12 27 taking stock - ending well together col 4 7-18 final

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 !

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.…

“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.


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 …


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…


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.”


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


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…


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


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…”


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


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.


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.”

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 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


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 ….

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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


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 ….

12 27 taking stock - ending well together col 4 7-18 final

Spiritual