:11:24.500 all the news about me. 00:11:24.899 --> 00:11:26.439 He is a dear brother, 00:11:27.659 --> 00:11:29.159 a faithful minister, 00:11:30.200 --> 00:11:31.600 and fellow servant 00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:34.440 in the Lord. 00:11:35.800 --> 00:11:37.680 He is in the Lord. 00:11:37.800 --> 00:11:40.279 That means he is trusting in Christ. 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:41.800 He is in Christ. 00:11:41.899 --> 00:11:44.600 He's become united to Christ 00:11:44.600 --> 00:11:47.000 through his faith in Christ. 00:11:48.300 --> 00:11:50.200 But it's not just Tychicus. 00:11:51.159 --> 00:11:53.460 Look who else is included. 00:11:54.460 --> 00:11:55.139 Verse 9. 00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:58.399 He, that's Tychicus, 00:11:58.519 --> 00:12:01.060 is coming with Onesimus, 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:03.840 our faithful and dear brother, 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:05.379 who is one of you. 00:12:06.399 --> 00:12:08.379 Now, not much is said 00:12:08.379 --> 00:12:10.779 of Onesimus in this letter, 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:13.159 but if we go to another letter 00:12:13.159 --> 00:12:14.580 called Philemon, 00:12:15.080 --> 00:12:16.159 so if you jump on 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:17.200 a couple of pages, 00:12:17.460 --> 00:12:20.340 we get 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:22.740 then 1 and 2 Timothy, 00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:24.040 then Titus, 00:12:24.540 --> 00:12:26.920 and then we arrive at Philemon. 00:12:26.920 --> 00:12:27.000 Philemon. 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:34.860 We know a whole lot more 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:36.379 about this character, 00:12:36.559 --> 00:12:37.399 Onesimus, 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:38.580 from this letter 00:12:38.580 --> 00:12:41.179 to a man called Philemon. 00:12:42.340 --> 00:12:44.240 Onesimus was a slave 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:45.899 who had run away 00:12:45.899 --> 00:12:47.840 from his master, Philemon. 00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:49.580 And under Roman law, 00:12:50.299 --> 00:12:51.779 running away from your master 00:12:51.779 --> 00:12:53.659 was punishable by death. 00:12:53.659 --> 00:12:56.179 But in God's goodness, 00:12:56.719 --> 00:12:58.559 it seems that Onesimus 00:12:58.559 --> 00:13:00.439 has met Paul. 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:04.339 And he has come to know Paul, 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:05.519 but more than that, 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:07.419 he's become a Christian. 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:11.219 So look at what Paul says about him 00:13:11.219 --> 00:13:14.120 in verse 10 of Philemon. 00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:20.159 He's writing to Onesimus' master. 00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:21.940 He says, 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:23.460 I appeal to you 00:13:23.460 --> 00:13:26.120 for my son Onesimus, 00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:28.799 who became my son 00:13:28.799 --> 00:13:31.240 while I was in chains. 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:33.399 So maybe Onesimus 00:13:33.399 --> 00:13:34.539 had been up to no good 00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:35.799 wherever he'd run to, 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:37.200 and he had ended up 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:38.159 in prison as well, 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:40.120 and Paul shared the gospel 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:40.560 with him, 00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:41.700 and he became a Christian. 00:13:42.759 --> 00:13:43.680 Verse 12, 00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:45.700 Paul says, 00:13:45.779 --> 00:13:47.220 I am sending him, 00:13:47.340 --> 00:13:48.919 who is my very heart, 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:50.580 back to you. 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:52.639 Verse 16, 00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:56.200 no longer as a slave, 00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:58.659 but better than a slave, 00:13:59.159 --> 00:14:00.840 as a dear brother. 00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:03.820 He is very dear to me, 00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:05.480 but even dearer to you, 00:14:05.799 --> 00:14:07.179 both as a fellow man 00:14:07.179 --> 00:14:09.560 and as a brother in the Lord. 00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:12.979 So if you consider me a partner, 00:14:13.939 --> 00:14:14.819 welcome him 00:14:14.819 --> 00:14:17.939 as you would welcome me. 00:14:19.199 --> 00:14:19.579 You see, 00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:22.079 as far as society was concerned, 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:24.679 Onesimus was of low life, 00:14:25.079 --> 00:14:26.199 worthy of death, 00:14:27.199 --> 00:14:28.859 and Philemon would have been 00:14:28.859 --> 00:14:30.659 considered of high regard 00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:32.659 and worthy of great respect, 00:14:32.659 --> 00:14:33.959 but Paul says, 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:34.399 no. 00:14:35.939 --> 00:14:37.219 Don't view yourselves 00:14:37.219 --> 00:14:39.059 as people see you. 00:14:39.819 --> 00:14:40.759 View yourselves 00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:42.740 as Christ see you. 00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:44.779 You're Christians. 00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:47.120 You are equal. 00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:49.100 You are brothers 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:50.559 in the Lord. 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:52.879 There's no inferiority 00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:54.039 or superiority 00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:55.779 in the family 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:57.059 of God's church. 00:14:57.059 --> 00:14:59.599 Let's go back 00:14:59.599 --> 00:15:00.919 to Colossians. 00:15:02.299 --> 00:15:03.839 So as Paul writes 00:15:03.839 --> 00:15:04.659 to the church 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:05.500 in Colossae, 00:15:06.059 --> 00:15:07.119 he's reminding them 00:15:07.119 --> 00:15:08.379 that Onesimus 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:10.339 isn't to be treated 00:15:10.339 --> 00:15:11.599 any differently. 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:13.179 When he returns, 00:15:13.339 --> 00:15:13.919 he says, 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:15.319 in verse 11 00:15:15.319 --> 00:15:16.899 or verse 9, 00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:20.279 he is a dear brother 00:15:20.279 --> 00:15:21.699 who is one of you. 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:23.839 Treat him like a brother 00:15:23.839 --> 00:15:25.979 or sister in Christ. 00:15:27.059 --> 00:15:29.059 They are equal 00:15:29.059 --> 00:15:30.219 together. 00:15:31.219 --> 00:15:32.659 So there's a diversity. 00:15:33.199 --> 00:15:33.979 Oh no, sorry. 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:35.239 I've got to keep going. 00:15:36.039 --> 00:15:37.279 Under equality. 00:15:38.339 --> 00:15:39.739 We see the same 00:15:39.739 --> 00:15:41.019 as well with Mark. 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:42.919 Have a look at verse 10. 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:46.699 My fellow prisoner, 00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:47.659 Aristarchus, 00:15:47.719 --> 00:15:48.979 sends you his greetings, 00:15:49.699 --> 00:15:51.039 as does Mark, 00:15:51.659 --> 00:15:53.159 the cousin of Barnabas. 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:55.099 You've received 00:15:55.099 --> 00:15:56.599 instructions about him. 00:15:57.059 --> 00:15:58.599 If he comes to you, 00:15:59.419 --> 00:16:00.119 welcome him. 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:01.759 Now, 00:16:02.219 --> 00:16:03.679 for a lot of these, 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:04.879 we just get names, 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:05.379 don't we? 00:16:05.439 --> 00:16:06.659 But Mark is kind of 00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:07.339 singled out 00:16:07.339 --> 00:16:08.399 and there's a special 00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:09.299 instruction 00:16:09.299 --> 00:16:11.479 tied to Mark 00:16:11.479 --> 00:16:13.119 that when he comes, 00:16:13.919 --> 00:16:15.239 you are to welcome him. 00:16:16.099 --> 00:16:17.419 But why has he been 00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:18.159 singled out? 00:16:18.599 --> 00:16:18.879 Well, 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:19.719 all the way back 00:16:19.719 --> 00:16:20.839 in Acts 15, 00:16:20.959 --> 00:16:21.579 there's no need 00:16:21.579 --> 00:16:22.559 to turn to it, 00:16:22.559 --> 00:16:23.559 but in Acts 15, 00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:24.799 we learn that Mark 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:26.199 had literally 00:16:26.199 --> 00:16:27.899 abandoned Paul 00:16:27.899 --> 00:16:28.879 on one of his trips. 00:16:29.459 --> 00:16:30.259 Paul had taken 00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:31.259 a young Mark 00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:32.500 on his first 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.439 missionary trip, 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:35.039 but halfway through, 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:36.939 Mark had bunked off. 