WEBVTT 00:00:00.760 --> 00:00:07.679 We've come to the end of the book of Colossians, and so I'm going to read Colossians 4, 7 through 18. 00:00:09.279 --> 00:00:10.519 Hear the word of the Lord. 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:15.880 Tychicus will tell you about my activities. 00:00:17.580 --> 00:00:20.780 He's a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 00:00:20.900 --> 00:00:25.019 I've sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, 00:00:25.140 --> 00:00:27.480 and that he may encourage your hearts. 00:00:27.480 --> 00:00:32.359 And with him, Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother who is one of you. 00:00:32.820 --> 00:00:35.820 They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. 00:00:37.460 --> 00:00:41.039 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you in Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, 00:00:41.120 --> 00:00:42.700 concerning whom you've received instructions. 00:00:42.899 --> 00:00:44.060 If he comes to you, welcome him. 00:00:44.820 --> 00:00:46.579 And Jesus, who is called Justice. 00:00:46.780 --> 00:00:50.659 These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers of the kingdom of God, 00:00:50.780 --> 00:00:52.260 and they have been a comfort to me. 00:00:53.100 --> 00:00:56.519 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, 00:00:56.520 --> 00:00:58.800 always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, 00:00:59.460 --> 00:01:02.380 that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 00:01:02.440 --> 00:01:08.100 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 00:01:09.359 --> 00:01:12.100 Luke, the beloved physician, greets you, as does Demas. 00:01:12.540 --> 00:01:17.480 Give my greetings to the brothers of Laodicea and to Nympha and the church in her house. 00:01:17.480 --> 00:01:23.540 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans. 00:01:24.100 --> 00:01:27.320 And see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 00:01:28.159 --> 00:01:33.140 And say to Archippus, see that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord. 00:01:35.020 --> 00:01:38.420 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. 00:01:39.580 --> 00:01:40.780 Remember my chains. 00:01:40.780 --> 00:01:46.379 Grace be with you. 00:01:47.239 --> 00:01:50.420 May God bless the reading and now preaching of his word. 00:01:51.299 --> 00:01:52.040 Well, here we are. 00:01:52.120 --> 00:01:53.420 We're at the end of the book of Colossians. 00:01:53.560 --> 00:01:54.460 Now I'm a little sad. 00:01:55.500 --> 00:01:56.560 This has been a great book. 00:01:57.260 --> 00:02:01.520 I've loved every minute preaching it because it's so encouraging. 00:02:02.219 --> 00:02:08.180 The reason why the book of Colossians is so encouraging is it gives us Christ. 00:02:08.180 --> 00:02:08.780 Christ. 00:02:08.780 --> 00:02:10.020 Again and again. 00:02:11.300 --> 00:02:12.120 Love it. 00:02:13.500 --> 00:02:17.900 Big doses of God's grace in Christ Jesus. 00:02:18.599 --> 00:02:26.060 And he just gives us this Christological vision that is to put strength in our hearts. 00:02:26.460 --> 00:02:28.439 Because we're prone to be discouraged, aren't we? 00:02:29.600 --> 00:02:30.879 We're prone to wander. 00:02:31.180 --> 00:02:32.140 Lord, we know it. 00:02:33.379 --> 00:02:34.819 Prone to leave the God we love. 00:02:34.819 --> 00:02:39.099 Maybe you walked in here a little discouraged this morning. 00:02:39.620 --> 00:02:41.400 A little wandering. 00:02:43.560 --> 00:02:49.000 And if you were to humbly say, hey, Pastor Mike, I just feel spiritually off. 00:02:49.120 --> 00:02:52.000 I feel spiritually like I'm in the midst. 00:02:55.299 --> 00:02:57.340 If I had a minute, I'd ask you a number of questions. 00:02:57.560 --> 00:02:58.039 Here they are. 00:02:58.979 --> 00:02:59.900 Yes or no's? 00:03:01.019 --> 00:03:02.560 And one open question. 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:07.699 I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling like you're in a spiritual mist. 00:03:07.819 --> 00:03:11.939 Hey, have you sincerely prayed to God in the last seven days? 00:03:13.620 --> 00:03:14.219 Yes or no? 00:03:16.819 --> 00:03:19.099 Have you read God's word on your own in the last seven days? 00:03:19.500 --> 00:03:19.960 Yes or no? 00:03:22.099 --> 00:03:24.280 Do you want to be around other Christians? 00:03:25.819 --> 00:03:26.420 Yes or no? 00:03:26.419 --> 00:03:29.759 Do you envy non-Christians? 00:03:31.379 --> 00:03:32.179 Yes or no? 00:03:33.459 --> 00:03:36.739 Are you becoming cynical of the Christian faith, for example? 00:03:37.379 --> 00:03:40.879 Are you starting to ask, does Jesus really matter? 00:03:42.139 --> 00:03:42.939 Yes or no? 00:03:46.679 --> 00:03:47.599 Are you discouraged? 00:03:47.599 --> 00:03:52.280 And then there's this question. 00:03:55.240 --> 00:04:05.379 Brother, sister, can you think of the last time that you, with your own lips, spoke to the risen Christ something like this? 00:04:06.859 --> 00:04:08.199 You are worth it. 00:04:08.199 --> 00:04:11.439 I need you. 00:04:13.439 --> 00:04:16.920 Help me, Lord, walk in your ways today. 00:04:17.699 --> 00:04:20.839 Can you remember the last time you spoke that to him? 00:04:22.420 --> 00:04:23.920 We're all prone to wander, right? 00:04:23.920 --> 00:04:28.600 We're all prone to leave the God we love. 00:04:29.900 --> 00:04:31.879 And if you are, you're in the right place this morning. 00:04:31.980 --> 00:04:40.740 Because not only is the whole book of Colossians and encouragement, the very close is a series of encouragements. 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:43.800 And you just, you thought it was a list of names. 00:04:45.340 --> 00:04:48.560 It's actually a list of encouragements. 00:04:49.240 --> 00:04:49.960 It's a series. 00:04:50.120 --> 00:04:50.759 It's organized. 00:04:50.759 --> 00:04:55.180 Paul organizes it with four distinct moves. 00:04:56.120 --> 00:04:59.680 He wants to encourage us by way of suffering. 00:05:00.259 --> 00:05:02.719 He wants to encourage us by way of unity. 00:05:03.159 --> 00:05:06.219 He wants to encourage us by way of an exhortation. 00:05:06.620 --> 00:05:09.959 And then he wants to encourage us by way of grace. 00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:20.319 The end of the book of Colossians is a classic closing that is filled with Christocentric encouragement. 00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:24.379 Now, I'm going to ask you a question. 00:05:25.339 --> 00:05:26.819 And I need you to answer to me. 00:05:26.899 --> 00:05:28.659 It's a four-word answer. 00:05:29.060 --> 00:05:29.620 Let's practice. 00:05:30.560 --> 00:05:31.980 Will someone encourage me? 00:05:32.719 --> 00:05:36.019 And then you say, Christ is worth it. 00:05:36.459 --> 00:05:36.879 Ready? 00:05:37.079 --> 00:05:37.639 Let's practice. 00:05:38.639 --> 00:05:39.759 Will someone encourage me? 00:05:39.759 --> 00:05:41.899 Christ is worth it. 00:05:42.019 --> 00:05:42.279 Okay. 00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:44.360 We're going to, you're going to hear that throughout the sermon. 00:05:45.039 --> 00:05:46.000 Will someone encourage me? 00:05:46.680 --> 00:05:47.680 Christ is worth it. 00:05:47.819 --> 00:05:48.219 All right. 00:05:48.360 --> 00:05:49.000 Here we go. 00:05:53.680 --> 00:05:55.459 Four lines of encouragement. 00:05:55.839 --> 00:05:56.939 The first one is this. 00:05:57.360 --> 00:06:00.079 Be encouraged by suffering. 00:06:00.079 --> 00:06:04.259 Now, that might sound like those two don't fit together. 00:06:05.240 --> 00:06:06.879 Be encouraged by suffering? 00:06:07.579 --> 00:06:10.759 Shouldn't you be discouraged by suffering? 00:06:12.099 --> 00:06:18.099 Well, in verses 7 and 9, the Apostle Paul introduces us to two men, Tychicus and Onesimus. 00:06:18.879 --> 00:06:28.360 And if you look at these men, they've been sent by Paul from Rome, 1,300 miles to Colossae to get something done. 00:06:28.360 --> 00:06:31.620 Now, look at the descriptions of these guys. 00:06:31.740 --> 00:06:35.360 So, Tychicus is, he will tell you about my activities. 00:06:35.520 --> 00:06:38.840 He's a beloved brother, faithful minister, fellow servant of the Lord. 