COLOSSIANS 4:7-182007 Teaching by Jerry B Simmons

Teaching Transcript: Colossians 4:7-18

You are listening to FerventWord, an online Bible study ministry with teachings and tools to help you grow deeper in your relationship with God. The following message was taught by Jerry Simmons in 2007. And turn with me, we'll come back to Colossians momentarily, but turn with me if you can to 1 Corinthians chapter 12. A couple of books to the left, the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 12.

Here is we're wrapping up the book of Colossians. You'll notice as you struggled with some of the names that it's a lot of greetings to individuals and and it's people that are alongside of Paul greeting the church there at Colossae. And as Paul is saying,

Passing along these greetings and greeting the people that are there, we find here some interesting things about the people that Paul had with him. And I believe that we'll learn some great insights this morning about the body of Christ.

The people who were around Paul, the people who were in Colossae, and the part that they played and things that we can learn about the body of Christ from them. In 1 Corinthians chapter 12, if you're familiar with the chapter, Paul is dealing with the subject of spiritual gifts. And he's talking about how spiritual gifts are given to everyone within the body of Christ.

Everybody is gifted by the Spirit to edify and to bless the body of Christ. And everybody has their particular role and their particular place within the body. And in verse 7 he says, but the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. And so the point of Paul in regards to the giftings of the Spirit is that they're given to the body of Christ. They're given to you as individuals.

So that everyone can be blessed as the Spirit uses you to fulfill your function and to play your part within the body of Christ.

Well, going on in chapter 12, verses 12 through 31, he deals with the analogy of a body. In dealing with the body of Christ, it's very appropriate to look at the human body and have some understanding, some correlation between the way that we function and the way the body of Christ is to function.

In verse 12 of 1 Corinthians 12, he says, And so in dealing with the body of Christ, in dealing with the church of God, he says,

I hope that you understand that your body consists of more than a mouth. There's more to you than that. There's more to the body of Christ than a mouth. There's more roles to be played than the one that I am fulfilling right now. It's not just about teaching. It's not the only way to serve the Lord. It's not the only way that God desires to serve. In fact, it's just one of many ways. There's many components of teaching.

The body of Christ, just as there's many components or many members of your body. You have the hands and the feet and the arms and the legs, the organs and so on and so forth. So many vital things aside from God.

One particular emphasis or one particular member. Jumping down to verse 18 of 1 Corinthians 12, it says, But now God has set the members, each one of them in the body, just as he pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And so Paul reemphasizes that. He reiterates that.

If it's just one member, well, then the body of Christ is going to be greatly lacking. There's going to be much that cannot be done because there's just one member. But no, it's not the case. God has set up the body of Christ to have many members so that his work might be accomplished.

Another passage, we won't turn there this morning, but dealing with the body of Christ is Ephesians chapter four. And if you remember in Ephesians chapter four, it lays out specific roles within the body of Christ. There in Ephesians chapter four, it tells us that God gave to us apostles and prophets and pastor teachers.

For a specific reason. And that's in verse 12 of Ephesians 4. That's for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry. That's the focus of the ministry that I'm called to. Of the role that I'm called to perform and fulfill. I'm called to equip the saints. That's you. That's the body of Christ for the work of ministry.

I'm being equipped myself by the word of God and it's definitely a growth process. But God has me here in this morning to use the mouth to equip the body, to share with you the word of God. But he goes on in Ephesians chapter four, verse 16 to emphasize again, it's not just that role though, because in Ephesians chapter four, verse 16, he says the

The whole body grows as each part does its share. As each part does what it's called to do, that's when the body grows. As each part contributes what it's called to contribute, that's when the body grows. That's when growth takes place. That's when strength happens. That's when the kingdom of God is accomplishing what God has called us to do.

To accomplish. That's when we're doing. And fulfilling all the things. That God has laid before us. Not when a particular member. Is emphasized. Or the only one working. But it's when the body of Christ. Comes together. And there's this unity within the body. Just like there's unity within your body.

And so keeping that in mind, keeping understanding this concept of the body of Christ, we jump back now to Colossians chapter four. And I believe that we'll see some interesting insights about the body of Christ from these people that Paul is talking to and dealing with.

In fact, six things that I want to highlight about what the body of Christ needs. Six things that the church of God, the body of Christ needs, we find this morning in verses 7 through 18 of Colossians chapter 4. Let me read to you again verses 7, 8, and 9 of Colossians 4. It says this,

A beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts. With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you, they will make known to you all things which are happening here. We see two brothers in the Lord in these three verses.

