The Gospel Group Text

So glad to be opening up God's word with you this morning as we continue and actually conclude our series Ripple Effect. We've been walking through the Book of Colossians for the last number of weeks, and today we come to the end of it. In a few moments, we're gonna be in Colossians chapter four, digging into how Paul concludes this letter to the Colossians. But first, let me ask you, have you ever been included in a group text, maybe a group text that already exists. Maybe you got married, and there was already an existing group text with your in-laws, and you got included in that. Maybe there's a friend group that you're new to, and they already had a group chat going, and you got included in that. Especially difficult and dicey if one has Android and the other has iPhone. That can be a lot of tension. I don't quite understand why, but some tension there. Maybe if you're unlucky enough to be included in a group text for kids' sports teams or for other activities, it can be really disorienting, right? You've got names that you don't quite recognize. You've got things being discussed that you're playing catch up on. And all that kind of stuff can play out and it's all right there on your phone. I think for Leslie and I, we're parents of teenagers now. A little bit new to that. My oldest is 13, about to be 14. My second oldest is 12, creeping up on 13. And one of the most, I don't know, interesting things for us to experience is that our kids text now, which is, man, it's a, any parents in the room understand, it's a little interesting to have to get into that. We told our kids that when they started having access to that on some devices, we would just review it from time to time to make sure everybody was behaving, and everything was safe, and all that kind of stuff. And I just, I don't know, I pictured it going differently. I thought I would understand more of what I was reading. And I thought I would have a little bit more insight into some of the, I don't know, I guess the kids would be like texting logistics and things that were more pragmatic, and none of that is the case. I will say one of the cool things about it is I get to see some of the passion shine through. Teenagers have no hesitancy with repetition. They're just willing to keep texting the same thing about the same thing over and over and over. Whether I understand what they're talking about is a different thing. But sometimes it's actually beautiful when you see some of the passion shine through. And then I really don't always understand what some of the names are that are being discussed. I'm literally asking my kids questions like, "Is slay a person? Is slay a good thing or a bad thing? How about Chimpanzini Bananini, what's that, you know?" Or, "Who's Baldy or the Cheese Wrangler?" Like, there's just all kinds of weird stuff going on in there. I just need a translator. So today's passage is gonna feel a little bit like that because we're gonna be at the end of Paul's letter concluding the Book of Colossians, the letter that Paul wrote to the Colossians. In a moment we're gonna be in chapter four, and you can turn there if you'd like, but in a moment we're gonna look actually at the opening of the letter. I want us to be reminded that this is a personal letter, that Paul wrote a personal letter to a local church, and he did so with passion. He's so passionate about this in fact that he is a prisoner in Rome, chained to a Roman guard, and he's passionately writing. Paul's passionate about the gospel, about the gospel of Jesus. He wants to ensure that people know it. He wants to ensure people hear it well and clearly, and receive, and understand, and grow in it. And he certainly is passionate about ensuring that it continues, that it expands, that it grows all throughout the world. And so, as a reminder also, Paul doesn't know these folks in Colossae. He's writing a letter to a church he's never met, but yet here he is passionately pouring himself out to that. Before we get to chapter four, I just wanna go back to the beginning of chapter one. We started this series a number of weeks ago, and so a little refresher might be helpful to remember how did this book end, how did Paul open, how is Paul closing? Turn with me to Colossians 1:1-2. You see this. "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother. To God's holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our father." You remember this? You remember how personal, and warm, and familial Paul is opening this letter. He's using language like brothers and sisters, God's holy people. He wants to ensure they feel included. He wants to make sure they feel encouraged and that they remain faithful. And then he continues on in verses three through eight, saying this. "We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God's people, the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God's grace. