Being Mission-All
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7 Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you. 9 I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening here.
10 Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. 11 Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been!
12 Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. 13 I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas. 15 Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.
16 After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them.
17 And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.”
18 Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul.
Remember my chains.
May God’s grace be with you.
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Tychicus in Paul’s Letters
Tychicus in Paul’s Letters
Tychicus is mentioned in the closing paragraphs of four of Paul’s letters:
• (Eph 6:21) After introducing Tychicus as a messenger who will relate Paul’s latest activities, Paul refers to him as “my beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord.”
• (Eph 6:21–22) Tychicus is described as one who will tell them everything and encourage their hearts.
• (Col 4:7) Tychicus is again described as a “beloved brother and faithful minister.” In this verse, he is also a “fellow servant.”
• (Col 4:8) Paul describes Tychicus’ purpose to inform the Colossians of his activities and to “encourage their hearts.”
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Biblical Events Concerning Onesimus
Onesimus fled from his master, Philemon, and he met the Apostle Paul during his imprisonment. As a result of his connection with Paul, Onesimus became a believer (Phlm 10). Paul then sent Onesimus back to Philemon, whom he had also led to faith in Christ (ca. AD 60; Phlm 19). Onesimus accompanied Tychicus, apparently bearing the letter to Colossians (Col 4:7–9) and the letter to Philemon.
PRAYER
Interesting list of people Paul mentions here in the end of his letter.
Paul’s Credits:
Tychicus - “my beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord.”
Onesimus - Slave who found Christ - Letter Philemon
Onesimus
Aristarchus- imprisioned with Paul , ,
Mark writer fo the Gospel and companion of Paul and Barnabas
Jesus (called Justus)
Epaphras - founder and leader in Colossi
Luke - Author of Gospel and Acts- companion of Paul
Demas - Companion of Paul for a time. “Moved on” from ministering from Paul
Nympha
Nympha - hosted a church in her house
Archipus - member of the church in Colossi and “fellow soldier”
Tychicus
Tychicus is mentioned in the closing paragraphs of four of Paul’s letters:
• () After introducing Tychicus as a messenger who will relate Paul’s latest activities, Paul refers to him as “my beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord.”
• () Tychicus is described as one who will tell them everything and encourage their hearts.
• () Tychicus is again described as a “beloved brother and faithful minister.” In this verse, he is also a “fellow servant.”
• () Paul describes Tychicus’ purpose to inform the Colossians of his activities and to “encourage their hearts.”
Onesimus
Onesimus fled from his master, Philemon, and he met the Apostle Paul during his imprisonment. As a result of his connection with Paul, Onesimus became a believer (). Paul then sent Onesimus back to Philemon, whom he had also led to faith in Christ (ca. AD 60; ). Onesimus accompanied Tychicus, apparently bearing the letter to Colossians () and the letter to Philemon.
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Biblical Events Concerning Onesimus
Onesimus fled from his master, Philemon, and he met the Apostle Paul during his imprisonment. As a result of his connection with Paul, Onesimus became a believer (Phlm 10). Paul then sent Onesimus back to Philemon, whom he had also led to faith in Christ (ca. AD 60; Phlm 19). Onesimus accompanied Tychicus, apparently bearing the letter to Colossians (Col 4:7–9) and the letter to Philemon.
Aristarchus
A “Macedonian traveling companion of Paul” (). Aristarchus and Gaius were seized by the Ephesians during the riot of the silversmiths (). Aristarchus was a native of Thessalonica and accompanied Paul from Greece () and to Rome (). In , Paul calls him his “fellow prisoner.” Paul mentions him again in the Letter to Philemon (). In both of these letters, Aristarchus sends greetings of his own.
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Aristarchus
A “Macedonian traveling companion of Paul” (Acts 19:29). Aristarchus and Gaius were seized by the Ephesians during the riot of the silversmiths (Acts 19:29). Aristarchus was a native of Thessalonica and accompanied Paul from Greece (Acts 20:4) and to Rome (Acts 27:2). In Col 4:10, Paul calls him his “fellow prisoner.” Paul mentions him again in the Letter to Philemon (Phlm 24). In both of these letters, Aristarchus sends greetings of his own.
