Jesus Gave Us Each Other

Minister Joaquin

Colossians 4:7-18

7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. 

10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” 

18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. 

Paul had so many people in his corner to help him 

-              Father got him the privilege of roman citizenship

-              Taught by the best teacher of that time Gamaliel

-              Ananias went to him to help him when he was blind

-              Barnabas went after him to bring him into the fold 

-              Barnabas was willing to mentor him and take him with him when no one else would

-              People lowered Paul in a basket to help get him out of city

-              Churches sent support to Paul

-              Messengers took his letters to the people

-              Epaphras almost died delivering these letters

-              Paul went and wrote to a lot of churches he didn’t start

-              Tychicus carried this letter and the one to the Ephesus church. He stayed to help explain more in detail what was in the letters

-              Paul wrote repeatedly how the strength of others strengthened him

Strength in Numbers

Romans 1:8-12

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

Moses- raised by Pharaoh’s daughter, father-in-law gave him new home, Aaron, Joshua

David- had Samuel to anoint him, Jonathan to protect him, Joab to do his dirty work

Esther- raised and protected by Mordecai

Jesus wants us to strengthen each other

John 17:11-13

11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

How we can strengthen each other more

Sharing everything and not keeping secrets (3:9)

Not criticizing each other (1:28, 4:6)

Sharing in each other’s burdens (1:24)

Cherishing everyone God has brought here (3:11)

Figuring out how each person can help you grow in an area you have been praying about (1:9)

Thanking God for making this family here for us (1:3-4, 3:15)

Praying for God to send someone to help walk alongside you (2:2)

Reach out to others you don’t know that well yet (3:12)

Sacrificing to help someone else (1:29)

Listening to how others like to do things (2:16)

Praying for 100% of the people here and praying for their request more than your own (4:2-3)

We didn’t choose to be together. God chose us to be together. It’s on us to figure out why. How each one of us is supposed to bring more joy to each other’s lives, to offer more strength to each other, and to lighten each other’s burdens.

Applications

1.     Don’t ask how their week was, ask what the three best things from their week were.

2.     What is coming up that I can pray for you?

3.     Send 1 prayer request to all your friends (make it a different one for each person)

Questions

1.     What can you do to help strengthen others here at church and what area of your life can others help you?

2.     Why do you think Jesus stresses how important it is for us to be one to prove his power?

3.     What can we do more of to help us grow closer to each other to make us more of the home of Christ?