May 22 - Colossians 1:6-8
“All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.”
In Luke 15:7, Jesus tells several parables about the joy of finding something that was lost, the shepherd with one hundred sheep, one is lost and rejoices when it is found; the woman with a lost coin who calls her friends to rejoice with her when it is found and finally the story of the prodigal son, whose father throws a great party upon his return.
Within the telling of the first two stories, Jesus says something wonderful, “There is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent,” (Luke 15:7) and then again, “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)
As the Gospel of Jesus Christ spread, the world was transformed. This has happened in incredible ways throughout history. Many in our contemporary world were able to see the Gospel race across Asia and then across Africa. People who had never been exposed to God’s Word were offered hope that changes lives and they grabbed this hope and shared it with their friends and family.
The first flood of this change came as Jesus’ disciples and then Paul traveled throughout the Mideast. It was spreading and flourishing, bringing hope to Jews and Gentiles alike. From the day the Colossians heard about God’s grace, they began to bear fruit … they began to share this truth with others.
If we look back at Colossians 1:4, Paul tells them that he has heard of their faith AND their love for the saints … other Christians. This ‘fruit’ that Paul is talking about is their love.
Epaphras was the man who evangelized this area. Paul didn’t do the work here, but Epaphras is obviously part of Paul’s team. He has returned to Paul to report on the work that has been done and he has done so with great excitement. People have responded to God’s grace, churches have been started and God’s Word is being spread throughout the region.
“All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.”
In Luke 15:7, Jesus tells several parables about the joy of finding something that was lost, the shepherd with one hundred sheep, one is lost and rejoices when it is found; the woman with a lost coin who calls her friends to rejoice with her when it is found and finally the story of the prodigal son, whose father throws a great party upon his return.
Within the telling of the first two stories, Jesus says something wonderful, “There is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent,” (Luke 15:7) and then again, “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)
As the Gospel of Jesus Christ spread, the world was transformed. This has happened in incredible ways throughout history. Many in our contemporary world were able to see the Gospel race across Asia and then across Africa. People who had never been exposed to God’s Word were offered hope that changes lives and they grabbed this hope and shared it with their friends and family.
The first flood of this change came as Jesus’ disciples and then Paul traveled throughout the Mideast. It was spreading and flourishing, bringing hope to Jews and Gentiles alike. From the day the Colossians heard about God’s grace, they began to bear fruit … they began to share this truth with others.
If we look back at Colossians 1:4, Paul tells them that he has heard of their faith AND their love for the saints … other Christians. This ‘fruit’ that Paul is talking about is their love.
Epaphras was the man who evangelized this area. Paul didn’t do the work here, but Epaphras is obviously part of Paul’s team. He has returned to Paul to report on the work that has been done and he has done so with great excitement. People have responded to God’s grace, churches have been started and God’s Word is being spread throughout the region.
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