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:40.879 And I want you to key on that word faithful. 00:06:42.100 --> 00:06:47.780 All throughout the Bible, that word faithful is a high kingdom value among God's people. 00:06:48.939 --> 00:06:49.379 Faithfulness. 00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:55.540 And Tychicus was a faithful minister, a fellow servant. 00:06:55.540 --> 00:06:58.740 He's a fellow slave with Paul to Jesus. 00:06:59.460 --> 00:07:00.140 He was beloved. 00:07:00.260 --> 00:07:01.160 He was well thought of. 00:07:01.760 --> 00:07:04.760 Tychicus was on Paul's apostolic ministry team. 00:07:05.020 --> 00:07:09.840 He wasn't a capital A apostle, but he served on Paul's apostolic team. 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:11.000 And so, here's what that would mean. 00:07:11.580 --> 00:07:13.220 Paul is in prison in Rome. 00:07:13.280 --> 00:07:14.140 He can't leave Rome. 00:07:14.139 --> 00:07:21.819 And so, he would send someone like Tychicus to a place like Colossians, carrying the letter to the Colossians, 00:07:21.979 --> 00:07:27.560 to bring it to the Colossians, then to have it read by Tychicus to the Colossians. 00:07:28.060 --> 00:07:34.759 And then, Tychicus would explain any question that would come up on the letter because he was a representative of Paul, 00:07:35.000 --> 00:07:37.139 because he was faithful, reliable. 00:07:37.139 --> 00:07:45.740 So, Tychicus, man, he's a reliable dude, but he's not traveling by himself. 00:07:45.939 --> 00:07:48.899 He's traveling also with this guy named Onesimus. 00:07:49.079 --> 00:07:50.079 We see that in verse 9. 00:07:50.699 --> 00:07:59.360 He is a faithful, there you go, and beloved brother who is one of you, which means he's from Colossians. 00:08:00.019 --> 00:08:02.740 He is a native of Colossi. 00:08:02.860 --> 00:08:04.779 Now, there's a little story here. 00:08:04.779 --> 00:08:06.899 Are you guys familiar with the book of Philemon? 00:08:08.159 --> 00:08:10.519 Philemon was another Colossian. 00:08:11.639 --> 00:08:17.679 And he was a wealthy Colossian who the Colossian church met in his house. 00:08:18.739 --> 00:08:21.459 And he had a slave named Onesimus. 00:08:22.799 --> 00:08:28.659 And Onesimus somehow found his way to Rome, where he encountered the apostle Paul. 00:08:29.419 --> 00:08:31.659 Paul shared the gospel with Onesimus. 00:08:31.660 --> 00:08:37.100 And Onesimus was delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of the beloved son. 00:08:37.580 --> 00:08:42.019 He got flipped by the grace of God in Rome. 00:08:42.940 --> 00:08:50.440 It's this same Onesimus now that Paul is sending back to Colossi with Tychicus with this letter. 00:08:50.440 --> 00:08:52.920 What a story, huh? 00:08:52.920 --> 00:09:02.020 Well, these two men who are faithful, beloved brothers are delivering Paul's letter to the church in Colossi. 00:09:02.740 --> 00:09:03.640 And look what they're to tell. 00:09:04.660 --> 00:09:07.660 And verse Tychicus will tell you about my activities. 00:09:08.920 --> 00:09:09.700 Verse 8. 00:09:10.840 --> 00:09:12.380 That you may know how we are. 00:09:13.020 --> 00:09:13.960 Verse 9. 00:09:13.960 --> 00:09:17.019 They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. 00:09:17.340 --> 00:09:25.040 So they're being sent not only with the letter to the Colossians, but to inform them of what's going on with Paul in Rome. 00:09:25.100 --> 00:09:25.900 Do you know what's going on? 00:09:27.519 --> 00:09:29.740 Well, he says so in this letter. 00:09:30.600 --> 00:09:31.540 Chapter 124. 00:09:31.539 --> 00:09:41.659 If you look at 4.3. 00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:43.839 At the same time, 00:09:43.839 --> 00:09:56.179 Paul is suffering for Christ in Rome. 00:09:56.279 --> 00:09:57.099 He's imprisoned. 00:09:57.339 --> 00:09:58.740 Shackled to a Praetorian guard. 00:09:58.740 --> 00:10:04.240 And so even though he's had his freedoms significantly restricted, 00:10:04.779 --> 00:10:09.419 he's rejoicing at the opportunities he's being given to speak of Jesus. 00:10:11.019 --> 00:10:19.080 And so he's sending Tychicus and Onesimus back to Colossi to tell these Colossian Christians who've never met Paul, 00:10:20.539 --> 00:10:23.480 that hey, don't be discouraged by my circumstances. 00:10:24.320 --> 00:10:27.360 Be encouraged by my circumstances. 00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:29.940 And that's what we see in verse 8. 00:10:31.639 --> 00:10:32.399 Chapter 4. 00:10:34.060 --> 00:10:39.720 I have sent him to you for this very purpose that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts. 00:10:41.220 --> 00:10:42.139 There's the purpose. 00:10:43.560 --> 00:10:45.019 To encourage your hearts. 00:10:45.879 --> 00:10:48.259 To put strength in their hearts. 00:10:48.259 --> 00:10:54.080 If you look at chapter 2, verse 1, we read this. 00:10:54.080 --> 00:10:58.159 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea. 00:10:58.819 --> 00:11:00.899 That's another church just miles down the street. 00:11:02.080 --> 00:11:04.399 And for all who have not seen me face to face, 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:07.240 that their hearts may be encouraged. 00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:10.700 Be strengthened. 00:11:10.700 --> 00:11:16.720 Don't think, Paul says, that my suffering is something that should discourage you. 00:11:17.259 --> 00:11:18.780 It should encourage you. 00:11:19.420 --> 00:11:21.460 And you might be saying, well, how does that work? 00:11:22.920 --> 00:11:26.700 It's because when we see brothers and sisters who are suffering for the name of Jesus, 00:11:26.940 --> 00:11:28.680 it puts strength in us. 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:29.460 Do you know what they're saying? 00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:31.759 They're saying Jesus is worth it. 00:11:33.580 --> 00:11:35.280 Remember this illustration I've used? 00:11:35.620 --> 00:11:38.180 Two baby grand pianos up on the stage. 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:39.800 They're both perfectly tuned. 00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:43.500 And if you start hitting center C in one, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, 00:11:43.500 --> 00:11:48.860 it will sympathetically resonate in the other baby grand. 00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:51.879 It will hum center C. 00:11:52.580 --> 00:11:55.220 And so on the stage, you get music. 00:11:55.220 --> 00:12:05.879 And what Paul is doing here is he is tapping on center C, Christ central. 00:12:07.540 --> 00:12:08.660 Don't be discouraged. 00:12:08.820 --> 00:12:09.660 Be encouraged. 00:12:10.320 --> 00:12:12.899 I'm in here for Christ, and he's being exalted. 00:12:13.440 --> 00:12:14.879 Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding. 00:12:15.220 --> 00:12:19.500 And this is what Tychicus and Onesimus is bringing to this Colossian church. 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:25.019 They're to take strength from that because Christ is the controlling center of all things. 00:12:25.220 --> 00:12:33.180 You know, there's other things that you can look to to get this kind of Christocentric resonance. 00:12:34.440 --> 00:12:38.220 Has anybody read a good Christian biography lately? 00:12:38.820 --> 00:12:42.879 Has anybody read a biography on like a missionary? 00:12:43.920 --> 00:12:45.519 Okay, I'm going to list some books. 00:12:45.660 --> 00:12:47.500 If you haven't read one of these, you've got to. 00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:53.879 Because you're going to find this kind of center C resonance in you from suffering saints. 00:12:55.080 --> 00:12:58.320 We've wanted to bring glory to Jesus through the gates of splendor. 00:12:58.539 --> 00:12:59.279 Elizabeth Elliot. 00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:02.320 Story of Jim Elliot and his companions. 00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:04.399 The hiding place. 00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:05.240 Corrie Ten Boom. 00:13:05.980 --> 00:13:06.940 To the Golden Shore. 00:13:07.059 --> 00:13:08.940 The story of Adoniram Judson. 