SERMON SPOTLIGHT * 3/9/25
As a Christian, your name isn’t in print, but you join this list at the end of Colossians. By grace you have been made Alive In Christ to carry on their same gospel mission locally in our city and globally through SGC. Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.
SERIES: Colossians: Alive in Christ
TEXT: Colossians 4:7-18
TITLE: In This Together
PREACHER: Derek Overstreet
BIG IDEA: The Gospel unites and knits us together in one shared purpose.
POINTS:
I. The Gospel Brings Us Together
II. The Gospel Produces an Enduring Heart for One Another
III. The Gospel Gives Us a Shared Purpose
SERMON EXCERPTS:
All quotes, and text emphasis, are taken directly from the pastor’s notes.
”We come to Paul’s concluding words of this remarkable letter. Filled with profound theology, rich Christology, and practical Christian living, Colossians has been invaluable to my faith, and I trust it has also been invaluable to you. Today, we end with a list of names. What do we do with this? It seems rather anti-climactic. Here’s what we’ll do: I want to introduce you to each person Paul mentions briefly, and then we’ll mine three nuggets of gold.”
“In 7-9, we are introduced to Tychicus and Onesimus. They were the mailmen. They delivered this letter to the Colossians. As Paul says in 7, Tychicus was a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. He was a regular with Paul, called out by name in Acts 20, 2 Timothy 4, Titus 3, and, again, at the end of Ephesians. Joining Tychicus was Onesimus, the runaway slave. More on him next week as we dive into the book of Philemon.”
“In 10-14, we meet six other men. First, Aristarchus. From Thessalonica, Aristarchus was with Paul on his third missionary journey. Committed to Paul and his gospel mission through thick and thin, he was one of the men dragged away by the angry mob in the Ephesus riots in Acts 19. He was with Paul when he sailed to Rome, according to Acts 27, and now 10 makes it clear he was imprisoned with Paul.
Then there was Mark. Also known as John Mark, he was famous for writing a gospel and parting ways with Paul about a dozen years earlier over a sharp disagreement, according to Acts 13.
Then, in 11, Paul introduces Jesus, who is called Justus. All we know about Justus is what Paul says here.
In 12, Paul mentions a man we have already met, Epaphras. Probably converted under Paul’s ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19), Epaphras returned to his hometown of Colossae, where he planted and pastored the church. This letter was a response to the update Epaphras gave Paul on the church.
In 14, Paul mentions the good doctor, Luke. Well known, Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke and its sequel, Acts. He was Paul’s wingman.
Paul mentions one more companion in 14—Demas. All we know about him is that three or four years later, according to 2 Tim 4, he fell in love with the world and deserted Paul.
In 15, Paul turns his attention to the church about ten miles away from the Colossians in Laodicea. He asks them to pass his letter on to them and read the letter he sent them. In particular, to say hello to Nympha, the woman whose home the church in Laodicea met in.
Finally, Paul mentions Archippus. He is mentioned only here and in Paul’s greeting to Philemon. Was he Philemon’s son or close friend? We don’t know. We know he lived in Colossae and was connected to Paul in ministry, according to Paul’s encouragement.”
“So, where’s the gold? Here’s the gold? The Gospel unites and knits us together in one shared purpose.”
“As you read our text, you realize these were real and ordinary people. Like you and I, they had their own anxieties, struggles, triumphs, and dreams. They grew up and lived in different towns and cities around the Mediterranean. They had different experiences and backgrounds. Some grew up Jewish, some Gentile.”
“Just like you and I, they came to faith in Jesus Christ at some time, and their lives were changed. A big part of that change was their relationships. Paul was a Christian-hating religious prodigy turned church-planting and scripture-writing apostle who is now hanging out with a runaway slave, Onesimus. Their stories couldn’t be more different!”
“…the gospel brings us together in all our differences. This is the power of the gospel. Do you remember what Paul said in 3:11? So many differences. So many stations in life. So many experiences. But one thing transcends all of it—Christ!”
