Beloved, Faithful, Ministers of Christ.

Colossians 4:7-9

Background information on Tychicus and Onesimus:

Tychicus:

Mentioned by Paul several times in the N.T. (Eph.6:21; 2 Tim.4:12; Titus 3:12)

a) He was of Asian descent.

b) He was a free man.

c) He was an obedient and trustworthy brother.

d) He was a servant (deacon διακονος).

Onesimus:

Mentioned here and in Philemon.

a) Once an unfaithful slave, now a faithful brother.

b) An obedient and trustworthy brother.

c) A free man in Christ, under human obligation.

I. THEY ARE CALLED BELOVED.

A. Jesus is called the beloved of the Father. (Matt. 3:17 This is my beloved Son in whom …)

B. We are called the beloved in Christ. (1 Thes. 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.)

C. We are one in Christ and in the beloved.

Regardless of background, social standing, ethnicity, etc.

II. THEY WERE FAITHFUL NOT ONLY IN THE EXECUTION OF THEIR MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES, BUT ALSO IN LIFE.

A. Regardless of the task called upon to complete, they carried it out with unflinching obedience.

As an Apostle of Christ, Paul naturally has certain God given authority. Yet, it is the servant’s heart of these two men that enables such loyalty and devotion to the service.

The servant obeys his master, and our master is Christ, therefore we obey those who have the rule over us in obedience to Christ.

1) Are you an husband and a father? Then you are to be in obedience to your call as a provider.

2) Are you a wife? Then you are to be in obedience to the leadership of your husband.

3) Are you a child? Then you are to be in obedience to your parents.

If you permit me but a moment more here, I’d like to say something unpopular.

4) Are you a church member? You are to be in obedience to your responsibility.

1)) Do you tithe?

2)) Do you serve?

3)) Do you attend regularly?

4)) Do you support missionaries?

5)) Do you pray for one another?

6)) Do you submit yourself to the authority of the pastor?

7)) Do you Gossip?

8)) Do you bad-mouth the brethren?

9)) Do you Seek an opportunity to promote the welfare of this body of believers?

These come right from the church covenant you say you uphold.

B. Onesimus was taking this letter to the Colossians on his way to Philemon.

Here we have a picture of the true spirit of one who has been delivered by Christ.

Onesimus was going back to his master and willing to accept his lot in life, even if that meant being a slave to a human master for the rest of his life.

And where are you today Christian?

Can you accept your lot in life, or will you constantly throw it back in the face of God?

Conclusion: Words that every Christian longs to here are…

“Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord.”

This is no joke!

We will have no second chances once we’ve entered the gates of heaven.

There will be no make up tests. No re-dos!

The only opportunity anyone has to serve the faithfully, is right now.

And, every breath is one moment of opportunity lost!