Team ministry is the theme for Colossians 4:7-18. As Paul makes his final greetings to the church at Colossae, we see how many ordinary people were a part of God's Kingdom work in the early church. As we make ourselves available to Jesus, He leads us into various roles we will play in the church as He accomplishes His Kingdom work today!

Colossians 4:7-18... 7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant a 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. 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. 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 co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 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. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters 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 ministry you have received in the Lord.” 18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

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How do we react to the secularization of our society? Christians are becoming the minority within our culture, but the early church was the minority in their culture as well. In this section of Colossians, Paul shares teaches us to be wise in the way we act towards outsiders, and to let our conversations always be full of grace and seasoned with salt.

Colossians 4:2-6... 2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

What is the meaning of Colossians 3:18? Why did Paul tell wives to submit to their husbands and husbands to love their wives? In Colossians 3:18-4:1, Paul shows how being a new creation in Christ applies to being a wife, husband, father, mother, and child. The gospel transforms the way we do relationships in our homes.

18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

In Colossians 3:15-17, Paul continues to make practical application that flows from our new life in Christ. Specifically, he teaches us to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, let the message of Christ dwell among us, and do everything in the name of the Lord. In today's message, we dive deep into each one of those areas to see how it specifically applies to us today!

In this section, Paul describes the clothes (virtues/actions) of someone who is a new creation in Christ. These clothes are the outworking of an inward transformation and reality that Jesus works through us.

Colossians 3:12-14...Colossians 3:12-14...12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

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Paul begins the practical section of this letter by giving a list of things to get rid of as a new creation in Christ. The image is that of taking off dirty clothes that don't fit with who you are any longer. The perspective Paul gives is that these commands are not prescriptions to be a better Christian but rather descriptions of who you no longer are in Christ.

Colossians 3:5-11... 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

What does it mean that your life is hidden with Christ in God? What does it mean to have been raised with Christ? How do we set our minds on things above and not on earthly things? I answer all of these questions in this sermon on Colossians 3:1-4.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything! Through His substitutionary sacrifice on the cross for our sins and His resurrection, we are offered complete forgiveness and eternal life as a gift that we receive by faith in Christ.

John 20:31 - But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.