12 27 taking stock - ending well together col 4 7-18 final
TRANSCRIPT
SSMCSUNGAI WAY-SUBANGMETHODISTC H U R C H
REV DR NG SWEE MING 27 DEC 2015
“TAKING STOCK – ENDING WELL together”
Col 4:7-18
What’s New !
What’s New !
THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord
and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work,
growing in the knowledge of God.…
THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS
“Taking Stock – Ending Well together” Col 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.
“Taking Stock – Ending Well together” Col 4:7-18
Paul’s description of Tychicus : a dear brother a faithful minister fellow servant in the LordTychicus in Acts & the Epistles … Travelling companion … Courier for Paul’s letters … Pastoral appointments- Ephesus & ?CreteA trusted companion to share …. news … circumstances …Ministry …
“Taking Stock – Ending Well together” Col 4:7-18
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. our faithful &dear brother, who is one of you…
“Taking Stock – Ending Well together” Col 4:7-18
Onesimus : “Profitable / Useful” Runaway slave of PhilemonMet Paul in Rome, convertedPhilem 12: “…who is my very heart.”Philem 15-16 “…Perhaps the reason
he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother.”
“Taking Stock – Ending Well together” Col 4:7-18
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 fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.
Tychicus & Onesimus joins Aristarchus, John Mark, Jesus Justus & Dr Luke.
All stayed with Paul in his hours of need… “fellow workers” ; “a comfort…” A very illustrious group : Dr Luke – wrote the Gospel of Luke & the Acts of
the Apostles John Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark
“Taking Stock – Ending Well together” Col 4:7-18
1. The FAITHFUL
“Taking Stock – Ending Well together” Col 4:7-18The Faithful eg John Mark : Background – Barnabas / Mary / Peter / Church, … 1st Missions : with Barnabas & Paul But ‘deserted’ them half-way - ?? reason 2nd Missions : Paul objected strongly to John Intervening years …. Col 4:10 – in Rome with Paul … 2 Tim 4:11 “Get Mark and bring him with you,
because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” Quote :
It’s not how you start that’s important; it’s how you finish…
“Taking Stock – Ending Well together” Col 4:7-18
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.
2. The PRAYERFUL
“Taking Stock – Ending Well together” Col 4:7-18
The PRAYERFUL - Epaphras
Saved thru Paul's ministry in Ephesus …Home-town : Colossae founded Colossae Church (possibly also
Laodicea & Hierapolis)Travels 1500 km to Rome for answers … ‘wrestling’ / ‘struggling’ / ‘laboring
earnestly’ in prayer for …a true prayer warrior, intercessor…
Philem 23 “Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus…”
“Taking Stock – Ending Well together” Col 4:7-18
14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send
greetings.
Demas – the FALLEN 3 times in Paul's lettersPhilem 24 : "Demas... my
fellow laborer" ass. with Mark, Aristarchus & Luke.
Col 4:14 Simply "Demas” – no description
2 Tim 4:10 "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world”
Cf - 1 John 2:16Q: Did he return ??
1 John 2:16 For everything in the world--the lust of
the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the
pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world.
Olympics Torch Rally
Starting Well is OPTIONAL…
Finishing Well is FUNDAMENTAL
in this RACE OF LIFE
BUT
“Taking Stock – Ending Well together” Col 4:7-18
CONCLUSION :15 Give my greetings to the brothers 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 work you have received in the Lord."
18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
“Taking Stock – Ending Well together” Col 4:7-18
CONCLUSION :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.
The early church …read ‘letters’ outloud for all to hear …
Paul’s Charge to Timothy in 1 Tim 4:13“… devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.”
“Taking Stock – Ending Well together” Col 4:7-18
THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord
and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work,
growing in the knowledge of God.…
1.LIVING WORTHILY as a DISCIPLE
2.LIVING FRUITFULLY as a FAMILY
3.LIVING POWERFULLY as a CHURCH
So for 2015 ....application...
STOP DOING DG STOP EVANGELISING STOP ATTENDING
For DGs :
1. stop doing dgSTART SHARING LIFE Share your joys & victories ... Share your struggles and defeats ... Pray for one another Beyond that pray for others ... Look beyond your own DG... Inquire of the Lord ....
‘2. stop “doing evangelism”a. JUST START LOVING PEOPLELove your family membersLove your neighborsLove your colleaguesLove your enemies
b. START PRAYING for People daily
Personally :• Ask God for “Holy Happenings” in your life ... Family Community Work
• For those with families ... Start Weekly Family Devotions Make time to Talk about life issues... Talk about what’s happening in the
country, the world ... Take an interest in your children’s life :
friends, interest, studies ...
