Jesus Christ brings to us the conquering message of his gospel

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Introduction

“Grass is one of the most resilient plants in the world. In the dry, open plains lightning can strike the grass during a storm, igniting a flash fire. The flames sprint over thousands of feet of the flat landscape, tragically outpacing fleeing animals, and burning the grass to a black crisp. 

The grass at first appears annihilated, but it soon grows back out of the ashes. It can do this because the roots are beneath the surface of the ground, safe from the flames.”

I am told that in wildlife sometimes they have to burn old grass so that they can have fresh and repaid growth of the new one can happen. For some time you see a burned surface but beneath something hidden to the human eye takes place. It is a mystery! The growth is take place by itself.

Brothers and Sisters such is the gospel message of our Lord Jesus Christ, as we come to our text this morning.

I preach to you:

Jesus Christ brings to us the conquering message of his gospel 

1. The effects of this gospel message
2. The instruments of this gospel message

The effects of this gospel message

Brothers and Sisters, our text forms part of what we can call ‘Paul’s thanksgiving prayer’. The Apostle is thanking God for the faith and love and hope that God gave to believers in Colossi. 

This has become almost like a signature in the introductions of Paul’s letters. Paul in many places began his letters by thanking God for the gifts that He gave to the Church. 

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (1Thessalonians 1:2-3).

The latter is a good reminiscent of our text for this afternoon.
Having said that I do not mean that we should not treat these prologues as merely rites. There is a great deal we can learn from how Paul views prayer. You will also notice that Paul makes some kind of build-up in his introduction to what he will be dealing with later in the letter. I will come to this later.

What are the things which will top our list if I can ask for a prayer request? Do we spend enough time thanking God for the things that He already gave us for instance? Brothers and Sisters, do we spend enough time counting our blessings when we pray?

Paul starts by mentioning the things which he thanks God for on behalf of every believer that he writes to. In this case he thanks God for the faith, hope and love which God has given to the believers in this church of Colossi as I have already mentioned. He will of course move from verses 9 till 14 to the things which he asks for, on behalf of these Colossian believers.

Then you will see the close connection between the thanksgiving prayer of Paul and His partitions. One commentator puts it this way:
“Paul was a true pastor: he was grateful to God for the Colossians’ progress, but he also wanted them to grow in their understanding and godly behaviour and to deal with the false teaching that was making inroads into the church. He may also have wanted his readers to use this prayer as a model to their own praying to God.”

My Christian friends, what we ask God, has to help us to live that, which God has given us. And we must realize and be thankful always for all our blessings. 

These gifts which God has given the church of Colossae are the results of the gospel message which was preached to them. We read the following in verse 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.” 

It was from this gospel message that these believers received these three gifts. This is the reason why Paul is full of thanksgiving.

But this gospel message had an effect on these believers and also on the whole world of that time, says the Apostle Paul, “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.”

Here we are told first that the gospel is one – the same gospel that came to the Colossians is the same gospel that is spreading throughout the world. Second, we are told that this gospel has the same effects; it is bearing fruits. As a result, it is growing among the Colossians not only these believers but also in the entire world.

The word, ‘has come,’ stresses the point that since the gospel has come to the Colossians, it is still present among them. The gospel which they heard, which has brought hope to them, it is still present among them as Paul writes this letter to them.

Moreover, this gospel is not only present among the Colossians, it is also present in the entire world. In chapter 1:23, Paul says that this gospel is preached to the entire creation. 

The presence of the gospel locally in Colossae and in the entire world attests to the universality of the gospel. The gospel which the Colossians received is the same gospel that spread elsewhere. Brothers and Sisters this is the same gospel that is preached to you and me.

I become a Christian in the year 2000, that is 22 years ago. I attended a very syncretistic church for most of my childhood. But because of the power and the sameness of this gospel we profess, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; I am saved from all the idolatry and superstition.

I am able to share with you this good news. We can look at each other and see brothers and sisters in Christ because of this gospel. It is the same message but chiefly it is effective!

In 2014 I was in Holland for PR work. I visited a few of our sister churches there and also schools and other activities. When we were at school, particularly in primary schools, we showed a video of our church service, the video was ten minutes long.

Then we ask the children what are the similarities and differences in our worship services. It never downed even to me that it is merely the style and language that seems to be the difference. All in all the liturgy is the same but most importantly the confession of faith, which is the foundation of our Christian life, is the same here and everywhere where Christ is truly worshipped.

It is the same here in Pretoria as it is in Mamelodi, Nellmapius, and Soshanguve.  Brothers and Sisters, we have received the same message of our Lord Jesus Christ.

