Hello Friends!
Welcome back! This week we’ll conclude our study through the powerful book written by the
Apostle Paul to the Colossians as we consider the PERSON and WORK of “Jesus Christ” as decreed throughout this excellent
Epistle – “The Supremacy of Jesus
Christ!”
This
week we will complete our reading of verses 7-18
in chapter 4 as
we consider our Christian Service FOR
Jesus Christ…
Colossians: The Supremacy of Jesus
Christ! (Chapter 4:7-18)
What
we have here at the close of this excellent “epistle”
to the Colossians is a “ministry” team photograph so to
speak. And the Apostle Paul sincerely “signs”
this loving “letter” as he gathers together in one powerfully personal portrait
all of the PRECIOUS people of God
who assisted
him in his marvelous “ministry”
endeavors while he was a PRISIONER
of “Jesus Christ” in Rome – In chains FOR Christ!
This
AMAZING section of “Scripture”
expresses the deep-down SATISFACTION
in the “life” of the Apostle Paul.
Here we will find that he is able to ACCOMPLISH
his “ministry” matters ONLY
because of God’s PROVISION through the “faithfulness” found in the MANY dear FRIENDS
within the family of “faith”
who have stalwartly stuck BESIDE
Paul and had been so humbly helpful TO him – Faithful
Friends!
Therefore,
in order to facilitate these FAITHFUL
folks as an ENCOURAGEMENT to the Colossian congregation as well as an EXAMPLE for ALL
the “believers” that would READ
and HEED this loving “letter”
throughout “church” history, Paul gives
us a serious snapshot of EACH
of them individually in a very WARM
and PERSONAL way within what is otherwise a “doctrinal” discussion and DEEP discourse. It also indicates
something of Paul’s PERSONALITY and the rich
LOVE he “bestowed”
upon these beautiful “believers”
of whom had SERVED with him throughout
the MANY years and thus SHARED
a deep LOYALTY for this
marvelous – Man of God!
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: To Paul,
these folks are INDISPENSIBLE and “faithful”
friends! These are the BELOVED and
brave “brethren” of whom had been making Paul’s MISSION and “ministry”
possible. In fact, he could NOT have done ANYTHING by
himself – NO ONE CAN!
Iron
sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend – Proverbs 27:17
Two are
better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they
fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he
falleth; for he hath not another to help him up – Ecclesiastes
4:9-10
Now there were in the church
that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that
was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up
with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted,
the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I
have called them – Acts 13:1-2
And we find throughout the Bible that
even the FINEST folks such as the Apostle Paul could NOT do
meaningful “ministry” work completely ALONE. He
indeed had heaps of HELP from his ”faithful” and
fervent – FRIENDS!
Faithful Friends!
Therefore, Paul begins with his “beloved brothers” and “fellow
servants” of “faithfulness” named “Tychicus” and “Onesimus”
respectively:
All my state shall Tychicus
declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow
servant in the Lord: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he
might know your estate, and comfort your hearts. With Onesimus, a faithful and
beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things
which are done here. – Colossians 4:7-9
QUIZZING QUESTIONS: Just WHO are these TWO men “Tychicus”
& “Onesimus” and HOW were they USED
of God? We first meet “Tychicus”
in the New Testament book of Acts as the Apostle Paul is winding down his THIRD missionary journey with plentiful
plans to “collect” a “love gift” from the Gentile “believers” within the Thessalonian, the Philippian
and the Corinthian congregations. WHY? Because it was intended for the “poor” Jewish “saints”
in the city of Jerusalem:
And
Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the
Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of
Asia – Acts 20:4
In fact, there is also an unnamed “brother” alluded to in the book of 2
Corinthians of which may indeed be another reference
to the “often proved diligent” and even “much
more diligent” faithfulness of
brother “Tychicus”:
And we
have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved diligent in many
things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which we
have in you – 2 Corinthians 8:22
POINGNANT POINT: A LOT of people did indeed give much MONEY to the “ministry”
work of God in the early days of the “church”
family. However, very FEW
people gave of THEMSELVES personally. Conversely, this FAITHFUL man “Tychicus” was indeed one of – The FAITHFUL Few!