Mark (also known as John Mark)
cousin of Barnabas (), and missionary companion of Paul and Barnabas (). According to church tradition, John Mark was the author of the Gospel of Mark.
John Mark Son of Mary (), cousin of Barnabas (), and missionary companion of Paul and Barnabas (). According to church tradition, John Mark was the author of the Gospel of Mark.
Jesus (Justus)
we know very little- basically that he was here with Paul AND that he most likely spent alot of time saying no not that Jesus
Epaphras
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Epaphras
Paul’s reference to Epaphras’ labor among the believers in Laodicea and in Hierapolis suggests that Epaphras either founded or played a key role in establishing other churches in the region
Paul’s reference to Epaphras’ labor among the believers in Laodicea and in Hierapolis suggests that Epaphras either founded or played a key role in establishing other churches in the region
Luke
Luke
a doctor and a companion of Paul on many of his journey’s (not a bad guy to have with you when you are suffering whippings, and ship wrecks.
He is the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles (when you read Acts you will notice that it often moves from they did this, this happened to them into we did this and this happened to us, that is where in the book of Acts, Luke was participating in the things he was writing about.
Demas
companion of Paul for a time.
ends up deserting Paul we read in
Nympha - again only mentioned here again but evidently a had a church meeting in her house
Archipus
A member of the church in Colossae. Paul addresses him as “our fellow soldier” ( ESV). He may have been a member of Philemon’s household and might have held an official position in the church ().
At the end of the letter Paul writes....
18 Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul.
Remember my chains.
May God’s grace be with you.
It was often the case where someone would scribe the letter of someone else and simply have the person sign off in the end with their own handwriting to give it authority.
So that is a quick look through the letter and the names and characters to whom Paul was wiring and had affection for.
And why did he have an affection for them? There is something in this list that tells us about the character of mission of the church.
It is an intricate network of somebodies and nobodies.
the committed and the deserters.
But between Paul, thos with him, those he is encouraged by and encourages personally, and the church he writes to; all are included.
if you are a Christ follower, you see the world differently and you allegences change.
this mission is the same today and th character of ot is the same as well.
I. THE MISSION OF THE ETERNAL CHURCH - IS THE MISSION OF THIS CHURCH - IS MISSION OF OUR LIVES
Now I know that sounds heavy. But who sold you a Christianity that is anything less!!??
Anything else is just sticking your toe in the water!
it is the great CO-mission! Right? It means it is all of us
It shows me a little blue dot so that I can find myself, see where I am. I see the street names. I can zoom out and understand where I am in relation to everything else.
But often if my phone is trying to test my patience, or if I’ve used my 5GBs of data I get this.
just a blue dot
useless and frustrating!
no bearings, no direction
Now those of you who like to criticize!! hah you might say, yes but your metaphor falls short because you can save maps for offline.
EXACTLY!!
When we lose our way, as a church, when wonder about our purpose, our identofy in this city.
Our obligation to the rest of the world.
We find it in that which has been entrusted to us.
Scripture tells us that we have been given the spirit of God, for the purposes of the furthering of the Gospel.
When Luke reiterates the words of Christ in the Great Commission in he rcor D’Souza. HIRST as saying....
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
You and I have been given the Spirit of God for a purpose, and you might wonder, why do I never sense th spirit of God in my life, it may be because you have never practiced th very thing the Spiris has mpowered you to do!
right?
if you fill up your car with fuel, but never drive it, you will never experience the power of fuel!
The Spirit has empowered you for the purpose of mission!
The Spirit has empowered you for the purpose of mission!
Like a saved map in us the spirit reminds us of our purpose and empowers us to do the work of the church which is to go! To speak the truth of the gospel in this community and every other one we can get to. And if we cannot get to it we pray for it and we send money and we encourage and bless those who can! It is a CO-Mission.
And some can go for 5 says, and some can go for two months and some can go for 8 years.
We don’t say no to mission because we cant do 8 years, we do what we can!