00:13:09.320 --> 00:13:11.120 Hudson Taylor's spiritual secret. 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:14.200 John G. Patton's missionary to the New Hebrides. 00:13:14.560 --> 00:13:24.240 These are just classic biographies that will stir your soul towards Christ because all of these people are hitting center C. 00:13:25.419 --> 00:13:26.860 And saying Jesus is worth it. 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:30.320 Church, I'm a little discouraged. 00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:37.779 I dropped that on you quick, didn't I? 00:13:37.779 --> 00:13:40.779 Let's rewind. 00:13:42.339 --> 00:13:44.740 And John G. Patton, missionary to the New Hebrides. 00:13:45.919 --> 00:13:47.279 Church, I'm a little discouraged. 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:50.299 That's right. 00:13:51.740 --> 00:13:55.759 So this close is more than a list of names. 00:13:56.480 --> 00:14:01.019 Paul is seeking to encourage this church even with his sufferings. 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:06.659 Not only are we to be encouraged by suffering, 00:14:06.659 --> 00:14:11.799 we're to be encouraged by a unique, distinct unity. 00:14:13.419 --> 00:14:17.699 In verses 10 through 14, there's a list of six men. 00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:20.819 You're like, whoa, whoa, that's a bunch of dudes. 00:14:21.219 --> 00:14:21.699 It is. 00:14:22.339 --> 00:14:24.000 And Paul makes a move in the close. 00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:25.059 He changes directions. 00:14:25.399 --> 00:14:27.159 Instead of talking about these two men he sent, 00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:31.980 now he's talking about six men who are sending their greetings from Rome 00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:33.299 because they're with Paul. 00:14:33.299 --> 00:14:37.479 The first is Aristarchus. 00:14:38.199 --> 00:14:39.139 He's a fellow minister. 00:14:40.359 --> 00:14:45.240 Verse 10, Aristarchus was one of the guys, along with Gaius, in Acts 19. 00:14:45.359 --> 00:14:47.120 Maybe you remember this, the riot in Ephesus. 00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:47.919 Paul was preaching. 00:14:48.679 --> 00:14:54.539 It was the whole economy of Ephesus turned upside down because of the preaching of Christ. 00:14:54.539 --> 00:14:59.459 And so the people in Ephesus wanted to hurt somebody. 00:14:59.579 --> 00:15:04.759 They couldn't get Paul, so they dragged out this guy, Aristarchus and Gaius. 00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:07.620 He sends greetings. 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:13.799 Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, as in John Mark, 00:15:14.179 --> 00:15:18.719 as in the Mark who joined Barnabas and the apostle Paul on the first missionary journey, 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:24.220 the same Mark who in Acts 13, they got to Pamphylia, and he's like, I'm out. 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:25.600 See ya. 00:15:27.940 --> 00:15:29.220 He bailed on him. 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:31.080 That Mark. 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:37.560 And it's at the end of Acts 15 where Paul's like, let's do another missionary journey. 00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:39.980 And then Barnabas is like, yeah, I'll bring Mark. 00:15:40.540 --> 00:15:42.180 And Paul's like, no way. 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:44.279 I'm bringing Silas. 00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:45.779 And they split ways. 00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:54.699 But here, years later, the apostle Paul is commending Mark to the Colossian church. 00:15:54.779 --> 00:15:56.019 Hey, if he comes, welcome him. 00:15:57.199 --> 00:15:58.500 Something changed there. 00:15:58.579 --> 00:16:00.279 There's a story there of restoration. 00:16:02.159 --> 00:16:05.959 The other name that gets listed of these first three is this guy named Jesus. 00:16:06.159 --> 00:16:12.039 Not to be confused with the firstborn of creation and the firstborn from the dead. 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:13.379 This is justice. 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:15.679 That Jesus. 00:16:15.779 --> 00:16:22.500 But what they all have in common are they all fellow workers of the kingdom of God. 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:29.139 They're all seeking to help deliver people from the domain of darkness and bring them into the kingdom of the beloved son. 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:30.379 It's that kingdom of God. 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:35.539 But here's what you really need to see. 00:16:36.839 --> 00:16:37.939 It's in verse 11. 00:16:37.940 --> 00:16:42.980 These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers. 00:16:43.660 --> 00:16:45.140 These are three Jewish men. 00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:47.400 With Paul and Rome. 00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:48.860 You know why that matters? 00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:51.200 With what comes next. 00:16:52.540 --> 00:16:53.520 The next three. 00:16:53.780 --> 00:16:54.680 Starting with Epaphras. 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:55.880 He's a Gentile. 00:16:55.879 --> 00:17:00.480 Paul thinks the world of Epaphras. 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:03.860 This is not the first time we encountered Epaphras in the book of Colossians. 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:05.599 Colossians 1.7. 00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:10.640 Paul is telling us how the gospel has come to Colossians. 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:12.340 And it didn't come from Paul. 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:15.660 It came through Epaphras. 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:18.300 The beloved fellow servant. 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:23.220 He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf. 00:17:25.300 --> 00:17:26.700 This Epaphras. 00:17:27.780 --> 00:17:31.040 He's the one that brought the gospel to Colossae. 00:17:32.039 --> 00:17:33.079 He's one of them. 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:34.039 He's from Colossians. 00:17:34.200 --> 00:17:35.399 Colossians himself. 00:17:36.139 --> 00:17:36.859 4.12. 00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:41.019 And we learn also that he's always struggling on your behalf in his prayers. 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:42.720 That they would stand mature. 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:43.159 Right? 00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:45.740 That they would be fully assured in all of the will of God. 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:46.960 Do you know what this covers? 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:50.099 He's like a mini Paul. 00:17:51.659 --> 00:17:53.319 He's following in Paul's footsteps. 00:17:53.819 --> 00:17:59.059 These are the very things Paul is striving after in Colossians 1.28. 00:17:59.059 --> 00:18:03.179 He's toiling, struggling to present everybody mature in Christ. 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:04.079 Same language. 00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:12.220 Paul prays in Colossians 1.9.10 that these Colossians would know the will of God. 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:14.819 That they would walk in a manner worthy of their Lord. 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:19.359 That's the same thing that Epaphras is praying for them. 00:18:22.099 --> 00:18:24.299 But then in verse 13, Paul says this. 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:27.379 For I bear him witness. 00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:30.840 That's coming close to an oath. 00:18:31.540 --> 00:18:32.980 That's like me saying this. 