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.
As a result of their relationship with Jesus, the men that Paul identifies in this passage possessed an intense desire to serve their brothers and sisters in Christ. In the same way, those in our assembly who have truly surrendered to Christ will have an intense desire to serve His Church.
As Paul names his fellow servants, he also points out certain characteristics of their service. These characteristics should be evident in our lives as well. As we assess our Christian service, it is important for us to ask:
1. AM I SERVING FERVENTLY?
“Tychicus” is described as a “faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord”. “Onesimus” is called “a faithful and beloved brother”. “Aristarchus” had labored for the Lord to the point of being imprisoned and it seems that he is currently in chains with Paul at Rome. Concerning “Epaphras”, Paul says that he is a “slave of Christ” who “has a great zeal” for the members of the Colossian church as well as those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. Luke was a doctor who probably could have lived a life of luxury in the secular world, but he sacrificed the pleasures of this life to invest in eternity.
Each of us are indebted to many past and present servants of Christ who have served the Lord fervently. Furthermore, we have the opportunity and responsibility to do the same for others.
- Another question that is important for us to ask is:
2. AM I SERVING COMPASSIONATELY?
Tychicus was coming to the Colossians so that he could “know their circumstances and comfort their hearts.” His ministry would bring comfort and encouragement to the Apostle Paul as well as to his brothers and sisters in Colossae. Epaphras loved the saints at Colossae and desired that they would “stand perfect and complete in all the will of God”. The reason that these men served the Lord’s people is because they possessed a great measure of compassion. God used their compassionate service to point lost people to Jesus and to strengthen and encourage those who were already in Christ.
I am so thankful to be a part of an assembly that is made up of people who are filled with compassion. The compassion of the servants in this church motivates them to evangelize the lost and to encourage and disciple other Christians. It is important for each of us to assess our lives and Christian service and ensure that we are serving others with compassion.
- Epaphras also shows us another important attribute of a genuine Christian servant. His actions should cause us to ask ourselves:
3. AM I SERVING PRAYERFULLY?
Paul says that Epaphras is “always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” This man loved his brothers and sisters so much that he constantly labored in prayer on their behalf. He wanted to see them grow in their faith, learn the will of God, and glorify Him with their lives. This desire was so intense that he wrestled and labored for them in prayer night and day.
Our church would not be what it is today if it was not for certain faithful members who regularly cry out to God on behalf of their brothers and sisters in Christ. Each of us should be actively involved in prayer for each other.
- It is evident that the men in this passage were humble servants of Christ. As we assess our Christian ministry it is important for us to ask:
4. AM I SERVING HUMBLY?
None of these men served the Lord and His church for personal glory or recognition among their peers. There is no way that they could have known that God would be using them as an example of faithfulness over 1900 years later. Tychicus and Onesimus were just humble servants who were willing to serve as couriers to deliver letters to certain Christians and specific churches. But God saw fit to record their names in His Word and to use them to teach others throughout the history of the Church.
Tychicus, Aristarchus, Onesimus, Justus, Epaphras and Luke had a lasting impact on the Church at Colossae, on Paul’s ministry, on the lives of countless Christians and ultimately on the Kingdom of God. The beautiful reality is that many of you have done (and are doing the same thing). You are having an eternal impact on this church, in this community, in the lives of many individuals, and ultimately on the Kingdom of Christ.
The reason that you are involved in such passionate service is because you have been redeemed. You have surrendered to Christ and responded by serving His Church. And you do this faithfully, compassionately, prayerfully, and humbly. You are faithful to serve others for the glory of God, you walk through the doors that the Lord has opened for you, and you do this with love, compassion and a genuine concern for others. Furthermore you do this with much prayer and with a spirit of humility.
There are times when it may seem that your work for the Lord is in vain. You labor and strive and it seems that there is little or even no fruit from your labors. I pray that this passage will encourage you to remember that you are having an impact for Christ everywhere you go. In ministry most of what we do is spiritual in nature and the results are rarely visible, but rest assured God is using you to accomplish His eternal purposes.
