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Colossians

Colossians 4

By Pastor Doug
Becoming a bondservant to our new Master.

With the 'putting on' and this new look about us, there ought to also be a new look at home.  We are under new management, we ought to reflect the values of that new master.  This is the christian ethic, charactized by submission, love, obedience.  It has wide-sweeping application; nearly everyone would see themselves in these verses.

 

The submission of the wife should not be viewed as something ugly or that a woman is of lesser value than her husband.  It is God's order of things.  As a wife submits, the husband then has a greater responsibility and accountability.   The love of a husband toward his wife is an unconditional love; a willingness to lay down his life.  It becomes the pitcure of Christs love for the church.  That is a tremendous responsility and only attainable by the provision of Christ in our life. 

 

Children were responsible to obey and respect their parents.  The balance to this was the father's responsibility not to provoke the children. 

 

Bondservants were to be obedient; not just when being watched, but with character and integrity.  We can liken this to our ethic in the workplace.  We are to work as though we work for Jesus because He's the one with the lasting reward, far beyond what you could be paid.  This is balanced by verse one of chapter four.  The Masters were to be fair in dealing with the servants.  We are to be respectful and forthright with those who work for us.

 

Note on slaves:

This wasn't a message to just a few people.  With sixty million slaves, many people of all walks of life had slaves.  Slavery was a little different than how we would normally think about it.  Slavery in Rome wasn't based on putting another race in bondage because they were thought to be lesser humans by the people in power.  Slaves in Rome included prisoners of war, sailors captured and sold by pirates or slaves bought outside Roman territory from other cultures.  When times were hard, it was not uncommon for desperate Roman citizens to raise money by selling their children into slavery. 

 

The life of many slaves was harsh.  Day in and day out they worked in the fields or mines.  Some actually ran the households and served in the home of the master.  Slaves were often whipped, branded or cruelly mistreated.  Their owners could also kill them for any reason and not face any kind of punishment.  Day in and day out, the lives of these people were solely lived to serve others.  Any kind of rebellion or uprising was dealt with swiftly, harshly and somewhat publicly so others would know not to rebel against the master.

 

It's interesting, there were so many slaves doing so many different kinds of work that it was have to tell them from the Roman citizens.  At one point the Roman Senate considered a plan to make the slaves all wear special clothing so that they could be identified at a glance.  The idea was rejected because the Senate feared that if slaves saw how many of them there really were working in Rome they might be tempted to join forces and rebel.  They worried the humble cloak of a slave might become the uniform of an army.

 

The leaders and masters wanted the slaves to blend in to the culture.  Paul was telling those in Christ not to blend in.  He encouraged them to be different, to stand out in the crowd by being the best they could be, to work for the Lord because as Christians every part of their life is a testimony.  Now he is telling the Christian slave masters the same thing.  They were offering a testimony also by how they treated their slaves.  They were to be different from other slave masters.  Their actions as a slave master should reflect the God they served.

 

This is interesting because if you were a master of slaves and a Christian the right response would be to treat these men and women with grace and compassion, loving them and having the heart of a servant.  Can you imagine being a slave master and having the heart of a servant?  That would bring an end to slavery.  The atheists and God haters always love to throw this slavery thing out as if the bible promotes it.  Slavery was of the culture and the world.  With Christian values applied to it, slavery either wouldn't exist or it would look very different.  Bondservants would begin to look like hired hands with rights and privileges.

 

Slaves in Rome could be freed by their master.  Some were allowed to earn their freedom, some masters allowed them to purchase it.  Others were freed in the will of their master when he passed away.  That was the hope of many slaves, for a slave that was an unbeliever, it was their only hope.  Paul offered another hope.  It was a new identity, a new master and an eternal reward.  That same hope that gave these people living in an oppressed state and under the cruel hand of a master offers us hope in our work.

 

We can get burnt out.  I don't care what job you do the workplace can grind you up.  It can steal your joy, ruin your testimony, destroy your self worth and leave you hopeless.  Yet, in Christ, as our master, we can work for Him with a renewed sense that no matter how bad this job is a day is coming when it will not longer matter.

 

Our life in the work place can be a powerful testimony.  Whether you are a CEO, a welder, a truck driver, a janitor or a chef, as a Christian you should be working with your eyes on your master.  If you have people working for you, you have a real opportunity to be a testimony for Christ.  A supervisor or boss with the heart of a servant in our world will be noticed, I assure you.  Your actions will speak loud and clear.

 

Colossians 4:2-4

2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

The prayer life of a Christian to be earnest and vigilant.  This is a command to give prayer strict attention and to persevere in it.  We are to be constant and diligent, devoted and steadfast.  We are to do that with thanksgiving.

 

The NASB says to be alert in prayer.  The King James says to 'watch.'  Prayer is the guiding force in our life.  As Christian soldiers it is our communication link to central command.  As wanderers in a foreign land it is communication with home.  As emissaries or ambassadors or Christ, it is our communication with the King.  Prayer is coming before our God and King, it's humbling ourselves, getting our priorities straight, it's aligning ourselves with God's will.

 

How many times have each one of us said "All we can do is pray," as if it is a last resort.  It's like we've now done all the logical things, let's now try this prayer thing.  We all do it.  Prayer is to be the first resort and the 'all the way through' resort.  It doesn't mean we don't act, it means we've checked in with our master before, during and even after we've acted.  Paul wanted these Christians to understand that prayer was a primary tool and primary function of the bondservant in Christ.  There can never be too much of it. 

 

Colossians 4:5-6

5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

It is important that the Christian life be lived out.  Putting on Jesus Christ and worshiping Him and being in prayer are great things.  Having a Godly home and family are important but our faith becomes authentic when we live it out in our workplace and out in the world in all we say and do.  We are to walk in wisdom toward those who are outside.  'Those who are outside' is a reference to unbelievers.  Our faith becomes authentic to unbelievers when they see us live it out consistently and daily in our life.  This is particularly true when we are going through stuff.  When this world is beating you up, the unbelievers are watching how you respond whether you realize it or not.  They want to know if your faith is real enough to comfort you when the chips are down.

 

This takes wisdom.  Wisdom is the proper application of knowledge.  If we walk in wisdom we won't forget whose we are, we will hold fast to the promises of God.  Walking in wisdom we will redeem our time.  Unbelievers won't see us fritter our life away in useless things.  In wisdom the words that come out of our mouth will be filled with grace and seasoned with salt.  Filled with grace and seasoned with salt.  How do you do that?

 

We know Grace is not getting what we deserve.  When we speak, we should be offering words to others that they don't necessarily deserve.  We shouldn't withhold a kind word because we don't think someone has earned it.  Our speech is also to be seasoned with salt.  We know Salt adds flavor but it also preserves.  That's why they put all that sodium in everything.  Do you know how salt preserves?  It prevents and inhibits the growth of the things that corrupt?

 

In a world of harsh language and love grown cold.  We see Hatred and pride.  We see self confidence preached by the world and self worth at all cost.  Our words should sound different.  They should be sure and loving, reflecting truth and wisdom and our confidence in what we believe.  Our words should say, God is on the throne and my hope isn't with anything in and of this world.  It is in Christ alone.

 

Colossians 4:7-9

7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.

Epaphras had brought news to Paul from Colossee but Tychicus was going to take this letter and news of Paul back to Colosse and Lacodicea.  I think Tychicus must have been like a mailman.  He also carried Paul's letter from Rome to Ephesus.  You see that in Ephesians 6:21.  Tyhchicus also showed up in Acts.  He was traveling with Paul at the end of his 3rd missionary journey to take the offering back to Jerusalem.  He had been with Paul for quite a while and had been through a lot with him.  And he remained with him still.

 

The people there in Colosse apparently didn't know who Tychicus was since Paul gave him this introduction as a being a faithful minister and brother as well as a servant.  Paul wanted them to know a little about the man bringing the news and a letter.  He was someone Paul saw as faithful and trustworthy.  That's why he was sending him.  He was a servant who could minister to the people there.

 

Paul was sending Onesimus with Tychichus as he traveled back to Colosse.  Onesimus was a slave that ran away from his master.  As a runaway slave, he ended up meeting Paul and becoming a Christian.  Paul doesn't speak of Onesimus as a runaway slave but as a brother who is beloved and faithful.  Even though he was a slave, the primary distinction in his life; the one thing that permeated every part of his being was being in Jesus Christ.  Before he was saved, Onesimus' life was all about being a slave.  He left Colosse as a slave with no hope other than running from his master and trying to find a life for himself on the run.  Now, as Paul wrote this letter, Onesiumus was a new man in Christ.  And because of that he went back to Colosse and returned to his master because now he served a greater master.  You can read all about Onesimus in the book of Philemon.

