Paul's Possee

Col 4:7-11 “As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here. Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.”

Intro: Rescue Ink (4 min)

Have you ever heard of Rescue Ink?

They were a non profit organization that battled animal abuse and neglect

They saved countless amounts of dogs

There reach grew national an eventually got a TV show

They did it all from, stopping abuse as it was happening to finding neglected dogs

They picked up strays

The fed them, housed them, and gave medical attention

Now we all have an image in our head of this group. something like this.

TRANSITION: this is a surprising group photo for people w/ this sort of mission

Tonight, Paul brings together his friends and co laborers in one passage for a written group photo - that may be just as sursprising to you

The people at Pauls side in the midst of His world changing missions trip are not who you’d expect. Pauls allys were not the rich supporters or theological wizards, they weren't popular cultural christian influencers. Pauls friends were men previoulsy transformed by the message they now proclaim.

Prop: You must experience the gospel in order to minister it

1. Tychicus - A trustworthy friend

(4 min)

Col 4:7-8 “As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts;”

Explain:

Tychicus is mention 5 times in the NT

He was responsible for delivering offerings, reports, messages & letters

If anyone was in a position to ruin Pauls reputation and ministry its this man

How easy it would have been for him to snag some money out of the offering for himself

How easy it would have been to lie

Illustrate

Is there anyone that you trust enough to carry the original inspired scriptures, the only copy in existence?

Applicate

Trust w/in leadership is crucial - vital

You want to be in ministry long - be trustworthy let your yes be yes and no no -

Choose trustworthy friends - not just anyone should be given leadership - be careful w/ the new up and comer with lots of potential - character trumps giftedness

Transition: How blessed we’d be to have a Trustworthy friends like Tychicus

2. Onesimus - A unlikely friend

(3 min)

Col 4:9 “and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here.”

Out of all the surprising ppl in Pauls group photo it would be onesimus the runaway slave

I mean the man who was a servant in a christian household, who would have been treated w/ dignity and respect, love and care

He would have had much exposure to Christianity and the gospel and instead of running to christ for forgiveness w/ joy, He ran away from Christ and his house and job w/ pride

Only to be directed by the sovereign hand of God to Paul

Paul took the time to meet Onesimus, and at some point Onesimus repents of his sin and trusts in the Lord he was running from

And Paul calls him BROTHER

Application:

Too often Christians are only friends w/ Christians

We have a responsibility to make unlikely friends

When was the last time you intentionally sat down with an unbeliever for the purpose of evangelism

If the only people in your contacts are people that believe what you believe, talk like you talk, and sit next to you on Sunday - then are you even a gospel minister? If you have experienced the gospel you will proclaim the gospel

When you are faithful to evangelize you can see God do amazing things and make unlikely friends

3. Aristarchus - A faithful friend

(3 min)

Col 4:10a “Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings;

Explain:

This wouldn’t have been the only time Aristarchus found himself in trouble for being w/ Paul

In Acts 19 he was captured by a rioting mob because they recognized him as one of Pauls friends, yet he stayed faithful even if it meant prison

Illustrate

Second Hand Embarrasment tempts me to deny my friends

He had WAY more temptation - yet he was faithful

Applicate

Gospel ministry is growing increasingly unpopular

truth is violence

When your pastor says something that lands him in jail will you stand by him?

When ministry isn't exciting will you continue?

[TRANSITION: We need to be faithful friends like Aristarchus]

4. Mark - A reconciled friend

(4 min)

Col 4:10b and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him)

Explain:

Mark was the point of tension between the dynamic duo of Barnabas & Paul

He was part of the team of the 1st missionary journey but ditched Paul when things got difficult

Barnabas wanted to bring his cousin Mark on the next journey but Paul said no bc he didn’t trust him

The weak and difficult mark went through change to the point that Paul says

2 Tim 4:11 “Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.”

From useless to useful

from dissapointing to desired

Applicate:

people change - (illus - CCM humbling me on the beach)

Don’t discount ppl bc of one mistake

Look for the positives in ppl

be forgiving

5. Justus - A steady friend

(2 min)

Col 4:11 “and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.”

Explain: Not much about Justus apart from this verse in the Bible

But he is included in the list of jewish believers that have stuck with Paul

There weren't many - most of the people that hated Paul were jews, they wanted to kill him multiple times but this was one of the Jews that believed in Paul’s message and stuck with him KNOWING full well the cost - Jesus or Justus stayed steady

Conclusion: (2 min)

All of these men were willing to walk away from their social rank, job, safety, family all for the sake of furthering the gospel with Paul. These men were transformed by the gospel and therefore were willing to do anything and everything to proclaim it.

Have you experienced that same gospel? Have you believed in the life, death and ressurection of Christ? Have you actually repented of all that dishonors him? Have you placed your faith in Jesus as lord and saviour?

If not, than NOW is the time - no training center will be enough if you don’t know Christ

If you have, then would you remember the gospel, would you aim to preach it to yourself every day. It is the only place where you will find the heart, motivation and courage to do the work of ministry.

You must experience the gospel for the first time and continually in order to minister it.