It is encouraging to look at the lives and service of these men and to see how God used their faithfulness for His glory. However, there is also a great reminder in this passage that failure is not final! In verse 10 Paul references Mark and through his story we can see:
II. THE PROFITABILITY OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN RESTORED
v10b …with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),
John Mark was the young cousin of Paul’s trusted associate Barnabas. He had traveled with Paul and Barnabas early on in their missionary endeavors. At some point Mark abandoned Paul & Barnabas and returned home. Later, Barnabas sought to see Mark restored to the ministry. Paul did not think this was a good idea and it became a point of contention between these two men. So much so that they parted ways; Barnabas took Mark with him and Silas joined Paul.
It is very encouraging to know that Mark’s failure was not final. He was restored to the Lord and eventually his relationship with Paul was mended as well. At the end of his life Paul proclaimed that Mark was valuable to him and to the ministry. This young man who turned away from the Lord for a time and experienced a period of great failure would go on to be used of the Lord to pen the Gospel of Mark. What a great picture of forgiveness and restoration!
I am sure that many of you could testify that you experienced a period of retreat after surrendering to the Lord. Thankfully, there was someone like Barnabas in your life who helped to restore you. Because of this you have returned to a place where you are actively serving the Lord and His church. Like Mark, you are proof that failure doesn’t have to be final.
If you are currently away from the Lord and not walking with Him like you should, I pray that Mark’s testimony shows you that restoration is possible. I would also implore you to repent, return to the Lord and then return to a place of active Christian service.
- We have seen The Passion Of Those Who Have Been Redeemed, and The Profitability Of Those Who have Been Restored, now I would like for us to examine:
III. THE PERIL OF THOSE WHO HAVE REBELLED
v14“Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.”
Demas traveled and served with the Apostle Paul for a time, but he did not persevere until the end. At some point Demas decided to abandon the Lord’s work. He was tempted by the things of this world and decided that he loved the world more than he loved Jesus. Writing to Timothy, Paul said “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica” (2 Timothy 4:10). The great tragedy of Demas’ story is not just that he abandoned Paul; that was only a byproduct of a much greater issue. The reason that he left Paul is because he loved the world and abandoned the Lord Jesus.
It is heartbreaking to look around the church and know that there are many who were once very active in the work of this ministry but at some point they turned away and returned to the things of this world. Some are like Mark and returned to what was easy and what was comfortable. But the tragic reality is that many of them were never truly part of God’s family. The Apostle John writes about some who “went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us” (1 John 2:19).
There are severe and eternal consequences for those who merely profess to be Christians. If they continue in their hypocrisy and fail to truly surrender to Christ, they will die and go to Hell. Likewise, there are serious consequences for those genuine believers who rebel against God’s will in their lives. Those who are truly born again have a Heavenly Father who loves them enough to discipline them when they fail to obey Him. Hebrews 12:6 says, “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”
If you are currently rebelling against God’s will for your life, you are not only harming yourself, you are having a negative impact on those around you. Instead of being a faithful servant of Jesus, you are bringing shame and reproach on His name. There will be chastisement if you fail to repent and return to the Savior. And if you continue in your rebellion even after experiencing the rod of discipline, you are risking even more severe consequences.
In I Timothy 1:20, Paul wrote about two men named “Hymenaeus and Alexander”, whom he declared that he had “delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme”. Similarly, he instructed the members of the Church at Corinth to do the same. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 5:5 that the church should “deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus”. There is great danger in rebelling against the will of God! Knowing this, will you return like Mark did and allow God to restore and use you? Or will you return to the temporal pleasures of this world and risk the consequences?
While it is important for us to assess our service to the Lord, it is even more important for us to assess our relationship with the Lord. I encourage you to examine your life and ensure that you have truly surrendered to the Lord Jesus. Have you repented and believed in Him? Are you trusting in Jesus for the salvation that only He can provide? If not, I implore you to turn from your sin and trust in Jesus today!
If you know without any doubt that you do belong to the Lord Jesus, would you be willing to yourself some important questions such as: Am I serving fervently? Am I serving compassionately? Am I serving prayerfully? Am I serving humbly? If you cannot answer these questions in the affirmative, then I encourage you to take the steps to make things right today. I pray that you would see the importance of “Assessing Your Christian Service”.
10122025
