Colossians 4:7-18

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.  Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.  Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.  For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.  Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.  Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.  And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.  And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”  I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Ministry is a team sport.  Paul was a faithful minister of the Gospel, but the effectiveness of his ministry was multiplied by the team that worked with him.  Even in prison Paul was not alone.  It is amazing to see how many people worked with Paul and served faithfully by his side.  The advancement of the Gospel requires a variety of gifts and people.  Paul understood this truth and closes this letter giving updates about the people with whom he was working.

 

SENDING INFORMATION: Tychicus was likely the person who was delivering this letter together with Onesimus who Paul had led to Christ in prison.  Besides delivering the letter, they were tasked with giving a detailed update about Paul’s personal well-being.  Partnerships are important in Gospel work, and it is vital that we keep our partners well informed.  If we are going to pray for one another and serve one another effectively, we must be faithful to share our lives with one another.  We need each other and should never attempt to live independently of each other.    

 

MAKING INTRODUCTION: Paul wants to introduce the church to Aristarchus and Mark.  The former was a Jew who had also been imprisoned with Paul.  The later was the cousin of Barnabas who had abandoned Paul on his first missionary journey and then was the cause of a parting of ways between Paul and Barnabas because Paul didn’t want to risk taking him on the second missionary journey.  Clearly Paul’s opinion of Mark has now changed and he realized that Mark has matured.  God used this young man to write the Gospel of Mark and advance the kingdom in a significant way.  It is important to remember the people change and mature.  We must not be too quick to write people off and allow time for the Lord to work in their lives.  Apparently, these two young men were planning to visit in that area and Paul wanted to make an introduction so they would be well received.  Networking in Gospel ministry is important, and we should share our contacts faithfully with one another.

 

GIVING INSTRUCTION: Paul wants the church to know that Epaphras whom they had sent to minister to Paul was being a blessing as well as Luke and the other people who were with him.  Paul instructs the leadership of the church, Archippus, to be faithful to fulfill his ministry as a pastor to the congregation.  He also wants them to pass this letter on to the neighboring churches so they can be edified by the instruction.  They are also to read the letter Paul had sent to Laodicea.  We are not sure what letter this might be.  It is either a letter that was not inspired, or, more likely, the letter of Ephesians that was also to circulate and would eventually arrive in Laodicea where they would basically trade letters.  Paul wants there to be cooperation between these churches and fellowship as well as strong leadership.

 

APPLICATION: Pray for one another and don’t hesitate to share prayer requests with other people.  Recognize the importance of these partnerships.  Network with other believers and seek to cooperate as much as possible with the work that our brothers in Christ are doing.  Forgive those who offend us and recognize when spiritual growth happens in the lives of believers.  Encourage and exhort other leaders to be faithful.