How Do We See Kingdom Movement?
Guest preacher Greg Byrd preaches from Colossians 4:7-18 about Paul’s fellow workers. Greg and his family will be planting a church in Lynn, Navigation Church. Discussion points: Paul uses the complimentary phrase “slave to Christ” to describe a fellow worker who suffers alongside him, Pauls’ goal is to convince the Colossians that God is sufficient and supreme, Paul’s greetings show his emphasis on reconciliation.
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Scripture reader: [Colossians 4:7-18] Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He's a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts. 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. 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. 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.
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, for I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, greets you, as does Demas. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the Church of Laodiceans and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea and say to Archippus, see that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
This is the word of the Lord.
Preacher: Thanks. Thank you. Good morning. So I'll start with a question. It's probably the question you're asking. What's in the goodbye, right? It's a lot of say goodbye to so and so and tell this person over here I said this and George over there make sure he knows this. What's in the goodbye? And these 11 verses that we read through, we see a bunch of things that we won't have time to dive into. We see the communion of the saints. We see the church is not a lower case c but a capital C, that there are people all over this ancient world hearing about the gospel, sharing what's going on and what God is doing, coming together to grow more.
But there's one thing that sticks out the most in this. And we'll dive into each one we see shared experiences, shared sacrifice, and shared mobilization. Why is that so important? Because those are the ingredients for any type of movement. I'm gonna give you a date. You let me know if you know what day it is December 7th, 1941. Pearl Harbor. Why is Pearl Harbor important, man, it got bleak, right? They're like, oh Pearl Harbor is important because we see these three things happen. So at this point America isn't in the war. We're kind of just resourcing it, but Pearl Harbor happens and then all of a sudden it's like. No, we're done. We're ready to enter into the fight. We're ready to give Hitler the phrase at the time is to give Hitler the 1-2.
And during this time period we see shared sacrifice. We see women enter the workforce like we had never seen before. We see Georgia boys who are black and dirt poor alongside trenches with men from New York that had never known poverty. Fighting for America, fighting a war for what they believe to be utterly and most important together, captivated for a shared mission. We don't see anything like that again until September 11, 2001. We're united. Together, front our our fires and the embers of our very souls lock step together.
So what we see in this goodbye. Bear with me, it's gonna get a little boring, but it's OK. We're gonna look at each of these people. I'm about to walk you through 11 names. You're like, it's not gonna get, it is. It is, but that's all right because each one is so important to the story that Paul is wrapping this letter up with.
Let's start with number one. Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and a fellow servant in the Lord. Tiki ultimately, is Paul's postman. Anytime Paul writes a letter at this current moment in time, Paul is on house arrest in Rome. He cannot leave his home. he has to throw himself to the mercy of those who love him. So ultimately Tychicus, lock them with Paul anytime Paul writes a letter, my man throws it in his bag and he hits them sandals to the dirt road. Bringing Paul's letters to Ephesus, to Colossi, all of these places ultimately Tychicus like, here's your letter, and then he also is like, right, get the letter back. I gotta go read it to someone else. Can you, can you imagine that? Like we've seen Paul's letters. Like, imagine you get through a Paul's letter and he's like, alright, give me that letter back. I gotta go read it to someone else, someone else.
But ultimately he's out here traveling trying to bring Paul's edification to the church all around. The next person we see, if you have some time in your day, you should check out Philemon. We see Onesimus, so the thing about Onesimus is the parallel that we see here in this verse. He says, Onesimus, our faithful brother. Our faithful and beloved brother who is one of you? The part that's important there is Onesimus is a runaway slave who had stolen from Philemon's house. Why is that important? This church of Colossi meets in Philemon's home. All of a sudden this brother who was stolen from you and ran off now comes with ticket you're like, hey T. He's there. He's there with him.
And the crazy part is not imagine the tension in this room like that guy stole from me and then at the end of this letter it says Onesimus. My faithful and beloved brother who is one of you. Imagine what Onesimus must be going through. Now he, he has stolen from these people. The consequences for slavery and running away at this time is death. It is no let's talk about it, it's let's send you to the Lord. He has to go back into the home of the very people he had just stolen from the very people he had just ran away from. Knowing, trusting, sorry, this is a side term trusting that Paul's letter would be valid enough for these people to not kill him. Imagine that. Then Paul says, they will tell you everything that has taken place. So there's a, there's a trust thing that these two men are going to be faithful to the work. They're gonna go to Colossi, they're gonna bring this letter, it's going to be read.