 

Colossians 4:10-11

10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.

Aristarchus is described as a fellow prisoner.  He had also been with Paul for a quite some time.  Way back on Paul's 3rd missionary journey he was in Ephesus when Demetrius the silversmith was mad at Paul because he was turning people away from Dianna.  This was cutting into his prophets of making his souvenir silver trinkets.  Demetrius whipped the crowd into a frenzy and started a riot.  In the middle of it Aristarchus was nabbed while Paul seemed to escape them.  Aristarchus was also with Paul when he set sail for Rome and ended up getting shipwrecked.  And now he is with Paul in prison.  There is some speculation that Aristarchus actually made himself Paul's slave so he could accompany him on the way to Rome.

 

Paul also mentioned Mark and Justus who were with him also.  They were there with him as fellow workers for the kingdom of God.  Paul said they were 'of the circumcision' which means they were fellow Jews.

 

Colossians 4:12-15

12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.

Epaphras wasn't returning to Colosse right away but staying there in Rome with Paul.  Paul called him a prayer warrior and a bondservant of Christ.  When Paul called him a servant, he used the same word he used at the beginning of the chapter when he was speaking about slaves and their masters.  The difference is Epaphras was a bondservant of Christ.  Paul referred to himself that way many times.

 

We know Epaphras loved these people Paul was writing to.  Paul noted that in the beginning of the letter.  He was zealous for them as their pastor and teacher.  Now he was staying with Paul in Rome for the time being.  Luke was there with Paul also.  This is how we know Luke is a physician.  Luke wrote the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts.

Demas was also with Paul.  We don't know anything about Demas other than what you see right here.  So Paul's entourage was made up of 3 Jews...and 3 gentiles.; Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus were the Jews.  Epaphras, Luke, and Demas were the gentiles.

 

Colossians 4:16

16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

This letter was copied and circulated and that's how it was preserved for us by the Holy Spirit for us.  The Colossians were to read the letter and then copies were made and they were circulated to the other churches to be read.  These copies that were made helped assure it was preserved and that is survived until the bible was put together.

After the Colossians read this letter, Paul reminded them that he wanted them to also read the epistle from Laodicea.  This could mean that Paul wrote a letter to them that the Holy Spirit didn't preserve.  That's possible.  Some think the letter to the Ephesians actually passed through Laodicea and then to Colosse making it the letter from Laodicea.  We don't really know.

 

Colossians 4:17

17 And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it."

Archippus is mentioned in the book of Philemon.  In the context of how he is mentioned, some believe Archippus may have been the son of Philemon, the slave master of Onesimus.  Regardless, Paul encouraged him to step into the ministry that he received from the Lord.

 

Colossians 4:18

18 This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

Paul wrote this letter.  You can imagine him setting and writing in the chains of his imprisonment.  Remember, he didn't know these people, he only knew of them.  And he asks them to remember he was there, a bondservant of Christ, serving his master, doing what he was called to do by ministering on their behalf to the people of Rome.  He didn't want to be forgotten.

*****

A disciple is a servant that takes on the disciplines of their master.  Disciple - clothed in Christ:

  • Seeks the things above
  • Puts to death the things that bring wrath
  • Put off the deeds of the old man
  • Put on the new man
  • Put on love (that bonds the Christian life together)

In contrast, the unbelievers among us, even in church, seek Jesus only for what he can do for them.  They want Jesus to follow them as they lead; they are clearly lording over their own life, walking where they desire, acting as they desire.  They want Jesus to make their walk easy; to provide wealth and comfort.

 

Unbeliever – clothed in death:

  • Seeks earthly things
  • Holds onto sin
  • Still exists as the old man
  • Never expereince the new man
  • Failed at true love. 

Which will you be clothed in when Jesus Christ returns?  By default, you are clothed in death and sin and unrighteousness.  There is no in between.  There is no fence setting and gray areas.  Too many people are trying to have enough God to go to heaven and live in the world.  You can't put on righteousness without taking off the unrighteousness.  You can't put on new life without taking off death. 

 

Christianity that doesn't change people isn't Christianity at all.

 

©2017 Doug Ford