‘the gospel is bearing fruit’

Not only is this gospel the same, but we are told that it is bearing fruits. The Apostle Paul writes in verses 6b:

“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..”

Normally in the context of the gospel, the idea of this figure of speech can be translated to mean that the gospel has born results, it was effective just like a tree that brings forth fruits. 

The figurative way of talking about the gospel as seed-producing fruits was also one which was used by Christ often, see Mark 4:26-29, “He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” You see here that the emphasis is on the inward energy of the gospel. 

The picture painted is that of the gospel as a reproductive organism, a plant whose seed is in itself. Here the stress is on the effects of the gospel. Just a reminder that this bearing fruit is not only happening among Colossians, it is happening in the entire world.

The gospel is not only bearing fruit, it is also increasing. The word may denote the rapid spread of the gospel. The apostle Paul is saying the gospel is extending its territory, it is expanding.

The two terms of producing fruit and growing speak respectively of the inner working and the outward extension of the gospel. We can think of the gospel, not like corn, which having borne fruit, dies, even to its roots. But the gospel is like a tree, which bears fruit and at the same time continues to grow. 

I am reminded of a mango tree; you will find a very young tree bearing mangos every year. While you still enjoy these mangos every year the tree continues to grow at the same time. You can think of many other fruit trees in this example.

The Colossians are continuing to bear fruits hence this gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is continuing to conquer nations. It is a constant and continuous action.

Why did Paul use this description of the gospel?
In these verses, Paul is already giving some notions against the false teachers. In the words of one commentator, the “widespread experience of the gospel is testimony to its truthfulness over against the claims of the false teachers, who are propagating a local heresy.”

Paul himself writes in chapters 2:
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ (Colossians 2:8)

William Hendrickson put it this way, “the Colossians are being reminded of the power and successful course of the gospel... here there is the implication. “Don’t you remember the mighty change that occurred when the message of God’s redemptive truth made its first appearance among you? That the gospel needs no addition or supplement. Its influence is being felt in ever-increasing measure, both extensively, invading region after region, and intensively, producing fruit upon fruit in the hearts won for Christ. Do not attempt to exchange God’s powerful work for man’s beggarly elements.”

Therefore, Paul is saying to the Colossians, the same gospel that has come to you is the same gospel that is being spread in the entire world. And the gospel that is producing fruit among you is the same gospel that is producing fruit in the entire world. Even when this gospel was preached by Epaphras or Paul, it remains the same gospel. 

Brothers and Sisters these believers do not need anything special or in addition to the gospel. This is the reason why I say the introductory part of Paul’s letters must be taken merely as a rite but as a build-up for the exhortation in the letter.

When Caesar returned from war with his vast army, he was celebrated for defeating what they regarded as the Barbarians. Rome was ensuring that its story would become the story of the whole world. 

This conquering of nations by the Roman Empire was known to them as good news, the same word as the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was good news for them because the Empire was gaining more and more ground.

A claim that the gospel is bearing fruit in the whole world will be heard as anything less than a challenge to this imperial fruitfulness. But Paul is saying here, ‘whose gospel is the source of fruitfulness that will last and sustain the world – the gospel of Caesar or the gospel of Jesus?

Brothers and Sisters I ask the question again, ‘whose gospel is the source of fruitfulness that will last and sustain the world – prosperity gospel with its message of health and wealth or the gospel Jesus through the cross?

Paul was saying to the Colossians the gospel is not just one more mystery religion of the Roman Empire. The gospel is for the whole world. Those who call on the Name of the Lord will be saved!  

This is really the heart of the gospel; it is a living thing. The Word of God is alive and powerful, it is productive. Divine energy produces fruit. The gospel is like inward energy that spreads like the mustard seed becoming a tree.

It's alive and when it falls into the divinely prepared heart it bears fruit. It not only works within, not only bearing fruit within but it spreads, and those are the two ideas:

The first idea of bearing fruit has an inward concept, the second is a spreading thing. The gospel gets into somebody and grows and he begins to mature and then it spreads and the church begins to grow. So, you have internal spiritual transformation and you have external growth in the church.

Is that the same fruit that we long to see as the word of God is preached? You see there is no two ways about it, the gospel produces fruit.

One preacher puts it this way, “Each response to the preaching of the Gospel has its own consequence: the response of faith results in life and the response of unbelief results in eternal death…The Word of the Lord never returns empty. The preaching of God's Word demands a response: a yes or a no; both are responses. God's Word always accomplishes what God sets out for it to do. We should dare to see both faith and rejection as fruits of the preaching of the Word.”