Aristarchus, that's a hard name. Luckily I preached the sermon twice, so I know how to say it. My fellow prisoner greets you. Aristarchus, it's 10 toes down. I'm from Jersey, so that's a Jersey phrase. All that means is this is my guy, wherever he goes, I'm going. Is that New England enough? I don't know. This is like the Gronk to my Tom Brady, right? They even went to the Tampa Bay together. But this is my guy. So here's the thing about Aristarchus, there's not a lot known about this brother, but what we do know is if Paul's getting thrown rocks at Aristarchus is like throw one at me too. If Paul's getting dragged off to prison for preaching the gospel, Aristarchus is like, Yo, take me too. If they're suffering to take part of. He's going me too. Crazy. I don't know if I could do that.
Mark, the cousin of Barnabas concerning whom you have received instructions if he comes to you, welcome him. This is important right here because ultimately Paul and Barnabas split ways over Mark because Paul thought he wasn't called to the ministry. Now in this letter, not only is he acknowledging Mark, but he's also saying when this brother comes to you, welcome him. That's that's a that's a sharp turn to reconciliation. From this guy who's been called the ministry. I don't want him going with us. I'm even willing to leave you because I don't believe he's called to it. The same when this brother comes. When he comes to your door. Welcome him.
Eleven, 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. There's not a lot known about Jesus who is called Justus, but this is what we can know, due to the back end of that verse that references circumcision. Ultimately Jesus who is called Justus, we're just gonna call him Justus, Justus decides to be an outsider. For a Jew at this time to admit that Christ is Lord and to say that Jesus is their savior would be automatically a death in your community. No longer would you be allowed to go to the synagogue. No longer would your friends trade with you. No longer would you have the community that you had been accustomed to. Rather you're cut off and treated like a plague. Justus says, it's worth it. It's, it's worth it.
We also see not enough time to go in here. We see that ultimately. So ultimately we also see that the move of God, this gospel expansion is not just for the Jew, but it's for Gentile as well. Because Paul once again says that these are the men of the circumcision who are my fellow workers. Meaning that there are those who are not of the circumcision that he also considers fellow workers.
Twelve, Epaphras who is one of you, a servant of Jesus Christ. Here's the thing, what's used here in the NSB 95, is a slave to Christ. Paul uses this reference only usually in regard to himself. He says, I am a slave to Christ, a servant to Christ. But here for Epaphras, he extends this this high calling almost to Epaphras as well. Servantism does not do it justice. It misses the the full phrase of it. He says, I'm a slave to Christ. Epaphras is a slave to Christ in the same nature that I. That's a high call. When this letter is being read out. He says this, this, this guy is like me. Our suffering, our slavery, sweet slavery is the same. This is this brother is chained like I am. And he says that he greets you.
So ultimately I, the story is the historical account that is believed is that Epaphras goes and visits Paul in Rome and he tells Paul all that is going on in the Church of Colossi ultimately the book of Colossians is written for one purpose that Paul wants to get across that Jesus Christ is supreme and sufficient. Colossi is in a wealthy place their congregants usually were wealthy. And then that wealth they they they were having this struggle. If my lifestyle and my wealth is so good, is, is Jesus that good? And Paul writes this letter to wake them up saying, listen, not only is he that good, he's he's all good. He's the greatest guy.
And we see this reference again, he says, greets you struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature, fully assured and all the will of God. For I bear witness that he has worked for you, for those who worked for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. This man is predicating a gospel movement. He is taking on the weight and the struggle of people's maturity. He is saying whatever I have to do whatever is necessary no matter how far I want these people to grow in their understanding that Christ is supreme.
He says Luke the beloved physician greets you as does Demas. Listen, we see that there's a fellowship amongst the apostles. Luke is a beloved brother. Demas, the only other time Demas is reference is in Timothy when Paul writes a warning. To Timothy that he does not fall to the world like Demas. Ultimately Demas and Luke lock arms. They go on expeditions together to see the gospel advance and somewhere along the way, Demas decides that it's not worth it. The costs too great. sacrifice too high. The mission not great enough. And then Timothy, he, he mourns Demas's fall.
Fifteen, give greetings to the brothers at Laodicea and Nympha and the church that meets in her house. We see that there's an interconnectedness amongst the believers where he wants Laodicea and Nympha to know what is going on in Colossi so that they may be matured and built up and then he also says read the letter that I've written to them so there's a crossover. Of what God's doing. What's going amongst his people.