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:35.600 Hey, I got to tell you something about this guy. 00:18:36.680 --> 00:18:38.120 Here's what you need to know about him. 00:18:38.540 --> 00:18:39.840 He is a hard worker. 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:42.000 He gets it done. 00:18:42.840 --> 00:18:45.120 I'm so impressed with how he works. 00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:49.540 And that's what the Apostle Paul is saying about Epaphras. 00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:57.099 He's working hard, not just among the Colossians, but among the Laodiceans and those of Hierapolis. 00:18:57.399 --> 00:18:59.480 These are three different churches, three different cities. 00:18:59.899 --> 00:19:04.240 And what it seems to be pointing to is this, that Epaphras was a church planter. 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:12.899 And that not only did he establish the church in Colossae, he established the church in Laodicea and Hierapolis as well. 00:19:12.900 --> 00:19:20.759 And he is laboring to see that these churches are established in the truth of Christ and being built up. 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:28.680 There's a lot of print on this man because he's one of their own. 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:32.860 Paul wants them to know that he holds him in high regard. 00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:36.119 He then describes two other Gentiles. 00:19:36.659 --> 00:19:38.299 Luke, the beloved physician, greets you. 00:19:38.619 --> 00:19:41.419 He's the traveling companion of Paul in the book of Acts. 00:19:42.139 --> 00:19:44.479 Luke wrote the gospel of Luke in Acts. 00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:49.159 And also this guy named Demas, another Gentile. 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:54.699 So here we have Paul's apostolic team in Rome. 00:19:55.599 --> 00:20:02.799 And Paul's making very clear that the Colossians know that three of them are Jews and three of them are Gentiles. 00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:16.319 He wants them to know that this team is united despite their ethnic backgrounds, despite their different cultural backgrounds. 00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:19.500 They are united in Christ. 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:22.259 Jesus Christ is the controlling center of these men. 00:20:23.979 --> 00:20:28.500 It would have been encouraging to them because one of the false teachings that they were experiencing, 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:34.099 we know this from Colossians 2, is some kind of like spin on Judaism that distract them from Christ. 00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:37.380 And Paul's saying, here's nope. 00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:44.500 Here's my team saying hi from Rome, suffering with me for the glory of Jesus. 00:20:45.859 --> 00:20:51.180 These three Jewish men, they're laboring for you, and these three Gentile men are laboring for you. 00:20:51.180 --> 00:20:55.240 Jesus is their controlling center. 00:20:57.620 --> 00:20:59.900 There's an implicit warning in this too. 00:21:00.060 --> 00:21:03.060 You don't see it from this passage. 00:21:03.620 --> 00:21:04.820 It has to do with Demas. 00:21:07.060 --> 00:21:11.080 Later on, 2 Timothy 4, verse 10, 00:21:12.600 --> 00:21:17.500 Paul is realizing he's coming near to death. 00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:18.759 He's talking to Timothy. 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:20.519 He's wrapping up that letter. 00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:22.400 He's all alone. 00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:25.359 And he writes this regarding Demas. 00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:35.460 Demas, who loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:45.759 You see, it's a sober warning because Demas didn't keep Jesus as the controlling center of his life, 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:47.279 the treasured center of his life. 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:51.899 He came to value the temporary trinkets of the world. 00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:54.660 And there was separation as a result. 00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:58.859 Brothers and sisters, this unity that we're seeing on this ministry team, 00:21:59.160 --> 00:22:01.200 which was to encourage the Colossians, 00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:04.639 well, this is a unity that we experience too as a church. 00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:06.599 It's not static. 00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:07.339 It's dynamic. 00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:15.980 And the best way that we can preserve the unity of the church is for each of us individually to be treasuring Jesus above all else, 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:19.839 to be making Jesus the controlling center of our lives. 00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:26.059 And when we do that, he becomes the center C of our church. 00:22:27.659 --> 00:22:29.959 Church, I'm just a little discouraged. 00:22:32.659 --> 00:22:34.019 Christ is worth it. 00:22:34.859 --> 00:22:36.419 He's our unifying center. 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:41.640 And then we come to verses 15 through 17. 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:46.960 Be encouraged by an exhortation. 00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:51.360 Paul, again, changes kind of his tact. 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:55.680 He goes from sharing the greetings of six men in Rome with him, 00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:59.779 now to saying, hey, would you pass my greetings on to this church? 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:02.980 And would you swap letters with that church? 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:05.420 And by the way, would you say this to this one guy? 00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:11.000 You may have noticed in verse 15 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:16.400 that Paul tells the Colossians 00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:20.279 to say hi to the Laodiceans. 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:24.180 So like if there were some Colossian Christians shopping at Walmart, 00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:27.320 in between kind of Colossi and Laodicea, 00:23:27.380 --> 00:23:29.380 and they see some people from the Laodicean church, 00:23:29.580 --> 00:23:30.460 they were to do this. 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:31.640 Hey, you know what? 00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:32.420 We got a letter from Paul. 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.019 He says hi. 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:34.960 That's how that would roll. 00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:36.799 And you know what that does? 00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:39.100 It's a unifier. 00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:46.660 The apostle Paul is brokering inter-church fraternization. 00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:52.660 He's helping these churches greet one another, 00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:53.740 be aware of one another, 00:23:53.820 --> 00:23:55.740 to love each other and care for each other. 00:23:56.600 --> 00:23:57.580 He's very specific. 00:23:58.320 --> 00:24:00.540 Greet the brothers in Laodicea, 00:24:02.300 --> 00:24:04.700 nympha in the church in her house. 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:10.060 I did something a couple months ago. 00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:11.460 I should have asked your permission first. 00:24:12.560 --> 00:24:15.080 I was preaching at a church in South Carolina, 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:17.920 and I just greeted them. 