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:38.479 He had run away 00:16:38.479 --> 00:16:39.659 and abandoned Paul 00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:40.179 in the work 00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:41.039 that he was doing 00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:42.000 and there was a 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:42.619 falling out 00:16:42.619 --> 00:16:43.359 between them. 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:45.039 Obviously, 00:16:45.180 --> 00:16:45.620 they'd been 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:47.039 reconciled together 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:49.480 and Paul saw Mark 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:51.740 now as a fellow worker 00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:53.200 and he wants 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:54.639 to remind the church 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:55.960 that look, 00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:57.300 we as Christians, 00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:58.960 we can fail each other, 00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:00.759 but when we fail 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:01.279 each other, 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:01.940 it doesn't mean 00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:02.720 that we write 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:03.980 each other off. 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:05.200 No, 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:06.839 we forgive one another. 00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:08.680 We support 00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:09.360 one another. 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:09.960 So, 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:11.360 we have this instruction 00:17:11.360 --> 00:17:13.000 that if Mark arrives, 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:14.000 and he comes 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:14.859 to the church, 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:16.859 don't hold him 00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:17.759 at arm's length 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:18.579 and look at him 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:19.299 as a failure. 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:21.619 Welcome him 00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:23.119 as your brother. 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:25.000 You see, 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:25.579 this is what 00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:27.319 the gospel does. 00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:28.420 The gospel 00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:29.660 levels 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:30.660 everyone. 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:32.640 It doesn't matter 00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:33.619 our background. 00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:34.940 It doesn't matter 00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:35.799 our failures 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:37.640 or what's gone on. 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.440 It humbles 00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:39.039 the proud 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:40.460 and it lifts up 00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:41.059 the broken. 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.519 It makes us 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:43.339 equal 00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:44.599 in Christ. 00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:46.460 There's no 00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:47.740 inferiority 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:48.920 and there is 00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:50.339 no superiority. 00:17:51.599 --> 00:17:52.119 Have a look 00:17:52.119 --> 00:17:52.920 at chapter 3 00:17:52.920 --> 00:17:53.740 verse 11. 00:17:58.299 --> 00:17:59.240 Chapter 3 00:17:59.240 --> 00:17:59.879 verse 11 00:17:59.879 --> 00:18:00.619 as he's talking 00:18:00.619 --> 00:18:01.420 about the church 00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:01.879 he says, 00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:02.200 look, 00:18:02.660 --> 00:18:03.359 there's no 00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:04.559 Gentile or Jew. 00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:05.680 It doesn't matter 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:06.339 your religious 00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:06.960 background. 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:08.799 Circumcised 00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:09.519 or uncircumcised. 00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:10.359 Circumcised. 00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:11.500 Whether you're 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:12.339 barbarian 00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:13.480 or Scythian, 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.160 it doesn't matter 00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:15.480 your social class 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:16.960 or your culture, 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:18.519 slave 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:19.539 or free, 00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:20.359 whatever your 00:18:20.359 --> 00:18:21.920 economic situation 00:18:21.920 --> 00:18:22.639 is. 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:24.420 None of those 00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:25.200 things matter. 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:27.180 But Christ 00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:28.059 is all 00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:29.619 and is 00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:30.619 in all. 00:18:31.619 --> 00:18:32.400 So we have 00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:33.200 an equality 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:34.639 that come, 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:35.660 or equality, 00:18:35.660 --> 00:18:36.779 gosh, 00:18:36.860 --> 00:18:37.120 I'm getting 00:18:37.120 --> 00:18:37.680 my words 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:38.360 all mixed up, 00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:38.779 aren't we? 00:18:39.040 --> 00:18:39.860 We're equal 00:18:39.860 --> 00:18:40.960 in Christ 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:41.480 and that's 00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:41.980 a better way 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:42.519 to put it. 00:18:42.900 --> 00:18:43.540 We're equal 00:18:43.540 --> 00:18:44.080 in Christ. 00:18:44.200 --> 00:18:44.500 There's a 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:45.140 diversity 00:18:45.140 --> 00:18:46.720 and there's 00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:47.460 an equality. 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:49.440 But also 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:50.700 there's a 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:51.160 unity. 00:18:52.340 --> 00:18:53.340 We're united 00:18:53.340 --> 00:18:54.980 in purpose. 00:18:56.380 --> 00:18:57.100 Look at how 00:18:57.100 --> 00:18:57.820 these people 00:18:57.820 --> 00:18:58.880 are identified 00:18:58.880 --> 00:18:59.980 in verse 7. 00:19:01.180 --> 00:19:01.580 Tychicus 00:19:01.580 --> 00:19:02.259 is known 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:02.759 as a 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.620 fellow servant. 00:19:03.619 --> 00:19:05.659 In verse 10 00:19:05.659 --> 00:19:06.179 we meet 00:19:06.179 --> 00:19:07.099 Aristarchus 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:09.019 who's described 00:19:09.019 --> 00:19:09.519 as a 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.559 fellow prisoner. 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:13.019 And Mark 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:13.679 and Justice 00:19:13.679 --> 00:19:14.759 in verse 11 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.879 are referred 00:19:15.879 --> 00:19:16.359 to as 00:19:16.359 --> 00:19:16.799 fellow 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:17.859 workers. 00:19:19.639 --> 00:19:19.879 Yeah, 00:19:19.939 --> 00:19:20.859 they may 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:21.579 have different 00:19:21.579 --> 00:19:22.099 jobs 00:19:22.099 --> 00:19:22.719 and different 00:19:22.719 --> 00:19:23.299 backgrounds 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:24.339 but they're 00:19:24.339 --> 00:19:25.339 all united 00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:25.899 in this 00:19:25.899 --> 00:19:27.019 common purpose. 00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:27.839 They are 00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:28.559 fellow 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:29.719 workers. 00:19:29.939 --> 00:19:30.079 They're 00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:30.779 partners 00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:31.319 in the 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:31.739 gospel. 00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:33.059 And they're 00:19:33.059 --> 00:19:33.539 ultimate 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.240 goal and 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:34.700 desire 00:19:34.700 --> 00:19:35.119 is to 00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:35.599 see that 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:36.220 the gospel 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:37.279 would bear 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:37.899 fruit and 00:19:37.899 --> 00:19:38.539 would grow 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:40.139 both locally 00:19:40.139 --> 00:19:41.440 and globally. 