We don’t say no to being a part of missionary work just because we cannot go somewhere else physically.
We give and we pray and we play our part in the greatest mission in the history of the world. The redemption and invitation of all humankind to be reconciled to their God.
An only in that mission do we see the opportunity to see communities transformed, and boys, who have been told they are worthless and told they are nothing, and that they are unloved , that they ARE loved and the DO have purpose and offer them health and meaning.
The opportunity to see communities transformed, and boys lives give purpose and health and meaning.
The opportunity to feed and engage with children who are all but forgotten by their own families.
Paul was never out of the game!!! Even in prison he saw himself as part of the ongoing work of the gospel. Connected through common mission, and the Spirit of God with those who were doing the work of the Gospel.
It is an opportunity to feed and engage with children who are all but forgotten by their own families.
He was collecting funds in prison so that other missions could continue.
He was writing and encouraging and giving thanks.
Why because His mission was the mission of the eternal church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail.
How much more you and I. Invited in the story in 2019, with means financially and I would say means time wise.
he ability to take a vacation and use it for the mission of Christ.
We asked them about holiday’s as Oasis. When do you get a break?
It didn’t matter how well our interpreter did, this did not translate.
Paul was never out of the game!!! Even in prison he saw himself as part of the ongoing work of the gospel. Connected through common mission, and the Spirit of God with those who were doing the work of the Gospel.
He was collecting funds in prison so that other missions could continue.
He was writing and encouraging and giving thanks.
Why because His mission was the mission of the eternal church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail.
How much more you and I. Invited in the story in 2019, with means financially and I would say means time wise.
he ability to take a vacation and use it for the mission of Christ.
We had some time sitting with just the staff. The pastor and his wife the cook; all who selflessly serve these boys. And to be honest I don’t think the cook was super impressed with out hamburger making skills.We asked them about holiday’s as Oasis. When do you get a break?
It didn’t matter how well our interpreter did, this did not translate.
The marching orders for the Church worldwide and eternal is that given to Her by Christ Himself.
19 That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”
John 20:
We will find mission drifting as a church, we will find purpose as Christ-follower unattainable if our existence is done outside the confines of that frame.
Because the church does not have an identity separate from the call of Christ go into al the word and make disciples of Christ.
19 Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”
20 Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 “What is your request?” he asked.
She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matt.
When I am lost and I want to find out where I am I turn to my faithful Google Maps app. to b honest I have no idea how I used to get around. I mean today if no one had a smart phone we would all be parked at the side of the road lost!!
PIC #1
It shows me a little blue dot so that I can find myself, see where I am. I see the street names. I can zoom out and understand where I am in relation to everything else.
But often if my phone is trying to test my patience, or if I’ve used my 5GBs of data I get this.
PIC #2
just a blue dot
useless and frustrating!
no bearings, no direction
Now those of you who like to criticize!! hah you might say, yes but your metaphor falls short because you can save maps for offline.
EXACTLY!!
When we lose our way, as a church, when wonder about our purpose, our identofy in this city.
Our obligation to the rest of the world.
We find it in that which has been entrusted to us.
Scripture tells us that we have been given the spirit of God, for the purposes of the furthering of the Gospel.
When Luke reiterates the words of Christ in the Great Commission in he rcor D’Souza. HIRST as saying....
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
You and I have been given the Spirit of God for a purpose, and you might wonder, why do I never sense th spirit of God in my life, it may be because you have never practiced th very thing the Spiris has mpowered you to do!
It is in this mission that Jesus says he is with us until the end of the age.
right?
if you fill up your car with fuel, but never drive it, you will never experience the power of fuel!
The Spirit has empowered you for the purpose of mission!
Like a saved map in us the spirit reminds us of our purpose and empowers us to do the work of the church which is to go! To speak the truth of the gospel in this community and every other one we can get to. And if we cannot get to it we pray for it and we send money and we encourage and bless those who can! It is a CO-Mission.
And some can go for 5 says, and some can go for two months and some can go for 8 years.
We don’t say no to mission because we cant do 8 years, we do what we can!
We don’t say no to being a part of missionary work just because we cannot go somewhere else physically.
