Final Greetings From and For The Family

November 20, 2022 • Steve Hinton • Colossians 4:7–18

1. Those Carrying the letter of Encouragement   7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. 2. Those Jews of Encouragement   10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.    Acts 15:36-40 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 2 Timothy 4:11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. 3. Those Greeks of Encouragement   12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.   2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.              4. Sharing Encouragement   15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.   5. Challenge to Continue in Encouragement   17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”   18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.   Philippians 1:12-14 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.   What will God do in the future if Christ does not return in 10 – 100 years?  Will you be in the picture?

Sharing His Preeminence

November 13, 2022 • Steve Hinton • Colossians 4:5–6, Matthew 5:13, 1 Peter 3:15, Luke 19:10, 2 Corinthians 5:19–20

Colossians 4:5-6 . . . Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person   God’s Heart is for those Outside and He’s Called us to Reach Out to Them!    1. The Reality of People Being Outsider.   2. Calls for us to Engage in Outreach.          Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. (Ref 5:17)   3. Which will Create Opportunities.             1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect    4. That Demands our Ownership.          Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.   2 Cor 5:19-20a God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s Ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.   “We are committed to Fully loving God by Actively Following Jesus and Compassionately Seeking Others.”   Parable of the Loving Father – Luke 15 . 

Preeminent Prayer

November 6, 2022 • Steve Hinton • James 4:3, 1 Peter 5:8, Colossians 4:2–4, Acts 2:42, Ephesians 6:18