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.240 They understand 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:43.799 that their 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:44.940 calling together 00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:46.240 is to make 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:47.220 the gospel 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.740 known. 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:49.679 You see, 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:50.240 all these 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:50.919 names 00:19:50.919 --> 00:19:52.039 give us 00:19:52.039 --> 00:19:52.720 a picture 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:53.899 of the 00:19:53.899 --> 00:19:54.339 Christian 00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:55.059 community. 00:19:56.639 --> 00:19:57.099 And it's 00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:57.599 how we 00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:58.099 should see 00:19:58.099 --> 00:19:58.779 ourselves 00:19:58.779 --> 00:19:59.460 in the 00:19:59.460 --> 00:19:59.839 life of 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:00.460 this church. 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:00.500 church. 00:20:00.620 --> 00:20:01.079 If you 00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:01.480 have your 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:01.940 term 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:02.700 program 00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:03.259 with you 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:03.539 there 00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:03.880 and your 00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:04.180 seats, 00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:04.480 if you 00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:04.900 happen to 00:20:04.900 --> 00:20:05.319 have it, 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:06.019 have a 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:06.559 look there. 00:20:07.160 --> 00:20:07.579 I think 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:08.360 it's on 00:20:08.360 --> 00:20:09.500 the back 00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:10.000 of it 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:10.259 there. 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:10.840 You'll 00:20:10.840 --> 00:20:11.600 read this. 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:14.880 We are 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:15.680 a diverse 00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:16.380 group of 00:20:16.380 --> 00:20:16.980 people of 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:17.319 many 00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:18.019 backgrounds, 00:20:18.880 --> 00:20:19.279 ages, 00:20:20.100 --> 00:20:20.279 and 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:21.360 nationalities, 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:22.600 united 00:20:22.600 --> 00:20:23.340 through our 00:20:23.340 --> 00:20:23.860 common 00:20:23.860 --> 00:20:24.799 faith in 00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:25.779 Jesus Christ. 00:20:26.840 --> 00:20:27.519 Church is 00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:28.079 the people, 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.599 not the 00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:30.059 building. 00:20:30.940 --> 00:20:31.559 And God's 00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:32.259 people are 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:33.000 a family, 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:34.319 brothers and 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:35.500 sisters united 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.299 in Christ. 00:20:37.099 --> 00:20:37.599 As a 00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:38.200 family we 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:38.980 are centred 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:39.700 on Christ 00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:41.500 and serve 00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:42.839 the community. 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:44.259 So, 00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:44.759 you see, 00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:46.139 we're seeking 00:20:46.139 --> 00:20:46.759 to be no 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.539 different to 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:48.400 what scripture 00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:49.059 is saying 00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:50.000 we ought to 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:50.180 be. 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:50.680 We are 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.539 fellow 00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:52.359 workers, 00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:54.740 diverse in 00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:55.339 background, 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:57.059 equal in 00:20:57.059 --> 00:20:58.700 Christ and 00:20:58.700 --> 00:21:00.480 united in 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:01.240 our purpose. 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.299 So, 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:03.759 first, 00:21:03.919 --> 00:21:04.259 we are 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:04.859 fellow 00:21:04.859 --> 00:21:06.139 workers. 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:09.159 But we're 00:21:09.159 --> 00:21:11.220 workers for 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:11.819 the kingdom. 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:13.639 You see, 00:21:13.700 --> 00:21:14.059 if we're 00:21:14.059 --> 00:21:14.679 Christians, 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:15.980 we have been 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:17.019 saved into 00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:17.899 God's kingdom. 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:18.700 It's a work 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.839 God has done 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:20.419 for us. 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:21.099 Have a look 00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:21.539 back at 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.259 chapter 1, 00:21:22.359 --> 00:21:23.720 verse 13. 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.259 It reminds 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:26.859 us of the 00:21:26.859 --> 00:21:27.339 wonderful 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:28.539 intervention of 00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:29.759 God in 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.440 our life. 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:31.799 It's not 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:32.519 us reaching 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:32.980 out to 00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:33.259 him. 00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:34.160 He has 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:35.259 come to 00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:35.740 us. 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:36.859 Chapter 1, 00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:37.599 verse 13. 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.240 For he, 00:21:38.379 --> 00:21:39.220 that's God, 00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:40.619 he took 00:21:40.619 --> 00:21:41.299 the initiative. 00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:43.079 He rescued 00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:44.640 us from 00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:45.480 the dominion 00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:46.160 of darkness 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:47.579 and brought 00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:48.059 us into 00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:48.720 the kingdom 00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:49.200 of the 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:49.819 son he 00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:50.460 loves, 00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:51.640 in whom 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:52.059 we have 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:52.700 redemption 00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:54.039 and the 00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:54.539 forgiveness 00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:56.059 of sins. 00:21:56.180 --> 00:21:56.519 What a 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.639 beautiful 00:21:57.639 --> 00:21:58.680 and wonderful 00:21:58.680 --> 00:21:59.139 kingdom. 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:00.659 Moved 00:22:00.659 --> 00:22:01.579 from darkness 00:22:01.579 --> 00:22:02.539 and emptiness 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:04.180 into the 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:05.399 kingdom of 00:22:05.399 --> 00:22:06.579 Jesus Christ, 00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:07.180 a kingdom 00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:08.079 of love 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:09.779 and forgiveness 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:10.960 of all our 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:11.519 sins. 00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:13.039 Now, 00:22:13.139 --> 00:22:13.920 as fellow 00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:14.519 workers, 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.299 we're called 00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:16.940 to share 00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:17.659 this same 00:22:17.659 --> 00:22:19.000 glorious rescue 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:20.279 with others. 