Although
Scripture does not reveal how Paul and “Tychicus” originally met, it was
most likely that he was a part of Paul’s personal “discipleship“ group in “Ephesus“ known originally as the
“Way”
before earning the term of endearment as “Christians”
by first-century unbelievers. Regardless of how “Tychicus” and Paul met, they did
indeed become very – Close Christian
Companions!
This
“diligent” man of God is also
referred to in ANOTHER one of Paul’s Prison epistles to the Ephesians as a “beloved brother” and “faithful minister”
of whom was the trusted “messenger”
to deliver a good report of “all
things” to their congregation:
But
that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved
brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you – Ephesians
6:21
And
again “Tychicus”
is mentioned in TWO of Paul’s Pastoral Epistles as the “sent” one “serving”
as an intern pastor to both Timothy in “Ephesus”
and Titus
in the “Crete” congregations:
And
Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus – 2
Timothy 4:12
When I
send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I
have decided to spend the winter there – Titus
3:12
Along
with the awesome RESPONSIBILITIES of delivering
Paul’s “epistles” from the city of
Rome to the Ephesians and Colossians, we find “Tychicus” was also ENTRUSTED to deliver Paul’s
personal “letter” to “Philemon” and accompanied by his run-away slave “Onesimus”
as an “appeal”
for “forgiveness” and
acceptance as a “brother”
in “Jesus Christ” emphasizing the NEED for God’s “grace”:
I
appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who
once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. I am
sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, whom I
wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my
chains for the gospel. But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that
your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might
receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved
brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in
the Lord. If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me – Philemon 8-17
The
“man” with a SERVANT
heart who “makes” himself AVAILABLE unto God will be “used” by Him in AMAZING
ways never
dreamed possible! And on each of these wonderful “ministry” occasions, “Tychicus” and “Onesimus”
were PERSONALLY involved in meaningful “ministry”
alongside the Apostle Paul and were indeed deemed “ambassadors” for God – Important KINGDOM
work!
Now let's look at two more men Paul mentions
named “Aristarchus” as his “fellow
prisoner” of whom had a SYMPATHETIC heart of
SERVICE for others, as well as “Marcus”
himself:
Aristarchus my fellow prisoner
saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received
commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) – Colossians
4:10
This
“Aristarchus” was a “Jew”
with a “Greek” name, which was
common in the Jewish Dispersion and his name
appears in association with the “city”
of “Macedonia” as well as “Thessalonica” itself. In fact, when a RIOT broke out there was great “confusion” and “Aristarchus”
and “Gaius” were “caught”
by a MAD mob. WHY?
Because they were recognized as Paul's diligent companions:
And the whole city was filled
with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia,
Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre
– Acts
19:29
And entering into a ship of
Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of
Thessalonica, being with us – Acts 27:2
And
again
this “Aristarchus” is mentioned in Paul’s personal “letter” to “Philemon” himself:
Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers – Philemon 24
Whatever
it was that “Aristarchus” actually did FOR the cause of “Jesus
Christ,” he gave up his personal freedom to DO it. Therefore, he was another – Faithful follower!
And
do you remember “Marcus” (A.K.A.) “John Mark”? It is in Acts chapter 13 where we find it said of him:
Now when Paul and his company
loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from
them returned to Jerusalem – Acts 13:13
In
other words, when the going got tough, this once IMMATURE man of God had “departed” by running home to
his mother of whom was located in “Jerusalem!”
Then later in Acts chapter 15 we find
further
fall-out between Paul and “John Mark” the “departed” cousin of “Barnabas” in that
it was “not good to take him
with them” for the “work” appointed by God:
And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname
was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from
them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work – Acts 15:37-38
However, in one of his Pastoral
Epistles Paul says concerning “Mark” that “Timothy” should “bring him” along
so that they may “take” him
back into the Colossian fold. WHY? Because
it was now twelve years later and “Mark” has been RESTORED to right FELLOWSHIP
with Paul and would soon become quite “profitable”
for MUCH meaningful “ministry” unto God:
Only
Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me
for the ministry – 2
Timothy 4:11
Graciously,
the Lord “Jesus Christ” would
eventually use this “Mark” for a mighty “ministry”
as a now
MATURE man of God. HOW?
By writing the Gospel of Mark of
which bears his very name – Usefulness FOR
God!
Next
Paul introduces another one of his “fellowworkers”
named “Jesus” also called “Justus” of whom was a “Jewish” man of the “circumcision”
demonstrating a STRONG commitment to the
“kingdom of God” itself:
And Jesus, which is called
Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the
kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me – Colossians
4:11
Apparently
“Justus” was doing very well
for the Lord. WHY? Because they called him “Justus” of which means RIGHTEOUS ONE. That’s quite a name to
live up to! And although we don't know anything more about him, he
was indeed – Justus the righteous!
Then we meet “Epaphras” the FOUNDER and “servant of Christ” in the Colossian fellowship and most likely its PASTOR by
the “the will of God”:
Epaphras, who is one of you, a
servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers,
that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him
record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and
them in Hierapolis – Colossians 4:12-13
Why
was “Epaphras” located here in the city of
Rome? Because he had TRAVELED
there to tell Paul about all the TROUBLE
that the “false teachers” had brought
to the Colossian congregation along
with the two cities of “Laodicea”
and “Hierapolis” of which were within a ten
mile radius of each other. And Paul does indeed “bear
him record” by writing this loving “letter”
as an ANSWER to what “Epaphras” has told him as he “labouring fervently” with “great zeal” and in much “prayers” for these PRECIOUS
people of God – A Pastor’s heart!
Next
Paul introduces “Luke” as his personal “beloved physician” along with “Demas” being added to the list:
Luke, the beloved physician,
and Demas, greet you – Colossians 4:14
Dr.
“Luke” was Paul’s personal friend
and medical
doctor. It is interesting to note that on Paul's FIRST missionary journey he was “sick” much of the time. Therefore, when he
went on his SECOND missionary
journey, he took Dr. “Luke”
with him. WHY? Because God's work needs SPECIALISTS of ALL
kinds! In fact, it was “Luke”
who wrote the New Testament book of Acts as well as the Gospel of Luke with wonderful PERCISION
and ACURACY!
Conversely, this man “Demas”
foolishly “loved” this “present world” and thus had soon “forsaken” Paul:
For
Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto
Thessalonica... – 2
Timothy 4:10
Sadly,
“Demas” had “departed” from Paul to “Thessalonica” in an
abhorrent abandonment. WHY?
Because he FOOLISHLY fell in “love” with this LOST
and wicked “world” system. Incidentally,
“Jesus Christ” had His “Judas” and the Apostle “Paul” had his “Demas”
to contend with – Seriously SAD endings!
Paul
then draws this wonderful “letter”
to a CONCLUSION by “saluting”
the “brethren” with these WONDERFUL
closing thoughts:
Salute the brethren which are
in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. And when this
epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the
Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea – Colossians
4:15-16
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: It is important to
note that the “brethren” in the first
couple of centuries met in “houses”
and it wasn't until third century times that large buildings were
developed. And Paul’s remarks are good insight into the fact that these “epistles” were “read”
publicly in smaller “church”
gatherings. In this case, it was the “house”
of “Nymphas” as noted. Also, Paul instructs
the “church” that when they have “read” this “epistle”
they were to pass it on to the “brethren”
in the “Laodicea” congregation. WHY? Because these “letters”
were NOT intended for only ONE congregation. They were in fact to be
“read” in ALL
“church” fellowships. And what exactly does
the “epistle” from “Laodicea”
represent? There are TWO
possibilities:
ONE: The “epistle”
from “Laodicea” may represent the last
of the “seven letters” from the book
of Revelation written by “Jesus Christ” Himself:
And
unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the
Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God – Revelation
3:14
TWO: The “epistle”
from “Laodicea” may represent the
“epistle” of Paul to the Ephesian fellowship. It's quite likely that
the book of Ephesians was delivered
to “Laodicea” by “Tychicus”
and in turn, he delivered the book of Colossians
to the “church” in “Colossae” as a constant
commitment to the Apostle Paul. In fact, the book of Ephesians was also a “letter”
of which was to be passed around to ALL
the “churches” for the “edification”
of each individual congregation. Therefore, Paul may be
instructing these “brethren” to simply – Swap letters!
