WHEN YOU FEEL ALL ALONE Colossians 1:1-12
In the Book of Colossians, Paul is writing to a church that he has never been to and to a people whom he has never met. The communications were a little hampered in those days because the cell phone and texting were not yet invented so it was easy to feel a little sequestered from the rest of the world.
In hard times and in hard places where little results are evident, if not careful we begin to think that we are alone and all of our labor is in vain. The world is going down like “a one egg pudding” and churches along with the people we once served with are deteriorating and defecting.
Epaphras visited Paul in the Roman prison and brought encouraging words. Not only was Paul hearing from churches such as the one at Philippi but also from churches that he did not plant and possibly did not know they existed.
Paul, in these verses, thanks God for them and tries to encourage them in the Lord. This sermon will go out to hundreds of people with many of these people members of good churches that are trying to “hold the line” in these last, evil days. I want this to be an encouragement to them as well as to our people.
- The description of the Colossian people.
a. Saints – vs 2- I thank God that there are those who are saved and show it: people who know that they know that they are saved. We have “family” all around the world who go through the same things that we go through and many suffer far beyond our comprehension. Ephesians 4:12 “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”
b. Faithful – vs 2- In a day of unfaithfulness, I thank God that there are those who just keep on keeping on when it comes to faithfulness: people who love not only God but God’s house and support it. Without you, the doors of the church would have to close. Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him:”
c. Brethren – vs 2- In days of division where we who are saved are naturally divided from even family members who are not saved, we find division within the “faith.” We may be separated “upon the walls” as they were in the days of Nehemiah but these brothers and sisters are alive and doing well. I can go to other churches out of town and feel right at home with the family of God.
d. Faith –vs 4- In days of mixed faith, as people now place more trust in the government system than in the Lord, faith is still placed in the Lord. He will take care of us. There are churches that are holding to the King James Bible; adhering to the Old Paths of doctrine and practice; and are fighting against the worldliness that is creeping into the local churches.
e. Love – vs 4- In days of “self-love” or “selfishness,” I thank God that I can not only come to church and find my friends and family who love, but also fellowship with other pastors and brethren in our community. One of the ways you know that you are saved is because of the love of God that is in you for the things of God as well as the people of God.
f. Fruitful –vs 6- In days of gleaning here in the Bible Belt, I thank God that there are churches and missionaries in other place where the harvest is still fruitful and that fruit is “fruit to our account.” Some mission fields are difficult and render few souls while others are fruitful ones with many coming to Christ but ALL of the harvest is equally important. John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” - The blessing of the Colossian people.
a. Paul received encouragement by them – vs. 2
b. Paul was thankful for them – vs. 3
c. Paul was given an example from them – vs. 4-6
Paul was excited about a church that he had never visited and a people that he had never met! We live in days of jealousy and isolation. Churches of like faith are not our enemies! People of like faith are our brothers and sisters in Christ. The last time I heard, we were all on the same side and fighting a common enemy. Now, for the sake of clarification, I do not mix and mingle with liberal or apostate churches! If a church is liberal or apostate, I do not associate with them. Separatism is an important part of the work of Christ. The division caused by liberalism and apostasy is one of their making, not mine.
Paul not only commends the church at Colosse, but also offers up prayers for it. I want to look at his manner of praying for those that he does not know that are “staying by the stuff” in light of often dire circumstances. Romans 12:5 “ So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” - The Characteristics of Paul’s Prayer
a. It was a prayer of thanksgiving. Vs. 3. For a local church of like precious faith located in another part of God’s vineyard. Luke 10:2 “Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.”
(1) The harvest is great – Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (We cannot go to every part of the field because of both numbers needed and logistics.)
(2) The labourers are few – 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. (We are few in number and the harvest is scattered around this world. It takes the effort of all to reach all!)
b. It was a prayer of constancy. Verse 3. Our daily prayers should involve the praying for others: those in bonds as well as those who labor in other countries, in other states, in our county. - The Content of Paul’s Prayer
a. That they would be filled with the knowledge of His will. Verse 9. Proverbs 4:7 “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”
(1) In all wisdom – One of the great dangers to true Christianity is that Christianity is merely a system of truth to be believed. Christianity is much more than faith in a dogma; it is that faith in action that makes us like Christ. We may think right doctrinally and not be conformed to the person and work of Christ. Christianity is faith in action.
(2) In spiritual understanding – “and with all thy getting get understanding” We can have action and conformity simply by following someone else but these actions alone become a source of problem. I have seen so many “conform” while in a certain church but, when they decide to leave, lose all “conviction” which makes that “conviction” simply a preference. Each of us need to know what the will of God is and make that a priority in our lives.
b. That they might walk worthy. Verse 10.
(1) A life that is pleasing to the Lord. This comes from a realization of what Christ has done for us coupled with the knowledge that we are not our own, we belong to Him. Not pleasing to the church or pastor necessarily but pleasing unto the one who bought us.
(2) A life that is profitable to the Lord. Spiritual growth is essential to fruit bearing. Babies have to be fed and cleaned but adults can care for themselves as well as others. John 15 give the progression of one “abiding” in the Vine: fruit, more fruit, and much fruit.
c. Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power. Verse 11.
(1) This brings about patience. I heard an elder pastor just the other day say that he quit praying for patience years ago when he found out that patience was a result of tribulation. We all NEED patience! Patience is essential to stability in suffering.
(2) This brings about longsuffering with joyfulness. God’s power allows us to be longsuffering with others. Not only longsuffering but doing so with joy, not necessity. Being as gentle with others as the Lord is with us. 1 Peter 4:12 ”Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”