Seventeen, we see that Epaphras. And say to Archippus who is assumed to be a young brother in this church. See that you fulfill your ministry that you have received in the Lord. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains grace be with you. Paul once again giving this reminder that I'm in. I'm arrested. I'm locked up. And it's a it's a perfect exclamation point to this letter. This letter speaks about the greatness of God, how Christ is supreme over all things, how everything falls to the wayside in the light of Christ, and Paul ends the letter with go and remember my chains. This dude is going, God is good. God is sufficient. He is great. I'm also, you know, in jail.
The conventional mind would say that it it it doesn't line up. Right? In our, in our nature, let's, we could be real. To be real. In our nature we look at this and we go, well that dude's saying that you know God's good, but like he's in jail. And this ain't regular jail, like, ain't no commissary. Don't ask me why I know that. Just kidding. Discovery Channel. I ain't been yet. But ultimately if people don't go and take care of Paul at this time, house arrest is a death sentence. You can't leave your house you're fully predicated on the love and kindness of your family or people that feel pity for you and he's still going. God is sufficient and supreme.
So the question becomes. What can make these men do this? What's the value in it? What can make Demas and Tychicus and Onesimus travel hundreds of miles to bring a letter. What can what can make a runaway slave enter back into the home of those that he had sinned against, knowing that there was a possibility that death would meet him. It's it doesn't add up, right? Just in our human nature, it doesn't add up. I cross the street if somebody looks a little funny. These dudes are walking roads where they can get robbed in boats that across seas that are choppy.
Aristarchus says if you suffer, I'll suffer. Give me some of that. Put a scoop in my bowl. I won't ask you. You barely know me. Hey Greg, when's the last time you said I wanna suffer with someone? I can't tell you. I can't tell you the last time I said, hey, give me a scoop of their suffering. I want some of that. When's the last time you reconciled with someone? Y'all looking at me crazy. Greg, when's the last time you reconciled with someone? I don't know. I got some beefs that go like 10 years. Stepped on my dream. Trivial We could be real. Sometimes we, we, we, we go our separate ways over the trivial of things.
But yeah Paul says this this this brother welcomed him. Love on them. Man, when's the last time you chose to be an outsider? You chose the narrow path. You chose the unpopular opinion. That put you on the outs. Now they ain't writing your name on the coffee cup at Starbucks, right? They're spelling it wrong on purpose. When's the last time you chose, chose the outside.
Here's a deep question. Now I ask this to every church. Are you, are you entrusting in your pastor? To see that you become mature. It's hard Because that's opening up your life for edification, that's opening up your life for someone to tell you that this is the area that you need to grow in. If you're new here, I like Fletcher. You should come here. But I can, I can, I can attest to just like Paul can attest to through our conversations that this is a brother who cares deeply for the souls that he shepherds. That he stress it. That he is burdened that you not become religious people but gospel people. That your life's, your affections and your actions align with Christ because he so deeply believes that Christ is sufficient and supreme.
When is the last time for my believers in the room? When's the last time you gut checked your heart? You took a stark inventory. Of your affections and your actions. Demas is here, he's with Luke. He's going around seeing the works of the gospel, he's seeing what the name of Jesus can do, but later on we read he falls away. Not that you'd be scared for your salvation, that you'd be scared that you're stagnant. Because somewhere along the way his affections and his actions didn't line up with what he was seeing and he said it wasn't enough. When's the last time you locked the arms 10 toes out? With the people around you. That you shared the burdens of life, that you shared the hardships. That you work with with intentionality. Sought to be known. Interconnected.
Are you faithful to your ministry? That's a little that's a little starchy one, right? Because a lot of times we think ministry is this when ministry really is the spaces that we find ourselves, your day to day. Any space that you find yourself in where people don't know Jesus is a ministry. Are you faithful to it? And then Are you remembering the chains? Whose chains? I'm glad you asked. Who's she? Who's faithful? Who decides to be an outsider? Who takes on burdens and suffering and sacrifices, who, who takes on all of these things and instead of looking at a situation and looking at the grief that it may cause, he instead says grace be to you, it is Christ on the cross. He travels to take on flesh. To go to Calvary, to go to the cross to die for you and I, he takes on sin to the Father, having never known sin, to have the Father turn his back. I'm the one who knew no sin.