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:19.920 The people of Christ the King Church, 00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:21.779 greet you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:23.099 I should have asked you first. 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:26.460 Can we just do this from here on out? 00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:28.220 If I get a preaching opportunity somewhere else, 00:24:28.639 --> 00:24:31.639 can I just greet people on your behalf 00:24:31.639 --> 00:24:32.559 in the name of Jesus? 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:33.200 Is that cool? 00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:36.119 And so by doing that, 00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:37.220 you know what we'll be doing? 00:24:37.819 --> 00:24:39.420 We'll be saying this to these people. 00:24:40.539 --> 00:24:41.859 We got Jesus in common. 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:44.139 Glory to Him. 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:47.599 We're blood-bought in Kenosha. 00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:50.779 Greetings to the blood-bought in South Carolina. 00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:56.179 In verse 16, we see something interesting. 00:24:56.419 --> 00:24:58.799 We see the Apostle Paul telling them, 00:24:58.879 --> 00:25:01.259 hey, this letter's been read among you. 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:04.119 Have it read aloud in the church of the Laodiceans. 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:06.899 And see that you also read the letter from the Laodiceans. 00:25:07.139 --> 00:25:09.579 The idea here is Paul wrote this letter 00:25:09.579 --> 00:25:11.480 to the Colossian church 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:12.959 and sent it by way of Tychicus, 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:15.319 and he wrote another letter to the Laodicean church. 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.720 We don't have that letter. 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:19.439 We just have the letter to the Colossian church. 00:25:20.599 --> 00:25:22.740 But what we see going on here is this. 00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:27.740 The Apostle Paul wanted these churches 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:31.379 to be benefiting from his apostolic writing. 00:25:32.639 --> 00:25:34.679 He wanted the Word of Christ 00:25:34.679 --> 00:25:37.639 dwelling richly between the churches. 00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:42.880 Isn't it so wonderful now 00:25:42.880 --> 00:25:47.000 that we don't have to be swapping Colossians 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:50.440 and KBC's copy of the book of Romans? 00:25:51.400 --> 00:25:52.920 We got it all in one spot. 00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:57.560 All canonized together in one book. 00:25:59.560 --> 00:26:01.800 It's a feast for our souls. 00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:07.419 But Paul wanted this Christocentric resonance 00:26:07.419 --> 00:26:09.059 happening between the churches. 00:26:10.579 --> 00:26:13.240 It's verse 17 that I want to draw your attention to. 00:26:16.639 --> 00:26:18.279 And say to Archippus, 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:21.299 see that you fulfill the ministry 00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:22.899 that you have received in the Lord. 00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:29.980 Archippus is named in the book of Philemon. 00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:31.099 He was a Colossian. 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:35.259 And he's described as a fellow soldier. 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:36.859 He's a faithful brother. 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:39.500 He fought the fight of faith. 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:43.819 And so, you need to understand 00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:44.839 what Paul is doing here. 00:26:46.339 --> 00:26:48.259 Paul is telling the Colossian church 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:51.139 to speak a word of exhortation 00:26:51.139 --> 00:26:55.319 to their brother, Archippus. 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:56.899 Now, could you imagine 00:26:56.899 --> 00:26:59.339 when Tychicus is reading this for the first time 00:26:59.339 --> 00:27:00.940 when the Colossian church is gathered there 00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:02.640 and there is Archippus standing? 00:27:03.320 --> 00:27:04.240 Could you imagine that? 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:07.779 The whole church looking at him saying, 00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:09.240 okay, we got a word for you, brother. 00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:12.320 What's going on here? 00:27:12.320 --> 00:27:12.400 What's going on here? 00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:22.480 will immediately you have a sense 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:24.080 that whatever this is, it's serious. 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:27.740 See that you fulfill the ministry 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:29.160 that you have received in the Lord. 00:27:29.360 --> 00:27:31.019 I think that there's two possibilities here. 00:27:31.120 --> 00:27:32.780 The first possibility is this, 00:27:33.280 --> 00:27:35.700 that Archippus somehow 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:37.880 started to become unfaithful. 00:27:37.880 --> 00:27:39.440 He's dragging his feet. 00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:43.200 He's not doing what God has entrusted him to do. 00:27:44.060 --> 00:27:47.200 And the church is to actually deliver 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:50.100 the business end of a rebuke to Archippus. 00:27:50.260 --> 00:27:51.980 I think that's the first possibility. 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:53.060 They're to say, 00:27:53.540 --> 00:27:55.820 brother, come on, get back in the game. 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:58.760 Fulfill the ministry that's been entrusted to you 00:27:58.760 --> 00:27:59.840 by the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:03.639 And so it's kind of like semi-disciplined there. 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:06.799 The church kind of rebuking a brother 00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:08.720 to press back into his ministry. 00:28:08.919 --> 00:28:09.659 That's a possibility. 00:28:10.859 --> 00:28:13.059 I think a better explanation is option two. 00:28:13.359 --> 00:28:13.959 And here it is. 00:28:16.639 --> 00:28:17.699 He was discouraged. 00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:27.279 That's what the church was to tell him. 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:35.879 If you look at 2 Timothy 4, 5, you read this. 00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:39.279 Now this is to another faithful brother. 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:40.160 His name is Timothy. 00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:42.420 As for you, Timothy, 00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:44.019 always be sober-minded, 00:28:44.879 --> 00:28:46.019 endure suffering, 00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:48.480 do the work of an evangelist, 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:50.720 fulfill your ministry. 00:28:52.399 --> 00:28:53.019 Complete it. 00:28:54.099 --> 00:28:55.420 That was not a rebuke. 00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:59.180 That same kind of language is being used here. 00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:00.639 So I think the better explanation 00:29:00.639 --> 00:29:05.339 is Paul telling the Colossian brothers and sisters, 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:06.500 brothers and sisters, 00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:08.680 you've got a brother who's laboring hard. 00:29:11.079 --> 00:29:12.420 Don't let him be discouraged. 