Colossians 4:7-18

7 Tychicus, a much loved brother, will tell you how I am getting along. He is a faithful helper who serves the Lord with me. 8 I have sent him on this special trip to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you. 9 I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and much loved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will give you all the latest news.

10 Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas's cousin. And as you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. 11 Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish Christians among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been!

12 Epaphras, from your city, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident of the whole will of God. 13 I can assure you that he has agonized for you and also for the Christians in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

14 Dear Doctor Luke sends his greetings, and so does Demas. 15 Please give my greetings to our Christian brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and those who meet in her house.

16 After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them. 17 And say to Archippus, "Be sure to carry out the work the Lord gave you."

18 Here is my greeting in my own handwriting — PAUL.

Remember my chains.

May the grace of God be with you. (NLT)

 

As Colossians comes to a close we can glean that we need to know our missionaries, who they are, where they live, how they are doing, what their needs are and how we can pray for them specifically. When they come to visit and to tell us of what Christ is doing in the lives they are touching we need to show our appreciation for them and the work that God has called them too. Remember God has called us to partner with them through the finances that God has given to us. Therefore love them and pray for them daily.

 

Words of Encouragement will be taking the rest of the summer off and will return September 2^nd. Have a wonderful summer and may the grace of God be with you.

 

Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ

An Encouragement for Prayer

5 Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone. (NLT)

 

We are to live our lives among those who are not Christians in a manner that shows the love of Christ in our everyday life. We are to take every opportunity share Christ with those we live around and work with. We need to speak in such a way that our conversation is gracious, yet always speaking the truth. Do not isolate yourself from non-Christians, but stand firm on the Word of God, showing Christ living in you and know the scriptures so that you will have the right answer at the right time to share Christ -- the only hope for this world.

 

Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ

Colossians 4:2-4

 

An Encouragement for Prayer

2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3 Don't forget to pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to preach about his secret plan — that Christ is also for you Gentiles. That is why I am here in chains. 4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. (NLT)

 

Devote and dedicate yourself to prayer. Prayer is what encourages and sustains us. We must be in continual communication with our Father for He loves to hear from us and He has much to tell us. Pray for one another for opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray for each other that you will proclaim the message clearly as you should. Prayer binds us together and it binds us to the Holy Spirit who intercedes for us. Pray with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

 

Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ

Colossians 4:1

 

Instructions for Christian Households

1 You slave owners must be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master — in heaven. (NLT)

 

As an owner of a business or a manager or a supervisor you are to be just and fair to your employees. It does not matter if they are a Christian or non-Christian you are to treat them justly and fairly. Remember that you to serve God your Father and it is He who gave you this business or management position. You are still an ambassador for Christ and you are to show Christ living in you and through you in all that you do. Even if you are in politics you must always put Christ first in all you do. Work hard and be cheerful at whatever you do and remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ.

 

Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ

Colossians 3:22-25

Instructions for Christian Households

22 You slaves must obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Obey them willingly because of your reverent fear of the Lord. 23 Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ. 25 But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites who can get away with evil. (NLT)

 

When you are an employee working for someone else scripture instructs us to be obedient, hardworking and cheerful employees. This is pleasing to the Lord. Remember that God gave you this job, it may not be your perfect job but it is the job God wants you to be doing right now. Also remember that the real one you are working for is God your Father and it is He that you are to please. Verse 24 says, “Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ.” And the flip side to this is verse 25 “But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites who can get away with evil.” Do what is right in the sight of God your Father and be a hardworking and cheerful employee for the Lord.

 

Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ

Colossians 3:21

 

Instructions for Christian Households

21 Fathers, don't aggravate your children. If you do, they will become discouraged and quit trying. (NLT)

 

As fathers sometimes it is easier for us see the negative than the positive -- especially in discipline. We are not to aggravate our children to the point they quit trying. We must balance discipline with encouragement, so that they can see themselves as God sees them and that is through Jesus Christ. We as fathers need to be imitating Christ so that our sons and daughters will too. God instructs us to love as He loves us; therefore we have to love our children the way God loves us and be willing to sacrifice as Christ has sacrificed for us.

 

Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ

Colossians 3:20

 

Instructions for Christian Households

20 You children must always obey your parents, for this is what pleases the Lord. (NLT)

 

God gives children pretty much one command “Obey your parents.” Why? Because it pleases Him. Why? Because obedience and discipline begins in the home. Why? Because as children learn to obey their parents they can then more easily obey God. Why? Because it pleases God. Why? Because as children learn to obey they learn to seek God and to learn of His power and grace. Why? So as they grow in Christ they will learn of God’s will for them and the purpose He has for them. Why? Now stop asking why and go clean your room.

 

Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ

Colossians 3:18

Instructions for Christian Households

18 You wives must submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. (NLT)

 

Even though this is only one phrase from scripture we need to read and study the whole of scripture on this subject to fully understand its meaning. But as for encouragement the wife must first submit herself to Christ and then to her husband. As the husband is to submit himself to Christ and be obedient to Him and husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the Church. By nature when a man is obedient to Christ and loves as Christ loves, his wife begins to submit to him as she submits to Christ because her husband is acting as a reflection of Christ. If therefore you are a wife love your husband as Christ loves you, respect him as the Word instructs you and pray for him for he really does need your prayers.

 

Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