Reaching the world for christ

@Livingwater Study 10 ARCHIPPUS: FULFILLING OUR MINISTRY (Scripture Portion: 2 Timothy 2: 1-15) This concluding study in our series is based upon one of Paul’s requests at the end of his Letter to the Colossians:- “Tell Archippus: ‘See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.’ ” (Colossians 4:17) It almost seems as if this personal note was added as a postscript at the end of his letter. Let us look at the four very important thoughts contained in this one verse –- verse 17:- 1 . THE REQUEST THAT PAUL MAKES It is very simple indeed: “Say something to Archippus!” Who was he? He is only mentioned here and in Paul’s letter to Philemon. It is very likely that he was the son of Philemon, in which case he lived in a fine Christian home in Colosse; and he was a minister, a leader, a pastor having the charge of an assembly of believers. Was he the pastor of the church at nearby Laodicea –- Colossians 4:16? In Philemon 2 he is spoken of as Paul’s “fellow-worker”...

@Livingwater Study 9 DEMAS: THE SNARE OF WORLDLINESS (Scripture Portion: 1 John 2: 15-29) Almost every character of whom we read in the Word of God is known for something; each is associated with some deed of glory and honour, or of shame and dishonour. The subject of this study is Demas, who is mentioned in Colossians 4:14. Here was a man who lived and worked with the apostle Paul but who afterwards, like John Mark, deserted him (Luke 9:62). When Paul wrote this Colossian letter all was well (Colossians 4:14), but things had tragically changed when, some four years later, he wrote to Timothy –- see 2 Timothy 4:10. Demas had been a man of great privilege. He had been converted at Thessalonica, most likely through the ministry of Paul. Added to this, he actually worked with the great apostle. But though he was so privileged, he suffered a serious spiritual breakdown; and we must remember that his backsliding started in his heart before it became manifest in his life –- look up Prove...

@Livingwater Study 8 EPAPHRAS: AN EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW (Scripture Portion: 2 Corinthians 4: 1-12) In Colossians 4:12 the apostle Paul describes Epaphras as “a servant of Christ Jesus”. He is mentioned only three times in the New Testament –- in Colossians 1:7-8; 4:12-13 and Philemon 23. He was a native of Colosse and a zealous worker for the Lord; through his ministry many of his fellow-countrymen had been converted, and thus the church at Colosse had been founded. In this church, as well as in the assemblies at Laodicea and Hierapolis, Epaphras exercised a pastoral and a teaching ministry (Colossians 4:12-13). 1 . EPAPHRAS WAS A BELOVED FELLOW -WORKER In Colossians 1:7 the apostle describes Epaphras as his “dear fellow-servant”. There was a special reason for referring to him in this way. At the time this epistle was written Epaphras was with Paul in prison, and he had visited Paul to seek his advice and counsel concerning errors which were creeping into the church at Colosse. But...

@Livingwater Study 7 JOHN MARK: HE TURNED BACK! (Scripture Portions: Acts 13: 1-13; 15: 36-41) We all need the solemn warning of Luke 9:62, and this particular study is specially designed to warn us from taking any course which will bring dishonour upon the Name of the Lord and unhappiness into our lives. John Mark stands out on the pages of the New Testament as a great character –- but he did “turn back”; however, from that position of spiritual relapse he “turned again” and was a most useful servant of the Lord and one whose ministry the apostle Paul valued tremendously (2 Timothy 4:11). In addition, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he wrote the Gospel which bears his name (2 Timothy 3:16). Let us gather up the scripture allusions to this man, whose Hebrew name was John and whose Roman name was Mark (or Marcus). 1 . JOHN MARK WAS GREATLY FAVOURED IN HIS YOUTH His mother was a Christian. We read in Acts 12:12 that the saints met for prayer in her home. He must have had ...

@Livingwater Study 6 A CHAPTER ON HOLY LIVING (Scripture Portion: Colossians 3: 1-25) The whole thrust of Paul’s argument and appeal in this chapter may be summed up thus: “Christian, because of your union with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, ascension and exaltation, your life must be different!” The first two chapters of this letter are doctrinal, but now, with chapter three, we move into the practical and experimental teaching of the epistle. Our belief must behave; our creed must be translated into conduct; what we are “in Christ” (our standing ) must be influenced by and must affect what we are (our state), wherever we are. The doctrine is vitally important, but we must make it attractive (Titus 2:10), and because of all that we are by virtue of our union with Christ, our whole life must be different. 1 . WHAT ARE WE BY VIRTUE OF OUR UNION WITH CHRIST? The expression “with Christ”, which occurs three times, (in verses 1, 3 and 4), gives us the answ...

