Colossians
Sunday, June 13, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, I thank You for every person who has ever told another person the Good News of Jesus’ salvation! I praise You for being a loving, active God, who also gives us an active part in the ministry of reconciliation. I pray that You will be glorified in my life today and always, that You will fill me with the Holy Spirit that all that I say and do will bring others to a fuller knowledge of Your goodness and truth. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God's Word For Me Today
Colossians 1:7-14
7Epaphras, our much loved co-worker, was the one who brought you the Good News. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us in your place. 8He is the one who told us about the great love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.
9So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. 10Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better.
11We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, 12always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God’s holy people, who live in the light. 13For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. 14God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.Reflecting on God’s Word
Who first told you the Good News of Jesus’ salvation?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
According to today’s Scripture, who brought the Good News of salvation to the Colossian Christians? (1:7)
How does Paul describe Epaphras? (1:7)
Who does Paul credit with giving the Colossian Christians a great love for others? (1:8)
Understanding God’s Word
Why do you suppose that Paul invests so much time in his letter affirming the ministry of Epaphras?
What does this tell us about the importance of sharing the Good News of Jesus with others?
Applying God’s Word to Our Lives
With whom do you need to share the Good News of Jesus in your life right now?
Thoughts...The One who Brought the Good News...
Epaphras’ role among the Colossian Christians cannot be overemphasized—he is the one who brought them the Good News of Jesus’ salvation! If not for Epaphras it may well be that no one in Colosse would have known Jesus in that particular time. There are villages and towns in our world today waiting for their “Epaphras.” As hard as it is to believe there are still people in our world who have never heard of Jesus. I met some of them in Cambodia back in March. Here in the U.S. all of us have heard of Jesus, but not all of us have HEARD of Jesus. What do I mean by that? I mean that Jesus may have been mentioned on a television show, or in negative terms by a parent or relative. Your neighbors may need someone to bring the Good News to their door! Once we receive the Good News of Jesus’ salvation into our own hearts, minds and lives, one of the best ways of showing our gratitude to Jesus is by sharing that Good News with someone else. Today may be the day you have the opportunity to bring the Good News to someone, so be ready and share!