00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:21.460 That's our 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:22.460 fellow workers 00:22:22.460 --> 00:22:22.860 for the 00:22:22.860 --> 00:22:23.200 kingdom. 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:23.799 That's what 00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:24.220 it's all 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:24.660 about. 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:26.779 But it's 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.220 tough, 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:27.880 isn't it? 00:22:28.680 --> 00:22:29.420 It's tough 00:22:29.420 --> 00:22:30.140 to be those 00:22:30.140 --> 00:22:30.900 who work 00:22:30.900 --> 00:22:31.819 for the 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:32.440 kingdom of 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:32.840 God. 00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:34.079 Gospel 00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:34.900 outreach is 00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:35.400 difficult. 00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:36.340 Ministry 00:22:36.340 --> 00:22:36.960 life is 00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:37.360 hard. 00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:38.380 Serving 00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:39.039 is a 00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:39.500 struggle. 00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:41.579 And that's 00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:42.440 why we need 00:22:42.440 --> 00:22:43.160 the support 00:22:43.160 --> 00:22:44.079 of one 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:44.460 another. 00:22:45.380 --> 00:22:45.759 We are 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.840 fellow workers 00:22:46.840 --> 00:22:48.100 for the 00:22:48.100 --> 00:22:48.440 kingdom. 00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:50.779 So how 00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:51.279 are we going 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:51.940 to support 00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:52.579 one another? 00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:54.599 Well, 00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:56.039 I see 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:56.940 three things 00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:57.339 that we 00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:59.200 can encourage 00:22:59.200 --> 00:22:59.799 one another 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:00.059 in. 00:23:00.139 --> 00:23:00.519 Here's the 00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:01.139 first one. 00:23:02.359 --> 00:23:02.720 Have I 00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:03.139 gone too 00:23:03.139 --> 00:23:03.480 far? 00:23:04.539 --> 00:23:05.000 I have. 00:23:05.119 --> 00:23:05.480 There they 00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:05.660 are. 00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:06.000 You have 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.559 them already 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.000 on the 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:07.339 screen. 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:08.440 First, 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.460 encourage 00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:10.240 the 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:11.019 discouraged. 00:23:11.660 --> 00:23:12.180 Verse 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:12.559 eight. 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:13.960 Encourage 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:14.259 the 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:14.980 discouraged. 00:23:16.339 --> 00:23:17.460 I am 00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:18.299 sending him 00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:18.859 to you 00:23:18.859 --> 00:23:19.219 for the 00:23:19.219 --> 00:23:19.779 express 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:20.299 purpose 00:23:20.299 --> 00:23:21.619 that you 00:23:21.619 --> 00:23:22.079 may know 00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:22.679 about our 00:23:22.679 --> 00:23:23.579 circumstances 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:24.719 and that 00:23:24.719 --> 00:23:25.179 he may 00:23:25.179 --> 00:23:26.019 encourage 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.799 your 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.399 hearts. 00:23:28.339 --> 00:23:28.979 Obviously, 00:23:29.719 --> 00:23:30.319 the church 00:23:30.319 --> 00:23:31.259 had become 00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:32.419 discouraged or 00:23:32.419 --> 00:23:32.759 there were 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:33.639 people in 00:23:33.639 --> 00:23:34.139 the church 00:23:34.139 --> 00:23:34.500 who were 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:35.139 discouraged. 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:36.599 So Tychicus, 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:38.119 one of 00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:38.579 Paul's 00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:39.419 fellow workers, 00:23:39.979 --> 00:23:40.679 is coming 00:23:40.679 --> 00:23:41.159 to the 00:23:41.159 --> 00:23:42.319 church to 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:42.919 encourage 00:23:42.919 --> 00:23:43.779 their hearts. 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:46.099 Because living 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:46.639 in the 00:23:46.639 --> 00:23:47.219 kingdom and 00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:48.000 serving the 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.559 kingdom is 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.140 hard. 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:51.360 Sometimes we 00:23:51.360 --> 00:23:52.079 can feel a 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:52.779 little bit 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.779 like our 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:55.299 friend Archippus 00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:56.120 that we 00:23:56.120 --> 00:23:56.640 meet in 00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:57.559 verse 17. 00:23:58.940 --> 00:23:59.720 Look at the 00:23:59.720 --> 00:24:00.400 little comment 00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:01.620 about Archippus. 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.799 See to it, 00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:05.579 Archippus, 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:07.079 that you 00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:08.120 complete the 00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:09.620 ministry that 00:24:09.620 --> 00:24:10.039 you have 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:10.759 received in 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.200 the Lord. 00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:13.180 Now, I 00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:13.759 haven't got a 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.380 clue what 00:24:14.380 --> 00:24:14.940 happened to 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:15.720 Archippus. 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:17.400 But whatever 00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:17.980 it is that 00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:18.339 he's been 00:24:18.339 --> 00:24:19.120 facing, it 00:24:19.120 --> 00:24:20.519 seems like 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:21.799 he's wanting 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.640 to stop. 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:24.039 I can't 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:24.500 go on. 00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:25.339 I can't 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:26.079 keep going. 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:27.259 It's too 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:28.140 difficult. 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:30.600 Archippus 00:24:30.600 --> 00:24:31.259 has become 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:32.019 discouraged. 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:32.740 And so 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.259 there's this 00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:34.000 little note, 00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:34.559 this little 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:35.160 message. 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:36.660 Tell 00:24:36.660 --> 00:24:37.700 Archippus, 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:40.200 keep going 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:40.700 brother. 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:42.740 Don't give 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.799 up Archie. 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:46.659 well, 00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:47.519 Tychicus was 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.079 coming and 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:48.680 he was going 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:49.480 to encourage 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.159 the church 00:24:50.159 --> 00:24:51.299 personally. 