15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. 16 When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. 17 Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” 18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.
One general principle that can be derived from these greetings and instructions is the authenticity of Scripture. This epistle was dictated and personally signed by the Apostle Paul. It gives specific instructions and greetings to named people. All Scripture describes real events that really happened exactly as described.
7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here. 10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.
Outline: A Portrait of servants for Christ that pictures the vital importance of faithful partners and friends in Gospel ministry.
Tychicus – The Reliable Servant
Onesimus – The Saved Slave
Aristarchus – The Steadfast Soldier
Mark – The Restored Scribe
Jesus/Justus – The Unsung Saint
Epaphras – The Ceaselessly Supplicating Shepherd
Luke – The Skilled Specialist
Demas – The Worldly Deserter
Note: Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus and Mark were covered last week. Jesus/Justus, Epaphras, Luke and Demas are covered in this week’s sermon.
7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here. 10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.
Outline: A Portrait of servants for Christ that pictures the vital importance of faithful partners and friends in Gospel ministry.
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.
5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
Sermon Theme: Christians are called to be prayerful representatives of Christ whose lives line up with the Gospel they proclaim.
Outline:3 Essentials to remember as you faithfully represent Christ in communicating the Gospel to the lost around you.
22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.
4:1 Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.
Outline:4 Aspects of service/labor contained within God’s commands to slaves & masters that compel all believers to work and serve in devoted submission to their Lord Jesus:
22Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.23Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.25For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.
4:1 Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.
Sermon Theme: God has given clear instructions to both slaves and masters in their relation to one another, underscoring their common position as slaves of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Outline: 4 Aspects of service/labor contained within God’s commands to slaves that compels all believers to work and serve in devoted submission to their Lord Jesus
20Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.
Sermon Theme: God gives parents and children clear instructions on their relationship so as to glorify Him as they follow His Word.
Outline: Faithful Parenting involves following what the Bible teaches about the Parent’s Priorities, Goal, and Roles.
1) The Parent’s Priorities: Commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ / to your Spouse / to your Family / to Other People (Church Family/World)
2)The Parent’s Goal: To be a faithful instrument in God’s hands for actively bringing up your children according to biblical truths
20 Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.
Parenting Under the Leadership of Jesus (Part 2)
Theme: God gives parents and children clear instructions on their relationship so as to glorify Him as they follow His Word.
Outline: Faithful parenting involves following what the Bible teaches about the parents’ priorities, goal, challenges and roles.
1) The Parents’ Priorities: Commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ / to your spouse / to your family / to other people (church family / world)
2) The Parents’ Goal: To be a faithful instrument in God’s hands for actively bringing up your children according to Biblical standards.
3) The Parents’ Roles
Parent as disciplinarian
Parent as teacher
The next three roles (parent as encourager, parent as evangelist, parent as prayer warrior) will be covered next week.
20 Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.
Parenting Under the Leadership of Jesus
Theme: God gives parents and children clear instructions on their relationship so as to glorify Him is they follow His word.
Outline: Faithful parenting involves following what the Bible teaches about the parents’ priorities, goal, challenges and role.
1) The Parents’ priority
Commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ
Commitment to your spouse
Commitment to family
Commitment to other people
2) The Parents’ goal
Be a faithful instrument in God’s hands for actively bringing up our children according to Biblical truths.
18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.
Marriage Under the Lordship of Jesus – Husbands
Theme: The marriage relationship under the love and lordship of Christ involves distinct roles for husbands and wives, but at the same time, equality of worth and dignity.
Outline: Husbands who are submitted to the Lord Jesus Christ display their love for Him in their marriage relationship in three primary ways:
