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[re]discover Colossians
Colossians 4:2-18
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Colossians 4:2-18
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
- Colossians 3:1-4
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Colossians 4:2-18
Because we have been raised with Christ…
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Colossians 4:2-18
Because we have been raised with Christ…
- We are free from religious attempts to prove our worth.
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Colossians 4:2-18
Because we have been raised with Christ…
- We are free from religious attempts to prove our worth.- We have freedom within our relationships.
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Colossians 4:2-18
Because we have been raised with Christ…
- We are free from religious attempts to prove our worth.- We have freedom within our relationships. - We have a higher calling in our work.
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Colossians 4:2-18
Because we have been raised with Christ…
- We are free from religious attempts to prove our worth.- We have freedom within our relationships. - We have a higher calling in our work.- We have become ambassadors of a new kingdom.
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Colossians 4:2-18
v2 - Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
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Colossians 4:2-18
v3-4 - And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
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Colossians 4:2-18
v5 - Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
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Colossians 4:2-18
v6 - Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
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Colossians 4:2-18
“The Gospel is not about abstract ideas but about people.”
- N.T. Wright
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Colossians 4:2-18
v7-8 - Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.
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Colossians 4:2-18
Tychicus
- from Ephesus- called an encourager, a brother in the Lord, a faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord- was a bonded friend in Christ to Paul- sent by Paul to Ephesus to free Timothy up to come to Paul in prison
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Colossians 4:2-18
v9 - He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
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Colossians 4:2-18
Onesimus
- from Colossae- Philemon’s runaway slave- became a Christian when he met Paul in Rome- called a faithful and dear brother to Paul- sent by Paul back to Philemon- became leader of the church in Ephesus
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Colossians 4:2-18
I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. For this is perhaps why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
Philemon 1:10-16
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Colossians 4:2-18
Ignatius of Antioch
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Colossians 4:2-18
Ignatius of Antioch
"In God's name, therefore, I received your large congregation in the person of Onesimus, your bishop in this world, a man whose love is beyond words. My prayer is that you should love him in the Spirit of Jesus Christ and all like him. Blessed is he who let you have such a bishop. You deserve it."
- Letter to the Ephesians
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Colossians 4:2-18
v10a - My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings…
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Colossians 4:2-18
Aristarchus of Thessalonica
- a Greek-Macedonian of Thessalonica- arrested with Paul in Ephesus (Acts 19:29) - accompanied Paul to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4)- with Paul on his journey from Caesarea to Rome (Acts 27:2) - described as a fellow prisoner and fellow labourer
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Colossians 4:2-18
v10b - …as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)
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Colossians 4:2-18
Mark the Evangelist
- likely born in Cyrene, Libya- cousin of Barnabus- an early follower of Jesus- traveled with Paul on his first missionary journey- left them part way and went home- was the reason Paul and Barnabus disagreed and parted ways- became Peter’s interpreter and wrote the Gospel of Mark- returned to Africa and founded the church, becoming the bishop of Alexandria
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Colossians 4:2-18
Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
- 2 Timothy 4:11
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Colossians 4:2-18
v11 - Jesus, who is called "Justus", also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.
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Colossians 4:2-18
Jesus Justus
- Jesus was not an uncommon name at the time as a form of the Old Testament name, Joshua.- the extra name of Justus, likely added to distinguish him from Christ- a fellow Jew with Paul- a comfort to him- not mentioned among the other Jews (Aristarchus, Epaphras, and Mark) in Paul’s letter to Philemon
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Colossians 4:2-18
v12-13 - Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
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Colossians 4:2-18
Epaphras
- Evangelist who preached to his fellow Colossians- Leader of the church in Colossae- Stayed with Paul while he was a prisoner in Rome- Was considered a “fellow prisoner” by Paul (Philemon 1:23)- Wrestled/agonized in prayer for them- Worked hard for them and those in Laodicea and Hierapolis
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Colossians 4:2-18
v14 - Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.
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Colossians 4:2-18
Luke the Evangelist
- a Greek physician born in Antioch in ancient Syria- traveled with Paul at different times- the “we” passages in Acts (e.g. 16:10)- investigated the eye witness accounts of Jesus’ life- wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles- painted early icons of Jesus and Mary
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Colossians 4:2-18
Demas
- companion of Paul’s- called a fellow worker (Philemon 1:24)
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Colossians 4:2-18
Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.
- 2 Tim 4:9-10a
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Colossians 4:2-18
Demas
- companion of Paul’s- called a fellow worker (Philemon 24)- deserted Paul because of his “love for the world”- left for Thessalonica
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Colossians 4:2-18
v15 - Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
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Colossians 4:2-18
Nympha
- a woman from Laodicea- hosted, and perhaps lead, a church in her home
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Colossians 4:2-18
v16 - After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
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Colossians 4:2-18
v17 - Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.”
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Colossians 4:2-18
Archippus
- is the host of a church along side Philemon and Apphia (Philemon 1:2)- he may be Philemon’s son- he may be looking after the church in Colossae while Tychicus is with Paul.
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Colossians 4:2-18
v18 - I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
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Colossians 4:2-18
[re]discover Colossians
Colossians 4:2-18
“The Gospel is not about abstract ideas but about people.”
- N.T. Wright
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