And here we find the first example

need of the body of Christ. Now, in no way is this an exhaustive study of the members of the body of Christ or the needs in the body of Christ, but just pulling out some insights from what Paul says here to encourage us as the body of Christ to fulfill our role and to do what God has called us to do. But the first thing we find here is found in Tychicus and Onesimus because two words are used to describe the both of them.

Beloved and faithful, beloved and faithful. This morning, the first need I want to remind you of that the body of Christ has is that the body of Christ needs beloved and faithful brethren. The body of Christ is made up of beloved and faithful brethren. Again, it's not just one member. It's not a particular group, but it's the entire body.

gathered together as beloved and faithful members of the body of Christ. Tychicus, we know, was a companion of Paul for some time. He had worked with him in ministry for quite a while. But Onesimus, if you are familiar with the book of Philemon, you know that Onesimus was a fairly new believer.

In fact, his master, Philemon, lived in the city of Colossae and Onesimus was a slave of Philemon who either had done something wrong and escaped or just simply had ran away. But in running away, he ends up in Rome, stumbles across the Apostle Paul, gets saved with Paul while Paul's there in prison.

And he begins to walk his life, the Christian life now, in growth and becoming stronger in the faith. And he becomes useful to the Apostle Paul. But

He's fairly young in the faith. He's fairly new in the Lord. And it's interesting to see and it's important to see that it's not about a matter of seasoning, if that's an appropriate term to use so I don't make fun of the old people. It's not a matter of seasoning if you've been around a long time that you become an important part of the body of Christ. But new believers to seasoned believers...

are essential. They're important. They're beloved and faithful brethren within the body of Christ. Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. Now, just to reflect for a moment, how do you suppose you become beloved? Well, I suggest to you, you become beloved by

Being loving. You be loved by be loving, right? When you love others, you become beloved. I mean, think about it. The people that really bug you, the people that pick on you a lot, kick you in the shins, the people that take your money, those aren't the people that are beloved to you. The people that are beloved to you are the people that have demonstrated their care for you. They've demonstrated their love for you. They've demonstrated that

They are loving you. And so Tychicus and Onesimus, one who's been around for a while and one who's fairly new, were people who were loving the body of Christ. They were beloved brothers because they had been loving the brothers. They had been loving those who were of the Lord. They'd been serving them.

Now we know from John 13, 35 that Jesus told us that's to be the chief characteristic, the primary thing, the thing that should stand out above everything else. I think it was a hand motion that threw me off. It's supposed to be love. He says the world will know that you're my disciples by your love for one another. We're called to be loving. And when we are loving one another, we will be beloved, brothers and sisters in the Lord.

But we're also called to be faithful. Paul tells us that something that's required of a steward, of a servant, that's you and I. Someone who's been entrusted with something, that's you and I entrusted with the gifts of God. He says it's required in the servant that he be found faithful, trustworthy.

Now, that can encompass a lot of different things. Trustworthy in that I can share something with you and know that it will not make the headlines in tomorrow morning's newspaper. I can share something with you and I know that you'll be faithful to lift it up in prayer and be faithful to seek the Lord on an issue. Or faithful also speaks of dependability. I know if you're faithful that you can...

Be depended upon that when there is something under your care or responsibility or you're charged with something that you'll be there to take care of it. That you'll be faithful according to your word. That it'll mean something when you say yes or when you say no. Beloved and faithful. The body of Christ needs all of us to be loving and to be faithful.

To be committed to the things of God, to be committed to the things that he presents before us, to be committed to loving and serving one another. It's what the body of Christ is all about. The first thing we see what the body of Christ needs is the body of Christ needs beloved and faithful brethren. But the second thing I also see here in these three verses, verses seven, eight and nine, is the importance of sharing information.

The body of Christ needs to share information, to share what's going on. Look at what Paul says in verse 7 again. He says that Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. So Tychicus is going to come. He's going to tell you all the things that's been happening, the things that have been going on here, the work that God is doing, the struggles I'm going through. He's going to tell you all things about me. And then in verse 8 says,

He says, I'm sending him to you for this very purpose that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts. Not only is he going to share with them what is happening with Paul there in prison in Rome, but he's there to find out, OK, how are you guys doing? What are you experiencing? What are you going through? What are your lives like? What are your circumstances like?

