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Gospel People Rev. Scott Strickman Download

Sermon Outline

Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Maturing in Christ

Colossians 4:7-18 (ESV)
7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Sermon Outline
The good news draws you in to the life of Christ where ordinary people are transformed by the extraordinary grace of Christ.

1. Gospel Message

v12 …struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

2. Gospel Workers

v10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas
v14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.

3. Gospel People

v16 … also read the letter from Laodicea.
vv7-9 Tychicus… that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts
vv12 Epaphras… a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you…
v9 …with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother; v18 remember my chains

Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, full of glory and abounding with grace: thank you that you are so patient and merciful with us. We continue to try to make you more like us, yet resist your work to make us more like you. We are slow to believe and understand. Forgive us for not treating others consistently with the grace we have received. Forgive us for when we have strayed from faithfulness because we dreaded hardship or have been lured by what seemed instantly rewarding. We have lacked the humility and wisdom to embrace the call to be servants of Christ. Forgive every sin. Please continue the work of sanctification by the grace of Jesus Christ until we are brought to maturity and completion. Amen.

Questions for Reflection

What value could there be in a book of the Bible ending with greetings between people we know little about? Why is that part of the Bible?
If part of the work of the early Christians was to show how God’s will is made known in Jesus, what are we supposed to know? How does our understanding of life expand as we look to Jesus?
What are some implications of our need to mature in Christ? What expectations or understandings follow from it?
What value is there that the book of Colossians was written by someone who was in prison? What does it tell us about the one writing and the world in which he lives?
How can we understand that Paul, John Mark and Barnabas had a strong disagreement even though they were leaders in the church? What are reasonable expectations for church leaders?
What is the difference between the letters Paul wrote which became part of the New Testament and other letters he wrote (which we don’t have access to)?
What value is there in Paul referring to himself and Tychicus as servants (slaves) of Christ? Why does Paul call Tychicus a fellow servant, Aristarchus a fellow prisoner, and Onesimus a beloved brother?
Why is it important to see that the story of Jesus is not just about a man born in poverty who faced hardship and yet attained to being a king, but that he was a prince who willingly gave up everything and became a servant before these things? What does this imply about the identity, attitude and expectations of those who answer the call to follow him?