@Livingwater Study 5 RECEIVING AND WALKING IN CHRIST (Scripture Portions: Psalm 1 and Colossians 2: 6-10) In Colossians 2:6-10 the apostle Paul appeals to Christians to go on in the same way as they started (verse 6). Just as we receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, so we must go on living and labouring –- walking by faith. This passage of scripture, the key-verse of which is verse 6, contains three vital truths about the Christian life:- 1 . WE ARE TOLD WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO BE A CHRISTIAN What is a Christian? Some people believe that to be born in a “Christian” country, to have received a Christian education, or to accept and apply Christian principles makes a person a Christian. Or, they believe that being christened, baptised or becoming a member of a church makes anyone a Christian. No! It is possible to do all these things and still not be a Christian. According to verse 6, and other scriptures to which we shall refer, a Christian is one who has “received Christ Jesus ...

Study 4 THE PASTOR’S CONFLICT (Scripture Portions: Acts 11: 19-26; Colossians 2: 1-5) Paul had never seen the Christians at Laodicea or Colosse face to face, yet he writes to them of his deep concern for their spiritual welfare and of the burden upon his heart for their spiritual and eternal well-being –- Colossians 2:1. What an unveiling of the apostle’s heart! He is a model for every minister, pastor, leader and worker in the Lord’s vineyard; an example we can never hope to equal but should seek by grace to follow. In Colossians 2:1-5 we are told seven things about this conflict of which Paul speaks in verse 1:- 1 . THE NATURE OF THE CONFLICT It was not primarily physical; it was spiritual, mental and emotional. His great heart yearned over the Christians at Laodicea and Colosse, and this issued in a volume of intercessory prayer on their behalf. Paul’s conflict was a burden of spiritual desire for the blessing of the Lord to rest upon those who had been converted through his min...

@Livingwater Study 3 THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST (Scripture Portion: Colossians 1: 15-29) There is coming a day in which the Lord Jesus Christ will have the supremacy, a day when He will be Lord, and when “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow” (Philippians 2:10). What a glorious prospect this is for Him –- and for us! Jesus shall reign where’er the sun Doth his successive journeys run; His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more. But important as is the prophetic application of these words, there is an equally important present, personal application, and that is our theme here. The word “supremacy” means “holding the first place”. We are not thinking of the supremacy of one doctrine over another, one creed over another or one denomination over another, but of one personality over another. The one personality is the Lord Jesus Christ –- and the other is you and me. So, when we speak of the supremacy of Christ we mean Christ occupying the fi...

@Livingwater Study 2 PRAYING AND GIVING THANKS (Scripture Portion: Colossians 1: 9-14) Paul was a man of prayer. He was a great Christian, an outstanding scholar, a model missionary, a giant among men, spiritually, morally and intellectually, but above all he was a man of prayer. His Christian life began in prayer (Acts 9:10-11); he prayed for himself (2 Corinthians 12:7-9), he asked others to pray for him (Ephesians 6:18-20), and he practised the holy art of intercession, praying for others, like his Lord (John 17:9). It is significant to notice that Paul’s prayers were full of praises. In this study we are to notice his praises in Colossians 1:3 and 12; his prayers in Colossians 1:3 and 9; then in Colossians 1:9-14 we are told for what he prayed. 1 . THE CHARACTERISTICS OF PAUL ’ S PRAYER Verse 9 tells us that:- It was marked by PERSISTENCY. “……we have not stopped praying for you……” Paul knew something about unceasing prayer –- look up 1 Thessalonians 5:17, and compare Luke ...

@Livingwater Series 11 Study 1 THE APOSTLE AND HIS LETTER (Scripture Portion: Colossians 1: 1-18) Paul’s letter to the Colossians was written about AD 62 to the church at Colosse, a city in Asia Minor, situated on the Aegean Sea. It is generally supposed that Epaphras founded and afterwards ministered to this church and that Paul never visited the city, as Colossians 1:4,9 and 2:1 seem to indicate. Paul’s object in writing was to send help and guidance in connection with serious heresy which had come into the Colossian church, a false doctrine which was a mixture of speculative oriental mysticism and Judaistic legalism. The former denigrates the Person and Work of Christ, and the latter propagates the false notion that salvation is obtainable by works. How up-to-date Colossians is! –- for you can trace these heresies in practically every modern false system. In Colossians 1:1-8 the apostle gives us a five-fold description:- 1 . PAUL ’ S DESCRIPTION OF THE LORD The false teachin...

