Sermon: Companions in Discipleship
September 1st, 2019 Rev. Betsy Perkins
First Baptist Church, Delavan WI
Scripture passage: Colossians 4:2-18
Timothy, my friend, I am so grateful to you for focusing on the writing of this letter so I can focus on the message that our Lord Jesus would have me share with our brothers and sisters in Colossae. Your special skill in working with scrolls and in teaching is part of your unique service to Christ – Praise the Lord! We’re getting to the end, son, but I feel there are just a few more thoughts, a few more words of encouragement.
Let’s see, we shared with them how we are praying for them, how we are so pleased with the gospel fruit they are bearing. I reminded them of the wonder of God’s plan, coming in all His fullness in Jesus, the Son, to bridge the divide between God and humanity through the sacrifice of his life on the cross, drawing all people into God’s heart. We warned them of the dangers and distractions around them that can keep them from being truly formed in the image of our Master, Jesus; dressed in His clothes of compassion and kindness, patience and forgiveness, peace and love. Oh yes, His love!
Timothy, their faith is so young yet. They need our guidance and the strength of our faith. But we need them, too. Do you think they understand that? That I need them? I have been preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ, and planting churches. I have faced scoffers and stone-throwers, mobs and madmen. I have endured challenges and chains. But that hasn’t made me any greater than the youngest and newest believer there in Colossae, or Ephesus, or any of the far-flung places where people come together as the Body of Christ. I couldn’t have done any of this without companions in this journey. The work and the prayers of each one is indispensable.
Let’s make that clear, ok Timothy? Urge them to pray diligently! To stay on guard with prayer and to pour out gratitude to God in prayer. To pray for themselves and their community, but also to pray for us. Here’s how they can pray for me: that even as I am locked up in prison, that God may unlock my mouth to speak and explain the mystery of Christ and of God’s plan; that even as I am shut inside, that God may open doors for this message to go out. Advise them to be wise, to use their heads as they live and work among outsiders to the faith, so they can make the most of every opportunity to present Christ. Their conversations should always be gracious, bringing out the best in others – not criticizing, not dull, but attractive, engaging, full of flavor… yes, yes, that’s perfect… seasoned with salt. A wonderful image, Timothy – thank you.
Now, let us share with them just how many folks God is using to accomplish this Gospel project, how important the service of each person is to me, to them, to Christ. We’ll start with Tychicus, of course, as he is the one I’ve asked to carry this letter and deliver it to them in person along with all the updates and plans that we can’t include in a letter. I want them to receive him with all the love and appreciation I have for him, so write this: He is a dear brother, a trusted minister, and companion in the service of the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances so you will know how to pray for us, and that he may encourage your hearts. He’s coming with Onesimus, one of your own, but one who has also become our faithful and dear brother.
Oh Timothy, I’m so concerned for Onesimus – pray with me right now: Lord Jesus, I pray that the brothers and sisters in the church that meets in Philemon’s house, would recognize this as an opportunity to practice forgiveness and to grow in likeness to you, Jesus. May your Spirit enable them to forgive Onesimus for the wrongs he has done to them, for running away and abandoning them. Open their eyes to see him not as a criminal and as a slave, as one who has become useless. Rather may they see him with your eyes, as a beloved child of God, a brother in faith, as one who is now living into the meaning of his name, Useful one, Onesimus. May he be as useful to them as he has been to us here and to your kingdom work. May they welcome him as they would welcome me (Philemon 11, 17). Amen. Let it be so.
Thank you, Timothy. And Aristarchus, thank you for praying with us, too. You have been beside me faithfully in every situation, including right now in this prison. You are one of my most trusted companions, the one I entrusted to carry the offerings from all the churches in Galatia and Macedonia when they came to the aide to those in the church in Jerusalem 15 years ago when that disastrous famine came upon that land. You did the work with such integrity! I’ll never forget the time in Ephesus when the rioting started, you allowed yourself to be seized by the crowd. They dragged you and Gaius into the town hall. I wanted to come to speak on your behalf, but you put my safety above your own. You protected me and refused to let me take that risk on your behalf. (Acts 19:29) You continue to imitate the courage and faithfulness of Christ, even now.
