Colossians 4:15-18

15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 

16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 

17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” 

18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. 

Outline:

1. The Context
2. The Purpose
3. The Follow Through
4. Pray
5. Abide

THE CONTEXT

Colossians 4:15-18

15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 

1. Godly Fellowship can happen anywhere and should happen everywhere.
2. The Power of God is magnified in a Godly gathering.
3. The Gospel is seeded in the midst of Christian Fellowship.

Hebrews 10:24-25 

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 

25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

1. Encouragement for the Activated Christian happens in the context of Christian Fellowship.
2. Christian Fellowship is the catalyst by which God moves and acts on behalf of His people.
3. Where you see true Christian Fellowship, you will find the Gospel.

2 Corinthians 4:7

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show us that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

1. We have a treasure in us.
2. Our value is magnified because of the treasure, not because of the vessel.
3. Guard the treasure, and He will guard the vessel.
4. God's treasures are shared in the context of Christian Fellowship.

THE PURPOSE

Colossians 4:16

16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 

1. The Gospel is meant to be shared.
2. The Gospel is the greatest legacy you can leave behind.

Isaiah 40:8 

8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

1. Leaving behind a legacy of God is not measured by quantity but by depth.
2. Discipleship is in essence receiving and passing on the depths of the treasures of God.
3. This is the purpose and ministry that all believers have.

THE FOLLOW THROUGH

Colossians 4:17

17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” 

1. Ministry is a gift.
2. You cannot give what you do not have— so receive!
3. You cannot finish what you have not started— so start!

PRAY

Colossians 4:18

18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains...

• Pray for people in authority over you.
• Pray for people who preach the Gospel.
• Pray for your brothers and sisters that have fallen away from the faith.
• Pray for your brothers and sisters who face challenges but are still faithful.

ABIDE

Colossians 4:18

18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. 

Colossians 1:1-3

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 

2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Colossians 2:6-7

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 

7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 

Colossians 4:6

6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. 

1. The Grace of God is a common thread woven throughout the Book of Colossians.
2. We have the Gospel of Grace.
3. We speak the Gospel of Grace.