Good morning friends and family. I'm so thankful for Paltalk, this new platform we're airing these sermons on. For those who have been following us for the past three years, we thank you. It's been 3 years March 4th that we opened our home for people to attend our church services. There have been times that we've had a house full, and I believe very shortly that will happen again. Praise God.
We also want to thank so many of you for sharing these messages on other sites, for the Pastors from all over the world that have asked to use the same messages in their congregations. I praise God that He has given us the tools to allow us to preach the Gospel throughout the world. I praise Him for the brothers and sister that He has brought together to make this work. Praise Jesus! Please turn to Colossians 4:7. I was in hopes to have finished this series, "Who Are We In Christ", studying from the book of Colossians last week, but that was not in the plan, as I felt led to go on a different path. Colossians 4:7 KJV All my state shall Tychicus (too-khee-kos') declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord Tychicus was the one who carried this letter from Paul who was in Rome in prison, to the church in Colosse. He was also traveling with Sobater of Berea and also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonian church; and Gaius of Derbe. Colossians 4:8 KJV Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts Please turn to Acts, Chapter 28. What is the message that Apostle Paul wanted to get across to the Colosse church? It's what we've been studying for the past 19 weeks, but I also think that he wanted to share with the Colossians that he was ok. I urge you all to read more of this chapter, as we are going to start at the end, so I can give you a picture of where and what time frame we're in. Acts 28:30-31 KJV And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, (31) Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. We know from when we first started this series that there were other epistles that were delivered at the same time. The epistle to Emphasis and also to Philemon. Colossians 4:9 KJV With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. Now, who is Onesimus on-ay'-sim-os? I had to do some studying. Some of you may find this interesting and some may find it boring, but because it's part of our Bible, and I think it's best to study this out. Praise God! From what I can find, Onesimus was a slave who belonged to Philemon. It's quite possible that he was a very smart and talented man. Here's a bit of history. Often when the Roman armies went on a campaign, they would take the smartest, most talented young women from wherever they had just conquered and bring them back to Rome to be sold as slaves. It seems that Onesimus had stolen money from Philemon and ran away to Rome. Thoughts are that this money had run out and it was in Rome that he connected with Paul. Imagine that, with a city of over a million people. My thoughts are, Only God. During this time he became a Christian and Apostle Paul sent him back with the epistle to Philemon. Read this beautiful short letter at some point soon. Colossians 4:10 KJV Aristarchus my fellow prisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) I love how we can figure certain things out by going to another part of the Bible. As I have always said, it's all neatly woven together. Let's turn to Acts 19:29 and then to 27. We can find that Aristarchus was a Thessalonian who was with Paul on his third missionary journey and is apparently in prison with Paul. Acts 19:29 KJV And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. Now let's go to Acts 27. Acts 27:1-2 KJV And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. (2) And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. Now let's look at Acts chapter 12:25. We'll see that Mark was a companion with Paul on his first missionary journey. If we were to look at Acts 13:13, we see that Mark was not with them on the next journey. What happened? It appears that Mark abandoned Paul on this journey Acts 12:25 KJV And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark. Now let's move to Acts 15:36. Next we will see a meltdown between Paul and Mark. Why do I bring this up? Because even Paul was human, and this does have a good ending. Actually, we read it a few minutes ago in Colossians 4:10, but we'll also see in another verse, in another book in the Bible. Who Are We In Christ? Acts 15:36-39 KJV And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. (37) And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. (38) But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. (39) And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus You don't have to turn there, but we can see that Paul mentions Mark favorably in 2 Timothy 4:11. We can see that there must have been forgiveness. 2 Timothy 4:11 KJV Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. Okay, back to Colossians. Now this, when someone first sees it, is going to think, Jesus already assedended to heaven. Didn't He? Yes He did, but I guess it was a popular name back then. And we can also notice because of the reference that they were circumcised. Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus were Jews. Colossians 4:12 KJV Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. We read of Epapharas in the first part of this series. Epaphras was also a Colossian and Paul graciously mentions him in his Ministry of prayer for them. Paul mentions that he desires to stand perfect and assured and in the will of God. That, my friends is for us today, or should be. Colossians 4:13 KJV For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. This is the same Luke who wrote the gospel and Acts, who was a doctor and may very well have attended to Paul during all the sickness that he had in Galatia. That's just a guess, and because it's not found here, don't take it as the Gospel truth, but where Paul mentions him, he very well could be. Colossians 4:15 KJV Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. Friends, many at that time met in homes for learning and for prayer and for the taking of communion. I can find several verses showing me this. Synagogues were run by the Jews, but those teaching and following the ways of Jesus could only meet in people's houses. I also think that we will very shortly see more and more breaking away from organized churches here in the United States and doing the same as Leanna and I are doing, holding services in our house. It's part of what my prayer for each of you is. That you become equipped to share the Gospel in your communities. Praise God! Colossians 