You’re Among Friends Part 3 :7-16 Sunday October 27, 2019 Pastor Wayne Hart Scripture Reading

Colossians 4:12-15 , who is one of you, a bondservant of , greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician and greet you. Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and and the church that is in his house.(Colossians 4:12-15) Main Idea:

Knowing Christ and honoring Christ with my life connects us to new friends all around the world. Question: Who are these people?

I. Who is Epaphras? II. Who is Luke? III. Who is Demas? IV. Who is Nymphas? Who is Epaphras?

• He was mentioned earlier in the book as one who brought greetings from the church to Paul. (1:7-8)

“as you also learned from Epaphras…, who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.” (:7–8) Who is Epaphras?

• He was mentioned earlier in the book as one who brought greetings from the church to Paul. (1:7) • There Paul identified him as the one who brought them the , a fellow-servant, and a faithful minister of Christ on their behalf. “which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf,…” (Colossians 1:6–8) Who is Epaphras? • He was mentioned earlier in the book as one who brought greetings from the church to Paul. (1:7) • There Paul identified him as the one who brought them the gospel, a fellow-servant, and a faithful minister of Christ on their behalf. (1:6-8) • In Philemon we learn that like he was a fellow prisoner (v 23)

“Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ , greets you,” (Philemon 23) Who is Epaphras?

• He would appear to be an evangelist working in his hometown area in at least three communities, Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis.

“Epaphras, who is one of you… For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.” (Colossians 4:12-13) Who is Epaphras?

• He would appear to be an evangelist working in at least three communities, Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis. • His work for Christ was intensely personal. • Fellow slave • Laboring fervently for you in prayers • He has a great zeal for you Who is Epaphras?

• He would appear to be an evangelist working in at least three communities, Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis. • His work for Christ was intensely personal. • He was a prayer warrior praying for them the same prayer as Paul. Who is Luke?

• He had a significant role in the early church as a historian, physician, and committed Gentile Christian. Who is Luke?

• He had a significant role in the early church as a historian, physician, and committed Gentile Christian. • By volume, his writings comprise 1/3 the length of the NT. Who is Luke?

• He had a significant role in the early church as a historian, physician, and committed Gentile Christian. • By volume, his writings comprise 1/3 the length of the NT. • He accompanied Paul on many of his missionary journeys. Who is Luke?

• He had a significant role in the early church as a historian, physician, and committed Gentile Christian. • By volume, his writings comprise 1/3 the length of the NT. • He accompanied Paul on many of his missionary journeys. • He was the only one with Paul at the end of Paul’s life. “Only Luke is with me…. “ (2 Timothy 4:11) Who is Luke?

• He represents God use of various individuals from all walks of life to accomplish the work of the church. Who is Demas?

• He is mentioned three times in Scripture. Here, Philemon 24, and 2 Tim. 4:10. Who is Demas?

• He is mentioned three times in Scripture. Here, Philemon 24, and 2 Tim. 4:10. • While he accompanied Paul to Rome here, at his second imprisonment he did not stay with Paul. Who is Demas?

• He is mentioned three times in Scripture. Here, Philemon 24, and 2 Tim. 4:10. • While he accompanied Paul to Rome here, at his second imprisonment he did not stay with Paul. • His departure was viewed by Paul as “loving the world.” Who is Nympha?

• ??????? • I have no idea. Who is Nympha?

• Nympha represents the millions of saints who have labored faithfully for Christ in relative obscurity Conclusion

I. Good friends means I am not in this alone. We are in this together! II. Praise the Lord he has surrounded you with friends so diverse in skill and talent. III. Beware of letting friends take your eyes off of Christ. Where do we go from here?