09132020 A Letter Carrier - His Message

Well, we’re finally here - 37 messages + this week and next week and 18 months later we come to the end of Paul’s letter to the church in the area of Ephesus (West Turkey, South of Smyrna (now Izmir) today.

Paul writes a little over 2400 words in Greek; a little over 3000 in English, as he presents to us, soldiers of Christ, with our basic training manual for practical Christian living.

Here in these last few sentences, he introduces the BEARER of this letter and then pronounces the BLESSINGS in the letter...

1. The Bearer of the Letter to the Ephesians (6:21-22)

2. The Blessings in the Letter to the Ephesians (6:23-24) (NEXT WEEK?)

Read verses Ephesians 6: 21-24

Ephesians 6:21–24 NASB95

21 But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts. 23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.

Prayer of Illumination

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The first part of this training has focused on the first three chapters of Paul’s letter - the doctrine laying the foundation that is necessary to understand the doing, the doing - practical instruction found in the last half, chapter 4 - 6.

In chapters 1-3, we discovered that everything about our life in Jesus is totally and completely a result of God’s work in our lives and not as a result of our own merit or works --

Ephesians 2:8–9 NASB95

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

• God the Father chose us and He predetermined that we would become part of His spiritual family and be adopted as His children.

• God the Son, Jesus the Messiah, redeemed us through His sacrificial death on the cross and His resurrection. He provided the payment that frees us from the slavery of sin and allows us to live today, giving us hope for tomorrow.

• God the Holy Spirit has come to dwell permanently in our lives at that very moment we committed our lives to Jesus Christ. He remains there as a guarantee that we will one day receive the spiritual inheritance that God has promised to us as his adopted children.

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This Salvation is Past > Present > Future

Taken together, the work of all three Persons of the Godhead provides us with salvation. And that salvation, as we’ve seen time after time in our training, has three aspects to it:

• It is PAST aspect of salvation – I have been saved. At the very moment I trusted my life to Jesus Christ, I received the positional righteousness of Jesus and all of my sin was forgiven once and for all. Because Jesus redeemed me, when God looks upon my life, He no longer sees my sin, He sees the righteousness of Jesus.

• There is the PRESENT aspect of salvation. It is that part of the salvation process that Paul addresses in the last three chapters of his letter where he provides some practical instruction on how to live out the righteousness Jesus has given us on a day to day basis. That aspect of salvation provides me with a fruitful, abundant life right here and now.

• There is the FUTURE aspect of salvation. As good as our present lives may be, what God has in store for us in the future will far surpass even the best we have here on earth. For those who have trusted their lives to Jesus, there is the promise that we will spend eternity in the presence of God, worshipping and serving Him in a place of unimaginable beauty and glory.

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This Salvation is Personal & Public

And God didn’t just leave us here on earth to live out that salvation in solitude. He has placed every single believer into the body of Christ, the church. And God has given all of us together, as members of that body, the great privilege and responsibility of making known the wonder, the mystery of our salvation which He established before the foundation of the world.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul writes three more chapters that provide those who first heard, and us, with some very PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION on how the salvation that God has provided for us ought to affect the way we live our lives on a day-to-day basis.

So the last half of this basic training has focused on how we ought to apply those principles in our lives. He provides us with principles about how we are to treat and deal with each other within the body of Christ, the church and even those outside the church.

He’s given us guidelines about how to live together as husband and wives and parents and children. He’s addressed how to treat each other in the workplace. And he’s described the full armor of God that is needed to stand firm against the attacks of the devil.

He’s even dealt with how we are to pray with and for one another more effectively.

Paul here gives these final words to a faith-full people - As we draw this to a close considering the last four verses of this letter to the church.

He introduces the BEARER of this letter and then pronounces the BLESSINGS in the letter...

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I. The Bearer of the Letter to the Ephesians (6:21-22)

Paul often dictated his letters to a secretary(amanuensis).

In order to let his readers know that he was the one dictating the letter, Paul would often wrote a sentence or two in his own handwriting at the end of the letter.

He did that in his letters to the Galatians (Galatians 6:11), the Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 3:17), the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 16:21), and the Colossians (Colossians 4:18). And he did it again in this letter to the Ephesians.