And again, in verse nine with Onesimus, he says, they will make known to you all things which are happening here. I see these three times in these three verses. Paul is emphasizing here. Here's another need of the body of Christ. Brothers and sisters, we need to share with one another what is going on in our lives.

We're not isolated members of the body. We're connected members of the body. We're not islands unto ourself where, oh, I only let you know what I want you to know that would make you think good things about me. But I share with you my victories, but my struggles as well. I share with one another within the body those things that are going on, the exciting things that God is doing, the things that we're looking forward to and praying about, the

It's important for the body of Christ to communicate, to share with one another. In dealing with the body of Christ, again in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 26 of 1 Corinthians 12, Paul says, And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. There's such a great need, and it's so important for us to learn that.

To weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. To mourn with those who mourn. But in order for that to take place, there needs to be an openness on our part. There needs to be an openness, a freedom for us to be able to share with one another. And sometimes it can be a difficult hurdle to overcome. It can be a difficult thing to get through, to get used and accustomed to. Sharing with brothers and sisters in the Lord is

What's going on in your life now? In no way am I suggesting that, you know, you meet someone. Hey, nice to meet you. Hey, let me tell you all the problems I have. That's not necessarily appropriate. But as you develop relationships within the body of Christ, you need to be able to share with one another. In fact, you need brothers and sisters in the Lord. That is brothers. You need brothers and sisters. You need sisters in the Lord.

That you can share your heart with, that you can share your struggles and concerns, that you can share the victories and the great things. Oh, it's such a necessary part. As we love one another, as we're beloved and faithful, we create the opportunity for that intimacy to take place. Because in a loving and faithful relationship, we understand we're not out to get one another. We're not trying to betray one another. But instead, we're here to love and serve one another.

And so an openness and honesty requires some vulnerability. But we need to grow and allow ourselves to become accustomed to, in fact, learn to rely upon sharing with others and finding out what's going on with them and exchanging the information and finding out all the news that's taking place and how is your life. It's a part of our love and concern for one another.

The body of Christ needs beloved and faithful brethren. And the body of Christ needs, within that loving and faithful relationship, the body of Christ needs to be able to share information, to exchange information, what's going on in each other's hearts.

Going on in verses 10 and 11 of Colossians chapter 4, we find the third thing that the body needs. And it says in verse 10, Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you. And Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, about whom you have received instructions, if he comes to you, welcome him. And Jesus, who is called Justice, these are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision. They have proved to be a comfort to me.

A few names mentioned here. We won't talk about them all. Aristarchus, he was a companion of Paul as well. We saw him in Ephesus there in the book of Acts and involved in different types of ministry. Paul calls him his fellow prisoner. We also see Jesus who is called Justice. We don't know much about him. He's not mentioned really elsewhere in the scriptures. But we also see another guy. And this is where we find the third thing that the body of Christ needs. He's a man by the name of Mark.

Also, you might remember him. Another name he goes by is John Mark. John Mark, Mark used periodically throughout the scriptures. We find a great important insight into the needs of the body of Christ through this man. And not so much through what is said here, but what we know of his life. If you notice, though, what it does say about him, Paul says, look, I've already given you instructions. You've already heard what to do. If he comes to you.

welcome him, embrace him. He's one of the body. He's one of you. He's a beloved brother. So welcome him. Make sure that you bless him when he comes. Make sure that you greet him when he comes. And if he leaves and send him on his way, that he's not to be treated illy. He's not to be treated differently. You're to welcome him as a beloved brother in the Lord. Now, why is that interesting? Or why does that stand out? Well, if you remember back to the book of Acts,

Acts chapter 13, the church in Antioch is praying and the spirit says to them, I want you to set apart for me, Paul, at that time he was called Saul, and Barnabas for the work that I've called them to do. And they lay hands on them, they pray for them and they send them out. It's Paul's first missionary journey. And on this journey, they go out, they do some ministry and not too much takes place. They go a couple of different places. And John Mark says,

This guy, Mark, he was with them on that journey until about halfway through the trip or a third into the trip. He splits. They're sailing on to somewhere and he departs from them and he goes back to Jerusalem. And this is significant or this is important because later on,

When Paul and Barnabas, they come back, they have a great time, they go to Jerusalem. And while they're in Jerusalem, they're sharing all the things that God did. It's awesome. It's wonderful, the things that God did. And they're preparing now, hey, Barnabas, let's go encourage those and see what God's been doing since we've been gone. Let's go back through the rounds, go back through those places we went to and see what further work God wants to do and that God is doing.

