Fingerprints In The Church

FINGERPRINTS IN THE CHURCH

Colossians 4:7-14

(February 2023)

One week ago Brother Earl was right over there, seated in his regular place. Today he is worshipping at the feet of Jesus. Yesterday I spent most of the day here on campus and everywhere I went I saw things that reminded me of him. I saw the paper towel holders and remembered that he purchased and installed them many years ago. I saw the bell tower out front and remembered that he is the one who arranged for it to be built. As I hooked up the laptop in preparation for worship I was reminded that he was the one who purchased it. Though Bro. Earl is no longer with us, his “fingerprints” are all over this church (and will be for many years to come).

Last night as I was walking through the church I realized that there are (metaphorical) fingerprints all over this building. These “metaphorical fingerprints” that I speak of are not only seen on things that are physical in nature. Many have left behind “spiritual fingerprints” and these are even greater, for their imprint will last throughout eternity. Quite often we hear testimonies of how a certain brother or sister from years gone by had an impact in the lives of others. People tell of how certain brothers led them to faith in Christ, helped them to return to the Lord after a time of rebellion or how the Lord used them to strengthen their faith. Others tell of how certain sisters prayed for them, encouraged them, taught them, and ministered to them in a special way. Each and every one of you is here today because someone left a fingerprint on your life.

The same is true for me; I am a Christian today because I had parents and grandparents who loved me enough to take me to church and teach me about the Lord Jesus. Furthermore, I would not be standing in this pulpit if it were not for certain pastors who cared enough to stand and faithfully preach the Word of God. Those same men cared enough to invest in my life and they taught me as much outside of the church as they did from the pulpit on Sunday mornings. Time would not permit me to tell of all the many faithful servants who taught me in Sunday school, VBS, Children’s Church and Wednesday night classes.

Just as some have left fingerprints in the church and on your life, you are doing the same for others. For the next little while I would like to walk through our selected text and point out some of the “fingerprints” that I see when I look at Stockdale Baptist Church. In the process I would like to preach on the thought “Fingerprints In The Church”

In these verses Paul is concluding his letter to the Church at Colossae. He begins to mention several of his fellow-servants and to send the church greetings from them. There were some heretical teachers in Colossae who were teaching a false doctrine that undermined the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ. Their teaching promised a deeper spiritual life through knowledge. Paul wanted his readers to comprehend that Christ alone is the source of spiritual life.

Throughout history the Church has been blessed to have men like Paul who faithfully proclaimed the truth of God’s Word. However, Paul would tell you that he could not have accomplished all that he did for the Kingdom alone. 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 100 years is because certain men and women of God joined together and served the Lord for His glory. I am not just referring to those from our past; there are many current servants who are leaving fingerprints on this church, in this community and ultimately they are having an impact for the Kingdom of Christ.

- When we survey this assembly:

I. WE SEE THE FINGERPRINTS OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN REDEEMED

Each of the men that Paul speaks of in a positive light was men who belonged to the Lord Jesus. They were surrendered saints who faithfully served the Church. Thankfully this describes the majority of people in attendance today. As we look across this building we see many who have been redeemed.

- It is encouraging to know that:

A. THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SURRENDERED TO CHRIST

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. This was made possible through their faith in Jesus Christ.