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.259 But what 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:52.879 was the 00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:53.440 encouragement 00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:54.039 that he was 00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:54.460 going to 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:54.779 bring? 00:24:55.139 --> 00:24:55.619 Well, he 00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:56.019 was the 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:56.919 one who 00:24:56.919 --> 00:24:57.359 was going 00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:57.740 to be 00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:58.119 bringing 00:24:58.119 --> 00:24:58.659 the very 00:24:58.659 --> 00:24:59.500 letter Paul 00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.000 had written 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:00.559 to the 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:01.039 church. 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:02.200 And when 00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:02.839 he arrived 00:25:02.839 --> 00:25:03.139 at the 00:25:03.139 --> 00:25:03.399 church, 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:03.759 he would 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:04.279 read out 00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:04.720 the letter 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.220 just as 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:05.700 we've been 00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:06.259 doing over 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:06.839 these last 00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:07.480 few weeks 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:09.019 and explaining 00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:09.500 to the 00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:10.759 people anything 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.480 that wasn't 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:11.960 understood. 00:25:11.960 --> 00:25:12.920 he would 00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:13.779 encourage 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.779 their hearts 00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:16.420 with the 00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:16.840 word of 00:25:16.840 --> 00:25:17.240 God. 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.079 And that's 00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:19.960 exactly what 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:20.620 we're called 00:25:20.620 --> 00:25:21.220 to do as 00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:22.240 fellow workers. 00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:23.319 We're to be 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:24.380 just like 00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:25.539 Tychicus, 00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:27.680 taking the 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:28.740 gospel truths 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:29.420 from a letter 00:25:29.420 --> 00:25:30.460 like Colossians 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:32.140 and encouraging 00:25:32.140 --> 00:25:32.900 one another 00:25:32.900 --> 00:25:33.640 with the same 00:25:33.640 --> 00:25:34.200 truth. 00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:36.740 So let me 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.519 encourage us 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:38.000 all this 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:38.400 morning. 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:40.700 Maybe you're 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:41.539 discouraged 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.960 that you're 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:43.500 not seeing 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:44.460 any growth 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:46.120 or gospel 00:25:46.120 --> 00:25:46.799 fruit. 00:25:48.360 --> 00:25:49.200 Maybe you've 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:49.779 been reaching 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:50.840 out and you 00:25:50.840 --> 00:25:51.420 don't seem 00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:52.279 to see anybody 00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:53.180 come to faith 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:53.799 in Christ. 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:54.840 Well, look at 00:25:54.840 --> 00:25:55.480 chapter 1 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:56.279 verse 6. 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:02.380 Chapter 1 00:26:02.380 --> 00:26:03.080 verse 6. 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.559 In the 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:06.360 same way, 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.660 the gospel 00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:08.960 is bearing 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:10.800 fruit and 00:26:10.800 --> 00:26:11.300 growing 00:26:11.300 --> 00:26:12.040 throughout 00:26:12.040 --> 00:26:13.680 the whole 00:26:13.680 --> 00:26:14.480 world, 00:26:15.180 --> 00:26:16.420 just as it 00:26:16.420 --> 00:26:16.920 has been 00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:17.580 doing among 00:26:17.580 --> 00:26:18.200 you since 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:18.660 the first 00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:19.200 day you 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:19.800 heard it. 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:20.840 You see, 00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:21.980 we're evidence 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:23.480 of the gospel 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:24.100 at work. 00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.100 But it 00:26:25.100 --> 00:26:25.660 doesn't just 00:26:25.660 --> 00:26:26.740 stop here. 00:26:27.060 --> 00:26:27.880 It is 00:26:27.880 --> 00:26:28.420 working 00:26:28.420 --> 00:26:29.220 throughout the 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:29.980 whole world. 00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:30.880 We prayed 00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:31.480 about two 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.120 people in 00:26:32.120 --> 00:26:32.980 other parts 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.400 of the world 00:26:33.400 --> 00:26:33.779 today, 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:34.500 Amy and 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:35.080 Sheffield, 00:26:35.540 --> 00:26:36.080 Mickey and 00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:36.679 Kashmir. 00:26:37.079 --> 00:26:37.839 People are 00:26:37.839 --> 00:26:38.480 coming to 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:38.980 faith. 00:26:40.619 --> 00:26:41.220 So if you're 00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:42.000 discouraged, 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:43.799 be encouraged 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:45.039 that the 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:45.699 gospel is 00:26:45.699 --> 00:26:46.059 growing. 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.619 Maybe you're 00:26:48.619 --> 00:26:49.599 discouraged and 00:26:49.599 --> 00:26:50.119 you're thinking 00:26:50.119 --> 00:26:50.579 that you're 00:26:50.579 --> 00:26:51.399 missing out on 00:26:51.399 --> 00:26:52.159 some particular 00:26:52.159 --> 00:26:53.099 blessing from 00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:53.599 the Lord. 00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:55.319 Well, look at 00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:55.960 chapter 2 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:56.659 verse 9. 00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:59.119 If you're 00:26:59.119 --> 00:27:00.259 discouraged today 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:00.659 and you're 00:27:00.659 --> 00:27:01.059 thinking, 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:02.659 I don't have 00:27:02.659 --> 00:27:03.079 what other 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:03.939 people have. 00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:04.000 believe. 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:05.860 Well, look at 00:27:05.860 --> 00:27:06.519 chapter 2 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.220 verse 9. 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.820 For in 00:27:09.820 --> 00:27:10.460 Christ, 00:27:11.120 --> 00:27:12.180 all the 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:12.900 fullness of 00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:13.440 the deity 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:14.120 lives in 00:27:14.120 --> 00:27:15.019 bodily form. 00:27:15.400 --> 00:27:16.220 So all 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:16.860 of God 00:27:16.860 --> 00:27:18.720 is in 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:19.259 Christ. 00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:21.820 Now look 00:27:21.820 --> 00:27:22.160 at verse 00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:22.559 10. 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.259 And in 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:25.059 Christ, 00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:26.660 you have 00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:27.180 been brought 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:27.779 to fullness. 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.440 So all 00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:29.840 of God 00:27:29.840 --> 00:27:30.180 is in 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:30.660 Christ, 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.559 and all 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:32.200 of Christ 00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:33.160 is in 00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:33.600 you. 