And I pray that you can see this in your personal life. I pray that you can come to the true acceptance of this gospel and its saving grace. There can never be a middle ground it is either you accept it or reject it.

Brothers and Sisters this is the reason why preaching is one of the keys of the kingdom of heaven, according to Lord’s Day 31.

There is one more thing in this point, Paul says that this gospel is rooted in the grace and truth of God that you find in verses 6c of our text.
“just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace..”

What is it that distinguishes Christianity from all other religions? What is it that Epaphras preached? He preached the gospel of God’s grace. Epaphras preached that God gave us what we do not deserve. This is Christianity at heart!

You see all other religions are based on the fact that man can, by his own works, commend himself to God. He can earn salvation by human effort mixed with a certain degree of divine grace.

What Epaphras told these Colossians, which is what he heard also, is that God is freely, sovereignly, merciful and forgiving, due to nothing we have done but His own grace, so he calls it, “the grace of God in truth.”

That is what the gospel does, it makes God’s grace clear. It explains God’s grace to His people. 

Can this be the rest of true preaching? When you listen to sermons, do they help you see the grace of God in Christ clearer? As you endeavour in preaching, does your preaching point people to this grace of God more and more?

Let me rush to my second point:

The instruments of this gospel message

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.

Paul now changes from the message to the messenger. He tells us that in this gospel of God’s grace they learned it from Epaphras. Then he tells us more about Epaphras – he is a bond-servant and a faithful minister of Christ.

Epaphras - not much is known about him. Except for what we read here and in Philemon 1:23. It is suggested that he may have been converted under Paul’s missionary journey in the area of Phrygia in Asia Minor. As a result, he went back home to Colossae and preached the gospel there, which resulted in the establishment of the church of Colossians.

However what Paul tells us here about him is that he taught the believers in Colossae the gospel, he is a bond-servant together with Paul and he is a faithful minister of Christ.

Another thing we are told about Epaphras is that Paul sees him as a ‘beloved fellow slave’. The fact that Paul calls Epapharas a fellow slave highlights Epaphras’ significance in Paul’s eyes

The concept of slavery is used a lot by Paul to describe his relationship with the Lord. It means that as much as Paul considers himself to be a slave of Jesus Christ. He sees in Epaphras the same character. 

Behind the concept of slavery lies the truth that we are owned by Him because we’ve been bought with a price. We are in a position of complete and constant availability and obedience to that one master to the degree that we can say, “Not my will but Thine be done,” all the time. 

As believers, we are totally dependent upon our one master for everything. God provides for our protection, and provision now and in the future. Brothers and Sisters, we are totally dependent on Him. All discipline and reward come from our one Master.

Do you see the beauty of this, what is happening here? Here is Epaphras probably he heard the gospel during Paul’s ministry in Asia Minor. Then he went to his city, and there he told them the same gospel he heard. 

You see the key to the spread of the gospel, is not primarily founded on big strategic plans and huge budgets. The latter is important, do not get me wrong but they are not primary. The key is found in the members who are sitting on those chairs every Sunday.

I wonder if I am not going too far when I mansion that? I am convinced that the question is not how much can they give, the question is: are we passionate about the gospel? 

But Epaphras who belong to the church of Colossi (4:12), is the one who preached the gospel. He went home after Paul’s preaching and he founded this church.

Conclusion

This is the question which comes to you and me this evening. Do we recognize the effects of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ? Are we passionate about it? Do we even submit to its teaching and not that of man?

The greatest temptation that faces every Christian is to doubt the truth of the gospel; especially by trying to add to the gospel. The church needs such an affirmation that the gospel, if preached obediently, it is complete. Nothing must be added to it.

This was something that excited Paul also, that he can say he gives thanks to God that the gospel is spreading. 
The fame of the gospel and Christian faith in the whole world really excited Paul, see how he speaks about the believers in Rome and Thessalonica, we read the following:

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world (Romans 1:8)

The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead — Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath (1Thessalonians 1:8-10)

These are the things that excited Paul and he never stopped thanking God for them.

Why does this cause excitement to Paul and not to us? It is important because that is the way to bring true hope to the world. It is also the way of defeating the work of the Devil.

Like grass that grows back to life after wild fires because of its roots which are beneath the surface of the ground. The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is conquering the world. My prayer is that it continues to conquer Africa and all its superstition and gullibility.  Dear congregation my pray is that it conquers your heart and mine and that we can be passionate to share the good news.

Amen.