We give and we pray and we play our part in the greatest mission in the history of the world. The redemption and invitation of all humankind to be reconciled to their God.It is in this mission that Jesus says he is with us until the end of the age.
It is in this mission and ONLY in this mission that we are the church.
PAUSE
So to continue with a theme .....
If you were to look on the map, and see a time laps, there would be a small explosion on the map around 33 AD in Jerusalem at the resurrection of Christ and the birth of the church! and we would see a spread of the church through the first century as Paul and the apostles courageously and in the face of persecution loved Jesus enough to do exactly as he told them to do!
And as we moved on from the first century we would see the gospel move to places the disciples didn’t even now existed!!! People they had never heard of. And it continues to do so. So that is up here somewhere. That is a the scene from above.
So that is up here somewhere. That is a the scene from above.
On ground level, this mission of the church is chipped away at by Paul’s and Luke’s and John Mark’s and Tychicus’s and Archipus’s, people Paul refers to as beloved brother and fellow ministers of the Gospel.
It moves forward by people like Nympha who hosts church meetings in her house.
People who serve for a time and then step out like Dema and John Mark.
We will find belonging here at this church. We will find belonging in the Church as a whole, meaning the Church eternal, when we play our part in whatever way we can to play out The Eternal Church’s mission - which is our church’s mission - is my mission and your mission.
I. Team effort
II. THE MISSION BELONGS TO THE ENTIRE CHURCH
every part of the local church and the community what belongs to Christ but is not in this building, or this city, or this country
and the community what belongs to Christ but is not in this building, or this city, or this country
(local and abroad)
Common Mission
Common Hope along with them!!
The gospel would not have reached these areas, or grown in areas where he had initially planted them if it were left to Paul and he knew it.
Town Centre will never have a lasting effect on Coquitlam if it is left to the “professionals” to do it.
He knew that the only way to reach the world with the gospel was through a network of different people. Men and women, greeks and jews all finding common ground and life in the Gospel who were on mission TOGETHER to reach as far as they could with this good news.
The early Christians relied much on a network of friends. Without supportive friends and partners throughout the world, Christians could never have succeeded in advancing the gospel across national barriers. All Christians need a community of friends and fellow workers. Maintaining such a network across the empire required much time-consuming, costly, and dangerous travel.
David Garland
Garland, David E.. Colossians, Philemon (The NIV Application Commentary Book 12) (p. 275). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
We overlook ofter look what it would have meant to be close to Paul. To spend time in prisons and be considered a close confidant of a subversive to Rome. Someone considered a danger to the fabric of the Empire.
We overlook ofter look what it would have meant to be close to Paul. To sped time in prisons and be considered a close confidant of a subversive to Rome. Someone considered a danger to the fabric of the Empire.
Paul makes it clear throughout his letters to individuals and churches that he relies on the emotional, spiritual, and financial support of believers around him. Some he has met and others he has not.
IT IS TEMPTING to disregard the concluding greetings and blessing of Paul’s letters with the cluster of names as an insignificant postscript to the theological meat found in the body. Here we get a glimpse, however, into the boiler room of the New Testament, those laboring in various capacities in various places.
Paul clearly did not believe that he was self-sufficient; he needed the help of all those listed and appreciated and affirmed each person’s contribution. No one works alone. The emphasis is on • cooperation, not independence or competition • praying for mission opportunities for others, not just for ourselves • praying for mission opportunities over the entire world, not just our corner • praying that every Christian in every circumstance will have the wisdom and courage to communicate the gospel boldly and clearly.
PAUSE
As most of you know Lalainia and I, Brad McMann (our Missions representative) and Diane Francisco the head of CAChurch Missions as a whole..... travelled to Ensenada, Mexico a few weeks ago, with the prime objective being to scope out how we can serve this city, along with the church there.
It was a reconnaissance mission.
And I have to tell you, we met some wonderful people; friends- co-missionaries.
Zacarias (Paola) PIC feeding up to 60 kids on Saturday morning out of his house, spending time with them.
