by Rich Fry

Early on a rainy and very windy Wednesday morning, men from the West Seattle Campus gathered to offer praise and make requests of Our Lord. Last week, in the wake of an historic election, we paused our study of Colossians to pray for our country and government. This week, we returned to complete our prayerful consideration of this rich epistle, focusing on Colossians 4:7-17:

Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions–if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. (Colossians 4:7-18 ESV)

Pastor Cliff noted that one aspect we should focus on was living to build a legacy for impacting the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. We noted that these verses mention Mark and Luke, authors of two gospels, as well as Acts. We saw an instruction for Archippus that can easily apply to all of us: “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” We may all have ministries in mind for which we have been individually gifted, but that overall, the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) is part of our charge from the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). We also noted that Demas, mentioned in the passage above, did not appear to finish well. (2 Timothy 4:10)

Pastor Cliff asked us to contemplate the following questions before we split into two groups to pray for each other, our church, and missional hearts.

Questions

• What will Jesus and others be saying about how you lived your life loving your neighbor?

• How could you be more faithful to Jesus in the work of the Kingdom?

• What areas in your life would you desire to change and what steps are you willing to take?

Prayers this week:

• Pray for humility, patience, and unity with the leadership at Mars Hill.

• Pray for preparations for the upcoming Thanksgiving Eve service.

• Pray that men would lead well and cover the family.

• Continue to pray for the Song of Songs series. Pray that all believes will seek to pursue their primary identity in Christ, that marriages will be strengthened, and that those yet to be married will pursue relationships that are honoring Jesus.

• Pray against Satan, his tricks, and divisive attempts to hamper the mission of Mars Hill and lead people astay from the truth of the gospel.