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Inleiding

“Gras is een van die mees veerkragtige plante in die natuur. In die droë oop vlaktes gebeur dit soms dat tydens 'n storm, weerlig die gras tref en 'n blitsvuur veroorsaak. Die storm veroorsaak dat vlamme aangejaag word oor groot dele van die plat landskap.Die gevolge is tragies vir  baie vlugtende diere. Maar ook verbrand gras, plante en bome tot 'n dorre verskroeide aarde.

Dit lyk aanvanklik asof die gras volledig vernietig is. Maar tog groei dit gou weer uit. Dit gebeur omdat die wortels onder die grond, veilig beskerm was teen die vernietigende vlamme.”
Dit word soms gesê dat veldbrande in die natuur goed is omdat dit die nuwe groei van gras bevorder. ‘n Mens sien dat na ‘n veldbrand, nuwe gras uitspruit vanuit die verskroeide aarde. Ons ervaar dit as die werking van natuurkragte wat verborge is vir die menslike oog. Daar vind iets raaiselagtig plaas. Die nuwe groei gebeur oënskynlik vanself.
Broers en susters, dit is vanoggend die boodskap van ons teks. Die werking van die evangelie boodskap van ons Here Jesus Christus is net soos die groei van nuwe gras.

Ek preek vanaand vir julle oor die tema

Jesus Christus bring vir ons die oorwinnende boodskap van die evangelie
1 Die uitwerking van die evangelie boodskap
2 Die instrumente van die evangelie boodskap

1  Die uitwerking van die evangelie boodskap

Broers en susters,
Ons teks vorm deel van wat ons 'Paulus se dankgebed' kan noem. Die apostel dank God vir die geloof, liefde en hoop wat God aan die gelowiges in Kolosse gegee het.

Paulus se dankgebede aan die begin van sy briewe aan die gemeentes is ‘n kenmerk van Paulus. Dit is soos Paulus se handtekening. Hierdie aanvanklike danksegging vir die gawes wat God aan die gemeente gee, sien ons byvoorbeeld in 1 Thes 1v2-3:
Ons dank God altyd oor julle almal as ons aan julle dink in ons gebede en onophoudelik in gedagte hou die werk van julle geloof en die arbeid van julle liefde en die lydsaamheid van julle hoop op onse Here Jesus Christus, voor onse God en Vader, wat deur hoop op ons Here Jesus Christus geïnspireer is.

Hierdie danksegging kom ook in ons teks voor (Kol 1v5-8).

Die gevaar is dat ons Paulus se gebed aan die begin bloot  as ‘n vriendelike gewoonte kan beskou. Maar dit is meer. Ons kan baie leer uit Paulus se gebed. Want hierdie gebed van Paulus sluit direk aan by die sake wat hy later in sy brief gaan behandel. Sake waarby ons ook gaan uitkom.

As ons 'n gebedslys sou saamstel, watter sake sou ons dan eerste plaas? Gee ons wel genoeg aandag om God te dank vir die sake Hy reeds aan ons gegee het? Broers en susters, gee ons wel voldoende aandag aan ons seëninge wanneer ons bid?

Paulus begin deur eers God te dank vir wat Hy gee. Hy doen dit namens elke gelowige. In hierdie geval dank hy God vir die geloof, hoop en liefde wat God aan die gelowiges in die gemeente van Kolosse gegee het.  Natuurlik in verse 9 tot 14 gee hy ook aandag aan die ander dinge wat hy namens die gelowiges in Kolossense vra.

Ons moet ook die verband raaksien tussen Paulus se dankgebed en die omstandighede van sy gemeentelede. Een kommentator stel dit so:
Palus was ‘n ware herder vir sy gemeente. Paulus was dankbaar vir hul geloofsgroei. Hulle geloofsgroei en hul gelowige lewenswandel moes egter nog verder toeneem. Want valse leer was besig om in die kerk in te dring. Sou hulle dit voldoende  kon weerstaan? Hy wou dalk ook aan sy gemeente sy gebed voorhou as 'n tipe model-gebed.

My Christenvriende, mag dit wat God  ons gee, ons help om ons geloof uit te leef. My bede is dat ons altyd al die seëninge wat ons van God ontvang, sal erken en voor dank.
Die gawes wat God aan die gemeente van Kolosse gegee het, was die gevolg van die evangelieboodskap wat aan hulle verkondig is. Ons lees in Kol 1v5: "vanweë die hoop wat vir julle weggelê is in die hemele, waarvan julle vroeër gehoor het deur die woord van die waarheid van die evangelie”

Dit was as gevolg van die evangelieboodskap dat die gelowiges hierdie gawes ontvang het. Dit is die rede vir Paulus se danksegging.