He takes part in our suffering. So that we can know peace. He takes on being an outsider. AW Pink says that in his reference to Abraham and Isaac as they go up the mountain, he says it is not so much Father and son but it is Father and Christ who go up to the cross together. And where Isaac raises from the altar, Christ was slain. Because he is our lamb. He is faithful to his ministry. And prayer so deep, so passionate that blood pours from his pores as sweat at the weight of the cost of the cross. Never knowing chains, he takes on the chains of our sins. are running away. A lack of being faithful are.
But now I, this is deep, this tense, it's heavy. I could feel it in the room. But more importantly, I need you to leave here with hope and not feeling like, man, that dude. I need you to leave here with hope you're worth the suffering you're worth the cross, you're worth the hardship, you're worth the beating, you're worth the being faithful because you are made in the Imago Dei. You're made to be with God. You were made for connection, you are made not to be religious people. I'm gonna keep saying that, that's so good. You're made to be gospel people because the gospel has bought you.
So rather than feel the weight of this heavy moment, I need you to feel the weight of the relief that comes from this moment. Freedom. Now you can be faithful to your ministry. Now you can return to the house. That you had done wrong now you can reconcile. Now you can have interconnectedness because now it is not predicated on what we have in common, it is rather predicated on what we have partaking in together.
Ultimately, World War 2 leads to a beautiful 10 year period where Civil Rights Act happens. Women's suffrage really moves and women get bigger roles in our society. They take on more. Children of that time have an interconnectedness because they had suffered through something together. Shared sacrifices. Families hungry, eating less so rations can be sent over. Families locked together because moms have to go to work now so all the kids stay with aunties and grandmas we had never been more connected than we were racial aggression in our country gets flipped upside down because it's hard to be racist to people that you have seen die. Bubba saved someone's life. Tom saved someone's life. You have seen evil, you have been in trenches together. It's real hard to not love the guy next to you.
And ultimately it causes a 10 year period, this 10-year window where American history gets a dynamic shift. Because we're Americans first. That's finite. There's a 10 year window. I think we, we not to get political, but I think we can look out the window and see that. Those things are so fleeting. Because our hearts are so forgetful. But this man, this is 2000 years going strong. This is a finished work. We just get to play our role in it. We get to be faithful to the role that God has called us to in it. It's done, it's finished, it's wrapped up the end credits are rolling we're just waiting to get there. The beauty of that is not predicated on you and I. But we get to share in the sacrifice.
We get to share in the kingdom mission to make him known to those that do not know him. To call them away from the struggles of the lesser things that we place as higher things. And into the peace and the grace and the mercy that is found here at the cross. We get to breathe relief. Grace be with you. And then we get shared movement. My friends, whatever spaces and places you find yourself, there's a phrase in sin where we wanna make God known where we live, work and play. Listen, there are people out there who are struggling they are struggling under the weight of lesser things being their greater thing.
To share a little bit with you, I've been on both sides of it. I grew up in Patterson, New Jersey on food stamps, adopted because my mom was on drugs, don't feel bad. God is great. And then I was on the other side when God called me to plant a church. We were making a decent chunk of change had just bought our house, 2 kids, pregnant with a 3rd, and it felt empty. Because when I was broke. And when I had some money. My greatest thing was money. Man, if I could just not be broke. If I could just change the directory of my family, change the situations I grew up in, that would be enough, and then I got it and then it wasn't enough. And a stark reminder that these lesser things fall to the weight of the greater thing. Here we are.
It doesn't have to be that grand for you. It doesn't have to be that grand when you share it, but it can meet someone where they need to hear it, where Christ is supreme and sufficient. I can't tell you what your ministry is. Paul doesn't lay out what a pastor's ministry is. He just calls him to be faithful to it. If Christ can go to the cross, die for your sin, call you into sonship and daughtership, what can you not do to be faithful to what he's called you to? Because the grace should overbound. And us. Let's pray.
Heavenly Father, thank you that you meet us. Thank you that you are faithful to your ministry. Thank you that you choose to be an outsider so that we can be welcomed and thank you that you enter into your father's home carrying the weight of our sin. And he accepts and welcomes you. Thank you that you die and rose again. Not so that we could be employees but rather so that we can be sons and daughters whose love for your grace and your mercy pours out. Thank you that we share in the sacrifice of the cross, that we share in the mission to make your name known, to go out and make disciples Matthew 20:19. And that we can share in the movement. Each of us taking on our burdens, taking on our share to carry to make your name known. So that others can enter into this grace in this peace. In your name, Amen.