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who has also told us of your love in the Spirit." So Paul is doing two things as he opens up this letter. First, he's praising God. You remember earlier in the series and Pastor Jerry said that gratitude is the ripple effect of God's grace? This is on display here. Paul is expressing gratitude. Him and Timothy are praising God for the grace that they've understood in Jesus. And the second thing Paul's doing here is he's helping the Colossians to see they are part of something much bigger, far grander, with way more people than they could ever possibly understand or imagine. At the conclusion of this letter, it's as if, when we turn to chapter four, Paul is continuing this theme, but he's also including the Colossians in on the group text, right? He wants them to see that all the work that God's doing in Colossae, there's a whole bunch of other people who he's already been working with, already investing in, already encouraging, who are with him in Rome and elsewhere. He wants them to see and understand that God's grand ripple effect in the world is far greater than they understand and involves way more people than they possibly know. I want us to know that as well today, so here's our main point. I'd encourage you to write this down. It says this. God has included us in the ripple effect of the gospel, uniting us with more people than we know, for an impact far greater than we can see or measure. God has included us in the ripple effect of the gospel, uniting us with more people than we know for an impact far greater than we can see or measure. I read it twice for you note takers to make sure you have time to write that down. I wanna encourage us to turn to Colossians chapter four. We're gonna read through a chunk of scripture pretty quickly so we can get our bearings around how Paul concludes this letter. You're gonna hear a whole bunch of different names. Some of those names are people that are with Paul in Rome, and we're gonna talk about each one or a few of those in a moment. Paul also talks about some folks who are there in Colossae or in the surrounding region. And then Paul also gives kind of some final encouragement and some final desires for these Colossian believers. Let's read together Colossians 4:7-18 It starts this way. "Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and a fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. He's coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have received instructions about him: if he comes to you, welcome him. Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends his greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers of the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends his greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send their greetings. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of Laodiceans and that you are then in turn read the letter from Laodicea. Tell Archippus, 'See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.' I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you." So it's a chunk. And I'm gonna tell you, it's a beautiful chunk. Although it may feel a little different, although it may feel a little bit like a conclusion to a letter with a whole bunch of names, and it is, the stories that Paul includes in this closing are beautiful because they're thematic in what Paul's trying to do. As I said, trying to encourage the Colossians to understand how they are part of this grand ripple effect of God. Let's first look a little bit at those who are with Paul. You hear the names Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Jesus called Justus, Epaphras, Luke, and Demas. Not all those names are super well known to us. I don't know a whole lot of babies being named Aristarchus these days. Anybody naming their baby Aristarchus recently? Okay. Maybe an idea for you if you're expecting, okay? Let's look first at Epaphras. Epaphras was mentioned in Colossians chapter one, is included here in Colossians chapter four. He was a Colossae hometown boy. Epaphras was from Colossae, a part of the fellowship there. He's now with Paul in Rome. But we understand here that Epaphras was the first person to bring the gospel to Colossae, really a pioneering missionary in his own hometown. Look at Colossians 1:7 to remember. We heard this just a moment ago. It says, "You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf." You learned it from Epaphras first. And I think that's interesting for us to pay attention to. Epaphras not only took responsibility for Colossae but also for the region around Colossae, the Lycus Valley. You heard churches like Laodicea and Hierapolis mentioned in Colossians chapter four. He's investing in those churches as well. Colossians 4:12-13. We just read this a moment ago. "Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends his greetings. He's always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis." So Epaphras is a hometown boy. He's part of the church in Colossae. But right now he's a prisoner with Paul in Rome, and yet he's continuing to invest, continuing to work hard. I wanna let that sink in for you, just this picture. Sometimes we read the scripture and we forget the personal nature with which these things are being read. Paul is a man and a prisoner in Rome. He's chained to a Roman guard, physically chained to a Roman guard, and yet this letter, you hear warm greetings, a pouring out of instruction. He wants to see these believers encouraged, and sustained, and continuing. And then remember the picture that Epaphras is right next to Paul, also a prisoner, also a prisoner because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And Paul includes in there that Epaphras is fervently, diligently praying for the believers at Colossae. Not