Maar die apostel Paulus sê ook dat die evangelie boodskap 'n effek gehad op die gelowiges sowel op die hele destydse wêreld. Ons lees in v6 "..wat julle sowel as die hele wêreld bereik het; en dit dra vrug, net soos onder julle ook, van die dag af dat julle dit gehoor het en die genade van God in waarheid leer ken het.”

Hier word ons eerstens vertel dat die evangelie een is – die evangelie wat na die Kolossense gekom het, is dieselfde evangelie wat oor die hele wêreld versprei is. Tweedens het die evangelie dieselfde uitwerking; dit dra vrug. Die gevolg is dat die geloof groei, nie net onder die Kolossense gelowiges nie, maar ook onder die gelowiges in die hele wêreld.

Die woorde, 'het gekom', beklemtoon dat die evangelie wat na die Kolossense gekom het, steeds onder hulle teenwoordig is. Die evangelie wat hulle gehoor het, en wat vir hulle hoop gebring het, is steeds onder hulle aanwesig.

Boonop is hierdie evangelie nie slegs onder die Kolossense aanwesig nie, maar ook in die hele wêreld. In hoofstuk 1v23 sê Paulus dat hierdie evangelie aan die hele wereld verkondig is. Die teenwoordigheid van die evangelie plaaslik in Kolosse en in die hele wêreld sê dat die evangelie universeel is. Die evangelie wat die Kolossense bereik het, is dieselfde evangelie wat elders versprei is. Broers en Susters, dit is dieselfde evangelie wat aan my en jou verkondig word.

Ek het ‘n christen geword in die jaar 2000, amper 22 jaar gelede. Ek het die grootste deel van my kinderjare deurgebring in 'n kerk waar die christelike geloof, vermeng is met die heidendom. Maar deur die krag en die eenheid van die evangelie bely ons dieselde evangelie van onse Here Jesus Christus. Ek is bewaar vir afgodery en bygeloof.

Ek kan hierdie goeie nuus met julle deel. Ons ken mekaar en ons ervaar broers en susters in Christus, verbind deur die evangelie boodskap. Dit is dieselfde boodskap, met dieselfde effektiewe uitwerking.

In 2014 het ek Nederland besoek vir sendings voorligting. Ek het 'n paar van ons susterkerke daar besoek en asook skole en ander instansies. Spesifiek vir laerskole het ons 'n video van ons kerkdienste (sending) gewys, ‘n 10 minute video.

Ons vra toe aan die kinders wat is die ooreenkomste en verskille met die Nederlandse eredienste. Ja, die styl en taal verskil. Maar die liturgie is dieselfde. Maar die belangrikste ooreenkoms is die belydenis van dieselde geloof wat die fondament is van ons Christelike lewe. Dit is orals dieselfde waar Christus in waarheid aanbid word.

Dit is dieselfde hier in Pretoria. Dieselfde ook in Mamelodi, Nellmapius en Soshanguve. Broers en susters, ons het dieselfde boodskap van ons Here Jesus Christus ontvang.

Die evangelie dra vrug

Nie slegs is die evangelie dieselfde nie, maar ook die vrug is dieselfde. Die apostel Paulus skryf in verse Kol 1v6:
“die waarheid van die evangelie wat julle sowel as die hele wêreld bereik het; dra vrug, net soos onder julle ook, van die dag af dat julle dit gehoor het en die genade van God in waarheid leer ken het”

In die konteks van die evangelie, beteken die beeldspraak van vrug dra, dat die evangelie mense se gesindhede en gedrag verander. Net soos 'n boom wat vrugte dra, bly die evangelie nie sonder vrug nie.

Die figuurlike spreek van die evangelie as vrug dra en saad produseer is dikwels deur Christus gebruik. Sien bv Markus 4:26-29:
En Hy het gesê: So is die koninkryk van God, soos wanneer ‘n mens die saad in die grond gooi; en hy gaan slaap en staan op, nag en dag, en die saad spruit uit en word groot—hoe, weet hy self nie. Want vanself bring die aarde vrug voort, eers ‘n halm, dan ‘n aar, dan die volle koring in die aar. En wanneer die vrug dit toelaat, steek hy die sekel dadelik in, omdat die oes daar is.

Ons sien hier dat die klem val op die energie van die evangelie. Die prentjie wat geskets word, is dié van die evangelie as 'n voortplantings organisme, 'n plant wat saad dra. Die klem val op die uitwerking van die evangelie. Ons herinner aan dit wat ons reeds voorheen gesê het: En vrug dra geld nie slegs vir die Kolossense nie, maar ook vir die hele wêreld.