“Paul had a big brain. His theological prowess was unmatched. His Christological depth was unequaled. His church planting knowledge was unparalleled. His wisdom in practical Christian living was unsurpassed. He was the smart guy of the smart guys. We see that in all his letters, including Colossians. But as big as his brain was, Paul’s heart was even bigger.”
“Paul didn’t live in a high tower with his books withdrawn from people. Paul had a heart for people. He used his gospel knowledge and understanding to encourage others in Christ and knit them together in brotherly love. This is what Paul cherished in the Colossians.”
“Look at 7—Paul refers to Tychicus not just as a faithful minister and fellow servant but, first and foremost, as a beloved brother. In 9, he refers to Onesimus similarly—a faithful and beloved brother. Before Paul was interested in their gifts, he was interested in them.”
“If Paul dictated this letter to Timothy as many believe he did, then his heart for the Colossians is uniquely on display in 18. More than mere authentication, one could imagine Paul, filled with affection for his brothers and sisters, taking the pen from Timothy and saying—This is personal; let me write the final greeting.”
“Branding is significant in the business world—Nike swoosh, Apple apple, McDonalds golden arches, Amazon smile, colorful Google G. You see the image and immediately know who it is. Love is the Christian brand. The love of God poured out at the cross marks the Christian life.”
“Paul’s purpose in life was to make Christ known with his words and life. In this mission, Paul knew he was not a one-man show. Even in his difficulties—he writes from prison—Paul is aware and celebrates how God is using others to advance the gospel and build the church.”
“Whether it was Tychicus and Onesimus delivering his letter to the Colossians, Epaphras pastoring them, the gospel labors, personal loyalty, and close friendship of Aristarchus, Mark, Justus, and Luke, Nympha hosting Sunday services in Laodicea, or the undisclosed ministry of Archippus in Colossae, Paul publicly celebrated and passionately supported the ministry of those around him. He valued their gifts. He supported their service. He celebrated their contribution because he understood they had a shared purpose in Christ.”
“The reality is God’s design is that we need each other in life AND ministry. The gospel has brought us together, knitted us together, and given us a shared purpose for which no one alone is sufficient.”
“We want to do more of that [encouraging and sharing God’s grace] publicly and privately. The truth is we need each other. God has distributed different gifts to different people. We need them all. No one in the church is a one-man show. As 1 Cor 12 says—there is one body but many members and each one is important.”
“Notice the final four words of this precious letter—Grace be with you. Paul ends where he began—God’s amazing grace. Everything we have seen over the last five months in Colossians is rooted in God’s grace. As Christians, we stand in the grace of the gospel. We obey in the grace of the gospel. We grow in the grace of the gospel. We proclaim the grace of the gospel. Our lives demonstrate the grace of the gospel. We stand in God’s grace.”
“As a Christian, your name isn’t in print, but you join this list. By grace you have been made Alive In Christ to carry on their gospel mission locally in our city and globally through SGC because: The Gospel unites and knits us together in one shared purpose.”
APPLICATION:
- Take a season and fellowship with folks you don’t typically fellowship with.
You don’t have to abandon your crowd; just make room for others. Learn their stories and celebrate how the gospel came to them. The gospel has brought us together; let’s pursue togetherness.
- Is there someone in your life that love would not be the brand of your relationship? I encourage you to pray and pursue.
- You may not be part of the east side CG, but like Epaphras in 12, you can—struggle on our behalf in your prayers for us.
- Cultivate a new habit: Every Sunday, thoughtfully thank someone as they serve
SONGS FROM THIS SUNDAY:
How Great Thou Art
O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing
The Steadfast Love of Christ
Crown Him With Many Crowns
There is One Gospel
NEXT WEEK’S PASSAGE:
Philemon 1:1-7
THE BOOK OF THE QUARTER:
