15. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16. After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. 17. Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord." 18. I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.”
Paul was a church planter. The design of Jesus was not just to get converts, but disciples. The Biblical method for disciple-making is to infuse people within the fellowship of believers, the church. This is a local organization that according to Acts 2 was established to corporately worship the Lord, teach the Word of God, and evangelize, but also for fellowship and to help meet the needs of one another in and out of the fellowship.
Paul mentions Nympha and the church in her house. Recent studies show that it was probably a lady, a business woman or wealthy widow. She is part of God's team and was giving what she has to the Lord.
Loved ones, we are all gifted and needed for the building up the local fellowship of believers. When we read these words, we see heartfelt concern for brothers and sisters in the Lord. Paul was God oriented then people oriented. He wasn't concerned about the latest church programs, but he did affirm people and recognized his emotional need for friendships. There was no place for competition, nor pride, nor struggle for authority or power over one another. They were equally submissive to Christ sharing the joy and sorrows of each other. They all want to give their greetings to their friends at Colossae, Laodicea, and Ephesus.
The basis of their relationship was as workers together for Christ. Luke was a doctor, a professional. Onesimus was a slave, probably illiterate. Economic position means nothing nor did race. There were Jews as part of the team as well as Gentiles. There was no social status.
Prejudice has no place in Christian fellowship. If one knows and loves Jesus it doesn't make any difference how rich or poor, or what color their skin is, or what nationality they are, or how popular they are, or what their occupation is, they are brothers and sister in Jesus.
Paul concludes his letter "Remember my chains". He is in prison because of his commitment to Jesus, but he is able to share the ministry because of the precious fellowship.
Ray Stedman prayed this for his church, "Thank you Father for this church to which I belong, for those who help me, intercede for me, support me, love me, inspire me. Lord I cannot live as a Christian without them, for I need that part of Yourself that You have placed within them. And they cannot live without me, because they need the gifts that you have deposited in me. Lord, free us of the selfishness, the self-centeredness, the ego-tips, the independence of spirit that keeps us from binding ourselves into one. Lord, help us to think first of those things which will benefit others before we begin listing our own needs. Give us grace to live in such a way that we draw attention to You. Amen.”
Application and Prayer: Today and days to follow, pray Ray Stedman‘s prayer above. Make it personal to your life and how you pray for your church fellowship.
