February 13, 2008

  • COLOSSIANS SERIES [#14]

    you can listen to the audio here -->  http://audio.xanga.com/Eek_71/df84d1872385/audio.html

    I am both glad and disappointed to be finishing up 14 weeks in Colossians.  Glad because it have been such a rich and rewarding book and it is satisfying to have finished teaching all the way through it.  On the other hand its a little sad, like leaving a beloved friend.  It has been so exciting every week to look forward to unfolding fresh truths regarding the supremacy of Christ that now that we are done it makes you miss it already.  Anyway, I hope our teens appreciated this book, and appreciated the study of the supremacy of Christ every week.

    Again, I am grateful for the work of John MacArthur and James Macdonald who were my primary sources for preparing this series.

    With a Little Help From My Friends
    [ The Surpassing Supremacy of Jesus Christ #14 ]
    Colossians 4:7-18

    INTRO:
    Paul was a great man, greatly used of the Lord but he didn't do it alone... No one can do it alone... We're not supposed to!
     

    1.  Tychicus - Lesson: READY TO SERVE
      • 4:7-8  “a loved brother, a faithful servant, a fellow slave in the Lord…”
      • Tychicus is a man with a SERVANTS HEART
      • Acts 20:4;  Titus 3:12;  2 Tim 4:12

    2.  Onesimus - Lesson: GOD IS GOOD
      • 4:9  “He is with Onesimus, a faithful and loved brother,…”
      • Onesimus is a man with a SINFUL PAST... But now he's FORGIVEN

    3.  Aristarchus - Lesson: WILLING TO SUFFER
      • 4:10a  “Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you,…”
      • Aristarchus is a man with a SYMPATHETIC HEART
      • Acts 19:24-26, 29;  20:4;  27:4

    4.  John Mark - Lesson: ITS NEVER TOO LATE
      • 4:10b  “…as does Mark… if he comes to you, welcome him”
      • John Mark is the man with a SURPRISING FUTURE
      • Acts 15:36;  1 Pet 5:13;  2 Tim 4:11

    5.  Jesus Justus - Lesson: SOURCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT
      • 4:11  “... my co-workers for the..., they have been a comfort to me.”
      • Justus is the man with a STRONG COMITTMENT

    6.  Epaphras - Lesson: SERIOUS ABOUT PRAYER
      • 4:12-13  “He is always contending for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills."
      • Epaphras is the man with a SINGLE PASSION

    7.  Luke - Lesson: A VOCATION DEDICATED TO CHRIST
      • 4:14a  “Luke, the loved physician,…”
      • Luke is the man wirth a SPECIALIZED TALENT.

    8.  Demas - Lesson: FINISH STRONG
      • 4:14b  “and Demas greet you”
      • Demas is the man with a SAD FUTURE
      • 2 Tim 4:9-10

    9.  Nympha - Lesson: USE WHAT I HAVE
      • 4:15  “...and to Nympha and the church in her house”
      • Nympha is a person with SOMETHING TO GIVE

    CONCLUSION
      • Col 4:16-18
      • this is what Paul said about his partners in ministry... What would your partners here at Calvary say about you?...
      • finally… (1) read the Word, (2) fulfill your ministry, (3) lets cultivate grace with each other!