Sometimes the end of something says more than you expect.
In Colossians 4, Paul’s wrapping up his letter — just saying goodbye to a bunch of people — but if you slow down, there’s a lot there. It’s more than a list of names. It’s a picture of a movement.
Paul ends his letter the same way he’s lived his life — showing that Jesus is supreme and sufficient in every person and every situation.

History Gives Us a Picture

I’m a bit of a history nerd. When I think about this passage, I think about December 7, 1941 — Pearl Harbor. That’s the day America finally joined World War II. From that moment on, the country came together in a way it never had before.
Everybody played a part. Soldiers fought overseas. Families rationed food. Kids collected scrap metal. Women stepped into jobs they’d never been allowed to do before. It didn’t matter your background — everyone moved toward one mission: push back evil and fight for something bigger than themselves.
That’s what Paul’s showing us in Colossians 4. Different people. Different gifts. Same mission.

Ordinary People, Big Purpose

Paul lists ten people at the end of Colossians, and every one of them shows a different side of what it looks like to follow Jesus.
Tychicus carried Paul’s letters — the mailman of the gospel. He took risks so others could hear good news.
Onesimus was a runaway slave who went back to face his past and make things right.
Aristarchus stood next to Paul when things got ugly — locked up, beaten, whatever came, he stayed loyal.
Mark was once written off, but Paul welcomes him back. Grace restored him.
Justus lost his social standing for following Jesus, but he still said “yes.”
Epaphras prayed like his people’s souls depended on it.
Archippus was a young leader who needed to finish what God started in him.
Luke, the doctor, used his skills to care for others.
Demas walked away — a reminder that not everyone stays in the fight.
And Paul, sitting in prison, still encouraging others instead of complaining about his chains.
Different stories. Different struggles. One shared mission — to make Jesus known.

What That Means for Us

That same mission didn’t end with them. It’s still going.
You and I get to play a part in what God’s doing.
Here’s what we learn from them:
Shared Experience: They all knew Jesus personally and that changed everything.
Shared Mobilization: They all did something. Nobody sat on the sidelines.
Shared Sacrifice: They gave up comfort for something eternal.
This is what a Kingdom movement looks like. It’s not one person doing it all. It’s all of us doing what we can, where we are, with what we have.

Why They Could Do It

It wasn’t about hype or hustle. It was about Jesus.
He’s the one who rescues runaways like Onesimus.
He’s the one who stays faithful when we fail like Mark.
He’s the one who heals our hearts like Luke.
He’s the one who carries our burdens like Paul.
They lived bold because they knew the truth:
Christ is supreme. Christ is enough.

So What Do We Do With That?

Here’s what you can do right now to live this out:
Find your role. Everyone has one. Maybe it’s praying for someone, serving your community, inviting a friend, or using your skill for something that matters.
Finish your assignment. Paul told Archippus, “Fulfill the ministry you’ve been given.” In other words, don’t quit halfway. Keep showing up.
Stay connected. The mission moves faster when we move together. No lone rangers.
Remember who it’s for. This isn’t about building a name. It’s about Jesus.
When we do this together, shared mission, shared sacrifice, shared heart. We don’t just make history. We move the Kingdom forward.

If You’re Still Figuring Out Faith

If you’re not sure about Jesus yet, here’s the real question:
If He really is this good , If He really forgives, restores, and gives you purpose. What’s stopping you from trusting Him?
You don’t have to have it all together to start following Him.
You just have to say, “Jesus, if You’re real, meet me in this.”
That’s where movements begin, one surrendered heart at a time.

Final Thought

In World War II, the world changed because people got unified around a cause.
If that’s what people can do for a flag, imagine what God can do through people who are unified around Jesus.
 This isn’t just about church. It’s about movement. A Kingdom movement, right here in our city, through people like you.