Introduction
As the Second World War raged in Europe, England needed more coal. Winston Churchill called a meeting with the labor leaders and helped them imagine a day at the end of the war when the men who had won the war would parade through Piccadilly Circus. First, he said, would come sailors who had kept the seas open to the ships. Next would come soldiers who had fought with valor. After them would be the pilots who had defeated the Luftwaffe. Behind these heroes everyone recognized would follow men covered in soot and sweat. The crowd would ask, “Where were these men in those critical days of fighting?” Each of the miners would stand with heads held high and reply together, “We were deep in the earth with our faces to the coal.” In Colossians 4:12-18 we get a glimpse of several men who were serving God’s people in various roles. Some were more visible than others, but each had a critical role to play in building Christ’s church. Study this passage to learn more about these examples of faithful service and its many faces.
Observation
Pray
Seek the Lord in prayer and ask Him to give you wisdom and an understanding heart as you study today’s passage.
Read Focus Verses
Today we look at the last seven verses of Colossians. Read Colossians 4:12-18 and pay attention to how the book closes.
Context
Start in Colossians 4:7 and read through verse 18 to get a better feel for these two closely related passages.
Keyword – People
God, through Paul, highlights many people in this passage. Marking them will help them stand out to you.
Significant
As you mark the names of the people mentioned in this passage (don’t forget the pronouns like them and those which indicate a church of Christians), think how significant God’s people are to Him for Him to single so many of them out in the Bible for people to read about for generations.
How Many?
How many people and groups are named in this passage?
Cities
Which cities are mentioned in this passage because they have believers and churches in them?
Occupation
Whose occupation is mentioned and what was it?
House
Who hosted a church meeting in his house?
Ministry
Who had received a ministry that he was urged to fulfill?
Bonds
Whose bonds were they to remember?
Prayer Warrior
Who was diligently praying for the believers in Colosse?
Interpretation
Every One
What does God teach us by mentioning so many people in this passage of Scripture?
Epaphras
Colossians 1:3-8 also speaks of Epaphras.
Mentioned
Epaphras is mentioned again in Philemon 1:23-24.
Summarize
In your own words, how would you describe Epaphras based on these passages?
Fervent
James 5:16-18 speaks of fervent prayer.
What?
God includes Epaphras’ prayer for these believers he loved as a model for us when we pray for other believers. What does Colossians 4:12 tell us Epaphras was praying for these Christians?
3 Cities
You can see the 3 cities mentioned in verse 13 in this map.
Click To Visit WebsiteZeal
Why was Epaphras zealous for the Christians in these 3 cities?
Luke
Luke is mentioned in verse 14. He wrote two books of the Bible. You can learn a little more about him here.
Click To Visit WebsiteDemas
Read what is said about Demas at a later time in 2 Timothy 4:10.
Similar Story
Jesus explains this using a parable in Luke 8:4-15.
Change
What happened to this once seemingly genuine believer according to Scripture?
Laodicea
God did not preserve Paul’s letter to the Laodiceans, so we know that it was not inspired because God promises to preserve His Word. However, there is an inspired message to the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-22.
Ministry
1 Timothy 4:6 defines a good minister.
Good Minister
What defines a good minister?
Fulfilled
Paul was an example of a man who fulfilled the ministry that was given to him by God. See what he says about it as he challenges another young minister – Timothy – in 2 Timothy 4:5-8.
Finished
What does it mean to fulfill the ministry God has given a person?
Bonds
We are commanded to remember the bonds of other Christians in Hebrews 13:3 also.
Why?
Why is it important that we remember those who are bound for their faith?
Grace
Paul ends many of his epistles with a similar benediction and prayer that God’s grace would be with them. What does this mean?
Application
Fervent Prayer
For whom will you pray like Epaphras did for the Colossians – fervently interceding for their spiritual health and growth?
Loving the World
You might look like a Christian on the outside, but are you like Demas on the inside? Does something on this earth mean more to you than everything else? Do you love the comforts of this life more than the Savior? How do you know?
Ministry
How are you going to fulfill the ministry that God has given you today?
Wrapup
Closing
We hope you have been challenged and inspired by these examples of faithful service to do whatever God has called you to do.
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