And that's in Acts chapter 15. But in verses 36 through 41 of Acts 15, we find that there is a division that takes place. Paul and Barnabas split company. Why? Well, Barnabas insisted that they take Mark. And Paul said, no way.

He's not faithful. Remember last time? I mean, he was helping us. He was there alongside. He was doing really well. But then we're right there and we're continuing on. And all of a sudden, he just split. He's gone. We don't know what happened to him. He just disappeared.

Paul says, we don't want to put ourselves in that situation again, essentially. You know, we don't want to be in that predicament again where the one who is there helping us and assisting us is not, we're not able to rely upon them. He's not the faithful minister like we looked at in Tychicus and Onesimus. He's not reliable. We can't trust him. And so Barnabas says,

And Paul insists. And so Barnabas takes Mark and goes off on his own missionary journey. And then Paul takes Silas and goes off on his own missionary journey. And so through that, even though it was a dispute and a division, God got two missionary trips out of it. He got the twofer, the double the work going on, taking place as they go out to minister. But it's interesting here that Paul, as he's writing to the Colossians, he says, hey, if Mark comes to you, welcome him.

Now, Acts chapter 15 was about 10 years prior to Colossians chapter 4. And so within that 10 years, something has changed. There's been a change of attitude on the Apostle Paul's part and probably on Mark's part as well. There's been a restoration that has taken place. Where it once was, hey, don't trust that guy, don't rely upon him, he can't be a companion of mine. Now he says, if he comes to you, welcome him.

Even to the point that in 2 Timothy 4, verse 11, Paul tells Timothy, hey, when you come, make sure you get Mark and bring him because he's very useful to me in the ministry. And so there's a great work that has taken place between Paul and Mark. And there we find the third thing that the body needs. The body needs forgiveness and second chances.

forgiveness, and second chances. It's so important within the body of Christ because if you hang around any of us long enough, you'll understand we're going to hurt you. We're going to offend you. It doesn't matter if I'm the pastor. I will hurt your feelings. I will not be faithful in all things. I will stumble and fall and I will offend you because I joke around a lot or something else in my life maybe.

It happens. You know, if there were no people within the church, the church would be a peaceful place. But because we're around each other and we're rubbing elbows and bumping into each other and spilling coffee and, you know, there's messes that need to be cleaned up and there's situations that happen. And anytime you get people together, that will be the case. We have conflicts and situations within each other. And so there's a great need for us as the body of Christ to

To have the attitude of forgiveness and second chances. Forgiveness, if you think about Paul and Mark, put yourself in Mark's shoes for a moment. He's wanting to go along. It's the second trip and he's excited. He hears about all the things and, oh man, I'm sorry I missed it. Okay, I'm in on this one. Let's go, guys.

And Paul says, you're not coming. We can't take you. You know, it's not like it was something that was kind of quiet. You know, they did it behind closed doors, so Mark never knew. I mean, it's in the scriptures. Everybody knew what the division was about. Can you put yourself in Mark's shoes? Can you imagine? The whole church gets divided because of you. Everybody knew. Everybody knew. Yet, Mark, we find in the fellowship of the believers.

He found himself in the fellowship of Paul, even though there is a situation that took place. You know, Mark could have harbored some bitterness. Can't believe you wouldn't trust me. I can't believe you wouldn't take me with that. I can't believe he put it in the scriptures for thousands of years for people to know that I, you know, bailed out on that. But he understood. He I stumbled. I blew it. It.

He understood that, yes, although there is forgiveness immediately, it takes some time to build up the trust once again. And that's what we see taking place. We see forgiveness on Paul's behalf and on Mark's behalf. And just the grace that covers. And we know that, again, if we're called to be beloved and faithful, to be loving one another, the scriptures tell us that love covers a multitude of sins.

A multitude of sins. Now, a multitude is more than the people that we have here this morning. It's more than the chairs that we have here. It's piles and piles and piles of sins that love covers. And so your love for your brother and sister in the Lord should cover all those things. So that restoration is something that can take place. You know, unfortunately, I was thinking about if it happened today, if there is this type of dispute, this type of situation, you know,

You know, the people would just change churches. Well, forget you. I'm going down the street. I'm not going to hang around here where everybody knows I caused this problem or everybody knows I blew it. No, we need within the body of Christ forgiveness and second chances. Yes, we blow it. Man, I remember...

