Skip to content

Pastor Brian Sump

“Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. 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.) 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. 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. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 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. Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”  I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.” Colossians 4:7-18 NIV

We tend to see God through the lens of our circumstances

“… that you may know about our circumstances…” Colossians 4:8 NIV

God is greater than my circumstances. From Paul’s life we see:

1.He is greater than my adversity

“I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.” Colossians 4:18 NIV

“… far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.” 2 Corinthians 11:23b-27 ESV

2. He is greater than my loneliness

  • If I am feeling low – He is able to lift me up

He will place people in our lives who will:

  • Encourage us – “I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.” Colossians 4:8 NIV
  • Comfort us – “These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.” Colossians 4:11 NIV
  • Assure us(through maturity in our struggles) – “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.” Colossians 4:12 NIV

3. He is greater than my achievements

  • If I am well – He has given me this favorable position