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:34.900 So you're 00:27:34.900 --> 00:27:35.500 not, how 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:35.840 could you 00:27:35.840 --> 00:27:36.259 be missing 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:36.680 out on 00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:38.360 anything if 00:27:38.360 --> 00:27:38.799 you have 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:39.200 all of 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:39.680 Christ? 00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:41.120 Be 00:27:41.120 --> 00:27:41.900 encouraged. 00:27:43.580 --> 00:27:44.340 Or maybe 00:27:44.340 --> 00:27:45.120 you're doubting 00:27:45.120 --> 00:27:45.960 your salvation 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:47.700 today, and 00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:48.180 you're thinking 00:27:48.180 --> 00:27:49.279 my life is a 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:51.019 mess, I'm 00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:52.019 always sinning, 00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:53.420 I'm always 00:27:53.420 --> 00:27:53.980 getting it 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:55.519 wrong, I 00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:56.559 can't possibly 00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:57.920 be going on 00:27:57.920 --> 00:27:58.240 with the 00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:58.539 Lord. 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.600 Well, here's 00:28:00.600 --> 00:28:01.440 encouragement for 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:01.640 you. 00:28:01.640 --> 00:28:02.539 Chapter 3 00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:03.380 verse 3. 00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:08.920 For you 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:10.960 died, and 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:11.900 your life 00:28:11.900 --> 00:28:12.460 is now 00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:13.580 hidden with 00:28:13.580 --> 00:28:14.380 Christ in 00:28:14.380 --> 00:28:14.820 God. 00:28:15.840 --> 00:28:16.400 When 00:28:16.400 --> 00:28:17.880 Christ, who 00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:18.840 is your 00:28:18.840 --> 00:28:19.539 life, 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:21.180 appears, 00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:21.920 then you 00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:23.299 also will 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:23.940 appear with 00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:25.019 him in 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:25.480 glory. 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.380 If you're 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.860 doubting 00:28:27.860 --> 00:28:28.759 today, your 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.519 life is 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:30.180 hidden in 00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:30.700 Christ. 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:31.880 Christ, you 00:28:31.880 --> 00:28:32.299 can never 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:32.960 be taken 00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:33.880 from him. 00:28:34.559 --> 00:28:35.059 You are 00:28:35.059 --> 00:28:35.799 secure. 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:37.360 You will 00:28:37.360 --> 00:28:38.200 receive your 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:38.600 glory. 00:28:38.600 --> 00:28:40.000 So let's 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:41.400 be fellow 00:28:41.400 --> 00:28:43.440 workers who 00:28:43.440 --> 00:28:44.559 encourage one 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:46.140 another with 00:28:46.140 --> 00:28:47.120 God's word. 00:28:47.119 --> 00:28:51.139 second, another 00:28:51.139 --> 00:28:52.500 way to help 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:53.299 each other is 00:28:53.299 --> 00:28:54.079 to comfort 00:28:54.079 --> 00:28:54.979 the struggling. 00:28:56.379 --> 00:28:56.899 Look at 00:28:56.899 --> 00:28:57.619 verse 11. 00:29:00.619 --> 00:29:01.579 Jesus, who 00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:02.079 is called 00:29:02.079 --> 00:29:03.279 justice, also 00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:04.379 sends greetings. 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.179 These are the 00:29:06.179 --> 00:29:07.679 only Jews among 00:29:07.679 --> 00:29:08.399 my fellow 00:29:08.399 --> 00:29:09.239 workers for the 00:29:09.239 --> 00:29:09.739 kingdom of 00:29:09.739 --> 00:29:10.959 God, and 00:29:10.959 --> 00:29:11.399 they have 00:29:11.399 --> 00:29:12.619 proved a 00:29:12.619 --> 00:29:13.419 comfort to 00:29:13.419 --> 00:29:13.679 me. 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:15.199 You see, we 00:29:15.199 --> 00:29:15.859 got to remember 00:29:15.859 --> 00:29:16.359 that when 00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:16.879 Paul is 00:29:16.879 --> 00:29:17.539 writing this 00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:18.679 letter, he's 00:29:18.679 --> 00:29:19.959 in chains, he's 00:29:19.959 --> 00:29:20.599 in prison. 00:29:21.679 --> 00:29:22.379 And it seems 00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:23.279 there's only just 00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:24.419 a few people 00:29:24.419 --> 00:29:25.599 who are around 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:26.779 about him, who 00:29:26.779 --> 00:29:27.579 are there to be 00:29:27.579 --> 00:29:28.359 able to visit 00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:29.459 him and care 00:29:29.459 --> 00:29:29.819 for him. 00:29:29.879 --> 00:29:30.500 It wasn't like 00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:31.439 prisons today 00:29:31.439 --> 00:29:31.939 where you have 00:29:31.939 --> 00:29:32.819 everything set up 00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:33.199 for you. 00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:34.379 People had to 00:29:34.379 --> 00:29:35.299 bring things in 00:29:35.299 --> 00:29:35.979 for you. 00:29:37.059 --> 00:29:37.619 And he's 00:29:37.619 --> 00:29:38.119 struggling. 00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:40.619 In fact, his 00:29:40.619 --> 00:29:41.299 struggle is 00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:41.899 great. 00:29:42.719 --> 00:29:43.119 Look at 00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:43.899 verse 18. 00:29:45.859 --> 00:29:48.859 I, Paul, 00:29:49.659 --> 00:29:50.439 write this 00:29:50.439 --> 00:29:51.679 greeting in 00:29:51.679 --> 00:29:52.639 my own 00:29:52.639 --> 00:29:53.419 hands. 00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:55.000 You see, it 00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:55.559 was common 00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:56.719 for authors 00:29:56.719 --> 00:29:58.039 like Paul to 00:29:58.039 --> 00:29:58.979 have a scribe. 00:29:59.379 --> 00:29:59.819 Paul would 00:29:59.819 --> 00:30:00.619 stand there or 00:30:00.619 --> 00:30:01.319 sit or wherever 00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:01.959 he would be, 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:02.859 and he would 00:30:02.859 --> 00:30:03.879 dictate his 00:30:03.879 --> 00:30:04.879 letter, and 00:30:04.879 --> 00:30:05.719 the scribe 00:30:05.719 --> 00:30:06.259 would write 00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:07.139 everything down. 00:30:08.219 --> 00:30:08.919 But as Paul, 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:09.699 as he comes to 00:30:09.699 --> 00:30:10.359 the ends of 00:30:10.359 --> 00:30:10.899 his letter, 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:12.919 he takes his 00:30:12.919 --> 00:30:13.679 quill and he 00:30:13.679 --> 00:30:14.199 takes the 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:15.039 parchment or 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:16.180 his pen and 00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:17.480 paper, and he 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:17.960 adds the 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:19.620 personal handwritten 00:30:19.620 --> 00:30:20.220 note. 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:23.180 And Paul writes, 00:30:24.600 --> 00:30:26.440 remember my 00:30:26.440 --> 00:30:27.240 chains. 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:29.240 Please don't 00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:29.960 forget me. 00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:32.200 Please remember 00:30:32.200 --> 00:30:32.539 me. 00:30:33.840 --> 00:30:34.559 You see, here's 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.220 the vulnerability 00:30:35.220 --> 00:30:37.000 of a man who 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:37.900 is serving the 00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:38.900 kingdom, and 00:30:38.900 --> 00:30:39.740 he's struggling. 00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:41.360 He's in 00:30:41.360 --> 00:30:41.779 prison. 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:43.019 He needs 00:30:43.019 --> 00:30:43.660 comfort. 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:45.539 And thankfully, 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:46.420 that's what he's 00:30:46.420 --> 00:30:47.259 able to say. 00:30:47.619 --> 00:30:48.079 Look at the 00:30:48.079 --> 00:30:48.639 end of verse 00:30:48.639 --> 00:30:49.079 11. 00:30:49.839 --> 00:30:50.339 They have 00:30:50.339 --> 00:30:51.500 proved a 00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:52.379 comfort to 00:30:52.379 --> 00:30:52.639 me. 