Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Greetings & Final Instructions Colossians 4:10-18 The Colossian heresies and the those of the present are essentially the same for the diminish Jesus Christ A different Jesus cannot save True fellowship can only exist where there is agreement on the essential doctrines

Review Colossians Paul was battling developing heresies and seeking to “present every man complete in Christ” Through Jesus, God has done everything needed to redeem, forgive and reconcile us to Himself

Review Colossians Jesus is preeminent over creation as its architect, builder, possessor and sustainor Jesus is the head of the church as its founder and the first born from the dead. Jesus is superior to philosophy, legalism, mysticism, asceticism and all religions.

Review Colossians The Christian is raised up with Christ and so is changed to walk in holiness in all areas of life The Christian’s prayer life, conduct and speech are all guided by godly wisdom Colossians 4:7-18

Personal Greetings Colossians 4:10-14 Tychicus and Onesimus are examples of men changed by their belief in the Lord Jesus Christ

Aristarchus: The Faithful Man Colossians 4:10 A man from Thessalonica who came to faith in the midst of much opposition He faced many dangers in traveling with Paul including the Ephesian riot Paul calls him a “fellow prisoner” due to faithful service in all circumstances even Paul’s imprisonment

Mark: The Restored Man Colossians 4:10 A cousin to Joseph of Cyprus - Barnabas which means “Son of Encouragement” When Barnabas and Saul are sent on the first missionary journey, John Mark goes with them (Acts 13) Mark deserts them when the reach Pamphylia - Acts 13:13

Mark: The Restored Man Colossians 4:10 Barnabas and Paul split their team over the issue of taking Mark with them a second time - Acts 15:37-39 Barnabas’ encouragement results in Mark being mature so he is fellow worker with Paul in Rome 2 Timothy 4:11 - Mark continues to be useful to Paul

Mark: The Restored Man Colossians 4:10 1 Peter 5:13 - Mark serves alongside Peter - and writes his gospel account Mark is a restored man - and an example to encourage us that God can use us despite past failures

Jesus Justus: The Encouraging Man Colossians 4:11 He is a “fellow worker” & an encouragement - but only 1 of 3 Jewish believers with Paul in Rome He may have been the only Jewish believer from Rome that was with Paul Serve whomever by whatever means that God gives you opportunity

Epaphras: The Laboring Man Colossians 4:12-13 Epapharas brought the gospel to Colossae and had gone to Rome to inform Paul about the problems He was a man very concerned for his hometown and neighboring Laodicea and Heirapolis

Epaphras: The Laboring Man Colossians 4:12-13 He labored (agonized) in prayer for them - a good model for our own prayers of intercession

Luke: The Beloved Man Colossians 4:14 One of Paul’s most faithful traveling companions joining him on part of the second & third missions trips A Syrian physician from Antioch that became a Christian and then accompanied Paul until his death

Demas: The Noted Man Colossians 4:14 He is noted here and called a “fellow worker” in Philemon 1:24 He is noted in 2 Timothy 4:10 as one that deserted Paul because he loved this present world He is a warning - true Christians persevere because life is converted by a fundamental change of beliefs

General Greetings Colossians 4:15 Greetings to the church in Laodicia and the church meeting in the home of Nympha

Final Instructions Colossians 4:16-17 Paul’s letter was specifically to the Colossians, but its content would be important to other churches The letter from Laodicea is not the apocryphal Latin “Epistle of Paul to the Ladoiceans” Its identify is uncertain with much speculation

Final Instructions Colossians 4:16-17 By God’s providence He has superintended which books have been placed into the canon of Scripture Archippus is a “fellow soldier” of Paul and has some relationship to Philemon and the church there Paul encourages him to fulfill whatever ministry it was that the Lord had given to him

Salutation Colossians 4:18 Writing the salutation by his own had was an authentication that the letter was genuine Paul had a good attitude about prison (Phil.), but it was still difficult & he wanted to be remembered

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