Die evangelie dra nie net vrug nie, dit vermenigvuldig ook. Vrug dra beteken dus ook dat die evangelie versprei. Die apostel Paulus sê die evangelie wen terrein.

Die twee terme van vrug voortbring en groei spreek beide van die innerlike uitwerking in mense asook die uiterlike verspreiding van die evangelie (in aantal). Figuurlik is die uitwerking van die evangelie nie soos ‘n mielieplant wat vrug dra en dan afsterf nie. Maar die evangelie is soos 'n boom, wat vrug dra en terselfdertyd aanhou groei en vermenigvuldig.

Dink aan ‘n mangoboom. Selfs ‘n jong boom sal elke jaar mango's dra. En terwyl mense elke jaar van die mango vrugte kan eet en geniet, groei en vermenigvuldig die boom ook – soos alle vrugtebome.

Nie alleen dra die evangelie vrug onder die Kolossense self nie, maar ook versprei die evangelie van ons Here Jesus Christus voortdurend na nuwe nasies. Dit is 'n kontinue proses.
Waarom het Paulus die beeld van vrug dra toegepas op die evangelie?

In hierdie verse verwys Paulus reeds na die dwaalleraars. Een kommentator sê hieroor: "Die algemene positiewe impak van die evangelie, getuig van die waarheid daarvan teenoor die aansprake van die valse leraars, wat 'n dwaalleer propageer."

Paulus skryf in Kolossense 2v8:
Pas op dat niemand julle as ‘n buit wegvoer deur die wysbegeerte en nietige misleiding nie, volgens die oorlewering van die mense, volgens die eerste beginsels van die wêreld en nie volgens Christus nie.

William Hendrickson stel dit so:
"Die Kolossense word herinner aan die krag en suksesvolle verbreiding van die evangelie ... Herinner julle nie die kragtige verandering wat plaasgevind het toe die boodskap van God se verlossende waarheid, sy eerste verskyning onder julle gemaak het nie? Die implikasie daarvan is dat die evangelie geen toevoeging of aanvulling nodig het nie. Die impak daarvan is in hoë mate waarneembaar, beide geografies soos dit streek na streek binnedring, en soos dit vrug voortbring in die harte van diegene wat vir Christus gewen is. Daarom moet ons nie probeer om God se kragtige werk te verruil vir swak menslike middels nie.”

Daarom sê Paulus vir die Kolossense: Die evangelie wat na julle gekom het, is dieselfde evangelie wat in die hele wêreld verkondig word. En die evangelie wat onder julle vrug dra is dieselfde evangelie wat in die hele wêreld vrug dra. Of die evangelie nou deur Epafras of Paulus verkondig is, dit bly dieselfde evangelie.

Broers en susters, nuwe gelowiges het geen aanvulling, iets besonders of bykomend tot die evangelie, nodig nie. Soos aan die begin gesê: Die evangelie mag ook nooit as blote ritueel beskou word nie. Alles wat Paulus sê dien 'n doel. Dit kom ook terug in die aanmoedigings aan die einde van die brief.

Toe die Romeinse keiser Caesar met sy leërs suksesvol van die oorlog teruggekeer het, het hulle fees gevier omdat hulle oor die “barbare” getriomfeer het. Hulle was seker dat hul sukses oor die hele wêreld voortgesit sou word.

Hierdie oorwinning oor die nasies deur die Romeinse Ryk, het bekend geraak onder die Romeinse term van “goeie nuus” omdat die Romeine al hoe meer veld gewen het. Dit is dieselfde woord wat Paulus gebruik op die uitbreiding van die evangelie van Jesus Christus. Maar die stelling dat die evangelie vrug dra in die hele wêreld, beteken meer as die Romeine se aanspraak oor die onstuitbaarheid van die Romeinse ryk. Want Paulus vra: Wie se evangelie is die mees vrugbare vir die wêreld – die evangelie van die keiser of die evangelie van Jesus Christus?

Broers en Susters Ek vra weer die vraag, watter evangelie bied die mees blywende bron van vrugbaarheid vir die wêreld - die voorspoed evangelie met sy boodskap van gesondheid en rykdom of die evangelie van Jesus deur die kruis?

Paulus sê vir die Kolossense die evangelie is nie net nog ‘n tipe verborge godsdiens binne die Romeinse Ryk nie. Nee, die evangelie is publiek en vir die hele wêreld bedoel. Almal wat die Naam van die Here aanroep, sal gered word!

