"Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea." - Colossians 4:14-16 ESV
A few thoughts come to mind as I read these last passages of this letter.
What happened to the letter that was written to Laodicea? What did that letter contain? It just didn't survive and get added to the canon of scripture. Still, We don't see scripture as incomplete because God preserved what He wanted preserved.
I think most of the world is looking for something more but more doesn't fix things. More can just complicate life.
I do like that the writer asked them to share this letter. He was humble but he also knew the value of what he was communicating.
I am very happy with the Bible. I don't want more. I read other things but I have no illusions that one day I will find something that will solve all of my problems.
God solved my biggest problems at the cross. The solution lies there.
Of course, there is practical knowledge that benefits people in all sorts of other books and literature.
"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?" - Mark 8:36-37 ESV
When we get to the end of this life our soul will be what survives the grave and nothing we have learned will give us the ability to buy it back if we are lost.
The book of Colossians gives us Jesus. The book written to Laodicea is lost. What we have is what matters.
--
Monday, October 31, 2016
Friday, October 28, 2016
Can We Be Comforted? - Colossians - Part 31
"and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis." - Colossians 4:11-13 ESV
Two more men.
Justus was also Jewish and he was a comfort to Paul. Just writing that detail about comfort is an interesting thing. He changed his name and we can imagine why he did. It was likely in part to avoid confusion. It says a little about what kind of man he was.
Then there was Epaphras. He sounds like the missions director on the team. He was a man with a vision for places and people. This man did what people do in modern missions offices. He had no telephone or modern devices to work with so imagine doing what needed to be done to reach places and keep the lines of communications open without those devices.
It makes you wonder if this letter was written in part because of these men. Epaphras kept praying for and talking about these places and people. Paul was an influencer but he was also influenced by those around him. Seeing this man's zeal likely had an effect on him.
In order to be comforted a person must be available to be influenced by others. They must be available to interact with the ministry of other people.
Have you met people who can't be comforted or influenced? Maybe the window for that to happen is just very small and infrequent.
The writer of this book had communion with God and fellowship with people. It is a beautiful balance. Can I have a ministry if I don't interact with the ministry of those around me? I'm not talking about jumping into what everyone else is doing with both feet. That isn't wise. I see the writer having healthy interactions and appreciations. He isn't self-centered. He is God-centered and team sensitive.
God help us to have a healthy interaction structure with people. We want to be available to the ministry of other people even as we minister and You must regulate that balance in our lives. Open our eyes. Give us ears to hear and make us slow to speak. We want to see what you see so that we can be comforted by what you are doing in other people's lives. Thank You God. Give us divine appointments with people this weekend. We trust that you will. Help us to be people who put tracts in our pocket before we leave for work so we are ready and expecting to have opportunities to give them out.
--
Two more men.
Justus was also Jewish and he was a comfort to Paul. Just writing that detail about comfort is an interesting thing. He changed his name and we can imagine why he did. It was likely in part to avoid confusion. It says a little about what kind of man he was.
Then there was Epaphras. He sounds like the missions director on the team. He was a man with a vision for places and people. This man did what people do in modern missions offices. He had no telephone or modern devices to work with so imagine doing what needed to be done to reach places and keep the lines of communications open without those devices.
It makes you wonder if this letter was written in part because of these men. Epaphras kept praying for and talking about these places and people. Paul was an influencer but he was also influenced by those around him. Seeing this man's zeal likely had an effect on him.
In order to be comforted a person must be available to be influenced by others. They must be available to interact with the ministry of other people.
Have you met people who can't be comforted or influenced? Maybe the window for that to happen is just very small and infrequent.
The writer of this book had communion with God and fellowship with people. It is a beautiful balance. Can I have a ministry if I don't interact with the ministry of those around me? I'm not talking about jumping into what everyone else is doing with both feet. That isn't wise. I see the writer having healthy interactions and appreciations. He isn't self-centered. He is God-centered and team sensitive.
God help us to have a healthy interaction structure with people. We want to be available to the ministry of other people even as we minister and You must regulate that balance in our lives. Open our eyes. Give us ears to hear and make us slow to speak. We want to see what you see so that we can be comforted by what you are doing in other people's lives. Thank You God. Give us divine appointments with people this weekend. We trust that you will. Help us to be people who put tracts in our pocket before we leave for work so we are ready and expecting to have opportunities to give them out.
--
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Two Famous Men - Colossians - Part 30
"Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions - if he comes to you, welcome him)," - Colossians 4:10 ESV
Both of these men were famous is their own way. Aristarchus traveled with Paul.
"So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel." - Acts 19:29 ESV
"Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus." - Acts 20:4 ESV
"And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica." - Acts 27:2 ESV
It seems that this man was a man 'outside' who worked and saw to Paul's needs in prison. Paul calls him a fellow prisoner and perhaps he was in a literal sense but it seems that he was voluntarily limiting himself by taking on a ministry to visit the prison and care for Paul. He was likely known by the early Church because of his exploits with Paul.
John Mark was also known but in a different way. He was likely seen by some as infamous.
"And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark." - Acts 12:25 ESV
"When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them... Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem," - Acts 13:5, 13 ESV
"And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus," - Acts 15:39 ESV
He also had exploits but at a certain point he left Paul on the field and Paul and Barnabus had a falling out that involved this man. He later becomes very dear to Paul. He calls him a son (see 1 Peter 5:13) and very useful (see 2 Timothy 4:11) but people are known to amplify failure and exhibit loyalty in the wrong ways.
"...and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions - if he comes to you, welcome him)" - Colossians 4:10b ESV
You might say, 'Aren't we supposed to welcome everyone anyway?' No. Actually, we aren't. False teachers shouldn't be welcomed.
"If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works." - 2 John 1:10-11 ESV
This welcome and greeting are the same idea. It didn't just mean, 'Say hello.' it meant invite into your home or invite to teach.
John Mark wasn't just talking the talk. He was walking the walk. Traveling with Paul was no picnic. Riots and stonings were not uncommon on those trips.
The man made some very public mistakes and perhaps Paul makes this clear statement to counteract people's common tendencies to see people after their mistakes.
God, please make us wise about who we greet. We never want to amplify failure and let it color our perceptions. We want honor and dignity to be the center of our expressions. Not the sentimental kind that honors because of renown but the genuine love and respect that originates in You and You alone.
--
Both of these men were famous is their own way. Aristarchus traveled with Paul.
"So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel." - Acts 19:29 ESV
"Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus." - Acts 20:4 ESV
"And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica." - Acts 27:2 ESV
It seems that this man was a man 'outside' who worked and saw to Paul's needs in prison. Paul calls him a fellow prisoner and perhaps he was in a literal sense but it seems that he was voluntarily limiting himself by taking on a ministry to visit the prison and care for Paul. He was likely known by the early Church because of his exploits with Paul.
John Mark was also known but in a different way. He was likely seen by some as infamous.
"And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark." - Acts 12:25 ESV
"When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them... Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem," - Acts 13:5, 13 ESV
"And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus," - Acts 15:39 ESV
He also had exploits but at a certain point he left Paul on the field and Paul and Barnabus had a falling out that involved this man. He later becomes very dear to Paul. He calls him a son (see 1 Peter 5:13) and very useful (see 2 Timothy 4:11) but people are known to amplify failure and exhibit loyalty in the wrong ways.
"...and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions - if he comes to you, welcome him)" - Colossians 4:10b ESV
You might say, 'Aren't we supposed to welcome everyone anyway?' No. Actually, we aren't. False teachers shouldn't be welcomed.
"If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works." - 2 John 1:10-11 ESV
This welcome and greeting are the same idea. It didn't just mean, 'Say hello.' it meant invite into your home or invite to teach.
John Mark wasn't just talking the talk. He was walking the walk. Traveling with Paul was no picnic. Riots and stonings were not uncommon on those trips.
The man made some very public mistakes and perhaps Paul makes this clear statement to counteract people's common tendencies to see people after their mistakes.
God, please make us wise about who we greet. We never want to amplify failure and let it color our perceptions. We want honor and dignity to be the center of our expressions. Not the sentimental kind that honors because of renown but the genuine love and respect that originates in You and You alone.
--
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Team Members - Colossians - Part 29
"Tychicus will tell you all about my activities... They will tell you of everything that has taken place here... These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me." - Colossians 4:7a, 9b, 11b ESV
It struck me as I read this chapter a few time this morning that Paul was very busy and he had gathered a team of men even in prison. These men were mostly Gentiles because Paul was imprisoned in a Roman prison. I wonder how this played out. Prison is by nature a closed and limiting place but Paul was able to function that way.
As men, it is good to ask the question, 'Who is on my team and whose team am I on?'
That may be easy to say for some because of their social orientation. Some people have a group of college friends that have remained close and others are close to people because of sports, work or neighborhood interactions. People can polarize naturally into groups. Some might say, 'This is my tribe.' and it makes sense to think that way.
Then there are the loners who identify as individuals strongly and it takes special effort to integrate into a group.
Paul, the writer of this book, had a cause that transcended social and natural boundaries. He had a theology that was grace based and a mindset that gathered 'workers.' He was plugged in and He plugged others in also.
The thought of 'team concept' can seem polarizing to people.
Am I your friend or am I on your team? Isn't there an unwritten expectation that comes with being on a team? Naturally speaking teams have real impersonal elements. But what about a grace based team? What about the Gospel oriented gathering and pooling of resources? What if team life builds a friendship that wasn't there before?
Fly solo if you want. Sulk in your cell and spend your sentence scratching markings on the wall to count off the days. You can do that. I don't recommend it but it is possible.
Not me. I love team life. I'm not talking about us against them life. I'm talking about the gathering of people to be a part of something Heavenly and wonderful that grows and replicates to redeem lives, families and communities. I'm talking about the comradery of working the harvest of souls. I want stories to tell that include others.
Jesus was the Messiah and He gathered a team. That team didn't seem so useful at times but they were useful in ways that weren't immediately apparent. Now He Is the King and He Is still looking for team members. Are we?
--
It struck me as I read this chapter a few time this morning that Paul was very busy and he had gathered a team of men even in prison. These men were mostly Gentiles because Paul was imprisoned in a Roman prison. I wonder how this played out. Prison is by nature a closed and limiting place but Paul was able to function that way.
As men, it is good to ask the question, 'Who is on my team and whose team am I on?'
That may be easy to say for some because of their social orientation. Some people have a group of college friends that have remained close and others are close to people because of sports, work or neighborhood interactions. People can polarize naturally into groups. Some might say, 'This is my tribe.' and it makes sense to think that way.
Then there are the loners who identify as individuals strongly and it takes special effort to integrate into a group.
Paul, the writer of this book, had a cause that transcended social and natural boundaries. He had a theology that was grace based and a mindset that gathered 'workers.' He was plugged in and He plugged others in also.
The thought of 'team concept' can seem polarizing to people.
Am I your friend or am I on your team? Isn't there an unwritten expectation that comes with being on a team? Naturally speaking teams have real impersonal elements. But what about a grace based team? What about the Gospel oriented gathering and pooling of resources? What if team life builds a friendship that wasn't there before?
Fly solo if you want. Sulk in your cell and spend your sentence scratching markings on the wall to count off the days. You can do that. I don't recommend it but it is possible.
Not me. I love team life. I'm not talking about us against them life. I'm talking about the gathering of people to be a part of something Heavenly and wonderful that grows and replicates to redeem lives, families and communities. I'm talking about the comradery of working the harvest of souls. I want stories to tell that include others.
Jesus was the Messiah and He gathered a team. That team didn't seem so useful at times but they were useful in ways that weren't immediately apparent. Now He Is the King and He Is still looking for team members. Are we?
--
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Beloved Brothers - Colossians - Part 28
Now we get to a wonderful part of the book. The writer starts talking about people.
"Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here." - Colossians 4:7-9 ESV
If these two men were in town would you want to spend time with them?
Tychicus is described as:
- a Beloved Brother
- a Faithful Minister
- a Fellow Slave in the Lord
He is there to:
- Inform
- Encourage
Onesimus is:
- a Faithful Brother
- a Beloved Brother
- One of them (this could mean several things. He might have come from there but he also might be a different class and the writer was encouraging the people to see him as a peer.)
- He might have been Philemon's run away slave (see Philemon 1:10f) now set at liberty. Which adds an interesting twist.
They are going to tell the Colossians (and whoever else the letter goes to) everything that has taken place and their testimony can be trusted to be true.
Where do we get our news? Is it from beloved brothers? That is where I want to get my news. These two men aren't going to lead me astray. They aren't going to sell me a bill of goods. The have the same theology as the writer of this book. They aren't going to magnify differences. They are going to lift up Jesus and focus on Him.
I had a man I love dearly recently greet me this way, 'Does God still love you?'... What a provoking greeting! I momentarily made me review my theology and relationship with God. I said, 'Yes' and then we talked about the many uses for a question like that.
Later that day I asked the cashier at the pharmacy the same question as I fumbled to pay. I swiped when I should have inserted the chip and it gave us a little time. I said, 'It is an interesting question isn't it?' She agreed. Then I talked a little about the cross and how we know God does still love us because Jesus died for us. She put my items in a bag shyly. As I took the bag I asked again, 'So... Does God still love you and she said, 'Yes. Yes He does.'
Thank You God for our beloved faithful brothers. Thank you for those who encourage and inform. Thank you for unity that transcends class and status. Make us ministers today. We don't want to just dispense information we want to impart the life and theology that has been imparted to us. Fill us. Help us. Remind us. Lead us.
Thank You God.
--
"Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here." - Colossians 4:7-9 ESV
If these two men were in town would you want to spend time with them?
Tychicus is described as:
- a Beloved Brother
- a Faithful Minister
- a Fellow Slave in the Lord
He is there to:
- Inform
- Encourage
Onesimus is:
- a Faithful Brother
- a Beloved Brother
- One of them (this could mean several things. He might have come from there but he also might be a different class and the writer was encouraging the people to see him as a peer.)
- He might have been Philemon's run away slave (see Philemon 1:10f) now set at liberty. Which adds an interesting twist.
They are going to tell the Colossians (and whoever else the letter goes to) everything that has taken place and their testimony can be trusted to be true.
Where do we get our news? Is it from beloved brothers? That is where I want to get my news. These two men aren't going to lead me astray. They aren't going to sell me a bill of goods. The have the same theology as the writer of this book. They aren't going to magnify differences. They are going to lift up Jesus and focus on Him.
I had a man I love dearly recently greet me this way, 'Does God still love you?'... What a provoking greeting! I momentarily made me review my theology and relationship with God. I said, 'Yes' and then we talked about the many uses for a question like that.
Later that day I asked the cashier at the pharmacy the same question as I fumbled to pay. I swiped when I should have inserted the chip and it gave us a little time. I said, 'It is an interesting question isn't it?' She agreed. Then I talked a little about the cross and how we know God does still love us because Jesus died for us. She put my items in a bag shyly. As I took the bag I asked again, 'So... Does God still love you and she said, 'Yes. Yes He does.'
Thank You God for our beloved faithful brothers. Thank you for those who encourage and inform. Thank you for unity that transcends class and status. Make us ministers today. We don't want to just dispense information we want to impart the life and theology that has been imparted to us. Fill us. Help us. Remind us. Lead us.
Thank You God.
--
Monday, October 24, 2016
The Outsider - Colossians - Part 27
"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." - Colossians 4:5-6 ESV
'The Outsider'
That word has a definite article in front of it in the Greek. Salt is a preservative and it was used as a symbol of an agreement or a treaty. Salt kept food items from changing It preserved them. That is also what a peace agreement was supposed to do.
To walk in wisdom is to 'keep the peace.' Grace does that and it is truly needed with the outsider.
What is the best use of our time with people? Perhaps it is getting past the surface things and determining what is keeping someone outside. How do we bring someone who is outside a relationship with God inside?
Grace. Explaining God's grace. Exhibiting God's grace. At the same time we are wise because someone outside is going to bring outside habits in as long as their identity is as 'the outsider.'
An outsider has a different value system and may feel they have the right to take things because they are not invested in ownership as an insider. Wisdom is needed.
People can be moral outsiders. They discount themselves because of morality.
Others are outside because they have been put there by others.
"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." - Colossians 4:5-6 ESV
Make us wise God. The Gospel is an invitation into your world. Is answers questions we didn't even know we had. We want to make a good use of our time today. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that we can have words that give entrance. Thank You God.
--
'The Outsider'
That word has a definite article in front of it in the Greek. Salt is a preservative and it was used as a symbol of an agreement or a treaty. Salt kept food items from changing It preserved them. That is also what a peace agreement was supposed to do.
To walk in wisdom is to 'keep the peace.' Grace does that and it is truly needed with the outsider.
What is the best use of our time with people? Perhaps it is getting past the surface things and determining what is keeping someone outside. How do we bring someone who is outside a relationship with God inside?
Grace. Explaining God's grace. Exhibiting God's grace. At the same time we are wise because someone outside is going to bring outside habits in as long as their identity is as 'the outsider.'
An outsider has a different value system and may feel they have the right to take things because they are not invested in ownership as an insider. Wisdom is needed.
People can be moral outsiders. They discount themselves because of morality.
Others are outside because they have been put there by others.
"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." - Colossians 4:5-6 ESV
Make us wise God. The Gospel is an invitation into your world. Is answers questions we didn't even know we had. We want to make a good use of our time today. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that we can have words that give entrance. Thank You God.
--
Friday, October 21, 2016
Continue Steadfastly - Colossians - Part 26
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison - that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak." - Colossians 4:2-4 ESV
This is such a great passage.
What do we want out of life? What do we want for other people?
I think if we can learn to 'stick to it' in prayer we can also have a capacity to persevere in other things.
An 'open door for the word' is also an interesting thing to want. The writer isn't asking for money or for team members or health. He wants an 'anointed window' of space and time to express objective eternal viewpoint.
Paul's open door to declare the mystery of Christ landed him in prison... still... he wants another one and another one. As a matter of fact, he is asking to be better at making the Gospel clear to people.
The 'us' he is referring to includes the reader... 'Pray for us.'
Clarity. Simplicity. Simpatico. No one is reading in motives or undertones that are not there. Don't we want that?
As I sit here this morning I can't help but to review my own wants and notice that some line up with this model and others don't. I acknowledge before God where I stand.
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." - Colossians 4:2 ESV
Yes. As we focus on Him and listen (with ears tuned to Biblical truth) and talk it out our motives are exposed and so are His. He wants to bless us. He wants the word to flow so we will be free. He is not the author of confusion. He desires intimacy and clarity.
The writer could be saying, 'God get me out of the prison. I just want to live a quiet life making tents and a place to sleep that is safe and warm.' but he isn't because he has God's mind.
Thank You for showing us a model of Your mind through this book. Transform us. Guide us. Today we purpose to keep the lines of communication open. Sharpen our communication skills. May our vertical affect our horizontal in profound ways.
--
This is such a great passage.
What do we want out of life? What do we want for other people?
I think if we can learn to 'stick to it' in prayer we can also have a capacity to persevere in other things.
An 'open door for the word' is also an interesting thing to want. The writer isn't asking for money or for team members or health. He wants an 'anointed window' of space and time to express objective eternal viewpoint.
Paul's open door to declare the mystery of Christ landed him in prison... still... he wants another one and another one. As a matter of fact, he is asking to be better at making the Gospel clear to people.
The 'us' he is referring to includes the reader... 'Pray for us.'
Clarity. Simplicity. Simpatico. No one is reading in motives or undertones that are not there. Don't we want that?
As I sit here this morning I can't help but to review my own wants and notice that some line up with this model and others don't. I acknowledge before God where I stand.
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." - Colossians 4:2 ESV
Yes. As we focus on Him and listen (with ears tuned to Biblical truth) and talk it out our motives are exposed and so are His. He wants to bless us. He wants the word to flow so we will be free. He is not the author of confusion. He desires intimacy and clarity.
The writer could be saying, 'God get me out of the prison. I just want to live a quiet life making tents and a place to sleep that is safe and warm.' but he isn't because he has God's mind.
Thank You for showing us a model of Your mind through this book. Transform us. Guide us. Today we purpose to keep the lines of communication open. Sharpen our communication skills. May our vertical affect our horizontal in profound ways.
--
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)