I won't talk about what I was thinking, but for some of you, you remember, and I always refer back to this, the time where I'm pulled over on the side of the road by a cop right across the street in front of Farmer Boy's.

And it was on a Wednesday evening and it was getting close to service time. And so everybody who is here to help, you know, set up and everything, they're all lined up on the sidewalk watching the police officer tow my truck away because I was driving with a suspended license and all kinds of tickets and everything.

No insurance and no registration. So, you know, it was just it was right. But I'm walking across the street, you know, head down like, how am I ever going to survive? I should just leave living water because, you know, they'll never forget this. And you won't because I keep reminding you. But there's the need for second chances. I blew it. But praise God for his grace.

Praise God for forgiveness and second chances within the body of Christ. And you've experienced that, I pray, where there's the covering of sin. There's taking care. Yes, we need to deal with this. And sometimes it takes some time to earn the trust again and to build up that reliability. But forgiveness and second chances are an important element.

To the body of Christ. For you to receive both forgiveness and second chances. And for you to give forgiveness and second chances. Again, trust, it's not built overnight. It doesn't happen overnight. We're looking at ten years later. It doesn't have to be that long. But just understand, sometimes it does take some time to earn again the trust of a fellow servant. A fellow member of the body of Christ.

Verses 12 through 14, 12 and 13 rather. Paul says this Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you always laboring fervently for you in prayers that you may stand perfect and complete in the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you and those who are in Laodicea and those who are in Hierapolis. Here Paul talks about another guy named Epaphras. And here we find the fourth epiphany.

The body needs prayer warriors. The body of Christ needs people who are laboring fervently in prayer. Oh, it's so essential for us. This man, Epaphras, Paul says he is one of you. In fact, this man, Epaphras,

In the beginning of the book, Paul makes reference that Epaphras is the one who has brought to them news about the Colossians and the false teaching that is going on there and the needs that are there. And so Epaphras comes to Paul with the news of what's happening in Colossae. Paul writes this book that we've been studying and he sends it back with Tychicus and Onesimus.

And he shares with them, Epaphras, he's staying with Paul. He's with him there in the, well, ministering to him in the prison. But he says, he greets you, but you need to know that he's always laboring fervently for you in prayers. He's laboring fervently in prayers. Now, it's an interesting combination of words, this laboring fervently in prayer. How do you labor fervently in prayer?

The idea that Paul is saying he's wrestling and grunting and groaning for you in prayer. He's not just casually going, Lord, bless the Colossians. All right. What's for breakfast? He's taking it seriously. He's spending some serious time wearing out the knees in his pants to pray for the Colossians. To pray for what? That they may stand perfect and complete in the will of God.

Here again, we see in Epaphras not just a casual attachment to the body, but an overwhelming love. Again, we're called to be loving within the body of Christ, to have this concern and care for one another. And Epaphras was one who loved the body. That in great distances away...

He continued to labor fervently for them in prayer. He was faithful to pray for them. Continually they were upon his heart. You know how it is. Out of sight is out of mind. When you're on vacation, how much do you pray for the things that are back here? Granted, he wasn't on vacation, but you get the point. When you're away, we forget about the things going on back at home. It's very easy to do.

And the body of Christ needs those within the body. And some of you are called to that specifically. That is your ministry. That is your role within the body of Christ. And it's an essential role because nothing can be done. Nothing of eternal value can be done without God doing it, without it being of the Holy Spirit. And so Epaphras is faithful to labor fervently in prayer.

To spend some serious time praying for the needs of the body, that they might stand perfect and complete in the will of God. That they would do all that God had called them to do. That they would find themselves fulfilling their role within the body of Christ. And that the body as a whole would fulfill its role within the body of Christ and accomplish the work that God has set before it.

So important. We looked at last week the importance of prayer. And so I won't really go into it again. But the importance of laboring fervently and always lifting up the needs before God. James tells us that the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. So if you want to see God work within the body of Christ, you want to see God work in the lives of the people around you, labor fervently in prayer for one another.

The fifth thing we find in verse 14, verse 14 says, Luke, the beloved physician and Demas greet you. Not much here, but another important element to the body of Christ. Now, number one, the body of Christ needs beloved and faithful brethren. Number two, the body of Christ needs the sharing of information of what's going on in each other's lives. Number three, the body of Christ needs forgiveness and second chances.