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Tychicus

It seems that Paul’s secretary was Tychicus, whom Paul mentions in verse 21. Interestingly, Tychicus is mentioned five times by name in the New Testament (in Acts 20:24, Ephesians 6:21, Colossians 4: 7-8, 2 Timothy 4:12, and Titus 3:12).

Kent Hughes makes the following comment about Tychicus:

Though the mentions are brief, we can draw some revealing conclusions about his experiences and place in life. Tychicus first appears at the end of Paul’s missionary work in Ephesus, and since he was a native of the Province of Asia (Acts 20:4), of which Ephesus was the major city, we surmise that he was almost surely a convert of Paul’s long ministry in Ephesus. Thus, he likely witnessed the great Ephesian silversmiths’ riot against Paul, which prompted the apostle to leave Ephesus for Macedonia (Acts 19:35–20:1), and as an ardent supporter of Paul shared his danger and bravery.

A short time later, when Paul decides to return to Jerusalem where he would ultimately be arrested, Tychicus was one of the seven who accompanied him as traveling companions (Acts 20:4). Tychicus was probably the one who actually carried the offering for the poor in Jerusalem.

When Paul was arrested, Tychicus, along with Dr. Luke and others, stayed with Paul through his epic journey to Rome, which included his arrest and imprisonment in Caesarea, his dramatic appearances before kings and governors, his miserable voyage and shipwreck en route to Rome, and his residence (under house arrest) in Rome awaiting trial.

As Paul took the stylus from Tychicus, he writes these words in his own handwriting in Ephesians 6:21-22:

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Ephesians 6:21–22 NASB95

We learn several things about Tychicus, the bearer of the letter to the Ephesians.

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A Beloved Brother

Paul called Tychicus “the beloved brother” (6:21). Tychicus was greatly loved ὁ ἀγαπητὸς by Paul and also by the believers in the church in Rome, the city from which Paul was writing. Tychicus had been through thick and thin with Paul, and Paul loved him dearly for his constant companionship and faithful service

The word "beloved" is the Greek word agapetos. It is used sixty times in the New Testament—the first nine times by God to Christ his beloved Son:

and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."

Matthew 3:17 NASB

It's ONLY other use is of believers. "Beloved" is a term of affection. It is used of a deep and abiding love - a selfless sacrificial love. Love for one another was a characteristic of the early church. A Greek writer named Lucian, who lived from about A.D. 120-200, said of the early Christians, "It is incredible to see the fervor with which the people of that religion help each other in their wants.

He is a beloved BROTHER - not that he was Paul’s biological brother - he was his spiritual brother through faith

Ephesians 1:5 NASB95

5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,

This adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the family of God and have all the rights and the privileges of the sons and daughters of God.

He’s also referred to as a FAITHFUL SERVANT

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Faithful Servant

"Faithful" is from the Greek word pistis. It is that quality of being true, trustworthy, and reliable in all one's dealings with others. Faithfulness means something like "dependability." We admire "faithfulness" in all realms of life. The person with this quality keeps his word, his promises, and his vows.

The word "minister" is from the Greek diakonos, which means: "an attendant, a waiter (at table or in other menial duties)." It seems that Tychicus had a greater concern for Paul and the body of Christ than in serving his own interests.

Tychicus kept his word. He did what he was assigned to do with integrity. Paul could entrust him with the weighty responsibility for the churches in Crete or in Ephesus and know that he would be responsible. In a day when it would have been easy to mishandle the large gift for the Jerusalem saints, Tychicus could be trusted to deliver it all without pocketing some of it for himself. He could be trusted to deliver safely the letters of Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon.

Faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit that should mark every believer (Gal. 5:22), but it seems all too often that is lacking among Christians. It means that if you take on a responsibility, a leader does not need to prod you or check on you repeatedly to see if it got done. You do it as unto the Lord. Faithfulness is a crucial part of caring relationships, because it means that if you say you'll do something for someone, you do it. They can count on you.

Lamentations 3:22–23 NASB95

22 The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

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A Dutiful Messenger

Paul gave Tychicus two duties - two responsibilities.

First, Tychicus was to deliver this letter to the Ephesian church. In addition, Tychicus also delivered Paul’s letters to the Church of the Colossians (Colossians 4:7-8), the Church of the Laodiceans (Colossians 4: 16; although this letter is now lost to us), and to Philemon.

Tychicus' willingness to travel with Paul to Jerusalem shows his servant's heart. This was not an easy journey in that day. Travel in the ancient world was difficult and dangerous. The trip to Jerusalem would be very difficult, and it would take Tychicus away from his family, friends, and church for a long time.

