Sermon Cloud

Fellowship of believers
    Colossians 4:2-18
    FCOCLH 4/19/09

INTRODUCTION:  
1.    Fellowship of prayer – there is a fellowship or prayer throughout the NT.   I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
    a.    “Devote” yourself to prayer
        i.    Term used 10 times in NT. 5 times for prayer.  A couple of times for other godly activity.
        ii.    It is a long-term commitment
        iii.    It is difficult (no one has to devote themselves to eating sweets watching mindless t.v.)
    b.    Unbounded by geography, but it should be informed
        i.    Tychicus was a reporter
        ii.    Today we can be informed
            (1)    missionaries we support
            (2)    areas of the world/country
            (3)    specific causes
    c.    Focused on what is important
        i.    Proclamation
            (1)    Paul doesn’t ask for prayers for his safety
            (2)    His only concern is that the gospel be presented in fullness
        ii.    Redemption of time (not really a part of prayer)
        iii.    Maturity (Epaphras’ prayer v. 12)
Fellowship of prayer leads to another type of fellowship we share with one another:
2.    Fellowship of encouragement
    a.    Tychicus
    b.    One of the main purposes for attending church – See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:12-13
Fellowship of encouragement will often lead to the fellowship of redemption.
3.    Fellowship of redemption
    a.    Onesimus “our faithful and dear brother” – I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. Philemon 1:10-11
    b.    Mark –
        i.    Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,  Act 15:37-39
        ii.    Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.  2 Timothy 4:11
    c.    Paul – speaks of himself as an apostle abnormally born.
    d.    We all share in the same journey of redemption.  We have all sailed from the Atlantic to the Pacific (i.e. unsaved to saved.  Some have gone through the Panama Canal; others have sailed the icy waters around the tip of S. America, but we have each come from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Unlike Mark on the 1st journey, there are those who share in the:
4.    Fellowship of sacrifice –For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.  Philippians 1:29-30
    a.    Aristarchus – Arrested in Ephesus during the riot.