Number four, the body of Christ needs prayer warriors, those who will labor fervently in prayer. And number five, the body of Christ needs warnings and exhortations. Warnings and exhortations. He says, Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. Now, again, we're looking at this guy named Demas. Like Mark, we...

Find why this is significant, not here in the book of Colossians, but what we know of him from elsewhere within the scriptures. He's mentioned three times in the Bible. He's mentioned here in Colossians 4.14. He's also mentioned in the book of Philemon, which was written at the same time as the book of Colossians. And he's mentioned in the same light. He's here with me. But then he's also mentioned in 2 Timothy 4.10.

But in 2 Timothy 4.10, he's not mentioned in a very good light. Because 2 Timothy 4.10, Paul tells Timothy, listen, everybody's left me. These guys, they've gone off to minister in these different areas. And this guy, I sent him out over here. And Demas, he's left me, not because I sent him out, not because he was called out. But he left me and he went back to Thessalonica because he loved the world.

And so it becomes a warning for us, an exhortation for us. Because this man, who was serving alongside the Apostle Paul, left the things of God because he loved the world. Colossians was written about 60 AD. Some say 61, as far as 62. 2 Timothy was written about 66 AD, the second time Paul was imprisoned in Rome. And so we find...

Maybe five or six years between these two books. We don't know how long Demas was with Paul before that. He's not mentioned. But if he's with Paul in prison here in Rome, that's Acts chapter 28 in the book of Acts. And it's possible that he was with him for part of that journey or maybe more. We don't know how long, but at least five or six years. He was with Paul. He served alongside Paul. He ministered to Paul. And yet, even five or six years alongside the Apostle Paul,

He turned his back on the things of God and went after again the things of the world. We need to be warned, brothers and sisters. The body of Christ needs the warning that you cannot love this world. You need to know that it doesn't matter how long you've been walking with the Lord and what influences you've had in your life.

What's important is today. How is your relationship with God? Today are you seeking the Lord? Today are you loving the things of God and not the things of the world? Today are you growing in your relationship with him? It doesn't matter how long you've walked with him. It doesn't matter what you've done and accomplished for him. You need to be concerned today. Are you loving God more than the world?

First John chapter two, verse 15 says, do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him. If anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him. It's something to be challenged in our hearts daily. Where do I stand? Who am I loving? Where's my focus? Because none of us are immune. None of us are beyond love.

Turning our back and loving the things of the world rather than the things of God. Turning back into the life of sin rather than continuing on in the righteousness that God has for us. Oh, it's so important, brothers and sisters. As members of the body of Christ, let's remember and be warned. We always have the attitude like, it won't happen to me. I forget who I was talking to. We were talking to someone about, you know, drunk driving and they talk about how

All the negative advertising about drunk driving, it hasn't never proved to be effective. You know, they put on the schools, you know, this could be you. And, you know, all the things, you know, the tape that they make you watch whenever you're taking driver's ed. And I don't know if they still show that same one. But, you know, it's like bloody and gory and it's just horrific. And they say, you know, we don't even know if that helps. Because we always think we're the exception. Right?

Well, I'm not that drunk or I can do this or I have control or I'm able to. We always think we're the exception. But this morning, as we look at Demas, Luke, the beloved physician and Demas greets you. He's part of the ministry. He's part of the body. He's there and he greets them. And for all we know, he has the same love and concern for them as everyone else.

He didn't stand out. You know, Paul didn't say, Demas greets you, but I'm not too sure about this guy. You know, he greets you, but I wouldn't take, you know, too much from it because I don't know if he's going to stay with me very much longer. No, he just says he greets you. He was one of the guys. He was part of the ministry. And yet he was susceptible to be led astray. We need to be warned. It's possible for you and me.

to begin to love the world instead of the things of God, to leave the ministry, to abandon the ministry that God has called us to because we're too concerned or more consumed about the things of the world than the things of God. Going on, verses 15 through 17, Paul says, Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans.

and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea, verse 17, and say to Archippus, take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it. Here in verses 15 and 16, we see that this letter is not necessarily just for the Colossians. It's not particular only to them or only in their culture. It's meant to be shared. And

It's meant for you and I as well. We're to take encouragement and to receive instruction from this book as they were to share them amongst one another. But Paul closes with a reference to one last person, someone who's there in Colossae, it's believed. He was a minister there and he says, say to Archippus, take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord that you may fulfill it.