for himself to be released, not for Paul, that they'd get better prison food, no, he's praying for the believers at Colossae, that they would be able to stand firm, be mature, and be fully confident in Jesus. He wants them to know he's gonna keep working hard. He's not gonna quit because he knows that it matters to the ripple effect of the gospel that he is a part of. How about Onesimus? Onesimus's name was also mentioned. Onesimus is also from the Colossae area. But Onesimus's context is a little bit different because Onesimus is a runaway slave. Maybe you remember a while back, we studied the Book of Philemon. Philemon is another book in your Bible. And Paul also wrote a letter to Philemon personally, along with this letter to the Colossians. And Paul sends Onesimus and he sends Tychicus to deliver these letters to Colossae. Now again, that's the context. Understand the picture that is being described. Onesimus is a runaway slave. He has, since that time, come to know Jesus and engaged in the Apostle Paul's ministry, and Paul loves him. Paul says he's useful for ministry. He calls him in one part in Philemon, "My very heart, my son." And Paul sends Onesimus to Colossae with Tychicus to deliver a message, to deliver this letter. So he shows back up in Colossae. There's his former master, Philemon, among the believers. I just want you to think about the beauty of this picture, right? Here's a former slave, property, in the Roman world, who ran away, who probably feels the strain of disconnect. You know, man, if I ever run into my old master again, there's gonna be trouble, right? How's that gonna go? And yet he entrusts the outcome of that to God and faithfully delivers this letter to Colossae. Think of the beauty of Philemon, who receives this letter from Paul. And as everyone is hearing this letter be read in their midst, they hear Paul call Onesimus our faithful and dear brother who is one of you. And think of the beauty of Philemon being willing to receive Onesimus back not as property but as a believer, as a brother, as a fellow worker and faithful servant of Jesus. It's beautiful. Paul also mentions Mark's name. That's another story of redemption and reconciliation takes place. Maybe you know Mark by the name John Mark. Mark got into a bit of a hot water with Paul because he deserted Paul. And so there's actually a portion in Acts chapter 15 we'll read where Paul says to Barnabas, "No, thank you. I don't want John Mark to come with us because he abandoned us." Look at Acts 15:36-40. It says this. "Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, 'let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they're doing.' Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him because he had deserted him in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord." So although the ministry continued, there was division, there was disagreement. Paul and Barnabas went their separate ways. And later, when it's recommended, "Hey, let's bring Mark with us," Paul says, "No, thank you. He deserted us, right?" And that caused an issue. But here at the end of the Book of Colossians, we read a reconciliation has taken place, that Paul includes Mark in this greeting and in this kind of group of faithful leaders who are part of Paul's ministry. And later we actually read in 2 Timothy 4 how much Paul's come to love Mark, how much he values Mark. He's alone in ministry. And we read this in 2 Timothy 4, where he says that "Mark is very useful to me for my ministry." And so Mark's story, like Onesimus, is a beautiful story that the Colossians are hearing, of reconciliation, and redemption, and a reorienting of relationships. It's beautiful. We also see Tychicus mentioned. I mentioned his name a moment ago. He and Onesimus both brought the letter to the Colossians. But Tychicus really is commended in this ending here as a dear brother, a faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord. And I think it's interesting in the group text, as they're learning about this and reading this together, to understand that the letter opened by Paul calling the Colossians faithful brothers and sisters in the Lord, and then he calls Tychicus a faithful brother, a fellow minister as well. So it's as if he's saying, "Hey, Colossians, this is your brother Tychicus." That familial unity that takes place is beautiful to see as well. We also see a person named Jesus called Justus. Now Jesus was a common name in this time, but I still think it had to be a little awkward to become a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ and have your name be Jesus. Thus the nickname Justus. Can you imagine someone walking up and being like, "Hey, it's Paul, and Barnabas, and Jesus. Well, not that Jesus but Jesus." We'll just call you Justus, okay?" It's a little awkward probably for them. But although there's not a whole lot known about Jesus called Justus, probably kept a low profile for that reason, he was faithful, he was diligent, he was a part of Paul's ministry, and Paul was grateful for him. Paul also mentions Aristarchus. Aristarchus is originally from Thessalonica. And Aristarchus traveled with and helped Paul in his ministry. If you read through the Book of Acts, you would've heard his name in Acts 19, when Aristarchus is part of what happens in Ephesus when there's a riot. Aristarchus is dragged through the