CONTEXTUAL COMMENTS: The “church” in “Laodicea”
was located ten miles from “Colossae”
and it is very likely that the “false doctrine” of which plagued the “Colossian” fellowship found its way to “Laodicea” as well. Although there’s no
record concerning the founding of the “church”
in “Colossae,” when we study
this book of Colossians we read that
“Epaphras” evangelized the
Lycus Valley region. We also learned in chapter
2 that Paul writes this “epistle”
to the Colossians in an effort to specifically
address the wicked Gnostic
thinking of the “false teachers”
of his day who were DENYING
the DEITY of “Jesus Christ” our Lord. This classic Christological vein of rampant “heresy” had so infiltrated
and poisoned the fellowship in “Colossae” they had particularly reduced
the God-man “Jesus Christ” to a created
being and mystical-angel of sorts. Therefore,
by comparing Paul’s “epistle”
to the Colossians with John’s book of
Revelation, we can connect
some deadly “doctrinal” dots!
These “churches” had both
been affected by this – DEVISTATING DOCTRINE!
Then
Paul goes on to “say” to “Archippus” on behalf of the “Lord” Himself:
And say to Archippus, Take heed
to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it – Colossians
4:17
In
other words, “Archippus” is to “take heed” unto the “ministry”
which he has “received in the Lord” and
thus MUST masterfully “fulfill”
it! And we have thus far “read”
about several FAITHFUL folks who have
fully FULFILLED their “ministry” opportunities: “Tychicus” has done so. “Onesimus” has done so. “Aristarchus” has done so. “Mark” has done so. “Jesus
Justus” has done so. “Luke”
has done so and “Epaphras” has done so. Now,
Paul essentially “says” to “Archippus” that he too should “fulfill” his personal “ministry’ role – Serve
our Lord Jesus Christ!
Finally,
Paul closes
our serious STUDY of the excellent “epistle” to the Colossians with this special “salutation”
directly FROM his heart:
The salutation by the hand of
me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen – Colossians
4:18
Paul
indeed dictated all his loving “letters”
and someone else actually “wrote”
them down. However, Paul PERSONALLY
as a “salutation” of LOVE signed them ALL
by his own “hand” set. WHY? So that they would be “known” to be authentic as from
the Lord! Therefore, he further “says”
to "Remember my bonds" and
don't FORGET to PRAY for me. WHY?
Because Paul was – In jail FOR Jesus!
And also remember… Just because our “ministry”
efforts may appear at times to be EASY
on the surface… That doesn't mean they aren’t DIFFCULT
to accomplish! Therefore, Paul ends with this WONDERFUL
salutation: "Grace be with you. Amen"
In other words – God’s GRACE is GREAT!
In closing:
REAL REFLECTIONS: This excellent “epistle” is an “exhortation”
for US in the “church”
today! Here in this loving “letter”
we’ve met a PURPOSEFUL portrait of
God’s mighty men and ALL
but one
have been “faithful” to their “ministry” opportunities. And it ALL comes down to this IMPORTANT inquiry: YOU
too have been GIVEN a “ministry” mandate FROM
the Lord… WHAT IS IT?
Our
God “knows” what it IS
and “you” have “received
in the Lord” His DIVINE
blessing. Therefore, you MUST
masterfully “fulfill” it FOR and IN
Him! The “Word of God” can't be FULLY accomplished in the “world” and His “kingdom”
can't be ADVANCED through US without a little HELP
from our – FAITHFUL FRIENDS!
Beloved,
WHATEVER our SPECIAL
area of “ministry” might be, we must
fervently GO and DO it unto God!
Therefore, let’s be “faithful”
unto OUR Lord “Jesus
Christ” and GO
forth IN His POWER to FULFIL
all of His WILL for OUR lives – Praise our Lord Jesus Christ!
With
this information as a foundation for your personal studies, please finish
reading through verses 7-18 in
the fourth and final chapter of the excellent book to the Colossians.
We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com
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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
Truth for Today
"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"Lighthouse Publications <><