4:16 KJV And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. I find this verse interesting and I'm going to share it reading from the Amplified. Colossians 4:16 AMP And when this epistle has been read before you, [see] that it is read also in the assembly (the church) of the Laodiceans, and also [see] that you yourselves in turn read the [letter that comes to you] from Laodicea. Did Paul consider his writing to the Colossians to be inspired scripture? We don't know, but he surely must have considered it authoritative since he instructed that it be read in the church at Laodicea. The letter from Laodicea might be the epistle of Ephesians. As we read chapters 2 and 3, we found that there were some very strange teachings entering into the church and maybe Paul felt that each church needed to see this. Bare with me church, we're almost done with this series. Colossians 4:17 KJV And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it. Another strange verse. When I came across this, I looked in several places to see who this man was and why this mention of him alone. I just noted that there were some strange teachings going on at that time, just like today. Most believe that this person was the Archippus spoken of Philemon 1:2, where he's called Paul’s fellow-labourer and fellow-soldier. It seems he was one of the pastors of the church at Colosse; and many think that he had failed in the duties of his office, and that the apostle, in what he here says ordered the Colossians to rebuke him publicly for his negligence: but others, perhaps with more truth, and certainly with more charity, as Macknight observes, “are of opinion that the apostle, in this direction, meant that the Colossians should encourage Archippus to diligence, because the false teachers at Colosse were very active in spreading their errors. And their opinion derives probability from the respectful manner in which Archippus is addressed in the epistle to Philemon, which was written about this time, and sent with the epistle to the Colossians.” Take heed — It's the duty of the flock to try those who say they're apostles; to reject the false; and to warn, as well as to receive, the true to the ministry. And the final verse. As I mentioned in the first segment of this series, there are those who say that Paul did not write this book, but this final verse says differently. You tell me. Colossians 4:18 KJV The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus. Glory be to God!! I want you to notice something in a couple other books. Please turn to 1 Corinthians 16:21. Paul usually wrote his letters with his own hand. 1 Corinthians 16:21 KJV (21) The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. You don't have to turn there, but notice this next verse in Galatians 6. Galatians 6:11 KJV Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. Some have wondered because of this verse that Paul's thorn in the flesh might have been a vision problem due to his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus in Acts 9, where he was blinded. I don't believe it, but gets too deep for the remainder of our time here. We've looked at so much in the past 19 weeks. Things warned to the Colossian church that is a big warning for this day and age. Let's recap some of these things. Probably where God has really spoke to me is found in the second chapter. Let us recap these verses and I will share with you why. When we read them, I think you will notice right off why. Colossians 2:6-8 KJV As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: (7) Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (8) Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Skip down to verse 16. Colossians 2:16-19 KJV Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: (17) Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (18) Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, (19) And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. My brothers and sisters, there are numerous gospel messages being taught out there. Before you get all excited about this new church belief coming down the pike, I ask you to be in prayer, but then look at their beliefs. Does it line up 100 percent to that which we find in our Bibles? Please turn to 2 Timothy 2:15. Before we close today, I need you to read a couple passages and church, I truly hope you get this. It's absolutely that important that we fully understand these things. There was a false doctrine that started entering into the Colossian church and there are hundreds being taught now. 2 Timothy 2:15-18 KJV Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (16) But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. (17) And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; (18) Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Not my words my friends. Let's look at what it says in 2 Peter 3:16-18. 2 Peter 3:16-18 KJV As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (17) Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. (18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen. Church, do we get this? Do we see that we need to be very careful of what and whom we listen to? Leanna and I listened to a documentary last night on a type of church that's so popular, and it 's leading people strait to hell. Let me ask you this. What does the Bible say about a false prophet? Anyone? Let's look. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 KJV (20) But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. (21) And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? (22) When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. So my friends, if we look around at all the cults out there I ask you to remember this, have there been ones of these faiths who have claimed something would happen in the name of God and not happened? For instance, Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon church said that there would be a house built in the 18th century by god. I use little g, because I'm not sure what god he was referring to. It did not come to pass, and yet there are somewhere around 15 million Mormons as of 2010. Guess they know there scriptures on false prophets? Anyways, thank you for joining in with us. I pray that you spend more time in the word of God, as we all need to have that discernment. For those who want to read through all of this series, you can find them at the J and L Ministries website and then go to the sermons tab. We love you and hope to hear from you on how these messages have touched your lives and do hope that you will continue in the following weeks to join us right here. May the Lord bless you.
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