John Mark, are you hearing us, too? Your strengths are very different than Aristarchus. It has taken me some time to fully appreciate this, dear brother. You have allowed your fears to overwhelm you at times, as you yourself admit. Like in that story you tell about yourself on the night Jesus was arrested in the garden. The guards started grabbing people and arresting them, and you got so scared that when a soldier grabbed you by your robe, you slipped out of it and ran off stark naked (Mk.14:51). Then there was that time in Pamphylia, when you were traveling with me and your cousin Barnabas. We started to get death threats from the locals and you just took off, deserted us. But Barnabas recognized these occasions as a way Christ was forming you. He never stopped seeking you out, to encourage you, to challenge you. He knows how valuable and faithful you were to Peter in the years you served as his interpreter. He knows how you have the stories about Jesus, told to you by Peter, stored in your heart and mind, and how you can tell those stories to others in a way that makes them sit on the edge of their seats, excited and wanting to hear more. I’m sorry I ever doubted you, Mark; forgive me.
Mark, you and Justus (I know his real name is Jesus, but I find it hard to call him that), are such a comfort to me, like bite of hometown cookin’ (…wish I had some of that right now! My stomach is growling). There are just some days when our shared understandings of Jewish scripture and traditions means I don’t have to begin every conversation by explaining the basics. That is a real gift to me as together we come to a fuller understanding of the mysteries of God’s plan for the world through God’s chosen people and through Jesus.
Oh Epaphras, you are truly a servant for me, as well as a servant for Christ Jesus. Thank you for bringing our dinner! We were getting hungry, but I didn’t want to disturb you to ask if you would rustle up some food because you were serving others by wrestling in prayer. We trusted that you hadn’t forgotten us. Timothy, do you suppose those in the churches Epaphras planted feel as though he has forgotten them? I wonder if they feel he’s left them to continue the hard work of discipleship alone. Would you write this: Epaphras has been tireless in his prayers for you, praying that you’ll stand firm, mature and confident in everything God wants you to do. I’ve watched him closely, and can report on how hard he has work for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Luke, Demas, come and join us here at the table. Would you two like to send greetings to the brothers and sisters in Colossae? Put it in, Timothy. What would I do without you, Luke? You are gifted in so many ways. As you have offered your natural talents to God, the Holy Spirit has enhanced them even more – your knowledge of the body and skill as a doctor has patched me back together on more than one occasion! I dare not let you go off on other errands and travels, as I need you close by me (2Tim.4:11). It’s also true that keeping you here gives you time to dedicate to the study of historical records and to your writing. Your concern and compassion for the poor, and for women, and others who are downtrodden is like that of our Lord Jesus Christ. You set your own needs and desires aside for those whom God loves.
Demas? Aren’t you hungry? Demas?…
I’m worried about him. He is really struggling with the deprivations of prison food and prison conditions. But I believe that is not all. Demas is young and seems to be holding on to a dream of being a success, of running a big household with all its comforts, especially the comforts of many friends and of an honored status in his community. It hurts him that his family in Thessolonica has rejected him because he is following a shamed and crucified messiah. Demas is a fellow worker for the church now (Philemon 24), but I fear he is simply going through the motions and that his love for the things of this world, especially his love of accolades and praise, is greater than his love for Jesus (2Tim.4:10). Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
There are just a couple more things, Timothy. Can we finish before we eat? Remind them that they are to pass on this letter to the church in the neighboring town of Laodicea after they read it. The church in Laodicea will do the same with the letter I’m sending to them. When they are exchanging letters, I want them to exchange holy hugs from me as well, especially Nympha, who has established the newest church in her home. How gracious for her to do that as she also takes the lead in discipling those brothers and sisters.
And lastly, young Archippus. Timothy, I do not want him to feel that he is being given responsibilities in the Colossae church simply because his father, Philemon, is the leader. No, Archippus must feel like an equal, a fellow soldier for Christ with us all (Philemon 2). The whole church must share the responsibility of encouraging him and keeping him on task. We all have confidence in him; he just needs confidence in himself. Would ask them to tell Archippus to do his best in the job he received from the Master, do his very best!
Now let me sign it: Here is my greeting in my own handwriting – Paul. Remember my chains. May God’s grace be with you.
Timothy, Aristarchus, John Mark, Luke, Epaphras, this is indeed God’s design for the Christian life! That people would band together, each using their unique gifts to accomplish God’s kingdom plan together. Alone, we would not have much of an impact, but together we are turning the world upside down for Jesus. Or maybe that’s right side up for Jesus, the world does a good job of being upside down all on its own. May the church in the generations to come, in places we haven’t even heard of, know the power and strength of joining with believers in love to grow and serve God. Amen. Let it be so!
Closing Song: “They’ll Know We are Christians by our Love”
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