3. stop attending ...START PARTICIPATING... Sunday Celebration... Prayer Gatherings... 24/7 Prayer for our Nation... Missions – Community, Local & International Reading thru’ the Bible
So for 2015 .... stop doing dg START SHARING LIFE
stop doing evangelizing START LOVING PEOPLE
stop attending START PARTICIPATING
General Outline of Colossians
I. Chp 1 : DOCTRINEChrist's Supremacy & Sufficiency DECLARED
II. Chp 2 : DANGERChrist's Supremacy & Sufficiency DEFENDED
III. Chps 3-4 : DUTYChrist's Supremacy & Sufficiency DISPLAYED
Colossians
Chp 1 : DOCTRINE
CHRIST'S SUPREMACY & SUFFICIENCY DECLARED
Sermon 1. 1:1-8 Lessons in Discipleship 1
1st : FAITH in Christ2nd : LOVE for the brethren3rd : HOPE in heaven
Sermon 2. 1:9-14 Lessons in Discipleship IIImportance of Prayer Building Deep in Christ Sub-Structure Structure Superstructure
Sermon 3. Col 1:15-23 The SUPREMACY & SUFFICIENCY of CHRIST
v15-17 The Supremacy of Christ in CREATION
v18-20 The Sufficiency of Christ in Re-CREATION
Conclusion :
v21 Our Past Alienation
v22 Our Present Reconciliation
v23 Our Future Glorification
Sermon 4. Col 1:24-29
God’s Blueprint for Discipleship
1. Know WHY … the mystery … ‘Christ in you, the Hope of Glory’
2. Know HOW … in loving communities…
3. Know WHAT … cost to consider …
4. Know WHO … as a servant …
Conclusion :
MAKING DISCIPLE
LOVING COMMUNITY.
Sermon 5. Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ1. Looking Within :
ENCOURAGED IN HEART2. Looking Around :
UNITED IN LOVE3. Looking Above :
FAITH IN CHRIST4. Looking Below :
ROOTED & BUILT UP IN CHRIST
Sermon 5. Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ1. Looking Within :
ENCOURAGED IN HEART2. Looking Around :
UNITED IN LOVE3. Looking Above :
FAITH IN CHRIST4. Looking Below :
ROOTED & BUILT UP IN CHRIST
Sermon 6. Col 2:8-15COMPLETE in CHRIST 1
1. Be Aware of ‘Christ +’2. Be Complete in Christ3. Be Alive with Christ
1. Know CHRIST2. Know who you are in CHRIST3. Stand & speak for Righteousness,
Justice & Truth …
Sermon 7. Col 2:16-23 COMPLETE in CHRIST 2
Sermon 8. Col 3:1-11
LIVING for JESUS
GENERAL PRINCIPLES to LIVE for JESUS Now
1. Seek the Heavenly2. Slay the Earthly Put to death … Take off …
3. Strengthen the Christly Put on …
Sermon 9. Col 3:12-17 Properly ATTIRED for ETERNITY
GENERAL PRINCIPLES to PREPARE for ETERNITYWe Are …Chosen …Holy (Set Apart) …Loved …
THEREFORE‘Put On’ the…
CHARACTER OF CHRISTPEACE OF CHRISTWORD OF CHRISTNAME OF CHRIST
and BE THANKFUL, BE GRATEFUL ….
}
Sermon 10 Col 3:18-4:1
Relationship is Key
SPECIFIC PRINCIPLES to KEY AREAS of life… MARITAL RELATIONSHIP PARENTAL / FAMILY RELATIONSHIP ‘WORKPLACE’ RELATIONSHIP
RULES without RELATIONSHIPS leads to
TRUTH without RELATIONSHIPS leads to
DISCIPLINE without RELATIONSHIPS leads to , &
REBELLION
REJECTION
RESENTMENTBITTERNESSANGER
Sermon 11. Col 4:2-6
The POWER of MY LIFE
1. MY PRAYER LIFE2. MY TALK3. MY WALK
Rick Husband Columbia Space Shuttle
(Jan 16 to Feb 1, 2003)
50 meters run
Starting Well is OPTIONAL…
Finishing Well is FUNDAMENTAL in this
Race of Eternal Life
B U T
To FINISH WELL in LIFE,
We Must Finish Each Of Life’s Chapter WellI do not know what ‘Chapter’ in Life you are at …..
As 2016 draws to a close …
Let’s FINISH THIS CHAPTER WELL ….