street, and beat up, and really suffered for the name of Christ in that timeframe. And now Aristarchus is a fellow prisoner with Paul in Rome. I think that's a real world reminder of us of what Pastor Dan said a number of weeks ago when we were walking through our series here. Pastor Dan said this. "Christians are called to take up their cross, endure difficulty, and sacrificially serve not for comfort but for fruit." I think Aristarchus reminds us, reminds the Colossians, as his story is included, that this is part of the call of Christ, to be faithful, potentially to embrace suffering, and to do so diligently. And so Aristarchus's story reminds us of that. The last two people who are with Paul, I think these names draw a bit of a contrast for us. The Colossians wouldn't have known this at the time. Luke and Demas are both mentioned in this greeting as being faithful workers. And certainly that was true at the time. Luke, Paul refers to as our dear friend Luke, the doctor. And we know that Luke is the author of the gospel account of Luke. Luke is also the author of the Book of Acts. And he's not really the main story really in any of those things. He's mentioned, especially in the Book of Acts. But we know that he's faithful. He's with Paul through all of it. He's with Paul through the shipwreck. He's with Paul now as a prisoner. He's just faithful. At the very end in 2 Timothy 4, we're just reading that, we see that he's alone with Luke. We'll read that in just a moment. And then there's Demas. Well, we can read it now, sure. It says, "Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus." So you heard some familiar names in that and you also heard this sobering and a bit sad reminder that Demas, though in Colossians, was named as a faithful minister. Here later we see that he has deserted Paul, potentially deserted the faith. And Paul says this. "Because he loved the world, he's deserted me and gone to Thessalonica." I don't know what exactly that means, what that love for the world specifically might've been, but we can imagine how devastating and how heartbreaking that would be for Paul, to have someone love for the world overtaking love for the Lord and abandoning their ministry as a result of it. I think although Paul didn't know that heartbreak at the time, he was focused on understanding how to help people endure, to walk, to persevere in their faithful service to Jesus. And so there's a specific charge to Archippus, one of the people who's there in the church at Colossae. And we see this in Colossians 4:17. "Tell Archippus: 'See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.'" Now I had to laugh a little bit when I was studying and reading through this because I was thinking about the context. You have to put yourself in that context and remember how were these things received. And it was likely that this letter was written or was read aloud to those who are hearing it in Colossae. And I imagine Paul's going through all these things at the end, and it's wonderful, and rich, and beautiful, and then the reader says, "And tell Archippus." Is Archippus in the back of the room, ears kind of freaked up, like, "What's gonna happen? What's he saying to me?" We don't know the tone either. Was it, "Tell Archippus," or "Tell Archippus," right? But we do understand that Archippus is probably a member of Philemon's household, potentially Philemon's son. We see that in Philemon 1:1-2. It says, "Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon, our dear friend and fellow worker, also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your home." Probably because of that, because he's there with them and part of that structure, he's part of Philemon's household, it's also possible that Archippus is filling in for Epaphras, who's a prisoner with Paul. So it's likely that maybe Epaphras started this ministry and was acting as a pastor in Colossae. And then when Epaphras left and now is a prisoner that Archippus is filling in for Epaphras. It's likely and possible that's the case. And maybe Paul is saying, because of that, "Hey, stay faithful to the ministry." Maybe something was going on that Paul knew about specifically, where he's giving a chastisement or a warning. But either way, what Paul says to Archippus is, "The Lord has given you a ministry, complete it. The Lord has given you a ministry. Be faithful, complete it." And then last, we see Paul personally greet Nympha, an important woman in the context of that local church. It's amazing honestly to see this, that she's hosting a church in her home. She's offering initiative along those lines, and generosity, and hospitality. So he calls her out and welcomes her. And then lastly, Paul greets the neighboring believers in Laodicea. It's a lot of people. It's a lot of stories. But I think as Paul includes all of these stories in the conclusion of this letter, we see that he's been consistent. He's passionate to see the gospel continue. He wants to see everyone in this context know that they are brothers and sisters connected within the work of the gospel. And I think also that he wants 'em to know that they're partners in the same gospel, accomplishing the same way. We heard those words in Colossians 1. In the same way that it's happening there, it's happening all over the world. I want us to look at a few things also that Paul emphasized in