Dit is die ware hart van die evangelie. Die evangelie is lewend en kragtig. Want die Woord van God is lewend en kragtig, dit dra vrug. Die evangelie besit Goddelike krag wat sorg dat die evangelie versprei soos die mosterdsaadjie wat 'n boom word.

Dit evangelie is lewend en kragtig. Wanneer dit in die Goddelik voorbereide hart val, dan dra dit vrug. Dit werk nie net na binne, dit dra nie net vrug binne-in gelowiges se harte nie, maar dit versprei ook na buite - uiterlik. Dit is twee afsonderlike werkings.

Die evangelie begin in iemand se hart en groei en word volwasse.  En dan versprei dit sodat die kerk begin te groei. Op die manier veroorsaak dit beide ‘n interne geestelike transformasie en ‘n eksterne groei van die kerk in die toename van aantal gelowiges.

Is dit dieselfde vrug wat u en ek na verlang as die woord van God verkondig word? Daar is geen onduidelikheid daaroor nie, die evangelie bring vrug voort.

Een prediker stel dit so: “Daar is ‘twee moontlike  reaksies op die prediking van die Evangelie: Die reaksie van geloof wat lei tot lewe of die reaksie van ongeloof wat lei tot die ewige dood ... Die Woord van die Here keer nooit leeg terug nie. Die prediking van God se Woord vra 'n antwoord: 'n ja of 'n nee; daar is geen ander moontlikheid nie. God se Woord bewerkstellig altyd wat God beoog. Die prediking dra ‘n risiko. Beide geloof en verwerping is vrugte van die prediking van die Woord.”

Ek bid dat elkeen dit in sy persoonlike lewe raaksien. Ek bid dat elkeen tot die ware aanvaarding van hierdie evangelie en sy reddende genade kan kom. Daar is geen middeweg nie. Of jy aanvaar dit óf jy verwerp dit.

Broers en susters dit is waarom prediking een van die sleutels van die koninkryk van die hemel is, volgens Sondag 31 van die HK.

Daar is nog een belangrike aspek wat betrokke is. Paulus sê dat hierdie evangelie gewortel is in die genade en waarheid van God. Ons lees dit in die laaste gedeelte van die teks.
“...net soos onder julle ook, van die dag af dat julle dit gehoor het en die genade van God in waarheid leer ken het.”

Wat onderskei die Christelike godsdiens van alle ander godsdienste? Hoe het Epafras dit gepreek? Hy het die evangelie van “God se genade alleen” verkondig. Epafras het gepreek dat God aan ons iets gee wat ons nie verdien het nie. Dit is die hart van Christenskap.

Alle nie-christelike godsdienste is gebaseer op die gedagte dat die mens deur sy eie goeie werke, hom vir God aanvaarbaar kan maak. Hy kan sy verlossing verdien deur menslike inspanning tesame met 'n sekere mate van goddelike genade.

Wat Epafras vir die Kolossense gepreek het, en wat hy ook gehoor het, is dat God vrylik, soewerein, barmhartig en vergewensgesind is. Dit is nie te danke aan dit wat ons gedoen het nie. Dis God se genade alleen. Daarom noem hy dit , "die genade van God in waarheid."

Dit is wat die evangelie aan ons doen. Dit bewys God se genade aan dié wat in Hom glo. Dit is slegs God se genade.

Kan dit die toets wees van suiwer skriftuurlike prediking? Wanneer jy na preke luister, help dit jou om die genade van God in Christus duideliker te sien? Namate jy in die prediking uitreik, wys jou prediking mense al hoe meer op die genade van God?

Kom ek haas my na die tweede punt:

Die instrumente van die evangelie boodskap.

Die laaste gedeelte van die teks lui v7-8:
soos julle ook geleer het van Épafras, ons geliefde mededienskneg, wat ‘n getroue dienaar van Christus vir julle is, wat ook julle liefde in die Gees aan ons te kenne gegee het.
Paulus beweeg nou van die boodskap na die boodskapper. Paulus vertel dat hulle die evangelie van God se genade by Epafras geleer het. Dan vertel hy meer van Epafras – 'n slaaf en 'n getroue bedienaar van Christus.

Epafras – daar is nie veel oor hom bekend nie - behalwe wat ons hier en in Filemon 1v23 lees. Vermoedelik het Epafras gedurende Paulus se sendingreis in Frigië, Klein-Asië tot bekering gekom. Daarna het hy teruggekeer na sy woonplek Kolosse en daar die evangelie verkondig wat gelei het tot die stigting van die gemeente van Kolossense.

Paulus vertel dat hy die gelowiges in Kolosse in die evangelie onderrig het. Paulus noem hom 'n getroue bedienaar van Christus. Verder beskryf Paulus hom as 'n “geliefde medeslaaf'. Dit sê iets van sy betekenis vir Paulus.

