Assessing Your Christian Service Series

ASSESSING YOUR CHRISTIAN SERVICE

Colossians 4:7-14

(Antioch Baptist Church: Sunday Morning December 1st, 2024)

Antioch has recently endured a period of twenty months without a permanent pastor. During an interim period many churches experience a decline, however, this church has not just survived, it has thrived. Without a doubt, God used Bro. Randy Hagan in a mighty way during that time. However, he would be the first to tell you that he couldn’t have done it alone. Bro. Ronny Moore and Bro. Scott Smith both had very productive and fruitful tenures as your pastor. Both of those men were faithful servants of God who were used for a specific season of ministry. I am sure that they would also be quick to say that what God accomplished during their time here could not have been done alone.

There is no way for me to articulate just how important it is for the servants of God to join together and serve side by side for the sake of the Gospel. Throughout the New Testament we see many amazing things that can happen when the people of God serve together for the cause of Christ and the glory of God.

I am confident that God has placed us together at this point in time for a very special and specific purpose. I believe that the Lord intends for Antioch Baptist Church to have a positive and eternal impact on this community and ultimately on His Kingdom. With that being said, if this is to happen it will require each and every one of us serving Him together.

In every Epistle that was penned by the Apostle Paul he mentions various saints that he saw as his “fellow soldiers” and “co-laborers” in the Gospel ministry. In the closing verses of his letter to the Colossians, Paul lists several men who were actively involved in the work of the ministry. As he references their labor, the Apostle speaks to the faithfulness of some, he points out the restoration of one who had retreated for a time, and he mentions one man who would later leave the ministry altogether.

There are people in attendance here today who fit in each of these categories. Some of you are faithful servants of Christ, others were once faithful but for one reason or another you have retreated, and tragically, there may be some here today who will walk away from the church, your area of ministry, and the Lord.

- As we examine this passage it is important for us to consider our own service to the Lord and His Church. I would encourage you to spend some time today “Assessing Your Christian Service”.

In these verses Paul is concluding his letter to the Church at Colossae. He mentions several of his fellow servants and offers the church greetings from them. The Church was blessed to have a man like Paul who was willing to faithfully proclaim the truth of God’s Word. However, Paul would tell you that he could not have accomplished all that he did by himself. All of his Epistles reference certain men and women who were fellow-laborers in the Kingdom work and fellow-soldiers in the battles that he fought.

The only reason that the ministry of this church has been fruitful for over 180 years is because certain men and women of God joined together and served the Lord for His glory. We are indebted to those servants from the past, and I am thankful for the many servants who are presently serving the Lord Jesus. I hope and pray that you are actively involved in this amazing work. If you are not, I would like to encourage you to join us!

- As we assess our Christian service I would like to examine:

I. THE PASSION OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN REDEEMED

Ref: v7-14

The men that Paul references in this passage were men who belonged to the Lord Jesus. Tychicus and Onesimus are described as “beloved brothers”; this speaks to the fact that they had been born into the family of God. Aristarchus was a “fellow prisoner” because he had surrendered to the Lord Jesus. Mark was serving in the ministry because he was saved. Justus greeted his brothers and sisters because they were all part of God’s family. Likewise, Epaphras and Luke were concerned with their fellow saints in Colossae.

These people (though separated) were all concerned with the welfare of one another because they belonged to the same family. The reason that they were part of the same family is because they had been born again and became part of God’s eternal family. We are able to experience many amazing things when we assemble together and the reason is that we are part of the same spiritual (and eternal) family. This is made possible through our common faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.