Intro

THE __________________________ OF CHRIST (1:15-20; 2:2-3, 9-10).

1) Christ is our glorious Creator and Redeemer God (1:15-20; 2:9).

2) We are complete in Him (2:2-3, 10).

 CONTENDING WITH ________________________ INFLUENCES (2:8, 16-23).

1) Warning to the churches (2:8, 16-23).

2) Outreach to outsiders (4:5-6).

  GIVING THANKS FOR ________________________________ (1:3-5).

1) God is sovereign in salvation.

2) The blessing of a thankful and joyful heart

 __________________________ PERSPECTIVE (3:1-4).

1) Our focus on Christ above.

2) The practical implications.

 Conclusion

Intro

A. GREETINGS TO THE LAODICEANS

1) Special greetings from Paul to the brethren in Laodicea (v. 15).

2) The spread of Paul’s letters (v. 16).

 B. EXHORTATION TO ARCHIPPUS

1) Who is Archippus?  Called a “fellow soldier” in Phile. 2.

2) Paul’s exhortation.

 C. PAUL’S PERSONAL COMMENTS TO THE COLOSSIANS

1) Personal signature.

2) Desire for prayer. lit, “remember my chains..”   A Christ-centered, other-centered life.

3) Benediction.  “Grace be with  you.”

Conclusion

Intro

I. EPAPHRAS – THE PRAYER LABORER (vv. 12-13).

A. Native of Colossae, “who is one of your number”.

B. Church planter (Col. 1:6-7).

C. “My fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus” (Phile. 1:23).

D. “a bondslave of Jesus Christ”.

E. His ministry of prayer

1) “always” –

2) “laboring earnestly” –

3) goal of his prayers –

“stand” –

“perfect” –

“fully assured” -

4) “deep concern” -

II.  LUKE, THE PHYSICIAN (v. 14).

A. Beloved physician –

B. Luke was a “fellow worker” with Paul (Phile. 24).

C. “Only Luke is with me” (2 Tim. 4:11).

D. The author of Scripture.

III. DEMAS, THE DESERTER (v. 14). 

A fellow worker with Paul (Phile. 24).

A bad ending (2 Tim. 4:10).

Intro

ARISTARCHUS, FELLOW PRISONER (v. 10).

1) From Thessalonica (Acts 20:4).  Persecuted for his faith (Acts 19:23-29).

2) Journeyed with Paul after his arrest in Jerusalem (Acts 27:2).

3) He is called “my fellow prisoner” (v. 10).  Literal?

JESUS, CALLED JUSTUS (v. 11).

1) Only time this man is mentioned in the NT.

2) “Fellow workers for the kingdom of God” -

3) “only” –

4) encouragment

MARK, THE RESTORED BACKSLIDER (v. 10b).

1) His background.

Acts 12:12 –

Acts 12:25 –

Col. 4:10 – relationship to Barnabas: ­­­­­­­­­________________

Acts 13:5 – joins Paul and Barnabas on First Miss. Journey

2) His failure.  Mark joins Barnabas and Paul as their helper (Acts 13:5).

Acts 13:13 –

Acts 15:37-39 “deserted” =  _____________________________

3) His rejection (Acts 15:36-40).

4) His recovery.

a) Paul’s rebuke (Acts 13:38).

b) Barnabas took him (Acts 15:39).

c) The Peter connection (1 Pet. 5:13).

5) His restored usefulness.

a) Col. 4:10 –

b) Col. 4:11 and Phile. 24 –

c) 2 Tim. 4:11 –

d) The author of __________________________

6) The grace behind the restoration:  the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints.  Phil. 1:6; 1 Thess. 5:23-24.

7)  The encouragement  of restoring grace.

Conclusion

Intro

TYCHICUS - THE MAILMAN (4:7-8).

1) He is from Asia (Acts 20:4).

2)  Apostolic mailman (Col. 4:7-9, 16; Eph. 6:21).

3) Minister (2 Tim. 4:12; Tit. 3:12).

4) description:

a) “beloved brother” –

b) “faithful servant” –

c) “fellow bond-servant in the Lord” -

5) Present mission:

a) Inform –

b) Encourage -

ONESIMUS - THE REDEEMED RUN-AWAY SLAVE (4:9).

1) From Colossae.  Col. 4:9 “who is one of your number”.

2) Philemon’s slave.  Phile 15-16.

3) Converted under Paul.  Phile 10.

4) Very useful to the apostle.  Phile. 11-13.

“faithful and beloved brother”

5) Reporter.  Col. 4:9

    Lessons:

1)

2)

Conclusion

Intro

A.  PAUL THE EVANGELIST

1) Paul has a huge heart for evangelism.

2) Who is Paul talking to?

B. HOW TO REACH OUT TO OUTSIDERS

1) Walk in wisdom.

a) “Walk” –

b) “wisdom” -

c) “outsiders” - 1 Cor. 5:12-13; 1 Thess. 4:12.

2) “making the most of the opportunity” or KJV “redeeming the time”

3) Seasoned speech.

a) Always –

b) With grace –

c) Seasoned with salt –

(1)

(2)

d) Knowledge

C. WHAT ABOUT SECRET DISCIPLES?

1) Joseph of Aramathea (Jn. 19:38).

2) How to increase the watts.

Conclusion