One of the amazing things about becoming a Christian is learning that you are part of a family that encompasses the whole world. We have brothers and sisters “from every tribe, language, people, and nation” (Rev 5:9). Most of whom we’ll not meet until eternity.

As the church continues to take the gospel message around the world—and every time someone gives their heart and life to Jesus…our family experiences another spiritual birth and expands. It’s hard for us to imagine that thousands are still coming to faith in Christ and that our family is expanding as rapidly as it is when usually all we hear about are local conversions. (The IMB reported over 560,000 overseas baptisms in 2008)

With this many new family members there is no way to know them all personally—but that doesn’t mean we can’t be aware of what’s going on in their lives. Most likely Paul knew only a handful of the people in the church at Colossae or Laodicea. Yet—he was concerned about the things happening there. Why? Because family matters. We’re told in Gal 6:10—to do good to all people…especially to those who belong to the family of believers. However many gifts there are in the body of Christ—we are to use those gifts for the growth, health, education, encouragement, provision, protection, and unity of the church.

As Paul brings his letter to the believers at Colossae to a close—he mentions at least 3 things that we can do in order to demonstrate that family matters to us.

1. We need to stay in communication.

In verses 7-10 we learn that Paul sends 2 men to the church at Colossae for the purpose of communicating what God’s doing in his life (v8). Tychicus and Onesimus are given the task of carrying Paul’s letter to the church and to encourage them by testifying to what God’s been doing in Paul’s ministry. Note: As Christians we should interested in what God is doing through others…not envious.

Another thing happening here might be a test for the church at Colossae, specifically a man in the church by the name of Philemon. Remember Paul has included in his letter directions for Christian relationships and Onesimus is Philemon’s runaway slave. Paul said in chapter 1 that he had heard how the gospel was bearing fruit among the fellowship—their response to Onesimus’ return will be revealing.

Roman law was clear and very harsh concerning runaway slaves, therefore, if Philemon chose to punish Onesimus he would have been within his rights under the law. But—Paul in the book of Philemon, verse 9, asked him, on the basis of love, to forgive Onesimus. The scenario’s where someone in the church is wronged by another person in the fellowship are not uncommon. If this were you—what would your response reveal?

Communication is a vital element to any family…especially the family of God. We try to communicate what’s going on here in this ministry several different ways (bulletins, newsletters, e-mail, website, facebook, twitter, verbally face to face and over the phone) and still it seems people continually say, “I didn’t know about that.”  We know for sure here in this passage that Paul saw the value of communication. For Paul, communicating what God’s doing leads to encouragement. Take time to find out what’s happening right here in this ministry…I believe you’ll be encouraged.

2. We need to express concern.

In verses 10-17 several people are mentioned and all but one is sending their greetings to the fellowship. The only one mentioned here that is not sending a personal greeting is Archippus…and Paul is expressing personal concern for him.

In 3:12 Paul says that “God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, ought to clothe themselves with compassion.” As Christians—it’s our concern for the lost, the hungry, the hurting, the sick, the dying, the outcast, the oppressed…not to mention our brothers and sisters in the faith that leads us to extend the hands of compassion in ministry. To not only reach out…but reach in as well.

Notice—the people Paul mentions here are not only ministering alongside him—some are even ministering to him (v11). Yet—when they learn about Paul’s letter…they want the Colossians to know they’re concerned about them also. Our church sends prayer cards to the members and friends of our fellowship when we learn about trying times in their lives. Ann White stays in contact with our shut-ins through phone calls and mail-outs as well. Our deacons make contact as well. You can’t imagine how many times we’ve heard words of appreciation from these folks…simply saying their glad the church is concerned about them.

I wonder what would happen to life and spirit of this fellowship if we all began to express concern for each other. Let me challenge us today in this way; look around and see who you know is not here this morning, write their name on your bulletin, and then either call them, send a postcard or stop and visit them sometime this week just to let them know you’re concerned. Then—if you will over the next several weeks…let me know some of the responses you’re getting.

3. We need to remain committed.

It’s believed that Paul used a secretary or a scribe to write his letters and then he would take the quill and sign them as a way of letting the readers know it was from him (2 Thessalonians 3:17). Paul mentions two things here in verse 18 as he closes his letter that we can view as a personal challenge to us even today.

Remember my chains. Paul’s chains were a daily reminder for him of the gospel. The reason he was in prison was because he was committed to preaching the gospel (see Ephesians 6:19-20). You and I have been called to the ministry of reconciliation through sharing the gospel (2 Corinthians 5:20). Will we remain committed if and when persecution comes?

Grace be with you. It’s only by God’s amazing grace that we even have the opportunity to come to faith in Jesus Christ (Eph 2:8-9). We understand grace to be the undeserved favor of God on our life. The temptation over the long haul of life will be to begin to presume on the grace of God and start thinking somehow I deserve it. Its then, our commitment can begin to turn into complacency. Perseverance becomes things I want to do.    

I believe if we look closely here—we can see that Paul ends his letter where he began…with the principles of grace and perseverance. Listen to what he says in 1:6, “All over the world the gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.”

As a result of experiencing God’s grace—we need to persevere. Paul has already said in 1:9-12, “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”

Through the gospel we’ve been given the opportunity to hear the truth of God’s Word that is transforming lives all over the world. God has made it possible for men and women—who are separated from Him by their self-centered rebellious spirit…to be reconciled back into a relationship with Him through the death of His Son on a cross. No one can stand before God and say they deserve His forgiveness, but through His grace He offers forgiveness and to those who respond by committing their life to Him…He begins to produce things like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in their life for the world to see.

As this happens—again and again…the family of God expands and that should matter to us. That’s why we communicate what God’s doing in our lives, why we express concern for everyone, and why our commitment to the gospel motivates us.