The Letter to the Colossians part 8

“The Work Continues” Colossians 4:2-18

Praying for the Work : Colossians 4:2-6

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Colossians 4:2-6

Paul concludes where he began—with Thanksgiving. Our prayer life will continue steadfastly as we fix our minds on Christ and see His work in our lives. The closer we are drawn to Jesus, the more our prayers will continue. And, the more our prayers continue, the more we will be drawn to Jesus. It will be like two friends who just met, but the more they spend time together, the more they want to spend time together. The more we learn about and experience life with Christ, the more we will find to be thankful for.

One hallmark of Christian prayer is thanksgiving.

Second, Paul says to pray for God to open doors for Paul and his fellow workers to declare the mystery of Christ. He states two things specifically—opportunity and clarity. For the Gospel to continue spreading, there must be Christians willing to go tell it. And in order for them to tell it, they need opportunities. And for people to understand and receive the Gospel, the message must be clear.

Today, we have thousands of missionaries all over the world. Just in the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board, there are 3565 missionaries. In the North American Mission Board, there are 3057 missionary units, which could be a single missionary or a missionary and spouse. NAMB also has 3758 chaplains working with a variety of agencies. Taken together, there are over 10,000 missionaries in the Southern Baptist Convention working to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. That doesn’t count the over 50,000 churches with their pastors and staff working to make disciples who make disciples. Each of the people ask for the same prayer—opportunity and clarity to share.

Another hallmark of Christian prayer is Missional praying.

Now, these two points regarding prayer lead us into a truth about ‘fixing our minds on Christ.’ If we begin with thanksgiving and end with prayer for those engaged in mission work, it forces us to move away from self-centered praying. Notice Paul mentions nothing about praying for our wants and needs. It is true Jesus told us to bring our cares and worries to Him. And it is true that Peter rightly stated, “Cast your cares on Him, because He cares for you.” But if we continually pray for what we want, or even what we need, we can fall into the trap of self-centered praying. Instead, we pray with thanksgiving for what we have and what Jesus has done, and we pray for opportunity and clarity for those engaged in missions around us. By doing so, it helps to fix our minds on Christ, who will then, undoubtedly, point us in the direction of missional work He has for us. It has been rightly said that prayer has more to do with changing our minds rather than God’s mind. And, here, we see ‘fixing our minds on Christ’ also includes how, and what, we pray.

We can avoid the self-centered prayer life by praying with thanksgiving and with missionaries.

And with that missional praying set, Paul then instructs the Colossians to live with wisdom and grace with those around them. He says to “walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” The verb for “making the best use of the time” is literally “buy up” or “buy out”. The Colossians are to use their time like someone taking advantage of a bargain.

When you are in Walmart or the local shopping areas, and you come across a big clearance sale, what do you do? Most people go take a look. And when they find that item they desired but couldn’t afford, now on sale, they snatch it up! Never mind if the purchase is a part of the budget or what items are actually on the shopping list. This awesome deal needs to be taken now before time runs out. Every day God gives us 24 hours. And within those days, we may come across the same person who has not wanted any part of the Gospel. But one day, the opportunity will arise. It will be like that clearance item that you thought would never be on sale. When that day comes, take advantage fo the day and make the best use of the time.

And this wisdom will manifest with our speech. Walking in wisdom with outsiders also entails speaking with grace and seasoned with salt. “Salty speech” is a common ancient metaphor which simply means to be interesting and persuasive. When we respond to outsiders’ questions, we must always remember to give them grace and be careful to answer with respect. It does no good to win an argument but lose the person.

Praying for missional with always lead to our own missional work, so be ready with grace and an answer.

Examples of the Workers : 4:7-18

7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 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.

10 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), 11 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. 12 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. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

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

Colossians 4:7-18

Having concluded the meat of his letter, Paul gives us a list of his fellow workers for whom the Colossians can pray. Now, rather than just read this as a list of names, notice the number and variety of who is mentioned here. We tend to give Paul all the credit for his mission work, but when he lists those who are helping him in Asia Minor, it’s fairly extensive. As we look at the names, consider also how they are described. If we are to join in Kingdom work spreading the message of Jesus Christ, these are some attributes we should seek in our own lives.

First, we see Tychicus who is ‘beloved’, ‘faithful’, and ‘fellow servant.’

Next, Onesimus who is also ‘beloved and faithful’ and one of the Colossians.

Now, for those wondering, this is the Onesimus of Paul’s letter to Philemon. These first two names are the ones carrying this letter to Colossae, and Paul has sent Tychicus probably for moral support, because Onesimus fled Colossae as a pagan runaway slave. He is now returning to Philemon in repentance, and also as a fellow worker with Paul. That story is for another sermon, but you should go read Philemon.

Then, Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus who ‘have been a comfort’ and are ‘men of the circumcision’, meaning they are Jewish.

Now, it is not certain that ‘Mark’ is the same Mark who wrote the Gospel (tradition says ‘yes’), but it is most probably the same Mark in the Book of Acts that has had something of a checkered past. He was not always faithful to Paul’s work, but he is in the process of being restored. Paul says the Colossians have already received instructions in case he does come visit. Whatever those instructions may have been, they are to welcome him as they welcomed the others.

And, Epaphras, who is the one who told Paul about the Colossians and a ‘servant of Christ Jesus’, who is ‘always struggling on their behalf in prayers’, and whose work extends into other towns.

Then, Luke, the beloved physician, who is traditionally (and most likely) the Luke who wrote the Gospel of Luke and Acts.

Just as a little something extra, notice that two of the Gospel writers are mentioned as fellow workers with Paul. They have some heavy hitters in their corner! The Colossians are a part of the ministry that is happening all over Asia Minor and the ministry that is going to continue all around the world. The very letter they receive from Paul will become part of the New Testament canon. They may not see it from their vantage point, but the Colossian Church is a very blessed church indeed!

So, what do we make of this motley crew working with Paul? They come from a variety of backgrounds and have a variety of education. Two will go to write portions of the New Testament. Some are Jewish while the rest are converted pagans—even one runaway slave. But, what do they all have in common? They are ‘beloved’, ‘faithful’, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. They are not measured by skill but by faithfulness.

The only true qualification for the missionary is loving faithfulness to Jesus Christ.

Sure, there are many skills needed, and many to learn while in the mission field, but everything boils down to whether or not we are willing to be faithful to Christ. Faithfulness leads to obedience and obedience will lead us to the life of missions we desire and this world needs.

Be faithful to the task God has given you, and let Him work out the details.

Last, Paul gives instructions to pass this letter along with the letter to Laodicea. It is a simple request, but it leaves us with the first step in our missionary journey. Upon receiving eternal life in Jesus Christ, we are given a commission. That Great Commission is to go into all the world and make disciples of Jesus Christ. The first step in that mission is to share what Christ has done for us. One of the best missionary tools in the first century is the best one today—our own testimony. Share what Christ has done for you. Then, grab some people together and read the letters and the stories of what Christ has done in the past.

Be faithful in these tasks and watch what God will do.