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:54.879 You see, 00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:55.900 sometimes that's 00:30:55.900 --> 00:30:56.839 just what we 00:30:56.839 --> 00:30:57.440 need, isn't 00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:57.779 it? 00:30:58.460 --> 00:30:59.599 The presence 00:30:59.599 --> 00:31:00.539 of other 00:31:00.539 --> 00:31:02.559 people who 00:31:02.559 --> 00:31:03.200 will just 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:05.059 comfort us, 00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:06.819 just to 00:31:06.819 --> 00:31:08.379 know I'm 00:31:08.379 --> 00:31:08.980 not on my 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:09.279 own. 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:11.299 People who 00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:11.980 will come and 00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:13.000 sit and talk, 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:14.099 and listen, 00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:16.039 and perhaps cry 00:31:16.039 --> 00:31:16.579 with you. 00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:18.920 Text messages 00:31:18.920 --> 00:31:19.680 are great. 00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:21.200 Keep sending 00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:22.259 text messages. 00:31:22.879 --> 00:31:24.160 Little emojis of 00:31:24.160 --> 00:31:25.400 smiley faces and 00:31:25.400 --> 00:31:26.220 praying hands, 00:31:26.599 --> 00:31:27.559 they're all great, 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.539 they're well-meaning. 00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:29.720 Keep it up. 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:32.619 But what we all 00:31:32.619 --> 00:31:33.660 desperately need 00:31:33.660 --> 00:31:36.039 is not just words 00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:36.920 on a screen, 00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:38.879 or little emojis, 00:31:38.880 --> 00:31:39.880 people. 00:31:39.880 --> 00:31:40.520 But we need 00:31:40.520 --> 00:31:41.120 people. 00:31:41.940 --> 00:31:43.300 People just like 00:31:43.300 --> 00:31:43.960 you and I. 00:31:44.520 --> 00:31:45.320 Someone who will 00:31:45.320 --> 00:31:47.080 comfort us by 00:31:47.080 --> 00:31:48.740 their presence. 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.780 Just to know 00:31:50.780 --> 00:31:51.380 that they are 00:31:51.380 --> 00:31:52.760 standing with you 00:31:52.760 --> 00:31:54.120 for the kingdom. 00:31:54.119 --> 00:31:54.259 them. 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:56.659 So let's comfort 00:31:56.659 --> 00:31:57.899 the struggling 00:31:57.899 --> 00:31:59.619 by being 00:31:59.619 --> 00:32:00.279 present. 00:32:02.500 --> 00:32:03.259 And then third, 00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:05.019 another way that we 00:32:05.019 --> 00:32:06.099 can be a fellow 00:32:06.099 --> 00:32:07.179 worker is to 00:32:07.179 --> 00:32:08.719 strengthen the 00:32:08.719 --> 00:32:09.079 weak. 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:10.079 Look at verse 00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:10.579 12. 00:32:12.339 --> 00:32:12.939 Epaphras. 00:32:14.579 --> 00:32:15.279 Well, we 00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:16.139 learnt about him 00:32:16.139 --> 00:32:17.019 in chapter 1. 00:32:17.139 --> 00:32:17.959 He was the guy 00:32:17.959 --> 00:32:19.059 who first brought 00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:19.759 the gospel 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:21.740 to the 00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:22.519 Colossians. 00:32:24.079 --> 00:32:24.720 And now we 00:32:24.720 --> 00:32:25.319 learn that 00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:26.240 Epaphras, 00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:26.920 who is one of 00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:27.319 you and a 00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:27.819 servant of 00:32:27.819 --> 00:32:28.519 Christ Jesus, 00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:30.079 sends greetings. 00:32:30.940 --> 00:32:32.019 He is always 00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:33.099 wrestling in 00:32:33.099 --> 00:32:34.079 prayer for you, 00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:35.640 that you may 00:32:35.640 --> 00:32:36.920 stand firm in 00:32:36.920 --> 00:32:37.599 all the will 00:32:37.599 --> 00:32:38.119 of God, 00:32:38.519 --> 00:32:39.839 mature and 00:32:39.839 --> 00:32:40.940 fully assured. 00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:42.700 You see, 00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:43.519 he doesn't just 00:32:43.519 --> 00:32:44.440 bring the 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:45.279 word of God 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:46.279 and then leave 00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:46.879 them all to 00:32:46.879 --> 00:32:47.440 themselves. 00:32:48.220 --> 00:32:48.819 No, he does 00:32:48.819 --> 00:32:49.559 much more than 00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:49.740 that. 00:32:49.839 --> 00:32:50.519 He continues 00:32:50.519 --> 00:32:52.259 to pray for 00:32:52.259 --> 00:32:52.919 his fellow 00:32:52.919 --> 00:32:53.619 brothers and 00:32:53.619 --> 00:32:54.019 sisters. 00:32:54.659 --> 00:32:55.359 In fact, it 00:32:55.359 --> 00:32:56.039 tells us in 00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:56.579 verse 12, 00:32:56.919 --> 00:32:58.000 he's wrestling 00:32:58.000 --> 00:32:58.759 in prayer. 00:33:00.379 --> 00:33:00.940 You see, we 00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:01.899 identify with 00:33:01.899 --> 00:33:02.240 that, don't 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:02.440 we? 00:33:02.500 --> 00:33:03.379 Because praying 00:33:03.379 --> 00:33:04.000 is hard. 00:33:05.440 --> 00:33:06.740 We want to 00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:08.859 pray, but we 00:33:08.859 --> 00:33:09.779 put it off to 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:10.839 another time later 00:33:10.839 --> 00:33:11.419 in the day and 00:33:11.419 --> 00:33:12.240 we never actually 00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:13.039 get round to 00:33:13.039 --> 00:33:13.200 it. 00:33:13.259 --> 00:33:14.399 Or when we do 00:33:14.399 --> 00:33:15.159 sit down to 00:33:15.159 --> 00:33:15.759 pray, we just 00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:16.839 get distracted by 00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:17.619 all kinds of 00:33:17.619 --> 00:33:17.960 things. 00:33:17.960 --> 00:33:19.400 there's always 00:33:19.400 --> 00:33:20.259 something else 00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:21.059 to be done 00:33:21.059 --> 00:33:22.600 when it comes 00:33:22.600 --> 00:33:23.200 to prayer. 00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:25.259 That's why he 00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:25.980 says he's 00:33:25.980 --> 00:33:27.079 wrestling in 00:33:27.079 --> 00:33:27.400 prayer. 00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:29.340 It's a battle, 00:33:29.519 --> 00:33:30.019 isn't it? 00:33:30.539 --> 00:33:31.440 It's a fight 00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:32.579 and we need to 00:33:32.579 --> 00:33:33.860 persevere and 00:33:33.860 --> 00:33:34.880 not give up. 00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:35.860 You see, the 00:33:35.860 --> 00:33:36.980 church needs 00:33:36.980 --> 00:33:38.220 people who 00:33:38.220 --> 00:33:39.500 will pray for 00:33:39.500 --> 00:33:39.819 them. 00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:41.500 And some of 00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:42.120 them, it seems, 00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:43.019 were finding it 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:43.980 tough and they 00:33:43.980 --> 00:33:45.380 were drifting from 00:33:45.380 --> 00:33:46.220 their faith. 00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:47.920 And they 00:33:47.920 --> 00:33:48.580 needed people 00:33:48.580 --> 00:33:48.920 who would 00:33:48.920 --> 00:33:50.600 step in and 00:33:50.600 --> 00:33:51.480 pray for them. 00:33:52.420 --> 00:33:52.940 And that's 00:33:52.940 --> 00:33:53.760 what Epaphras 00:33:53.760 --> 00:33:54.260 does. 00:33:55.580 --> 00:33:56.700 He prays, 00:33:56.760 --> 00:33:57.400 verse 12, 00:33:57.500 --> 00:33:57.860 that they 00:33:57.860 --> 00:33:58.800 would stand 00:33:58.800 --> 00:34:00.640 firm in 00:34:00.640 --> 00:34:01.580 all the will 00:34:01.580 --> 00:34:02.200 of God, 00:34:03.080 --> 00:34:04.700 mature and 00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:05.620 fully assured. 00:34:06.660 --> 00:34:07.440 The will of 00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:07.980 God is 00:34:07.980 --> 00:34:08.840 revealed to 00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:09.660 us in the 00:34:09.660 --> 00:34:10.260 word of God. 00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:10.680 If you want 00:34:10.680 --> 00:34:11.119 to know what 00:34:11.119 --> 00:34:11.860 God's will 00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:13.500 is, read 00:34:13.500 --> 00:34:14.260 God's word. 00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:14.920 It's all 00:34:14.920 --> 00:34:15.320 there. 00:34:16.040 --> 00:34:16.700 So we are 00:34:16.700 --> 00:34:17.640 to see God's 00:34:17.640 --> 00:34:18.140 word as 00:34:18.140 --> 00:34:19.360 something rock 00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:19.900 solid, 00:34:20.340 --> 00:34:20.960 immovable, 00:34:21.300 --> 00:34:22.020 unshakable. 00:34:22.340 --> 00:34:23.040 This is the 00:34:23.040 --> 00:34:24.080 foundation for 00:34:24.080 --> 00:34:24.620 our lives. 00:34:24.960 --> 00:34:25.400 It's what's 00:34:25.400 --> 00:34:25.780 going to 00:34:25.780 --> 00:34:26.580 support us 00:34:26.580 --> 00:34:27.360 and strengthen 00:34:27.360 --> 00:34:27.780 us. 00:34:28.240 --> 00:34:28.800 And as we 00:34:28.800 --> 00:34:29.620 grow in 00:34:29.620 --> 00:34:30.200 God's word, 00:34:30.280 --> 00:34:31.140 as we learn 00:34:31.140 --> 00:34:32.360 together, we 00:34:32.360 --> 00:34:33.500 become mature 00:34:33.500 --> 00:34:35.800 and fully 00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:36.320 assured. 