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:15.700 Speak to him. 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:17.960 Tell him to press on. 00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:23.039 Tell him Christ is worth it. 00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:24.220 Don't stop. 00:29:25.119 --> 00:29:26.359 Keep preaching Christ. 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:29.259 Ministry's tough. 00:29:30.619 --> 00:29:31.759 Don't give up. 00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:35.079 Keep fighting the fight of faith. 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:37.339 Jesus is worth it. 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:39.500 Your labor's not in vain. 00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:42.819 What you do now matters. 00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:46.180 Either way, 00:29:46.180 --> 00:29:48.580 it's an encouraging exhortation, 00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:49.200 isn't it? 00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:52.340 They're calling him to be faithful. 00:29:53.900 --> 00:29:55.500 Just like Tychicus is faithful. 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:58.019 Just like Onesimus is faithful. 00:29:58.960 --> 00:30:00.480 Just as Epaphras is faithful. 00:30:01.360 --> 00:30:02.600 Archippus is to be faithful. 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:04.340 Just as Paul was faithful. 00:30:04.840 --> 00:30:06.039 Just as Jesus is faithful. 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:07.160 Faithful and true. 00:30:09.340 --> 00:30:10.740 It's a kingdom value. 00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:13.180 Don't give up. 00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:13.860 Give up. 00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:15.519 Jesus is worth it. 00:30:15.900 --> 00:30:19.460 It's like the church of Colossae 00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:22.920 is to hit the center sea of Christ central 00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:26.100 so that Archippus could feel it 00:30:26.100 --> 00:30:28.240 and press on. 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:31.400 Church, I'm a little discouraged. 00:30:36.120 --> 00:30:38.039 Now be encouraged by grace. 00:30:39.820 --> 00:30:41.759 We've come to the very last verse 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:43.119 of the book of Colossians. 00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:44.039 Verse 18. 00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:47.519 And it's interesting. 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:50.420 Paul writes, 00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:51.900 I, Paul, write this greeting 00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:52.859 with my own hand. 00:30:53.140 --> 00:30:53.819 Remember my chains. 00:30:53.900 --> 00:30:54.400 Grace be with you. 00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:55.519 What's going on there? 00:30:57.180 --> 00:30:58.240 In the first century, 00:30:58.379 --> 00:30:59.059 Paul would be, 00:30:59.619 --> 00:31:01.379 he'd often use someone 00:31:01.379 --> 00:31:02.900 to write his letter. 00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:03.960 So he would dictate, 00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:05.460 a secretary would write it. 00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:08.420 In Romans 16.22, 00:31:09.059 --> 00:31:09.720 you read this, 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.819 I, Tertius, 00:31:10.920 --> 00:31:11.640 who wrote this letter, 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.120 greet you. 00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:13.319 So, 00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:15.620 the book of Romans 00:31:15.620 --> 00:31:16.680 didn't come from Tertius. 00:31:16.799 --> 00:31:18.420 It came from Paul 00:31:18.420 --> 00:31:19.279 under the inspiration 00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:19.980 of the Holy Spirit. 00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:22.819 And so, 00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:25.220 most of the book of Colossians 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:27.100 up to verse 17 of chapter 4 00:31:27.100 --> 00:31:28.000 was likely 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:29.960 kind of dictated. 00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:32.440 But Paul takes up that pen. 00:31:34.019 --> 00:31:35.160 And now he's writing 00:31:35.160 --> 00:31:36.220 with his own hand. 00:31:36.220 --> 00:31:37.839 It would have been 00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:39.680 a signature of his own name. 00:31:40.299 --> 00:31:40.980 I, Paul, 00:31:41.380 --> 00:31:42.140 write this greeting 00:31:42.140 --> 00:31:43.259 with my own hand. 00:31:43.600 --> 00:31:44.420 Remember my chains. 00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:45.460 Grace be with you. 00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:46.380 Do you know what gets done? 00:31:47.120 --> 00:31:48.279 It authenticates the letter. 00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:50.500 It's genuine. 00:31:51.900 --> 00:31:53.100 This is from the Apostle Paul. 00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:55.339 And then you know what it does? 00:31:55.920 --> 00:31:57.200 It authorizes the letter. 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:59.140 It's binding. 00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:01.960 This is apostolic authority. 00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:04.279 This is God speaking to us 00:32:04.279 --> 00:32:05.079 through the Apostle. 00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:08.000 And he is calling us 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:09.799 to live with Christ 00:32:09.799 --> 00:32:10.839 as the controlling center 00:32:10.839 --> 00:32:11.599 of our lives. 00:32:14.439 --> 00:32:15.599 Remember my chains. 00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:18.919 Do you remember 00:32:18.919 --> 00:32:21.000 where verse 7 began? 00:32:21.179 --> 00:32:23.119 Tertius will tell you 00:32:23.119 --> 00:32:24.059 about my activities, 00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:25.339 my sufferings 00:32:25.339 --> 00:32:26.220 here in Rome. 00:32:26.679 --> 00:32:27.859 And now he comes back 00:32:27.859 --> 00:32:28.839 to talking about 00:32:28.839 --> 00:32:29.699 his sufferings in Rome. 00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:32.399 Remember my chains. 00:32:33.619 --> 00:32:34.799 It's called a prayer. 00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:35.980 Hey, 00:32:36.159 --> 00:32:38.519 when you pray for me, 00:32:38.579 --> 00:32:39.599 remember that I'm chained. 00:32:39.799 --> 00:32:41.019 And would you pray 00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:41.659 for open doors 00:32:41.659 --> 00:32:42.879 to the gospel for three? 00:32:43.679 --> 00:32:44.500 And that I would have 00:32:44.500 --> 00:32:45.419 clarity and boldness 00:32:45.419 --> 00:32:46.240 in walking through them? 00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:49.579 It reminds us 00:32:49.579 --> 00:32:50.179 to be praying 00:32:50.179 --> 00:32:51.199 for brothers and sisters 00:32:51.199 --> 00:32:52.740 just locally 00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:53.579 and globally 00:32:53.579 --> 00:32:54.399 who are suffering 00:32:54.399 --> 00:32:54.960 for Jesus 00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:56.000 that we are praying 00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:56.579 for them, 00:32:57.859 --> 00:32:58.699 remembering them 00:32:58.699 --> 00:32:59.500 in their distress. 