It Starts Small

³ We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴ because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— ⁵ the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel ⁶ that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. ⁷ You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, ⁸ and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

Colossians 3:3-8

 We always thank God

The Colossian church stands as a powerful testament to God’s incredible work transcending our limited vision! Remarkably, Paul and his close companions never set foot in Colossae, yet a vibrant and faithful church flourished there! How is this possible? Why did it happen? We may not have all the answers, but it was undeniably God at work! Stories like this ignite our spirits. They remind us that even when we can’t see it, God is actively moving in the world around us. We might never fully grasp the profound impact of our preaching, teaching, training, or discipling of others. However, we can trust that fruit can emerge at the most unexpected times. It can happen in the most astonishing places!

In this powerful passage, we witness a profound application of faith. Paul fervently declared that he was “praying always for you.” We too must immerse the ministry we undertake for the Lord in heartfelt prayer. Initially, our prayers may be directed towards unnamed individuals or distant places, yearning for fruit to blossom in unexpected corners. God moves in His mysterious ways. We will be able to attach names and faces to those fervent prayers. This will ignite our hearts with purpose and connection.

we have heard of your faith

Here is more compelling evidence. Paul had not directly visited this church. He had only “heard” of their vibrant faith. He had not “seen” it firsthand. Yet, this verse powerfully illuminates the profound love Paul held for believers scattered across the globe. It mattered not that he didn’t know most of them personally or that he had never ministered in their midst. They were redeemed by the same magnificent Christ, chosen by the same sovereign God, baptized with the same Holy Spirit! Paul wasn’t short-sighted in his ministry; he didn’t confine his vision to the immediate surroundings. Instead, his heart and ambitions soared beyond himself, reaching out to places where Christ had never been proclaimed. With relentless passion, he devoted his time and resources to uplift and teach these precious believers!

How would you have reacted to this powerful news if you were Paul? Are you truly willing to open your heart? Can you think deeply and pray fervently? Can you show genuine care for people beyond the familiar confines of your own circles of influence? Do you take the time to pray for struggling countries? Do you pray for mission work around the globe? This ignites a fire of compassion within yourself.

the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you

¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

The Colossians exemplified the three foundational cornerstones of the Christian faith. They showed faith, hope, and love. These virtues radiated in their lives. If someone were to pen your story, would they capture you embodying these essential qualities? Which of these powerful areas calls you to deepen your journey? What is one heartfelt and specific way you can express love to someone in your life this very week?

In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world

This is what the gospel is meant to ignite! It should never be stagnant! A genuine believer cannot simply raise a hand during a church service and remain unchanged. When someone wholeheartedly embraces Christ, the Spirit takes residence in their heart and initiates a thrilling journey of sanctification. Yes, there will be moments of stumbling. There might even be a temporary retreat in their relationship with the Lord. However, the prevailing journey must be one of vibrant growth. It should not be a journey of stagnation or backsliding. A believer who isn’t experiencing growth is an anomaly, a rarity in the kingdom! The absence of growth signals an urgent issue lurking beneath the surface. It may even point to the unsettling possibility that the individual is not truly a believer at all!

The undeniable reality is that the word of truth continues to flourish. It yields fruit. This powerfully illustrates the magnificent strength of God!

⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

If a person is a true believer, God relentlessly works in their lives, fostering remarkable growth! How about you? Are you consistently bearing abundant fruit, or do you find it happening only now and then? Is the Word of truth flourishing within you? How can you truly discern if you are growing? It’s vital that we set ambitious goals for ourselves and regularly assess our spiritual journey. Don’t fall into complacency or settle for your current spiritual state! Keep advancing forward and soaring higher, fueled by the boundless grace of God!

Epaphras, our dear fellow servant,

Epaphras was profoundly shaped by Paul. This influence occurred during Paul’s impactful ministry in Ephesus. Perhaps it even happened at Paul’s dedicated two-year training school. Filled with zeal, Epaphras carried the gospel back to Colossae, igniting hope and faith in the hearts of many. Paul held him in high esteem. He referred to him as a “beloved fellow bond-servant.” This is a powerful call for all of us! We are to embrace one another. We should cherish each other as companions on this journey. We must embody the spirit of faithful bond-servants of the Lord. It was through Epaphras that Paul uncovered the vibrant faith of the Colossians and the formidable challenges they courageously faced.

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Discussion Questions

• Why does Paul start many epistles with his gratitude toward the church he is writing to?
• What kind of tone does this set for the rest of the book?
• How can we learn from this in our own interaction with others?
• What specifically can you do to be more encouraging to others?
• What specific positive things did Paul say about the Colossians?
• How may Paul have “heard” about their faith and love (4, 9)?
• What does this indicate about the Colossians?
• What effect did the gospel have in their lives?
• How important is it for the gospel to “constantly bear fruit and increase?”
• Is the word of truth constantly bearing fruit and increasing in your life?
• How can you even evaluate this?
• Who is Epaphras?
• What do other Bible passages tell us about this character?
• What did Paul think about him?
• What can we learn from him?

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