this section. I think this will be not only helpful to understand the context but also applicable for us. The first is that Paul concluded his letter to the Colossians by emphasizing awareness. Did you notice that? It was interesting to me that Paul continued to emphasize the idea of awareness, that he wanted the Colossians to be aware of his circumstances, and he also wanted to be aware of what's happening in Colossae. We see this in Colossians 4:8, where it says this. "I am sending him," that's Tychicus, "to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts." Paul is sending Tychicus and Onesimus with letters so that they would understand all that's happening in Rome and also so that their hearts would be encouraged. Paul wanted the Colossians to see the bigger picture. He wanted them to understand that the ripple effect of the gospel is massive. I think that's important for us to pay attention to and remember today as well. The ripple effect of the gospel is massive. God is at work all over the place, all of the time, through so many people, in ways and spaces that we don't fully know, fully understand. And so awareness helps us in two ways. One, it helps us to remember God is bigger, greater, more active than we remember. That can be really encouraging to us, can't it, to remember that although in our little context, we might not see it, God is working in miraculous, amazing, and incredible ways, opening doors, and taking new ground, and redeeming the lives of people. It's good to have that broader context. But also, awareness helps us to remember how important our responsibility is in the places that he's put us. Awareness enlarges our perspective and resolves us in our faithfulness to the mission. The second thing that Paul emphasizes is prayer. Paul wanted the Colossians to know the importance of prayer. He wanted them to know that they were being prayed for by Epaphras. Colossians 4:12 says this. "Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends his greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured." It's interesting how Paul emphasizes prayer. He wants them to know that Epaphras is praying, and praying specifically for them, not just generally but specifically for them. And I wanna ask us today, church, are we doing that? Are we prioritizing prayer in our own lives? Do we realize how vital, how critical, how important it is that the believers around us, we and every believer around us, is faithful in the ministry, that we would stand firm, that we would continue to grow, that we would continue to expand the understanding of the gospel? These have eternal consequences. And I think sometimes we have to ask ourselves the question, have we prioritized that? I mean, do you, as a regular habit, pray for other believers around you? Do you pray for your spouse? Do you pray for your children? Do you pray for the Christian friends who you see on a regular basis when you talk about all kinds of other stuff? Do you take time to pray for them? Lord, would you help them to be faithful, and diligent, and grow in you, and remain in the places which you've called them. Help them to be effective in the areas that you've called them to. I want you to look to your left and your right and ask the question, you may not know every person in the aisles and seats near you, but have you prayed for them? Have we prayed for one another? Have you prayed for the believers in other campuses? You don't even know their name or the others in other churches in Western New York, because it matters that we together remain faithful and diligent in the gospel of Jesus Christ, that unlike Demas, who, for the love of the world, abandoned the ministry, we wanna remain steadfast and diligent. So Paul emphasizes prayer as an important piece of that. I think it's really interesting that not only does he give instruction to pray in Colossians 4:2-4, but he also asks that the believers would pray for him. Read Colossians 4:2-4 with me. Paul says, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us too, that God may open a door for our message, so we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I'm in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should." I think it's really instructive for us that the apostle Paul is writing to a church he's never met. He doesn't know the the maturity level of the believers. He doesn't know the context completely. What he knows is he's writing to people who claim the same gospel as him, who, from what he's been told, are on the same mission as him. And not only does he say, "Devote yourselves to prayer," he also says, "Would you pray for me? Would you pray for me that God would open doors to the gospel, that I would proclaim the mystery of the gospel clearly, as I should." Paul emphasizes prayer, values prayer, and so should we.  