Co-laboring for the Kingdom

Of course, as God's people, we know we are part of the new humanity He is building. But what does that look like in everyday life? As an engineer? As a stay-at-home parent? As a student? As a retiree? How do we leverage our lives for the kingdom of God?

As Paul closes his letter to the Colossians, he gives us a picture of what that looks like in the life of the church.

Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here...
-Colossians 4:7-17

Throughout Scripture, God has always provided faithful co-laborers to serve alongside His leaders in the work of the gospel. Paul had men like Tychicus, whom he described as "the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord" (Eph. 6:21). As Paul closes Colossians, he lists several friends and ministry partners who served alongside him "for the kingdom of God" (Col. 4:11).

These fellow workers were not merely helping with tasks. They were participating in the mission of proclaiming Christ and seeing people brought into God's kingdom. Throughout Acts and Paul's letters, working "for the kingdom of God" is closely connected to the proclamation of the gospel and the making of disciples.

Paul ends this letter by showing the church what co-laboring means to him and what it looks like in the life of the church. Then he closes with a final charge:

"See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord." (Col. 4:17)

Everyone has an assignment.

Mine is different than yours. Yours is different than mine.

There are people you can reach that I never will. There are opportunities God has placed in your path that He has not placed in mine. But when each of us takes seriously the ministry God has entrusted to us, the kingdom advances.

For many people, the daunting question is, What is my ministry?

Paul seems to demonstrate that one of the best places to start is by co-laboring in the gospel and working "for the kingdom of God." As he closes Colossians, he highlights ordinary believers who partnered with him in extraordinary ways.

Here are four ways they co-labored in the gospel.

1. Co-Laborers Communicate and Strengthen Churches

Tychicus (4:7-8)

"I have sent him to you for this very purpose... that he may encourage your hearts."

Tychicus was more than a mail carrier. He was a trusted messenger who likely explained Paul's letters, answered questions, and strengthened believers wherever he went.

Kingdom work includes:

* Carrying truth to God's people.
* Strengthening discouraged believers.
* Providing trustworthy communication between churches.
* Encouraging the saints.

Ministry is not only preaching. It is also encouraging hearts.

2. Co-Laborers Embody the Transforming Power of the Gospel

Onesimus (4:9)

"Our faithful and beloved brother."

This is remarkable because Onesimus was formerly a runaway slave (see Philemon). Yet Paul now describes him with the same language he uses for Tychicus.

Kingdom work includes:

* Living as evidence of gospel transformation.
* Demonstrating reconciliation.
* Serving faithfully regardless of your background.
* Showing what God's grace can do in a life.

One of the greatest contributions you can make to the kingdom is a changed life.

3. Co-Laborers Willingly Suffer for the Mission

Aristarchus (4:10)

"My fellow prisoner."

Aristarchus appears throughout Paul's ministry and now shares in Paul's imprisonment.

Kingdom work includes:

* Enduring hardship.
* Standing with gospel workers during difficult seasons.
* Remaining loyal when ministry becomes costly.
* Refusing to abandon the mission when things get hard.

Some people advance the kingdom through sacrifice more than visibility.

4. Co-Laborers Restore and Welcome One Another

Mark (4:10)

This is the same John Mark who once abandoned Paul during an earlier missionary journey (Acts 13:13), leading to sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas.

Yet now Paul says:

"If he comes to you, welcome him."

The gospel had done a work in both men.

Co-laborers pursue reconciliation wherever possible because reconciliation is one of the clearest displays of the gospel's power. Healthy kingdom work creates space for redeemed failures, second chances, and restored relationships.

Kingdom work includes:

* Restoring fallen servants.
* Extending grace.
* Giving people another opportunity to serve.
* Pursuing reconciliation for the sake of the gospel.

Healthy kingdom work makes room for redeemed failures.

As Paul looks around at the people God has placed beside him, he doesn't see superstars. He sees ordinary believers faithfully using their lives for the kingdom. Some encouraged. Some suffered. Some had dramatic testimonies. Some opened doors for reconciliation.

Together they were "fellow workers for the kingdom of God."

The same is true today.

You may not preach sermons, plant churches, or travel the world as a missionary. But if you are using your life to help others know Christ, grow in Christ, and follow Christ, you are participating in God's kingdom work.

"See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord."