1. What a great family we are part of!
Colossians 4:7 - 18

2. WHAT A GREAT FAMILY WE ARE PART OF!
Paul is nearing the end of his letter and sends greetings, instructions and encouragements
Many people are named
those bringing the letter (postmen) 7 – 9
those who are with Paul in Rome (10 – 14)
people in the churches at Colossae and Laodicea (15 -17)

3. WHAT A GREAT FAMILY WE ARE PART OF!
Those bringing the letter (7 – 9)
Tychicus (fortunate) – a faithful brother from Colossae. He was with Paul in Greece and travelled with him to Troas (Acts 20:4), he is mentioned in 4 of Paul’s letters (here, Ephesians 6:21, 2 Timothy 4:12, Titus 3:12).
He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister and a fellow servant
He would bring the letter to Colossae after an arduous and perilous journey and would explain it to the church there

4. WHAT A GREAT FAMILY WE ARE PART OF!
Those bringing the letter (7 – 9)
Onesimus – a runaway slave from Colossae. His master had been Philemon (see the letter to him)
He ran away from being a slave, somehow met Paul and gave his life to Jesus
Paul now describes him as a faithful and loved brother – what a transformation!
He was now a trusted messenger for Paul

5. WHAT A GREAT FAMILY WE ARE PART OF!
Those who are with Paul in Rome (10 – 14)
Aristarchus was from Thessalonica (Acts 20:4) . He travelled extensively with Paul (see Acts 19:29, 20:4 and 27:2)
He had been seized during the riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:29)
He went to Jerusalem and to Rome with Paul and was imprisoned there with him – possibly voluntarily to encourage Paul (like Moravian missionaries who sold themselves into slavery in order to share the gospel with slaves in the Caribbean)

6. WHAT A GREAT FAMILY WE ARE PART OF!
Those who are with Paul in Rome (10 – 14)
Mark – this is John Mark (Acts 12:12, 25) from Jerusalem
He travelled with Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:13) and was the cause of a disagreement between them (Acts 15:36 – 41) after Mark deserted them in Perga (Acts 13:13)
Now twelve years later Paul commends him – a renewed confidence in him (see also 2 Timothy 4:11)
He is almost certainly the Mark who wrote the second gospel, based on Peter’s testimony of Jesus

7. WHAT A GREAT FAMILY WE ARE PART OF!
Those who are with Paul in Rome (10 – 14)
Jesus (Justus – “righteous”) – we know little about him. He is from a Jewish background (as were Aristarchus and Mark). Possibly he preferred to be known as Justus rather than his given name of Jesus out of reverence for the Lord.
Epaphras – he had brought the gospel to Colossae having been converted in Ephesus .
He had travelled to Rome and would return but in the meantime he wrestled in prayer for the Colossians that they may stand mature in faith
Paul commends him for his tireless work for the gospel in Laodicea and Hierapolis

8. WHAT A GREAT FAMILY WE ARE PART OF!
Those who are with Paul in Rome (10 – 14)
Luke – the beloved physician
Author of the gospel of Luke and of Acts
A companion to Paul until the end of Paul’s life see 2 Timothy 4:11)
Demas – deserted Paul, the lure of the riches of the world proving too strong for him (2 Timothy 4:10)
A mixed group in Rome of Jews and Gentiles, slaves and freemen

9. WHAT A GREAT FAMILY WE ARE PART OF!
Paul’s requests (15 – 17)
Greet the brethren at Laodicea – clearly there is a letter from Paul to them that has been lost to us (as is a letter to the Corinthians)
They should exchange the letters Paul has written
They met in the house of Nympha or Nymphas
An encouragement to Archippus, a member of Philemon’s household – to press on in the ministry the Lord has given him

10. WHAT A GREAT FAMILY WE ARE PART OF!
Final greeting (18)
Paul takes the stylus from his scribe and writes a final greeting in his own hand – a personal touch
He reminds them again that he is in chains in prison – an encouragement for them to pray for him
He wishes and prays that God’s grace will be with them

11. WHAT A GREAT FAMILY WE ARE PART OF!
LESSONS FOR TODAY
The early church comprised people from so many differing backgrounds
Jews
Gentiles
slaves
freemen
professional people
ordinary working people

12. WHAT A GREAT FAMILY WE ARE PART OF!
LESSONS FOR TODAY
They met in the simplicity of houses not large public buildings until the third century
God called and equipped people to spread the gospel
There was a support network amongst the churches to encourage and strengthen the brethren
There was generosity of spirit that ran through the church
How do we measure up to all this?