We wanna remain steadfast and diligent. So Paul emphasizes prayer as an important piece of that. I think it's really interesting that not only does he give instruction to pray in Colossians 4:2-4, but he also asks that the believers would pray for him. Read Colossians 4:2-4 with me. Paul says, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us too, that God may open a door for our message, so we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I'm in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should." I think it's really instructive for us that the apostle Paul is writing to a church he's never met. He doesn't know the the maturity level of the believers. He doesn't know the context completely. What he knows is he's writing to people who claim the same gospel as him, who, from what he's been told, are on the same mission as him. And not only does he say, "Devote yourselves to prayer," he also says, "Would you pray for me? Would you pray for me that God would open doors to the gospel, that I would proclaim the mystery of the gospel clearly, as I should." Paul emphasizes prayer, values prayer, and so should we. The third thing that Paul emphasizes is hard work and faithfulness to completion. I found this interesting, that not only is he talking about the idea of being aware and being prayerful, but Paul's also emphasizing diligence, hard work, and faithfulness to completion. In talking about Epaphras, Paul says this in Colossians 4:13, just as a reminder. "I vouch for him." That's Epaphras he's talking about. "I vouch for him that he's working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis." The phrase, working hard, literally means has much toil or has much pain or effort. Epaphras is giving intense, tiring effort to his work in the gospel. And I wanna ask you, when was the last time you toiled for the gospel? Do you, on a regular basis or anytime at all, work hard in efforts toward accomplishing the work of the gospel in your context? I don't mean that you did a favor for someone here at the church or that you did something that you were gonna do anyways but, you know, kind of claimed it as being in the name of God. I mean, are you working diligently on a regular basis toward accomplishing the ministry in your context? Have you ever been exhausted in working towards the things of God? I think when Paul gives his specific charge to Archippus, though it was specific to him, we can learn from it. Colossians 4:17 again, and we read this. "Tell Archippus: 'See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.'" My question for us is, what ministry have we received in the Lord and are we working diligently to complete it? Where has he placed you? Where has he called you? Where has God given you opportunity and proximity to people? And are you carrying out the ministry that he's given to you? Are you a parent? Be faithful and complete the work in the ministry you've been given by the Lord. Are you a boss? As we learned about last week, be faithful. Carry out, complete the ministry the Lord has given you. Are you a neighbor to someone, anyone? Do you have proximity to people around you? Be faithful and complete the ministry you've received in the Lord. Last week, Pastor Jerry was talking to us about the idea of relationships and he said this. "Daily living is the testing ground for how authentic our faith is." "Daily living is the testing ground for how authentic our faith is." Are we carrying on that task? Are we working diligently toward the accomplishment of the gospel? Is that our passion? Is that our drive? Paul wants us to know, and so do I, that God has included us in the ripple effect of the gospel, uniting us with more people than we know, for an impact far greater than we can see or measure. A couple of months ago, my wife and I took the kids to Strong Museum in Rochester. If you've ever been there before, you know how fun and crazy that can be. If you're a parent, you also know that it's sometimes cheaper to buy the annual ticket than it is to buy the one-day pass, so that's what we did. And so we ended up going a couple of times because I figured you might as well get your money's worth, right? And the first time, of course you go and you experience all those things. Second time, we did some different stuff. The third time we went, a couple months ago, we found ourselves at a domino table in the upstairs area by the arcade. And we're surrounded by this table but just filled with dominoes. Have you ever heard the domino effect? I don't mean, like, pizza, right? I mean, like, the domino effect, where you stand dominoes on end and they cascade one after the other. Well, that's what we were playing with. That's what we were kind of experiment with and seeing. And it was interesting as we were toying around with it, you know? You had to get all of the spacing right. You had to get things lined up. The first couple of tries were a little bit frustrating. You know, you get like 10 in a row, and then you knock something over, and it all goes down, and you're kind of doing it. But eventually we were able to set this table up so that one domino at the very end of the table would ripple across and then branch out into different areas and spaces. We could curve some around, we could make shapes out of them. The entire table could be filled with standup dominoes, and one singular domino would fall and ripple across the entire table. I think that's a wonderful and beautiful picture for both the grand ripple effect of the gospel and our part in it. And I have three application points I'd love for you to write down and think about as you walk through this with that visual in mind. The truth is that walking through this letter, we've realized that Christ is supreme. He is the initiator of this grand wave of grace that has cascaded across humanity. We realize that he's the initiator of that. We realize he's given us a