Sunday sermon review - Christ’s Supremacy in Action

Yesterday’s sermon was from Colossians 4:7-18 where Paul wraps us his letter to the Colossians by sending a bunch of greetings. This is not a typical sermon text! And that means there are not a lot of great resources from which to draw some inspiration. 

However, through diligent study but primarily the inspiration of the Spirt, a significant, main point rose out of this otherwise innocent looking passage. In verse 11 Paul called the people who joined him in ministry “my fellow workers for the kingdom of God.” Not “fellow Christians,” “fellow ministers” or even “fellow workers for the gospel.” No, the title he chose was “fellow workers for the kingdom of God.” 

What is the significance of calling these people “workers for the kingdom of God”? 

The end of the book of Acts (Acts 28:23-31) records two of Paul’s years in Rome. While preaching to the Jewish leaders there, said he was “proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” (Acts 28:31) This last phrase “without hindrance” is actually one Greek word that does end the book which means literally “unhinderedly.” This unique little gem usually occupies my thoughts on this verse and has heretofore distracted me from this really cool reference to the kingdom of God. 

Here’s the point… Paul’s message in Rome while all these “fellow workers” are joining him is about the kingdom of God. Do you see the connection?

Think about this. Paul’s main point in Colossians has been the supremacy of Christ in all things especially in the church and the life of the believer. As he is getting ready to sum up his letter to the Colossians here in 4:7-18, instead of stating again that Christ is supreme, he switches metaphors so to speak and mentions his fellow laborers who are working for the kingdom of God. What Paul taught for two years in Rome (the kingdom of God), his followers became (workers for the kingdom of God).

Paul’s final encouragement to the Colossians is “If you will devote yourself to these teachings, you will become what Christ wants you to be: a living display of his supreme glory. Just look at these workers with me who heard me preach for two years about the Kingdom, and now they are faithful workers for that same Kingdom.” 

It is a remarkable testimony to close this letter. The implicit promise of God that we will become like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:29) will be fulfilled if we, by faith, obey these words Paul writes. 

So, Colossians closes not just with a bunch of greetings, but with the promise of Christlikeness for his glory… if we will by faith let God’s word saturate our hearts and minds.