Die begrip “slaaf van Christus” word dikwels deur Paulus gebruik om sy verhouding met die Here te beskryf. En hy pas dieselfde “slaaf van Jesus Christus” term toe op Epafras.

Onderliggend aan die konsep van slaaf van Jeus Christus is die gedagte dat ons deur Hom besit word omdat ons deur Hom gekoop is – teen ‘n duur prys. Dit teken ‘n volgehoue beskikbaarheid en gehoorsaamheid aan Christus. Ons sou dit kon tipeer as: "Nie my wil nie, maar U wil geskied."

As gelowiges is ons vir alles totaal afhanklik van ons Meester. God verskaf beskerming en voorsien ons vir wat nodig is. Nou en in die toekoms. Broers en susters, ons is totaal van Hom afhanklik. Alle dissipline en beloning is afkomstig van ons Meester.

Sien ons die skoonheid hiervan? Wat gebeur hier? Epafras het waarskynlik die evangelie gehoor tydens Paulus se bediening in Klein-Asië. En toe het hy na sy stad teruggaan, het hy daar dieselfde evangelie verkondig as wat hy van Paulus gehoor het.

Ons herken hierin ‘n sleutel tot die verspreiding van die evangelie. Dit is nie primêr gegrond op groot strategiese planne en finansies nie. Laasgenoemde is belangrik, moenie my verkeerd verstaan nie, maar dit is nie primêr van belang nie. Die sleutel is die inskakeling van gewone gelowes in die kerk. Ek wonder of ek nie te ver gaan as ek dit glo nie? Ek is oortuig daarvan dat die groot vraag nie is hoe groot ons finansiële sendingbydrae is nie, maar: Is ons wel voldoende passievol oor die verspreiding van die evangelie?
Epafras was dit wel. Hy het die evangelie aan die gemeente van Kolosse (Kol 4v12) verkondig. Hy het geluister na Paulus se prediking, huis toe gegaan en die kerk van Kolosse gestig.

Gevolgtrekking

Wat is die groot vraag wat vanaand by my en jou na vore kom? Herken ons die uitwerking van die evangelie van ons Here Jesus Christus op onsself? Is ons passievol daaroor? Onderwerp ons ons aan die Skrif? Of gee ons gehoor aan menslike oorwegings?

Die grootste versoeking wat elke Christen kan ervaar, is om aan die waarheid van “die evangelie alleen” te twyfel. Met name as ons meen dit is nodig om tot die evangelie toe te voeg. Die kerk moet die evangelie gehoorsaam en suiwer verkondig. Ons moet bevestig dat die “evangelie alleen” voldoende is. Niks hoef daarby gevoeg te word nie.

Iets wat Paulus grootliks verheug het en waarvoor hy God gedank het, is die verspreiding en aansien van die evangelie. Let op hoe Paulus praat oor die gelowiges in Rome en Thessalonika. Ons lees die volgende (Rom 1v8): In die eerste plek dank ek my God deur Jesus Christus oor julle almal dat julle geloof verkondig word in die hele wêreld. 

Ook lees ons in 1Thes 1v8-10:
Want van julle uit het die woord van die Here weerklink nie alleen in Macedónië en Acháje nie, maar ook op elke plek het julle geloof in God uitgegaan, sodat ons nie nodig het om daar iets van te sê nie. Want hulle vertel self aangaande ons watter ingang ons by julle gehad het en hoe julle jul van die afgode bekeer het tot God, om die lewende en waaragtige God te dien en sy Seun uit die hemele te verwag, wat Hy uit die dode opgewek het, Jesus wat ons van die toekomstige toorn verlos.

Dit is die dinge wat Paulus verheug het en hy het nooit opgehou om God daarvoor te dank nie. Maar verheug ons ons, net soos Paulus, ook daaroor? Dit is belangrik, want dit is dié manier om ware hoop aan ‘n wêreld sonder hoop te gee. Dit is ook dié manier om die werk van die duiwel te weerstaan.

Ons moet wees soos gras wat weer uitspruit na ‘n veldbrand omdat ons sekerheid onsigbaar maar veilig in Christus gewortel is. Die evangelie van ons Here Jesus Christus moet voortgaan om die wêreld te oorwin. My bede is dat dit sal voortgaan om Afrika se bygelowe en valse godsdienste te oorwin. Liewe gemeente, ek bid dat dit jou hart en myne sal oorwin en dat ons passievol sal voortgaan om die goeie nuus te deel.

Amen.