ministry, and a position, and an understanding to be a part of this grand ripple effect. And we don't want this ripple effect to end with us. It came to us. Just like in Colossians 1, we read that it came to them through Epaphras, and then it rippled out beyond them. It didn't stop with them. Same thing should be true with us. So first application point, number one, see the whole table. See the whole table. Remember that both in the course of history and time and also in the course of the world around us, the gospel, the ripple effect of the gospel, is far greater and moving in way greater ways than we could possibly imagine. But we can grow our awareness of that. We can understand better how it is that God is working. Now Tychicus and Onesimus brought that news to the Colossians so that the church could be encouraged and stay engaged. And I think it was important for them to understand how the gospel was spreading also so that their perspective was aligned to their role in it. If we're not paying attention to how God is doing this beyond our immediate context, our vision shrinks, and so does our purpose. There are people in our city, across our nation, all around the world, who are right now enduring for the gospel of Jesus, who are fighting to see it advance, who are remaining diligent and faithful in the midst of suffering. We should be aware of that. We should be joining them in prayer. We should be understanding the greater impact and the broader ways in which God's moving in the world. So my challenge is to ask this question of yourself this week. Ask yourself the question, who is one gospel partner you can learn more about, encourage in some way, and pray for this week? I promise it matters. I promise it matters. If it's somebody that's even in the midst of our church context, somebody at another church in Western New York, somebody in another continent in the world, we're connected to so many partners in the gospel regionally, nationally, globally. Learn about one. Understand what they're doing for the sake of Christ and begin to pray for them. It'll enlarge your heart. It'll also enlarge the heart of the person who you're praying for and encouraging. So see the whole table. Number two, face the right direction. Be faithful with the ministry you've received. Be faithful with the ministry you've received. Epaphras, Paul told the Colossians, worked hard in the gospel. Tychicus delivered a letter to the Colossians and to many other churches at the time. And of course he told Archippus, "Complete the ministry you've received in the Lord." If we're gonna be included in the ripple effect of the gospel, we cannot leave ourselves facing away from our savior. Remember Demas, right? Demas was faithful at one point, but at some point he did an about face. He faced the wrong direction. He was not engaging in the things of God. He abandoned the ministry for the sake of his love for the world. And we cannot be in that place, friends. How do we keep ourselves diligent? How do we keep ourselves faithful? It's by facing the right direction, diligently spending time with our savior, facing the Lord and receiving direction from him, ensuring that we're aligned with him in heart and in action, so that like the dominoes, we're not turned 90 degrees, where the ripple effect stops with us. A diligent prayer life is gonna help us with that. That's why Paul encourages us to pray, to pray, to pray. Be devoted to prayer. Pray for one another. Pray for me. Pray for yourself. Face our Lord Jesus. Prayer keeps us sensitive to the spirit, aligned with the mission, and connected to the body of Christ. And then third, close the gap. Close the gap. I think it's really good for us to understand that the gospel has come to us. And we should be so grateful, we should be so thankful because we heard it, we understood it, and our lives have been changed and transformed as a result of it. Why would we want that to stop with us? And I want us to ask the question, I want us to examine, where has God placed us? What ministry has he given us? Not only are we facing the right direction so we can receive instruction from the Lord, but are we willing to fill the gap that he's called us to? Others have done that. Are we doing that? What has God entrusted you with? Is it your family? And if it is, is there a gap being left? Is it your neighborhood? If it is, is there a gap being left? If the gospel of Jesus has come to us, then it should bear fruit from us as well. It came to you. That means fruit was born. Somebody heard the good news of the gospel, rippled all throughout time and all throughout humanity from the initiator, Jesus Christ, who did this on our behalf, who died and was buried, and God resurrected him from the dead in power so we could be made new. The good news of the gospel means freedom, and forgiveness of sin, and new life, and redemption, all of these wonderful things. And somebody heard that news and shared it with you, shared it with me, so that we had the opportunity to receive and be made new. Are we not gonna pass it on to other people? Are we gonna keep that for ourselves? Do not leave a gap. Fill in that gap. Understand that God intends for us to be a part of that grand ripple effect as well. Consider your neighbors, consider your children, consider all of those that God has put in proximity, and don't think of it