00:32:59.500 --> 00:33:06.259 and it's like 00:33:06.259 --> 00:33:09.059 smelling salts. 00:33:11.720 --> 00:33:12.720 It's like 00:33:12.720 --> 00:33:14.819 Christ is worth it. 00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:17.359 Remember my chains. 00:33:19.220 --> 00:33:20.359 Don't be discouraged. 00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:21.140 Be encouraged. 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:22.480 Christ is worth it. 00:33:23.660 --> 00:33:24.700 There are consequences 00:33:24.700 --> 00:33:26.340 to being a follower 00:33:26.340 --> 00:33:27.019 of Jesus 00:33:27.019 --> 00:33:28.640 and Christ is worth it. 00:33:30.580 --> 00:33:31.600 It's like he's saying, 00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:33.039 hey, I have no regrets 00:33:33.039 --> 00:33:33.700 of being here. 00:33:34.700 --> 00:33:35.680 No regrets. 00:33:35.680 --> 00:33:35.759 grace. 00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:40.340 But Paul doesn't end 00:33:40.340 --> 00:33:41.539 with chains. 00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:43.500 He doesn't end 00:33:43.500 --> 00:33:44.340 this letter with chains. 00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:46.180 He ends this letter 00:33:46.180 --> 00:33:46.799 with grace. 00:33:48.240 --> 00:33:48.700 Grace 00:33:48.700 --> 00:33:50.360 be 00:33:50.360 --> 00:33:51.980 with you. 00:33:52.980 --> 00:33:53.680 And that's where 00:33:53.680 --> 00:33:54.220 he started. 00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:55.420 Chapter 1, 00:33:55.460 --> 00:33:55.920 verse 2, 00:33:56.279 --> 00:33:56.779 to the saints 00:33:56.779 --> 00:33:58.440 and faithful brothers, 00:33:58.620 --> 00:34:00.060 faithful brothers 00:34:00.060 --> 00:34:01.220 in Christ 00:34:01.220 --> 00:34:02.279 at Colossae, 00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:03.620 grace 00:34:03.619 --> 00:34:04.939 to you. 00:34:06.479 --> 00:34:07.239 Grace, 00:34:08.239 --> 00:34:08.980 you can remember 00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:09.579 it this way, 00:34:09.940 --> 00:34:10.859 God's riches 00:34:10.859 --> 00:34:12.880 at Christ's expense. 00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:14.000 Grace. 00:34:14.759 --> 00:34:15.440 God's riches 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:16.920 at Christ's expense. 00:34:17.579 --> 00:34:18.339 God's grace 00:34:18.339 --> 00:34:19.319 is his 00:34:19.319 --> 00:34:20.480 powerful 00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:21.699 kindness. 00:34:22.179 --> 00:34:22.940 Something we don't 00:34:22.940 --> 00:34:23.460 deserve 00:34:23.460 --> 00:34:25.019 that transforms 00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:26.019 us. 00:34:30.359 --> 00:34:31.440 God's grace 00:34:31.440 --> 00:34:32.500 makes the 00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:33.820 spiritually dead, 00:34:34.280 --> 00:34:35.539 spiritually alive. 00:34:36.920 --> 00:34:37.820 God's grace 00:34:37.820 --> 00:34:39.139 transforms 00:34:39.139 --> 00:34:40.219 adulterers 00:34:40.219 --> 00:34:41.659 into faithful 00:34:41.659 --> 00:34:42.420 men and women. 00:34:43.800 --> 00:34:44.440 God's grace 00:34:44.440 --> 00:34:45.260 is powerful. 00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:46.179 Are you 00:34:46.179 --> 00:34:47.820 on the lookout 00:34:47.820 --> 00:34:48.579 for God's grace? 00:34:49.699 --> 00:34:50.340 If you were 00:34:50.340 --> 00:34:51.219 looking for God's grace, 00:34:51.300 --> 00:34:51.639 do you know where 00:34:51.639 --> 00:34:52.579 to look for God's grace? 00:34:54.099 --> 00:34:55.059 Look for the word 00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:55.460 and the word 00:34:55.460 --> 00:34:56.139 is going to point you 00:34:56.139 --> 00:34:56.559 to Jesus. 00:34:56.559 --> 00:34:59.739 Jesus 00:34:59.739 --> 00:35:01.559 is where you 00:35:01.559 --> 00:35:02.639 find God's grace. 00:35:03.539 --> 00:35:04.259 He's the controlling 00:35:04.259 --> 00:35:05.380 center of all things. 00:35:05.500 --> 00:35:06.360 He's the gracious 00:35:06.360 --> 00:35:08.579 center of all things. 00:35:09.079 --> 00:35:10.079 And so I thought 00:35:10.079 --> 00:35:11.880 we would wrap up 00:35:11.880 --> 00:35:13.420 our series 00:35:13.420 --> 00:35:15.719 in this last point 00:35:15.719 --> 00:35:16.139 of grace 00:35:16.139 --> 00:35:17.380 by me just reminding 00:35:17.380 --> 00:35:18.199 you a few things. 00:35:19.420 --> 00:35:20.659 By God's grace, 00:35:20.880 --> 00:35:21.579 brother and sister, 00:35:22.500 --> 00:35:23.179 you are now part 00:35:23.179 --> 00:35:23.840 of a new kingdom. 00:35:23.840 --> 00:35:25.860 You've been delivered 00:35:25.860 --> 00:35:26.720 from the domain 00:35:26.720 --> 00:35:27.220 of darkness 00:35:27.220 --> 00:35:27.780 and you've been 00:35:27.780 --> 00:35:28.680 transferred into 00:35:28.680 --> 00:35:29.120 the kingdom 00:35:29.120 --> 00:35:30.120 of the beloved son. 00:35:31.260 --> 00:35:31.820 You're in a new 00:35:31.820 --> 00:35:32.500 kingdom with a new 00:35:32.500 --> 00:35:32.840 king. 00:35:33.620 --> 00:35:34.900 He is the king 00:35:34.900 --> 00:35:36.400 of the old creation 00:35:36.400 --> 00:35:37.180 and the king 00:35:37.180 --> 00:35:38.220 of the new creation. 00:35:38.340 --> 00:35:39.160 The firstborn 00:35:39.160 --> 00:35:40.480 of both. 00:35:42.360 --> 00:35:43.039 And his 00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:45.579 is a new 00:35:45.579 --> 00:35:45.840 creation 00:35:46.519 --> 00:35:47.320 kingdom. 00:35:48.800 --> 00:35:49.579 You've been brought 00:35:49.579 --> 00:35:49.980 into that 00:35:49.980 --> 00:35:50.660 by grace. 00:35:50.860 --> 00:35:51.480 Nothing you've done. 00:35:52.680 --> 00:35:53.500 It's all by his grace. 00:35:54.600 --> 00:35:55.400 And not only that, 00:35:55.480 --> 00:35:56.740 you have a new ID. 00:35:57.460 --> 00:35:58.240 You've got to pull out 00:35:58.240 --> 00:35:59.240 your saint card 00:35:59.240 --> 00:36:00.180 from time to time. 00:36:01.120 --> 00:36:02.039 You've got to remember 00:36:02.039 --> 00:36:03.120 that 220, 00:36:03.539 --> 00:36:05.160 you've died with Christ. 00:36:05.300 --> 00:36:05.880 In 3.1, 00:36:05.960 --> 00:36:06.680 you've been raised 00:36:06.680 --> 00:36:07.300 with Christ. 00:36:07.519 --> 00:36:08.220 And if you've died 00:36:08.220 --> 00:36:08.660 with Christ 00:36:08.660 --> 00:36:09.320 and been raised 00:36:09.320 --> 00:36:09.680 with Christ, 00:36:09.760 --> 00:36:10.500 you've been united 00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:11.320 with Christ 00:36:11.320 --> 00:36:12.320 in his death 00:36:12.320 --> 00:36:13.160 and his resurrection. 00:36:13.420 --> 00:36:14.059 So therefore, 00:36:16.340 --> 00:36:17.160 sin no longer 00:36:17.160 --> 00:36:18.180 rules over you. 00:36:19.700 --> 00:36:20.400 Christ does. 00:36:20.900 --> 00:36:21.500 Grace does. 00:36:21.500 --> 00:36:23.380 You're no longer 00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:24.340 a slave to sin. 00:36:24.420 --> 00:36:24.940 You're a slave 00:36:24.940 --> 00:36:25.380 to Jesus. 00:36:27.340 --> 00:36:28.219 That's who you are. 00:36:28.260 --> 00:36:28.699 Now you've got to 00:36:28.699 --> 00:36:29.300 pull out your 00:36:29.300 --> 00:36:30.579 saint card 00:36:30.579 --> 00:36:31.619 from time to time. 00:36:32.380 --> 00:36:33.039 And you've got 00:36:33.039 --> 00:36:34.039 a new aim. 00:36:35.139 --> 00:36:35.900 3.1, 00:36:36.019 --> 00:36:36.599 where you just seek 00:36:36.599 --> 00:36:37.699 the things that are above. 00:36:38.159 --> 00:36:39.539 Where Christ is 00:36:39.539 --> 00:36:40.679 seated at the right 00:36:40.679 --> 00:36:41.380 hand of God. 00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:43.460 We don't live 00:36:43.460 --> 00:36:44.059 for the temporary 00:36:44.059 --> 00:36:44.900 trinkets of the world. 00:36:45.000 --> 00:36:45.539 We live for the 00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:46.340 timeless treasures 00:36:46.340 --> 00:36:47.340 of Christ now. 00:36:49.820 --> 00:36:50.780 He is our aim. 00:36:51.240 --> 00:36:52.100 He is our king. 00:36:52.519 --> 00:36:53.320 He is the controlling 00:36:53.320 --> 00:36:54.640 center of our lives. 