Complete The Mission

Colossians 4:7–18 (ESV)

7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 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. 10 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), 11 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. 12 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. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 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. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” 18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Paul

Be A Team Player

Here at the end of the letter, Paul lists these men. Why? I believe the Colossians knew them. They were examples. They were men who were true Christians. They knew the Lord as their savior. they knew he paid for their sins, and they were living as true Christians. They were setting their hearts on things above, and their minds on things above. They were completing the ministries that the Lord had given to them.

Tychicus

Tychicus was from the province of Asia (Acts 20:4). So the Colossians most likely knew him. He accompanied Paul after his ministry in Ephesus.

He is said to be a dear brother, a faithful minister and a fellow servant. In Ephesians 6:21, Paul also says he is a dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord. Tychicus most likely went with Paul to Jerusalem, and went through all the trials that Paul did. He was there as Paul waited in prison for a fair trial. He was with him on the perilous journey to Rome. He was with Paul in Rome as Paul was under house arrest.

Tychicus was a good example from their home province. He was faithful. He served the Lord, working as for the Lord, doing what needed to be done, no matter the difficulties that came.

He carried Paul’s letters. Ran Paul’s errands. He was faithful.

But who is Tychicus? His name means fortunate. He was fortunate enough to hear the words of eternal life from Paul and serve alongside him. He is actually mentioned 5 times in the Scriptures. He was so trusted by Paul that he was considered as a temporary replacement for Titus as the pastor of the church in Crete while Titus was absent (Titus 3:12).

2 Timothy 4:12 shows Tychicus’ value to Paul as he is sent to lead the church in Ephesus in Timothy’s absence.

Most theologians think that Tychicus not only carried the letter to Philemon and Colossians, but also carried the letter to the church in Ephesus based on Ephesians 6:21-22:

So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

Onesimus

From Colossae.

A Slave

A Believer

A Faithful and Dear Brother

Aristarchus

from Thessalonica

arrested during the riots in Ephesus (Acts 19:29)

was with Paul on the journey to Rome (Acts 27:2)

Mark

cousin of Barnabas

Abandoned Paul on his first journey (Acts 13:13, 15:37-39)

Jesus/Justus

Jewish

proved a comfort to me

Epaphras

from Colossae, founder of the church there

servant of Christ

Wrestling in prayer

Luke

the physician

author of Luke and Acts​

an eyewitness to many of Paul’s accounts

Demas

only here Philemon 24 and 2 Timothy 4:10

deserted for things of the world.

Archippus

Colossians 4:17 “17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

Paul and the men worked as a team. Paul does not describe any of them as complainers. Paul does not say that he had to beg anyone to serve. These men served for the purpose of spreading the Gospel. They were from different backgrounds. They made a decision to be part of the team.

Application: Are you on the team or a spectator

Transition: Secondly, Be Devoted to the Work of the Ministry

Be Devoted to the Work of the Ministry

Their actions were evidence of their devotion. These men and women wanted the efforts of the ministry to be successful. They invested their Time in the ministry. They invested their substance to the ministry and they prayed for the ministry.

Application: Devote yourself to the work of the ministry

See to it! Complete it!

1 Corinthians 12:4 “4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;”

1 Corinthians 12:7 “7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

1 Corinthians 12:18 “18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.”

1 Corinthians 12:27 “27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”

Ephesians 4:16 “16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

Are you completing it?