The trip from Rome to Ephesus and Colossae was a difficult one. Tychicus would first have to cross much of Italy on foot, then sail across the Adriatic Sea. After travelling across Greece on foot, he would sail across the Aegean Sea to the coast of Asia Minor.

The second duty Paul gave Tychicus was to give the believers an update about Paul. In fact, he mentioned this three times. He wrote in verse 21a,

“So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing.”

And again in verse 21b, “Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything.”

And a third time in verse 22a, “I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are.”

This threefold emphasis on Tychicus’ duty to tell the Ephesians how Paul was doing may also explain why there are no personal greetings to individuals: Paul expected Tychicus to pass along his personal greetings to the individual brothers and sisters in the Ephesian Church in the same way that I would stand before the student body on the campus of Kampala at ABU and say, “Your brothers and sisters in Christ at Wynndale send you their love.”

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A Heart Encourager

Paul wrote about Tychicus in verse 22b, “…and that he may encourage your hearts (παρακαλέσῃ τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶ.”

Apparently, Tychicus had the ability to encourage people, and Paul wanted him to do so with the Ephesian believers.

So he sent Tychicus with this letter for two primary purposes. He wanted to provide more information about himself and his present ministry than he felt led to record in this letter. He also wanted to encourage the Ephesians. The news reported by Tychicus would comfort the hearts of Paul's readers and diminish their anxiety.

Paul's courageous faith would be an encouragement to them.

"That he may comfort your hearts"—what a ministry there is for a person who is an encourager! Tychicus would have conveyed Paul's perspective that we read in Philippians: "Sure, Paul is in prison and his living situation isn't exactly plush. But you wouldn't believe the ministry that God has given Paul with the soldiers. Every time they change the guard, Paul gets a new opportunity to tell about Christ. Now, there are believers all through the praetorian guard and even in Caesar's household!"

Don't worry - don’t be anxious - about Paul, he is having the time of his life. He is being used in a mighty way by God to spread the Gospel of the good news of Christ Jesus our Savior."

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Hebrews 3:13 NASB95

13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

It is a wonderful blessing to be encouraged by someone, isn’t it? You know when you have felt down, for whatever reason, and someone comes alongside and is able to encourage you. What a blessing that is!

So, Let Us Consider...

Paul was not a politician; he was a man of God. He didn't lie about his colleagues, describing them more than what they were. He never exaggerated their accomplishments. However, he did give them their due. He accurately estimated their abilities and qualities. Here Paul describes this brother in Christ as...

Tychicus not only was a brother, he was a "beloved brother."

He not only was a a servant - minister, he was a "faithful servant."

He was not only a messenger, but he was one who took his responsibility seriously carrying out those responsibilities as unto the Lord and not men so he would be described as one who was also an encouragers of heart and not a criticizer of people.

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Hebrews 10:24 NASB95

24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,

Imagine for a moment that the Apostle Paul had been at this church ministering among us and he left taking with him one of you. You are that one. Now Paul writes a letter to this church from that far off place and he sends that letter back here, not by airmail, but by you. How would he describe you...

Beloved > Faithful > Dependable > Trustworthy > Encourager?

The church needs faithful men and women to minister effectively to do the work of the church....

It has been said, There are two types of people who walk in the door of the church.

One type thinks, "Here I am, church! Meet my needs!" These folks often leave the church disappointed, because the church just didn't meet their needs.

The other type walks in, looks around, and asks, "Where are the needs that I can meet?" These are the Lord's servants. They're not here to be served, but to serve Christ by serving His church.

They care about others as beloved brothers/sisters in Christ. They are faithful > dependable > trustworthy > responsible > encouragers of the heart.

So, Let Us Consider...

Here is a question to ask yourself,

"If every church member were just like me, what kind of church would this church be?"

1 John 4:7–9 ESV

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

1 Corinthians 13:4–8 NASB95

4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.

Love can’t be done alone with your feelings. Love is active.

So, introvert or extrovert, we must learn to be connected with others if we want to really experience the power of Gods’ love in and through our relationships.

How would Paul have ministered so effectively without the help of the faithful believers?

The church needs faithful men and women to minister effectively.

Without the faithful men and women we have here none of the teaching would go beyond these walls.

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