Once and a while
Pastor Juan and ( -heads up Oasis- boys sharing
as they said goodbye He told us that we were the first people to ever visit them on the ranch, and that most people think they are not worth the time an they felt like they had worth from a simple visit.
If you give a cold drink i my name Jesus says, you do so to me.
Pastor Reyneiro and Hortencia-
southern Mexican state of Oaxaca - poor state, so workers come up to work the fields but leave their ids to fend for themselves all day in broken down neighbourhoods, where it appeared those from ages 4-16 were just wandering He serves them everyday. He ministers to 80 kids a day. Why? Because when he reads the Great Commission, it isn’t just a suggestion. When he reads the words of Christ in a small small synagogue in Nazareth 2000 years ago that Chris has come to bring sight to the blind to release captives, and give new life, he believes that he, empowered by the spirit of God, is the physical extension of that promise!
Adrian - a local pastor, successful builder and business owner runs a bed and breakfast- financially helping these different ministries around Ensenada.
A group of ministers, like those being written to by the Apostle Paul, writing to from a distance, sitting in a prison but never out of the game.
A group who I would call fellow ministers of the gospel. Brothers and sisters in Christ faithfully serving Christ.
Those who at the very thought of their love for the lost brings joy to my hear and a smile to my face and maybe a tear of longing to my eye.
PAUSE
As Paul ends this letter to the church in Colossi, the sentiment if obvious!
joyful.
His love for these fellow ministers if evident.
The joy he has for the ongoing work of these devoted people is evident.
And I think his desire to get out and join them is strong as well!!
Paul can sit in prison, without complete despair because....
Because he saw that The Eternal Church’s mission - was their mission
That they had come to the conclusion that the words of Christ were not just advice.
That the cross event, the life death and resurrection of Christ meant that no mission superceeded this Co-Mission.
Because only in this mission do we see the opportunity to see communities transformed, and boys, who have been told they are worthless and told they are nothing, and that they are unloved , that they ARE loved and the DO have purpose and offer them health and meaning.
It is an opportunity to feed and engage with children who are all but forgotten by their own families.
Paul was never out of the game!!! Even in prison he saw himself as part of the ongoing work of the gospel. Connected through common mission, and the Spirit of God with those who were doing the work of the Gospel.
He was collecting funds in prison so that other missions could continue.
He was writing and encouraging and giving thanks.
Why because His mission was the mission of the eternal church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail.
PAUSE
How much more you and I. Invited in the story in 2019, with means financially and I would say means time wise.
he ability to take a vacation and use it for the mission of Christ.
PAUSE
We had some time at the Oasis Ranch sitting with just the staff. The pastor and his wife the cook; all who selflessly serve these boys from sun up to sun down. And to be honest I don’t think the cook was super impressed with out hamburger making skills. We asked them about holiday’s as Oasis. When do you get a break?
It didn’t matter how well our interpreter did, this did not translate.
I wonder how Paul would respond to the same question?
Paul when do you take a break?a kind of strange loo on his face!
This is the greatest story in the world! This is the
This is the greatest story in the world! This is the hope of the world!
6 And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.
16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.
I am not ashamed of the
For those who feel they have it all together in the Tri-Cities and also for the forgotten kids in Ensenada, and their broken families.
May the very spirit that stirred the heart of Paul, stir ours. May the truth / the fact of the resurrection that convinced Paul of the importance and the life changing power of the Gospel overtake this church, and the hearts and minds of this community.
Let’s pray.
Benediction
short term missions trip
11-20 of October (yes over Thanksgiving) - means less time off
Oasis Ranch- help to build a new facility for those suffering from mental health issues and the government is sending them to Pastor Juan.
Once and a while
Pastor Juan -heads up Oasis- boys sharing
as they said goodbye He told us that we were the first people to ever visit them on the ranch, and that most people think they are not worth the time an they felt like they had worth from a simple visit.
If you give a cold drink i my name Jesus says, you do so to me.
Pastor
southern Mexican state of Oaxaca
Adrian - a local pastor, successful builder and business owner runs a bed and breakfast- financially helping these different ministries around Ensenada.