00:36:55.480 --> 00:36:56.940 And we're on new time. 00:36:57.640 --> 00:36:57.900 Church, 00:36:57.980 --> 00:36:58.640 what time is it? 00:36:59.800 --> 00:37:00.840 It's Christ time. 00:37:00.940 --> 00:37:01.519 We live between 00:37:01.519 --> 00:37:02.200 the first coming 00:37:02.200 --> 00:37:03.000 and the second coming 00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:03.460 of Jesus. 00:37:04.340 --> 00:37:04.980 Here's one of my 00:37:04.980 --> 00:37:05.800 favorite poems 00:37:05.800 --> 00:37:06.539 of all time. 00:37:08.220 --> 00:37:09.280 Only One Life. 00:37:09.340 --> 00:37:09.900 This is just 00:37:09.900 --> 00:37:11.200 a clause from it. 00:37:12.019 --> 00:37:12.539 Stanza. 00:37:12.680 --> 00:37:13.360 Only one life 00:37:13.360 --> 00:37:14.320 shall soon be passed. 00:37:14.440 --> 00:37:15.059 Only what's done 00:37:15.059 --> 00:37:16.139 for Christ will last. 00:37:17.059 --> 00:37:18.279 Only one life. 00:37:18.960 --> 00:37:19.279 Yes, 00:37:19.739 --> 00:37:20.699 only one. 00:37:21.559 --> 00:37:22.759 Soon will its 00:37:22.759 --> 00:37:24.159 fleeting hours 00:37:24.159 --> 00:37:24.860 be done. 00:37:25.299 --> 00:37:25.779 Then, 00:37:26.119 --> 00:37:27.659 in that day, 00:37:27.980 --> 00:37:28.480 my Lord, 00:37:28.599 --> 00:37:29.019 to meet 00:37:29.019 --> 00:37:30.139 and stand before 00:37:30.139 --> 00:37:31.759 His judgment seat. 00:37:32.119 --> 00:37:32.799 Only one life 00:37:32.799 --> 00:37:33.639 shall soon be passed. 00:37:33.759 --> 00:37:34.279 Only what's done 00:37:34.279 --> 00:37:35.219 for Christ will last. 00:37:35.519 --> 00:37:36.360 We're living in between 00:37:36.360 --> 00:37:37.039 the first coming 00:37:37.039 --> 00:37:37.860 and the second coming 00:37:37.860 --> 00:37:38.299 of Jesus. 00:37:38.639 --> 00:37:39.380 That day. 00:37:40.739 --> 00:37:41.840 So we synchronize 00:37:41.840 --> 00:37:42.360 our watches. 00:37:43.679 --> 00:37:44.360 And we get 00:37:44.360 --> 00:37:44.940 on Christ time. 00:37:46.019 --> 00:37:46.639 We're living 00:37:46.639 --> 00:37:47.299 for His kingdom. 00:37:48.440 --> 00:37:49.159 And we've been 00:37:49.159 --> 00:37:50.179 given new wardrobes 00:37:50.179 --> 00:37:51.380 all by His grace. 00:37:52.719 --> 00:37:53.699 By His grace, 00:37:53.779 --> 00:37:54.460 we're to put off 00:37:54.460 --> 00:37:56.219 the sexual immorality 00:37:56.219 --> 00:37:57.059 of 3.5. 00:37:57.299 --> 00:37:58.079 By His grace, 00:37:58.159 --> 00:37:59.119 we're to put off 00:37:59.119 --> 00:38:01.380 that rancorous spirit 00:38:01.380 --> 00:38:02.460 we read 00:38:02.460 --> 00:38:04.480 in 3.8.9. 00:38:05.519 --> 00:38:06.039 That's 00:38:06.039 --> 00:38:07.759 the grave clothes 00:38:07.759 --> 00:38:08.960 of the old self 00:38:08.960 --> 00:38:10.239 that died with Christ. 00:38:11.480 --> 00:38:12.599 Why would someone 00:38:12.599 --> 00:38:13.699 living be wearing 00:38:13.699 --> 00:38:15.119 the grave clothes 00:38:15.119 --> 00:38:15.960 of someone dead? 00:38:17.619 --> 00:38:18.980 But now we put on 00:38:18.980 --> 00:38:20.359 the Christ wear. 00:38:21.359 --> 00:38:22.379 Put on then 00:38:22.379 --> 00:38:23.799 as God's chosen ones, 00:38:24.099 --> 00:38:24.819 holy and beloved, 00:38:25.039 --> 00:38:25.919 compassionate hearts, 00:38:26.339 --> 00:38:26.599 kindness, 00:38:26.819 --> 00:38:27.179 humility, 00:38:27.379 --> 00:38:27.739 meekness, 00:38:27.799 --> 00:38:28.299 and patience, 00:38:28.859 --> 00:38:29.899 bearing with one another, 00:38:30.439 --> 00:38:31.379 forgiving each other. 00:38:31.819 --> 00:38:32.839 And above all these, 00:38:33.179 --> 00:38:34.819 put on the love. 00:38:34.820 --> 00:38:37.539 And when we are 00:38:37.539 --> 00:38:39.400 wearing Christ wear together, 00:38:39.480 --> 00:38:40.120 do you know what happens, 00:38:40.240 --> 00:38:40.500 church? 00:38:42.480 --> 00:38:43.519 Christocentric resonance, 00:38:44.400 --> 00:38:45.300 the peace of Christ 00:38:45.300 --> 00:38:46.120 ruling our hearts, 00:38:46.220 --> 00:38:46.940 the word of Christ 00:38:46.940 --> 00:38:48.340 dwelling richly among us, 00:38:48.500 --> 00:38:49.760 and the name of Christ 00:38:49.760 --> 00:38:50.740 being exalted 00:38:50.740 --> 00:38:52.000 in all that we do. 00:38:52.840 --> 00:38:53.620 Center see 00:38:53.620 --> 00:38:57.460 by His grace. 00:38:57.460 --> 00:38:57.579 grace. 00:38:59.280 --> 00:39:00.139 Nothing we've done 00:39:00.139 --> 00:39:01.340 to earn that. 00:39:02.619 --> 00:39:03.920 We get to live that out. 00:39:06.679 --> 00:39:07.460 This is 00:39:07.460 --> 00:39:08.639 Christ 00:39:08.639 --> 00:39:10.619 centralizing 00:39:10.619 --> 00:39:11.699 grace. 00:39:13.679 --> 00:39:14.619 And this is where 00:39:14.619 --> 00:39:15.380 Paul closes. 00:39:17.320 --> 00:39:17.960 And there's 00:39:17.960 --> 00:39:18.659 where I'll close. 00:39:19.820 --> 00:39:20.619 Did you come in here 00:39:20.619 --> 00:39:21.900 feeling a little discouraged? 00:39:21.900 --> 00:39:29.260 Be encouraged 00:39:29.260 --> 00:39:29.619 by 00:39:29.619 --> 00:39:31.180 suffering saints. 00:39:31.360 --> 00:39:32.000 Be encouraged 00:39:32.000 --> 00:39:32.340 by 00:39:32.340 --> 00:39:33.360 the unity 00:39:33.360 --> 00:39:34.280 of those 00:39:34.280 --> 00:39:35.019 who are 00:39:35.019 --> 00:39:37.019 making Jesus 00:39:37.019 --> 00:39:37.840 central. 00:39:38.700 --> 00:39:39.599 Be encouraged 00:39:39.599 --> 00:39:40.380 by these 00:39:40.380 --> 00:39:41.559 exhortations. 00:39:41.780 --> 00:39:42.720 Don't give up. 00:39:42.840 --> 00:39:43.559 Press on. 00:39:44.019 --> 00:39:44.920 Be encouraged 00:39:44.920 --> 00:39:47.019 by grace. 00:39:48.180 --> 00:39:48.940 I'm guessing 00:39:48.940 --> 00:39:49.480 this week 00:39:49.480 --> 00:39:50.360 you're going to 00:39:50.360 --> 00:39:51.039 encounter someone 00:39:51.039 --> 00:39:51.639 discouraged 00:39:51.639 --> 00:39:52.599 or wandering. 00:39:52.879 --> 00:39:53.739 Maybe it will be 00:39:53.739 --> 00:39:54.099 you. 00:39:55.759 --> 00:39:56.759 Four words 00:39:56.759 --> 00:39:58.319 you can speak 00:39:58.319 --> 00:39:59.000 on the spot 00:39:59.000 --> 00:40:00.460 when someone 00:40:00.460 --> 00:40:00.940 says, 00:40:02.420 --> 00:40:03.819 I'm feeling 00:40:03.819 --> 00:40:04.420 discouraged. 00:40:05.440 --> 00:40:08.199 Christ is worth 00:40:08.199 --> 00:40:08.659 the church 00:40:08.659 --> 00:40:10.480 because He's 00:40:10.480 --> 00:40:10.940 the controlling 00:40:10.940 --> 00:40:11.699 center of all 00:40:11.699 --> 00:40:12.059 things. 00:40:12.920 --> 00:40:13.599 Let's pray 00:40:13.599 --> 00:40:13.920 together. 00:40:16.920 --> 00:40:17.759 Lord Jesus, 00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:20.279 we are so 00:40:20.279 --> 00:40:20.920 grateful 00:40:20.920 --> 00:40:22.240 to who you 00:40:22.240 --> 00:40:22.780 are 00:40:22.780 --> 00:40:24.740 and the glory 00:40:24.740 --> 00:40:25.880 surrounding 00:40:25.880 --> 00:40:26.539 all that you 00:40:26.539 --> 00:40:26.880 are. 00:40:27.740 --> 00:40:28.440 Would you 00:40:28.440 --> 00:40:29.940 make 00:40:29.940 --> 00:40:30.860 yourself 00:40:30.860 --> 00:40:31.700 known? 00:40:33.039 --> 00:40:33.940 Would you 00:40:33.940 --> 00:40:35.139 take center 00:40:35.139 --> 00:40:36.000 stage in our 00:40:36.000 --> 00:40:37.019 lives individually 00:40:37.019 --> 00:40:38.059 and as a church? 00:40:38.539 --> 00:40:38.960 Would you 00:40:38.960 --> 00:40:39.579 unite us 00:40:39.579 --> 00:40:40.420 together more 00:40:40.420 --> 00:40:41.039 and more as 00:40:41.039 --> 00:40:41.920 we move forward 00:40:41.920 --> 00:40:43.139 regardless of 00:40:43.139 --> 00:40:43.500 what we 00:40:43.500 --> 00:40:43.920 encounter? 00:40:44.519 --> 00:40:44.680 God, 00:40:44.740 --> 00:40:45.039 would our 00:40:45.039 --> 00:40:46.180 unity in you 00:40:46.179 --> 00:40:47.299 would that 00:40:47.299 --> 00:40:47.639 endure? 00:40:48.759 --> 00:40:49.519 We want to 00:40:49.519 --> 00:40:50.079 do everything, 00:40:50.199 --> 00:40:50.659 Lord Jesus. 00:40:51.379 --> 00:40:51.940 Everything 00:40:51.940 --> 00:40:53.500 in your name. 00:40:54.179 --> 00:40:54.659 It's your name 00:40:54.659 --> 00:40:55.139 we pray. 00:40:55.139 --> 00:40:56.099 Amen. 00:40:56.099 --> 00:40:56.299 Amen.