Common Ground

Thank you for stopping by and taking to time to watch, listen, or read this week’s message, Common Ground.

I hope you find encouragement in your faith in Jesus, and maybe even learn something new along the way 🙂

Today we finish up our look at the letter to the church in Colossae. In these last few verses, Paul shows us the importance of finding common ground with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

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. He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 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. Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

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.

Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”

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

In his final remarks, Paul teaches us to…

1. Make Connections with One Another

In these final words, Paul lists off several individuals that are part of his ministry team…

  • Tychicus and Onesimus—fellow brothers and servants with him.
  • Aristarchus—a fellow prisoner.
  • Mark, or John Mark—a worker with Paul earlier in his ministry. More on Mark later.
  • Jesus, called Justus—a fellow coworker for the faith.
  • Epaphras—a servant of Christ with Paul.
  • Luke, the doctor, and Demas—part of his tribe.
  • Nympha—the owner of the home where the church in Colossae met.
  • Archippus—an individual who had received a ministry call from God.

What this teaches us is simply the importance of developing connections with those with whom we do life and ministry. Each one of these individuals were important to Paul and his work. They were his supporters, confidants, encouragers, and more. It was a group of free men and prisoners, men and women, educated and uneducated alike.

If we want to maintain the strength needed to be a person of faith, it will do us well to make connections with others of like faith. It was because of his connections that Paul was able to accomplish all that he did in his life. In the same way, if we want to do much for the Lord, we will want to have others around us.

Are we making deep connections with those of like faith? Are we getting beyond the basic greetings and developing deeper relationships with those around us?

To make these deeper connections with others will require us to…

2. Share Our Lives with One Another

Again, consider how Paul used the connections he had made throughout his ministry…

  • Tychicus and Onesimus were used by Paul to tell the news about the circumstances in which they found themselves. They were sent by Paul to share this information so that the hearts of the people of Colossae would be encouraged.
  • Epaphras was a man who was always wrestling in prayer for others. His desire was for the people of Colossae, and others, to stand firm in doing the will of God. He wanted those for whom he prayed to become mature in the faith and fully assured in their beliefs. Paul saw him as a hard worker for the people.
  • The letter to the Colossians in and of itself was to be shared with others. It was not sent just for their eyes only. Once read, they were to send the letter on to Laodicea for them to read. In return, the people of Colossae would receive a letter Paul sent to the Laodiceans. These letters were to be shared so that all would know what was happening in the lives of those serving the Lord.
  • Then there is Paul himself. His letters were usually written by someone else as he dictated his message to them. It is believed that Paul had issues with his eyes, that is why he wrote in this way. However, at the end of his letters, he would write a few words by his own hands. In this case, he reminds the people to remember his current position of being a prisoner for the faith.

As we connect with one another, it is important for us to go deeper in those relationships. There is nothing wrong with the surface level stuff… talking about the weather, sports, families, politics, etc. However, if we want to have a greater impact in things of faith, we will need to share our lives with one another.

As we get to know one another, we begin to gain trust. The more we trust one another, the easier it will be to open up to each other. As we open up, we will want to share our hopes, dreams, fears, failures, sins, struggles, and more. This kind of depth in a relationship will take time to develop. Even so, once developed, our impact will increase through the support we gain in these close relationships that are formed.

Then, as we are connecting and developing these deeper relationships, it will do us well to always…

3. Build Up One Another

Consider how Paul describes the individuals within his support system…

  • Tychicus is described as a dear brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant.
  • Onesimus was also a faithful and dear brother.
  • Mark, the cousin of Barnabas was to be welcomed by the Colossians if he were to come to them. A little history about Mark, also known as John Mark…

    Paul and Barnabas, Mark’s cousin, were set apart to go on a mission trip to share the gospel. On this first trip, Barnabas had Mark come along with them. However, during this journey, at some point, Mark left the team and went back home.

    This departure brought about a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas. As a result, when Barnabas wanted to bring Mark along on another journey, Paul refused causing a rift between them. Paul and Barnabas went separate ways on their missionary journeys.

    Paul’s reference to Mark here points to a reconciliation that had taken place. He was no longer an outcast in Paul’s eyes, but rather a fellow servant of the gospel, worthy to be welcomed by those under Paul’s care.
  • Jesus, called Justus, was also a coworker for the kingdom of God like the others. Also, like the others, he proved to be a comfort to Paul.
  • Epaphras was a hard working servant of Christ. Paul saw him as a man who worked hard at praying for others.
  • Then there was Archippus. He had received a call of sorts from the Lord. Paul encourages him to complete the work he had been given.

These men, and women, were not just helpers and workers with Paul. They were of great value to Paul, and he showed their value by encouraging them in their work for the Lord.

It is important for us to build up and encourage others as we go about our days as well. Who are those around us that could use an encouraging word? How do we feel when we receive unexpected encouragement from others? Imagine what an encouraging word from us could do for those that are doing their best in their service to God and others.

As we go from day to day, let us be mindful of those around us and follow the example set for us by Paul.

Let us take the time to build deeper relationships with one another.

As we build these relationships, let us develop the courage to live out our lives together, sharing our lives with one another.

Then, in these connections, let us strive to become an encourager of those within our sphere of influence.

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Have a Great Day!

Loving… Learning… Living…