Colossians 1:3-8

Colossians 1:3-8  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 the saints — the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you.  All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.  You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

Although Paul writes to the church at Colosse in a pastoral role, we should remember his "dear fellow servant," Epaphras, actually first shared the gospel message with the Colossians.  As a new believer, probably saved in Ephesus, Epaphras was not content to remain under the teaching of Paul.  He returned to his hometown as a missionary to a predominantly Gentile population, explicitly preaching that God sent Jesus of Nazareth to suffer and to die for all who would believe in him as the propitiation for their sins and the Way to life eternal.  He brought this simple message that Christ's life, death, and resurrection was the ultimate Good News!  Paul says he has heard of their faith in Christ Jesus and compliments the Colossians for placing their trust in the Lord, receiving forgiveness of their sins, and understanding the message they have received.  He encourages them with the thought that this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.  He begins with comforting remarks because as a spiritual father, he also writes this letter with some words of correction in mind that will be easier to express if he first shares his sincere love for the church.  He does not want anyone to doubt his thankfulness for this body of believers or his appreciation for the work of his brother and fellow laborer, Epaphras.  No matter the difficulties Paul encounters, his letters to the churches, speak of his love for the people and his great joy in their faith.  He rejoices in the fruit of the church and expresses himself as a loving father might speak to his children who had worked diligently and done well yet needed instruction.  He might say: "I am proud of you, but beware of the pitfalls surrounding you.  Keep on the right track, and I know you are going to make it.  I believe in your commitment to Christ our Lord!"  Through the unction of the Holy Spirit, Paul knew nothing was going to stop the Good News!  

Christ said He had to go away that He might send the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth.  The Holy Spirit remained faithful to the New Testament church--so diligent, so constant, shining the Light of the gospel forth into the darkness.  God does such amazingly wondrous deeds in such remarkable ways through mere human beings through the power of Christ in us.  No wonder the angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”  (Luke 2:10-14)  This is the message Paul reiterates for the church in Colosse; this remains the only sure and true foundation for all of us who have placed our trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Jesus is the Good News: the Plan of God, the Grace of God, the Mercy of God, the Peace of God.  He is God's perfect covenant--freedom from sin, restoration, adoption, life eternal.   He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  (Colossians 1:15)  Therefore, the message we carry to the world is not an alternative lifestyle, not a list of rules or regulations: we offer Jesus, Messiah, Lord of All.  Of course, this message sounds too simple for the world; sometimes, sadly, the message remains too simple for Christians.  

For the believer, the message must always be: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  (John 3:16-17)

  

As Epaphras went forth with a fire burning in his soul to spread the message of Christ to his people and produced faith and love in the hearts of those entrusted into his care, may we remember Christ's call: Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.  (Mark 1:17)  As followers of Christ, we should walk by faith, presenting God's agenda, reflecting his likeness, sharing his love.  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!  (Philippians 2:5-8)  We too should show forth the Good News: the Plan, the Grace, the Mercy, the Peace.  We should not have to talk so much about the cross of Christ as to have it revealed in and through us by the Holy Spirit as we extend Christ to others through our daily service and sacrifices.  As we know so well, this kind of love is a struggle for every believer.  It is hard for us to give up our lives for others.  It is hard even in our speech to give up our negative, judgmental talk.  We can spot the faults in someone else so much easier than our own mistakes.  That is human nature.  The flesh wants first place or at least an important place where we are recognized for how important or successful or hardworking we are.  Jesus took our place and went to the cross where He humbly prayed, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing."  We might have said, "Father, look at all I am doing, and no one even appreciates me."