as a mistake but a divine appointment. God wants us to impact those around us. So here's my challenge question for us this week related to this. What's one area you've been delaying or neglecting that God is calling you to engage in? What's one area you've been delaying or neglecting that God is calling you to engage in? As we conclude today, I want us to think about all of these things in light of the grace of God. God has been so good to us. God has been so gracious to us. It says in Colossians 1 that they understood God's grace. And we have, for those who are in Jesus, we have as well. Let's act on it. Let's be diligent in prayer. Let's be faithful in completion. Let's be sure to avoid the temptations of this world so we don't, like Demas, fall away from the truth but remain until the end. Let's be active to ensure that the ripple effect, the grand ripple effect of God, we get to be a part of it. We should be praying diligently. God, would you allow us to continue this grand ripple effect through us in every place and space that he's given us opportunity? Would you bow your heads together with me for prayer? As we close and take time to pray, I would encourage us to pray in two directions. If you're a believer in Jesus, I would encourage you to take time right now and pray that God would do a work in you as a result of this. Paul included so many stories of faithful people as he closed this personal letter of passion, and of encouragement, and of instruction. He was giving us pictures of people who have been diligently following the Lord Jesus, faithful companions in ministry, willing to sacrifice and serve. Our story should be included in that as well. We as believers in Jesus, those who have been made new in Christ, we should be included in that as well. And I wanna encourage you right now to ask the Lord where does he need to do a work in your heart. Is it related to awareness, that you need to stop looking at just your own little corner of the world, living in a little bubble, being confined and fully satisfied in that. I know, like, two people and I don't really do a whole lot with that. Understand the broader context. Know that God is working in the world. Let it encourage your heart. Is it related to a discipline of prayer? Do you take time regularly to open your Bible, and spend time in God's word, and ask the Lord to speak to you, and shape you, and redirect you? And are you willing to be redirected as opposed to sit on the sidelines and stagnate? We want to be protected from the effects of what we learned about with Demas. We don't wanna walk away from the gospel, so be rooted in Christ and be diligent in following after him. Or is there a gap that God's made clear to you that you need to close today? If you're not a believer in Jesus, if you've never heard and understood God's grace, can I tell you, you have great and wonderful news today because God has ordained it that today is the day that the gospel has reached you. Today is the day that you'll be sitting in this seat that you would hear and understand and maybe you respond to the good news of Jesus, that Jesus, the Son of God, the promised Messiah, came into this world to live a sinless life, to die willingly on a cross, to be buried, and three days later to be resurrected in power for you and for me, that we could be freed from our sins, made new in Christ, have a whole new life and a relationship with our God. If you've never before put your faith in Jesus, today could be the day you understand that. As our prayer partners are coming and making their way to the front of the platform, you'll see men and women down here who would love to receive you and talk to you about this. They would love to pass on to you, in this ripple effect, the good news of Jesus, just as it was passed on to them, that they understood the grace of God and they wanna share that with you. Maybe you're here and God's speaking to your heart in some specific way, and you wanna also come forward and speak to a prayer partner and say, "Would you pray for me that I'd fill in this gap? Would you pray for me that I would learn to be more diligent in facing my savior, and praying, and communing with God?" Or maybe it's something related to awareness or some other need that you have. They would love to pray with you along those lines. And I would love to pray for you as well as we conclude. Father, we thank you for this day and we thank you for the truth of your word. We thank you for the beauty even in a conclusion to a letter that you inspired by the Holy Spirit. Thank you, God, for the encouragement of hearing the names of people who are willing to suffer, who are willing to serve, who are willing to endure until the end for the sake of Jesus. God, may we remember that this gospel is worth it, that this good news is greater than any news we'll ever hear ever. God, may we be reminded of the grace that you've shown us, and may we respond in obedience, whatever that looks like. May you speak by your spirit to our hearts, God, that we would do the things you've asked us to do. I pray for those who have never yet received Christ that they would be bold today, to take that step, to learn what it looks like to follow Jesus and have their life be transformed by the gospel of what you've been speaking of today. And I pray all this in the matchless name of Jesus. Amen. Amen.