Full Service

Colossians 4:7-18

⁷ Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. ⁸ I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. ⁹ He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

¹⁰ 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.) ¹¹ 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. ¹² 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. ¹³ I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. ¹⁵ Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

¹⁶ 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.

¹⁷ Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”

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

If in the church we rely on ‘one-man bands’ and have too many bystanders who enjoy being entertained but offer little support, the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ will be negatively impacted.

“As members of the body of Christ, we are called to cooperate and collaborate as we serve Jesus and partner with each other to fulfill his mission and build his kingdom” (Scott Pace)

Three characteristics of ‘all-in’ disciples:

1. ‘All-in’ disciples personally serve Christ & willingly share his message (vs. 4-7)

- Knowing who you are & whose you are will keep you from getting overwhelmed & giving up on the mission (Rom. 1:1; 1 Cor. 6:20)

- Do my actions affirm that I can be considered a trustworthy messenger for Christ?

- Being redeemed changes our identity and gives us new purpose

- The Lord commissions all believers as “ambassadors” of Christ to carry the “message of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:17-20)

Are you ‘all-in’?

2. ‘All-in’ disciples actively encourage & build up the body of Christ (vs. 10-14)

- In Christ we have the blessing of being part of God’s family (1:2, 4:15; Gal.3:26)

- Every child in God’s family is significant & plays an important role in his plan (1 Cor. 12:12-14,24-27)

- We can encourage & build up the body of Christ through prayer & sacrificially serving one another.
- Pray constantly
- Pray fervently
- Pray specifically

- We are called to encourage one another & build each other up (1 Thess. 5:11)

Are you ‘all-in’?

3. ‘All-in’ disciples faithfully support the global reach of the church (vs. 15-18)

- Participating in the Great Commission reminds us that Christ’s mission for the church includes reaching both our community and beyond (1:6)

- All citizens of Christ’s Kingdom are called to serve him by fulfilling the Great Commission, through his power & grace (Mt. 28:16-20; Acts 1:8)

- “The ministry of Jesus and his disciples was NOT one of passive observation, it was always one of ACTIVE OBEDIENCE” (Daniel Akin)

Are you ‘all-in”?

DOWNLOAD SERMON HANDOUT

DOWNLOAD SERMON NOTES