This guy Archibus, we don't know much about him. He's not really mentioned elsewhere in the scripture. Church tradition teaches the founding fathers back in the first few centuries of the church. They share with us or they state that he was one of the 70 that was sent out by Jesus. We have no way of verifying that or knowing if that's true. But we get the picture that he was a minister there within the church of Colossae.

And he needed to be encouraged. And that's the sixth point of what the body needs this morning. The body of Christ needs to be encouraged. He needed to be encouraged. Hey, Archippus, take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord that you may fulfill it. In essence, Paul is telling him, hey, finish well. Make sure that you stay the course. Continue strong. Be steadfast in what God has called you to do.

But he uses the words to take heed. I like these words, take heed, because it's the idea of driving a ship. If you're driving a ship, I don't know if driving is the appropriate word, but you know what I mean. You're holding the rudder. You're controlling which way you go. Ships can sometimes be on stormy waters.

It can sometimes be rough. I remember as a young boy being in South Dakota with my grandfather and we had a boat. He had a house on the lake and he was real experienced and so he would tell me, hey, watch. And we would be quite a distance away from the dock and he would set the rudder right where it needed to be and then he would just let it go. And the boat would just kind of cruise in and turn exactly the right time and just come perfectly stopped at the dock.

And so I tried that later. It didn't work so well. I didn't have as good control. I couldn't see the final site. I couldn't see where I needed to be. That's the idea of take heed. The idea of take heed is keep your eye focused on where you need to go and keep your hand on the rudder so that you make sure you get there. And when the wave hits and knocks you over here, that you turn back. And when this thing comes and pushes you over here, that you turn back. It's the idea of constantly refocusing yourself constantly.

On where you need to go on the goal that you're to accomplish of what you're called to fulfill. He says, take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord. Hey, Archivist, God has entrusted you with a specific role, with a specific responsibility. He's given you this ministry.

And so keep your eyes focused on fulfilling it. Don't get distracted with other things. And sometimes we can get distracted with good things, can't we? There's a lot of good things for us to be involved with. But if they take us away from the primary thing God has called us to fulfill, then we're in a bad place. For example, we can be involved with a church, busy, busy, busy, all good things. But if it takes us away from

From the family, the way that God has called us to raise and disciple our family, the way that God has called us to minister to our family, well, then it's no longer a good thing. Our eyes have been taken off, not necessarily on sin like Demas loving the world, but on all the good things that we can do. There's a lot of great things that we can do. But we need to be encouraged this morning. Keep your eyes focused on the primary thing God's called you to do.

Keep your eyes focused on the ministry that he's given you to fulfill. Do the things that he's called you to do. I can imagine it would be a great encouragement also to Archippus. And many times in my life, this verse is ministered to me when, you know, it's just, it's hard. I'm tired. These are difficult. And this encouragement from Paul probably came at a very opportune time for Archippus when he was dying.

A little bit tired, weary, maybe doubtful. I don't even know if I'm supposed to be doing this. You know, it just doesn't seem to be working. It doesn't seem to be going that well. Nobody really, you know, responds to it or treats me well. And Paul tells him, hey, take heed to the ministry. Continue on. Press forward. And this morning, that's what I want us to end with.

Paul ends in verse 18, this salutation by my own hand, Paul, remember my chains, grace be with you. Amen. He closes the book, giving them grace, asking them to remember his chains. But as we close this morning, I want to ask you, as we talked about the body of Christ at the beginning from 1 Corinthians chapter 12, Ephesians chapter 4, what is your part in the body of Christ?

What is your role in the body of Christ? First Corinthians chapter 12, verse 27 says, now you are the body of Christ and members individually. You're individually members of the body of Christ. I share that with you to remind you that it's every believer, not just the new, not just the seasoned. It's every believer is a member of the body of Christ, which means we have a ministry to fulfill, a role to fulfill.

gifts to be used, work to be done. What is your part of the body of Christ? And are you taking heed that you may fulfill it? The body of Christ needs faithful and beloved brethren. And it's so great to be a part of this body here. And I want to just take a moment and say thank you for you faithful and beloved brethren.

who are loving the sheep and ministering to the flock here, ministering to the body and having a great loving concern for them and are faithful with the things shared, are faithful with the responsibilities given, are faithful in the areas that God has called you to be. Thank you. The body of Christ exists and consists of you. From your perspective, all you see is me. But I see all of you. And I say you're the important part of the body of Christ.

