was now with him in prison in Rome. Paul prayed as he did for the GROWING INTO YOUR CLOTHES church at Colossae because he knew of the work that Epaphras had done. :3-8 Epaphras knew he could tell Paul not only the good news, but also about the heresy that was afflicting the church. INTRODUCTION A church was in need of a pastor. A candidate came who preached on hell. Around his neck he wore an amulet. It was a magical stone to protect the The next Sunday another candidate came whose sermon was also on hell, and wearer from evil spirits. On it was inscribed, “, , Ouriel, his fundamental teaching was the same as that of the first one. When the Raphael protect the one who wears this…Flee O hated one, Solomon pursues members of the church were called upon to vote, they voted for the second you.” candidate. When they were asked why, the answer was, “The first one spoke as A young man called Epaphras travelled from Colossae to Ephesus where if he were glad that people were going to hell, while the second was sorry for he met Paul and responded to the message Paul was preaching. it.” Returning to his home town, Epaphras shared the good news of . Minister means servant or slave. A minister is not a ruler but a servant. Others were converted and so a church came into being in Colossae. The A person is made a minister not through some ritual but only by the call church grew in faith and in numbers but then a problem arose. Someone, of God. After the Resurrection met some of his disciples by the Sea claiming to have superior insight into the spiritual realm and set himself of Galilee. After breakfast Jesus spoke to Peter. Two or three years up as a spiritual guide telling church members they needed to practices before Jesus had said to Peter and the other fishermen, “Follow me and I certain rituals and observe certain taboos to protect them from evil spirits will make you fishers of men.” That was Peter’s call to discipleship. On and deliver them from their afflictions. Like many heresies this was very this later occasion: persuasive and caused the Colossian Christians to be uncertain and John 21:15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon unhappy. Paul was in prison in Rome and Epaphras had brought him the Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said news of what was happening in Colossae. Paul writes to the church to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed reminding them that Christ is Lord of all and by his death and my lambs.” resurrection has secured redemption. There is no need for magic stones, That was Peter’s call to ministry. Such was Epaphras, Paul’s fellow strange rituals and calling upon . Positively and encouragingly he slave and faithful minister in Christ. tells the Christians how he thanks God for them.

CONCLUSION CHRISTIANS It has been said that the prayers in the are like the clothes that Paul is thanking God for the Colossians because although he does not parents buy for their children. The clothes are too big, but the children know them personally, what he learns of them shows that they live the grow into them. The prayers of the Bible are so big that we need to grow very essence of the Christian life. (1) They show faith in Christ. They into them. Paul thanks God for the Colossians faith, love and hope, for believe in Christ, know him as Lord and Savior. They know what they their reception of the by which they were able to grow in the truth believe. Accepting and knowing Christ as Lord means recognizing in and for a minister like Epaphras concerned for his people facing a Christ all that OT reveals God to be: Creator, Redeemer and Savior. difficult and dangerous situation. Are we content with just a diaper or Christ, by highest Heav’n adored; Christ the everlasting Lord; are we growing into the clothes God has for us? Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb. 1 Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity, (C. Wesley) Yet no part of the Bible departs from the uncompromising monotheism that is declared. Since the incarnation the one God is revealed in an intimate relationship of Father and Son. This is the relationship the Christian has with God. To make Jesus only an exalted man or a superior being is to dishonor God We are living in an age when people think it is well just to love God, and 1 CCC Sunday January 4, 2015 they talk about the "spirit" of Christ, an ethical Christ, and other human Christs. It all sounds very well, but it is direct blasphemy and rebellion God because we shall be changed to be like Christ and glorified and against the dignity of Jesus and the authority of the Father. (Simpson) perfected at the last day. We may have to endure hardships. We have a Colossians 1:19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to hope that results in joy. dwell, (2) Paul is not only thankful for the orthodoxy of the Colossians faith. CHURCH He gives thanks for the love that you have for all the saints. There is an Thinking of the church as a whole, Paul continues to thank God that the orthodoxy that is good but loveless. Love for others can become mere faith, love and hope of the church members at Colossae came to them in sentimentality. The Colossians were loyal to Christ and loyal to one the word of truth, the gospel. How different is this from the empty another. deceit of the heresy with which the church is being deceived. The The Christian faith is not only a conviction of the mind; it is also an church’s life and witness has been bearing fruit and attracting people. outflow of the heart. (W. Barclay) Not only at Colossae, but all over the world. Within about thirty years There was a barber who one week noticed that there was a good increase in the gospel had spread from Jerusalem into Syria, Asia Minor, Greece, his business. When he tried to find out why, he discovered that his competitor, Italy, Egypt, North Africa, and Persia. This is so different from the another barber in the town, was ill. When the week ended, he took all that he restrictive message of the heresy which was only for those who had made above his average earnings and carried it to his competitor with his underwent an initiation ceremony and practiced certain rituals. Paul is Christian love and sympathy. giving thanks for the power of the gospel and the expansion of the Christian love is the only kind of love in which there is no rivalry, no church: in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing. This is jealousy. Perfect love is love for God and love for our fellow men and still happening. The decline of the church, although to a lesser extent in women. These are the greatest commandments. USA, that is a fact in Britain and Europe, is not so world-wide. The (3) Paul is also thankful that these Christians have the hope laid up for Christian Church is the fastest growing family on the planet. We have you in heaven. Christian hope is not believing that God is like Santa nothing to be complacent about, but over the past few years we have had Clause. Santa has two lists: Naughty and Nice. Only if you are on the real, if modest, growth in attendance, church membership and giving. Nice list will you get a Christmas present. Heaven is not a reward for We have extended our interest, giving and prayers to support the being good. The Christian life can be difficult. At the time when Paul Christian Service Center in Ocoee, helping to feed hungry families in was writing he was in prison for no other reason than he was a Christian. Orlando, the witness of Willy and Gertrud among farmers in Switzerland Many Christians were facing persecution and many continue to do so in and Pastor Deva of Restoration Ministries among the Dalit (oppressed) our own time. The violence in Iraq and Syria is Muslim against Muslim people of India. but Christians also are being targeted by the terrorists. Away from these We are told that when Jesus had finished His ministry on earth and had places, in America, Britain, Europe, the Christian life is not always easy. returned to heaven, the Gabriel met Him, saying: ‘Lord, you have done The Christian way often seems to be the way of a fool. Why forgive wonderful work among men, but have you made any plans for carrying it on?’ others? Why spend your life serving others? Why not have a Then answered Jesus: ‘I have given the message to Peter and John, and to a determination to get on in life even if it means pushing aside the ‘weaker few fishermen; and also to and Mary and other women. They will tell brother’? Christians can live and endure in the way to which we are their friends, and they in tum will pass it on till the whole world will know.’ called because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Christian hope is But Gabriel was not impressed by this reply. ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘these fishermen will be busy with their nets, and the women have housework to do. May they the certainty of salvation/eternal life/righteousness/resurrection/God’s not forget to pass the message on? Surely you have other plans? Then the glory (all these terms are used in NT). While hope points us to the future Lord smiled radiantly. ‘No,’ said He. ‘I have left the message with these, and I it is also a present reality. It is laid up for you in heaven means it am counting on them] already exists. We are saved, we have eternal life … but one day all this will be completed and perfected. We have this hope because we have MINISTERS Christ. It all centers on him. We are saved because he is Savior. We In his thanksgiving Paul prays for Epaphras. Paul did not know the have eternal life because he is alive. We have the hope of the glory of church at Colossae personally. He knew their minister, Epaphras who