00:34:36.500 --> 00:34:37.100 We become 00:34:37.100 --> 00:34:38.320 stable. 00:34:39.320 --> 00:34:39.820 So when 00:34:39.820 --> 00:34:40.560 other false 00:34:40.560 --> 00:34:41.340 teaching comes 00:34:41.340 --> 00:34:42.120 along, we're 00:34:42.120 --> 00:34:43.080 not rocked by 00:34:43.080 --> 00:34:43.980 it or we're 00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:44.719 not taken 00:34:44.719 --> 00:34:45.440 away by 00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:46.079 it, we 00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:47.260 remain firm. 00:34:49.900 --> 00:34:50.240 And so 00:34:50.240 --> 00:34:51.559 Epaphras prays 00:34:51.559 --> 00:34:51.920 for the 00:34:51.920 --> 00:34:52.460 church. 00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:55.019 I love 00:34:55.019 --> 00:34:55.840 Epaphras. 00:34:56.820 --> 00:34:58.039 I'd love to 00:34:58.039 --> 00:34:58.800 have more 00:34:58.800 --> 00:35:00.579 Epaphrases in 00:35:00.579 --> 00:35:01.280 our lives, 00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:01.820 wouldn't you? 00:35:02.599 --> 00:35:03.519 Somebody who 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:04.480 wrestles in 00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:05.340 prayer for you. 00:35:06.139 --> 00:35:06.820 And that's 00:35:06.820 --> 00:35:07.420 what we are 00:35:07.420 --> 00:35:08.079 to be to 00:35:08.079 --> 00:35:08.599 each other, 00:35:08.760 --> 00:35:09.980 to pray for 00:35:09.980 --> 00:35:10.579 one another 00:35:10.579 --> 00:35:11.139 in our 00:35:11.139 --> 00:35:12.159 Christian faith 00:35:12.159 --> 00:35:12.460 and in 00:35:12.460 --> 00:35:13.159 our walk, 00:35:14.099 --> 00:35:14.579 that we 00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:15.440 would stand 00:35:15.440 --> 00:35:16.099 firm. 00:35:17.399 --> 00:35:18.539 Stand firm, 00:35:18.699 --> 00:35:19.279 brothers and 00:35:19.279 --> 00:35:19.699 sisters. 00:35:21.179 --> 00:35:21.879 Keep holding 00:35:21.879 --> 00:35:22.559 on to the 00:35:22.559 --> 00:35:23.379 word of God 00:35:23.379 --> 00:35:24.859 and you 00:35:24.859 --> 00:35:25.379 will become 00:35:25.379 --> 00:35:26.899 mature and 00:35:26.899 --> 00:35:27.899 fully assured. 00:35:29.779 --> 00:35:30.659 Through our 00:35:30.659 --> 00:35:31.460 prayers, God 00:35:31.460 --> 00:35:33.399 works and we 00:35:33.399 --> 00:35:34.179 are strengthened 00:35:34.179 --> 00:35:35.879 in the faith. 00:35:35.880 --> 00:35:39.360 being fellow 00:35:39.360 --> 00:35:40.119 workers for 00:35:40.119 --> 00:35:40.579 the kingdom 00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:41.260 of God 00:35:41.260 --> 00:35:42.820 is a 00:35:42.820 --> 00:35:43.280 wonderful 00:35:43.280 --> 00:35:44.280 privilege for 00:35:44.280 --> 00:35:44.860 us all. 00:35:46.680 --> 00:35:47.079 I haven't 00:35:47.079 --> 00:35:47.760 got the title 00:35:47.760 --> 00:35:48.320 there at the 00:35:48.320 --> 00:35:49.920 end, but it's 00:35:49.920 --> 00:35:51.140 grace be with 00:35:51.140 --> 00:35:51.340 you. 00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:51.840 Look at the 00:35:51.840 --> 00:35:52.780 very last few 00:35:52.780 --> 00:35:54.119 words of the 00:35:54.119 --> 00:35:54.460 letter. 00:35:56.800 --> 00:35:58.460 Grace be 00:35:58.460 --> 00:35:59.079 with you. 00:35:59.920 --> 00:36:00.440 This is 00:36:00.440 --> 00:36:02.280 grace, God's 00:36:02.280 --> 00:36:03.700 enabling power 00:36:03.699 --> 00:36:04.559 power and 00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:05.939 strength that 00:36:05.939 --> 00:36:06.679 he gives to 00:36:06.679 --> 00:36:07.519 his people 00:36:07.519 --> 00:36:08.719 that enables 00:36:08.719 --> 00:36:09.819 us to be 00:36:09.819 --> 00:36:10.819 his fellow 00:36:10.819 --> 00:36:11.619 workers for 00:36:11.619 --> 00:36:12.099 the kingdom. 00:36:12.500 --> 00:36:13.119 It's how he 00:36:13.119 --> 00:36:13.919 opened up the 00:36:13.919 --> 00:36:14.839 letter in 00:36:14.839 --> 00:36:15.500 chapter 1 00:36:15.500 --> 00:36:16.179 verse 2. 00:36:16.779 --> 00:36:18.119 Grace and 00:36:18.119 --> 00:36:18.899 peace to 00:36:18.899 --> 00:36:19.419 you from 00:36:19.419 --> 00:36:20.519 God our 00:36:20.519 --> 00:36:20.980 Father. 00:36:21.539 --> 00:36:22.639 Grace from 00:36:22.639 --> 00:36:24.119 beginning and 00:36:24.119 --> 00:36:25.419 grace to 00:36:25.419 --> 00:36:26.139 the end. 00:36:27.759 --> 00:36:28.339 And part 00:36:28.339 --> 00:36:28.960 of God's 00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:29.859 wonderful grace 00:36:29.859 --> 00:36:31.099 to us is 00:36:31.099 --> 00:36:31.739 one another. 00:36:31.739 --> 00:36:33.319 we're 00:36:33.319 --> 00:36:34.099 diverse in 00:36:34.099 --> 00:36:34.679 background, 00:36:34.959 --> 00:36:35.759 we're equal 00:36:35.759 --> 00:36:36.419 in Christ, 00:36:36.559 --> 00:36:37.199 we're united 00:36:37.199 --> 00:36:37.919 in purpose. 00:36:38.359 --> 00:36:38.879 This is who 00:36:38.879 --> 00:36:39.519 we are as 00:36:39.519 --> 00:36:40.259 God's people. 00:36:40.959 --> 00:36:41.539 But that 00:36:41.539 --> 00:36:43.279 grace flows 00:36:43.279 --> 00:36:44.079 into our 00:36:44.079 --> 00:36:45.779 life as 00:36:45.779 --> 00:36:46.539 God uses 00:36:46.539 --> 00:36:48.279 us to 00:36:48.279 --> 00:36:49.199 encourage each 00:36:49.199 --> 00:36:49.679 other in 00:36:49.679 --> 00:36:50.500 God's word, 00:36:51.319 --> 00:36:52.279 to comfort 00:36:52.279 --> 00:36:53.079 each other by 00:36:53.079 --> 00:36:53.939 being present 00:36:53.939 --> 00:36:55.739 and to 00:36:55.739 --> 00:36:56.819 strengthen each 00:36:56.819 --> 00:36:58.379 other as 00:36:58.379 --> 00:36:59.059 we pray. 00:36:59.059 --> 00:37:01.799 may God's 00:37:01.799 --> 00:37:03.739 grace be 00:37:03.739 --> 00:37:04.480 with you 00:37:04.480 --> 00:37:06.059 and us 00:37:06.059 --> 00:37:06.699 all as a 00:37:06.699 --> 00:37:07.219 church, 00:37:08.519 --> 00:37:09.099 as as 00:37:09.099 --> 00:37:09.539 fellow 00:37:09.539 --> 00:37:11.340 workers we 00:37:11.340 --> 00:37:12.059 serve the 00:37:12.059 --> 00:37:12.659 kingdom of 00:37:12.659 --> 00:37:12.980 God. 00:37:14.019 --> 00:37:14.960 Let's pray. 00:37:14.960 --> 00:37:15.059 Amen. 00:37:15.059 --> 00:37:27.279 Father, 00:37:27.420 --> 00:37:27.920 thank you 00:37:27.920 --> 00:37:28.759 for this 00:37:28.759 --> 00:37:30.820 wonderful 00:37:30.820 --> 00:37:32.799 letter that 00:37:32.799 --> 00:37:33.320 we've been 00:37:33.320 --> 00:37:34.079 able to 00:37:34.079 --> 00:37:35.119 read together 00:37:35.119 --> 00:37:35.860 and study 00:37:35.860 --> 00:37:36.639 together over 00:37:36.639 --> 00:37:37.320 these weeks. 00:37:39.159 --> 00:37:40.059 We pray 00:37:40.059 --> 00:37:40.460 that we 00:37:40.460 --> 00:37:41.139 won't just 00:37:41.139 --> 00:37:42.980 close our 00:37:42.980 --> 00:37:43.619 minds and 00:37:43.619 --> 00:37:44.179 our hearts 00:37:44.179 --> 00:37:44.659 to this 00:37:44.659 --> 00:37:45.259 letter now 00:37:45.259 --> 00:37:45.679 that we've 00:37:45.679 --> 00:37:46.099 come to 00:37:46.099 --> 00:37:46.779 the end. 00:37:47.980 --> 00:37:48.779 But I 00:37:48.779 --> 00:37:49.500 pray that 00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:50.739 we together 00:37:50.739 --> 00:37:51.159 as a 00:37:51.159 --> 00:37:51.419 church 00:37:51.419 --> 00:37:52.279 family would 00:37:52.279 --> 00:37:53.819 keep speaking 00:37:53.819 --> 00:37:54.539 the truths 00:37:54.539 --> 00:37:55.079 that we've 00:37:55.079 --> 00:37:57.139 learned to 00:37:57.139 --> 00:37:58.119 encourage one 00:37:58.119 --> 00:37:59.079 another in 00:37:59.079 --> 00:37:59.639 the faith. 00:38:00.940 --> 00:38:01.619 That we 00:38:01.619 --> 00:38:02.379 would comfort 00:38:02.379 --> 00:38:03.039 one another 00:38:03.039 --> 00:38:03.679 with these 00:38:03.679 --> 00:38:04.099 words. 00:38:05.559 --> 00:38:06.500 And that we 00:38:06.500 --> 00:38:07.480 would pray for 00:38:07.480 --> 00:38:08.099 one another 00:38:08.099 --> 00:38:08.960 with these 00:38:08.960 --> 00:38:09.379 words. 00:38:09.380 --> 00:38:11.820 Father, 00:38:11.980 --> 00:38:12.400 may it 00:38:12.400 --> 00:38:13.119 lead us 00:38:13.119 --> 00:38:14.599 to being 00:38:14.599 --> 00:38:16.059 mature and 00:38:16.059 --> 00:38:16.559 fully 00:38:16.559 --> 00:38:17.119 assured, 00:38:18.660 --> 00:38:19.240 filled with 00:38:19.240 --> 00:38:20.860 joy and 00:38:20.860 --> 00:38:22.000 glorious hope 00:38:22.000 --> 00:38:23.559 for what our 00:38:23.559 --> 00:38:24.400 great Saviour 00:38:24.400 --> 00:38:25.220 has done for 00:38:25.220 --> 00:38:25.579 us. 00:38:26.460 --> 00:38:27.180 Thank you 00:38:27.180 --> 00:38:27.840 that we are 00:38:27.840 --> 00:38:28.920 fellow workers 00:38:28.920 --> 00:38:30.380 for the 00:38:30.380 --> 00:38:30.980 kingdom of 00:38:30.980 --> 00:38:31.320 God. 00:38:32.119 --> 00:38:32.860 What a 00:38:32.860 --> 00:38:33.940 great privilege 00:38:33.940 --> 00:38:34.039 church. 00:38:35.039 --> 00:38:35.579 And we 00:38:35.579 --> 00:38:36.179 ask for 00:38:36.179 --> 00:38:37.039 your grace 00:38:37.039 --> 00:38:38.179 to help 00:38:38.179 --> 00:38:39.740 us to be 00:38:39.740 --> 00:38:40.320 all that 00:38:40.320 --> 00:38:40.559 you've 00:38:40.559 --> 00:38:41.019 called us 00:38:41.019 --> 00:38:41.440 to be. 00:38:42.200 --> 00:38:43.119 In Jesus' 00:38:43.360 --> 00:38:43.720 name we 00:38:43.720 --> 00:38:44.059 pray. 00:38:44.960 --> 00:38:45.480 Amen. 00:38:45.480 --> 00:38:50.320 Well, we're 00:38:50.320 --> 00:38:50.820 going to sing 00:38:50.820 --> 00:38:51.340 together. 00:38:53.199 --> 00:38:54.119 What is our 00:38:54.119 --> 00:38:55.340 hope in 00:38:55.340 --> 00:38:55.960 life and 00:38:55.960 --> 00:38:56.340 death? 00:38:57.519 --> 00:38:58.000 Christ 00:38:58.000 --> 00:38:58.519 alone, 00:38:58.740 --> 00:38:59.119 Christ 00:38:59.119 --> 00:38:59.500 alone. 00:38:59.619 --> 00:39:00.000 In some 00:39:00.000 --> 00:39:01.300 ways, this 00:39:01.300 --> 00:39:01.800 song, I 00:39:01.800 --> 00:39:02.420 chose this 00:39:02.420 --> 00:39:03.079 song because 00:39:03.079 --> 00:39:03.500 it can't 00:39:03.500 --> 00:39:03.579 be.