The body grows as you're faithful, as you love one another. The body of Christ grows as you reach out to one another. And my job is simply to equip you for that work of ministry. The second thing the body needs is the sharing of information. And again, please allow me to encourage you to share with one another. After every service, we have people up here for prayer. If you have no one else to share with, if you don't know anybody to share with,

These people up here are people that are here because they love you. And you know they're beloved and faithful brethren. And so you can share with them and have confidence that it won't be in the headlines tomorrow morning. You can have confidence that they'll be faithful to pray with you, to share with you God's perspective and what God has to say from his word. They'll be faithful to pray with you even beyond the moment that you're here, but they'll continue to pray for you.

They're here because they're beloved and faithful brethren. Share with one another. Learn to be open. You're struggling. You don't have to go through it alone. We're not the Lone Rangers. We're the body of Christ. He's brought us together in such a way that we need one another. The third thing, the body of Christ needs forgiveness and second chances. If you're in a position or a place where you need to forgive,

Forgive. Let love cover the multitude of sins. Whatever person has offended you or stumbled, give the second chance. It'll take time to build trust. It doesn't mean if people steal from you that you should give them your ATM card again. Build the trust through the relationship.

But restore the relationship because of forgiveness. And if you're the one who has stumbled, you've blown it, you feel like I can't be involved in ministry, I can't do this, I can't be friends with this person again. You know, receive the second chances that are offered to you. Don't just skip town and go to a different church like Mark could have, but receive the second chances.

Yeah, we know you blew it, but you know I blew it. We know we all blow it. It's okay. Receive the second chances. Receive the forgiveness. And let's bring restoration in the relationships within our body. The body of Christ also fourthly needs prayer warriors. Great reminder for all of us to be praying. Specifically, some of you, I know that is God's primary ministry for you. That's what God's called you to do.

And may I encourage you to take heed that you fulfill the ministry. You might not see the results. You might not see much excitement about it. You might not get much pat on the back because maybe no one knows you're doing it. But be faithful. Oh, the body of Christ thrives on prayer. We need prayer more than we know and more than we understand. Number five, the body of Christ needs to be warned. And so let's be warned this morning. And let's look out for one another.

that we do not fall into the trap of loving the world because to love the world is to be an enemy of God. And finally, the body needs to be encouraged. Whatever your role is within the body of Christ, take heed that you fulfill it. Pay attention and stay focused. If you don't know what it is, the best way to find your role in the body, just start serving him every opportunity he gives. And you'll find very quickly where he's gifted you, where he's blessed you, and where he wants you to serve.

Just serve him at all given opportunities. But take heed that you fulfill those things. As you learn to hear his voice, as you develop that relationship with him, he'll give you specific direction. And make sure that you complete it. Don't be lazy. Don't give up halfway through. But complete it to the end. Fulfill your ministry. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word and how it encourages us, God, to be faithful in all the things that you've called us to.

And God, we thank you so much that you didn't just save us and leave us out there all by ourselves to figure everything out and to work through everything, to struggle through everything on our own. But Lord, you included us. You baptized us into your body. Lord, that we have around us brothers and sisters who are able to relate to us, to encourage us, to build us up, to warn us and rebuke us when we need it. God, we need each other so much.

And so, Lord, I pray for us as the body of Christ that you would help us to be faithful in our ministries, to be faithful to fulfill the role that you've called us to fulfill and use the gifts that you've given to us. Because as your word says, God, your body grows. Lord, we're edified and built up. We grow strong in you as each part does its share. God, help us to be loving and faithful.

Give us a great love and care and concern for one another. Lord, and that love would motivate us to serve one another, to do the things that you've called us to do, to meet the needs, to share the gospel and the truth, to build up and edify. Teach us, Lord, as your body, to do the things that you've called us to do. Lord, if there's any here who do not know you,

Lord, I pray that this day they would be included within your body as they receive from you forgiveness. Lord, I pray that you would open their hearts to see their need for your sacrifice upon the cross because of our sins. God, that they would turn to you, that they would believe in you as the scripture says, that they might have everlasting life. And God, may we as the body of Christ speak with grace to build up and edify all those around us

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.