@Livingwater Study 10 LIFE ON THE HIGHEST PLANE Key Verse: “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40: 31) The object of this series of studies has been to share some of the biblical secrets of radiant Christian living, and the verse before us tells us what might well be called the over-all secret. If we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that there is very much failure in our Christian living and service: (1) The Word of God convinces us of our failure. Do we not oftentimes “faint” and have “no power” (verse 29)? Do we not often “grow tired” and do we not frequently “fall” (verse 30)? This is God’s description of the failure which so often characterises the lives of His children. But: (2) Observation also convinces us of our failure. We know it is true that we fail because our eyes tell us so as we look at ourselves. Our own heart tells us t...

@Livingwater Study 9 OUR BEST FOR THE LORD JESUS Key Verse: “…a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head.” (Mark 14: 3) The incident recorded in Mark 14:3-9 is a very touching one. Simon had provided a feast in his house out of gratitude to the Saviour for the blessings he had received, and Jesus, His disciples, Mary, Martha and Lazarus were all there. Quite suddenly, Mary moved towards the Lord. She was holding in her hands a beautiful alabaster box which contained very precious delicately perfumed ointment, and to the surprise of everyone there, she broke the box and poured its contents over the head (Mark 14:3) and the feet (John 12:3) of our Lord and anointed Him. The alabaster box and the ointment were worth a considerable amount of money. But what did Mary’s act signify? It signified that she was giving her very best to the Lord Jesus – indeed her all, for as she broke the alabaster bo...

@Livingwater Study 8 BEING CONCERNED FOR OTHERS Key Verses: “And when the men of that place recognised Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to Him and begged Him to let the sick just touch the edge of His cloak, and all who touched Him were healed.” (Matthew 14: 35-36) No Christian can live successfully who does not constantly and systematically seek to share the love of the Lord Jesus Christ with those who do not know Him, and no Christian will ever begin to do this until he or she feels a real concern, a burden for the salvation of the multitudes of men and women who are lost (Luke 19:10), condemned already (John 3:18), and are under the wrath of God (John 3:36). Do you feel any concern for the lost? Have you any passion for souls? Are you burdened as you think of your loved ones and friends and of the thousands of others who are not saved? How long do folk have to be in our company before, with the help of God, we tell them of our ...

@Livingwater Study 7 WHAT TO DO WHEN TROUBLE COMES Key Verse: “David was greatly distressed…But David found strength in the LORD his God” (1 Samuel 30 :6) In this study, which is based on 1 Samuel 30:1-6, we are to consider a period in David’s life when he was plunged into great distress and trouble, and we shall see what he did in his time of trouble and how wonderfully the Lord undertook for him. Trouble is no respecter of persons (Job 5:7; 14:1). Maybe you are passing through a time of trouble now? If so, there is help in this study for you; and if you are not in the midst of trouble today, here is ministry in advance which will prepare you for some future day, for trouble comes to us all, and it is a good thing when we know what to do in a time of trouble. Notice, from 1 Samuel 30:1-6, that:- 1 . David ’ s trouble was very real. There was nothing imaginary about it, as we learn from these verses. How does your trouble compare with his? Does yours have to do with some great l...

@Livingwater Study 6 THE SECRET OF ABIDING JOY Key Verse: “…that my joy might be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15 :11) These words were spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ, and it is most important for us to notice when He uttered them. It was a very strange time to talk of joy and gladness, for in a little while He would be in dark Gethsemane, and shortly after that He would be facing His accusers and hearing the taunts and mockings of those who hated Him. Yes, it was just prior to facing the agonies of Calvary that He spoke of “My joy…”, and it is very significant that, so far as the scripture records are concerned, this is the only time He did speak of His joy. How unique the Lord’s joy must have been if it still remained with Him in the time of such great trial and testing! – and His desire and provision for us (that is, for every believer), is that His joy, which is so different from that of the world, should be our joy – “…that my joy might be in you and that yo...

@Livingwater Study 5 HOW TO EXPERIENCE PERFECT PEACE Key Verse: “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26 :3) This wonderful promise was given in the darkest period of Israel’s history, so it may well prove to be a special help to us today, when we are surrounded by much gloom and depression and when we are constantly threatened with the three great enemies of doubt, fear and worry. When all is going well, and the skies are bright, it is easy to read our key text in a very superficial way; but when clouds of trial, disappointment, fear and alarm drift across our sky and the sun is hidden, then how precious these words become to us!” There is no promise anywhere in the Bible which encourages us to believe that while we are in our earthly bodies we shall experience freedom from trouble; but there is something far better – there is the promise of peace in the midst of trouble. Of what value would freedom from trouble be if we h...