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Aristarchus, Mark and Justus- My only fellow workers…of the circumcision

Text: Colossians 4:10-12
19 July 2009

(I) PAUL- THE APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES

1. By Divine Appointment

“To which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher to the Gentiles.” 2 Timothy 1:11

2. By apostolic Acknowledgment

“But on the contrary, when they saw the gospel for the uncircumcision had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcision was to Peter,(For He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles)And when James, Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.” Galatians 2:7-9

a) The gospel for the uncircumcision committed to Paul (Gentile ministry)

b) The ministry of Peter and Paul compared (on the same level)

c) Proof of ministry was through noting God’s power working effectively in life and ministry

d) The right hand of friendship extended to Paul and Barnabas in recognition of their ministry to the Gentiles

(II) PAUL- THE MOST MISUNDERSTOOD APOSTLE

1. Hostile Gentiles opposed him (In Philippi… Acts 14:5; 16:19-23)

2. Angry Jews persecuted and hounded him (Acts 13:50; 14:19)

(III) PAUL- HIS UNASHAMED LOVE FOR THE JEWS

1. By declaration (Romans 9:1-3; 10:1)

2. By his unflagging effort to reach fellow Jews (Acts 17:1-3)

(IV) PAUL- HONOURING HIS FEW JEWISH FELLOW-LABOURERS

“Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him)And Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow-workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.” Colossians 4:10-11

1. Good reasons why they are honoured

a) They would have to face the kind of opposition that Paul had suffered all this while

b) Arischarcus was already a fellow-prisoner with Paul ( Colossians 4:10 )

He suffered as Paul did (imprisonment)

c) Mark had to make an about face to minister alongside Paul ( Colossians 4:10 )

i) He ministered with Paul and Barnabas

ii) There was a falling out with Paul

i) Mark abandoned the team on their first missionary trip ( Acts 15:38 )

ii) Mark had the humility to return to Paul’s side

d) Jesus Justus

Little is known of him apart from this mention

2. Words of appreciation

a) Fellow workers

b) Only fellow-workers of the circumcision (Jews)

c) A comfort to Paul ( Colossians 4:11 )

(V) OUR CHALLENGE

1. To have the courage to be identified with a servant of God

2. To have the strength to cope with suffering

3. To be able to bring comfort to fellow-workers