When the Message Gets a Face

Big Idea:

Tension: Why does Paul list Tychicus, Onisemus, Aristarchus, Mark, Barnabas, Jesus/Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas, Nympha, and Archippus in his final greeting?

Resolution: Because they personalize the message of Colossians.

Exegetical Idea: Paul lists Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Barnabas, Jesus/Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas, Nympha, and Archippus in his final greeting because they personalize the message of Colossians.

Theological Idea: The true gospel is not abstract or ivory tower but transforms real people.

Homiletical Idea: The Gospel changes real people.

Outline

Introduction:

The Messengers -

Tychicus - The Messenger

A faithful envoy - Paul’s preferred messenger.

beloved brother - Paul calls him brother, meaning that he has been adopted into the family of God.

faithful minister - He was a “deacon” who could be trusted to do what he was called to do.

fellow servant in the Lord - his calling and vocation comes from his relationship with Jesus. He is “in the Lord.”

Onesimus - The brother

Faithful and beloved brother - he is described with the same description as Tychicus

One of you - he is someone who actually came from the Colossians. He was a runaway slave, who found Paul in Rome, and became a Christian. Paul sent him back with a letter to Philemon asking for him to be received back.

The Jews

Aristarchus - The Captured

Aristarchus was from Thessolonika

Travelled with Paul wherever Paul went

Went with Paul through good and bad, shipwrecks, trials.

“my fellow servant” - someone who was captured. This is describing his conversion.

Mark - The Restored

One of the earliest churches met in Mark’s house growing up.

Barnabas was his cousin. He went with Paul on his missionary journey.

Mark fell away (Acts 13:13)

but he came back to the Lord.

Eventually Paul and him reconciled.

Barnabas - The Encourager

A fellow Apostle with Paul

“Son of Encouragement”

When Paul first became a Christian, it was Barnabas who introduced him to the rest of the Apostles.

Gave up his property to the Church

Paul and Barnabas got into a great dispute in 15:36-41 over John Mark

Apparently they later have some kind of reconciliation

Barnabas was probably going to come and visit them

Jesus/Justus - The Witness

Jesus who is also called Justus, who is also called Judas, who is also called Barsabbas, who is also called Joseph

If this is the same person, he was one of the first disciples of Jesus

Was considered to replace Judas Iscariot after Jesus ascended

After the Jerusalem Council, Justus came and preached and taught for Paul. He was the 12 Apostle’s witness that Paul and him were on the same time.

The Greeks

Epaphras - The pray-er

“one of you”

Epaphras was the original pastor of the Colossae. He had planted the church in Colossae

He is a servant of Christ Jesus

He agonizes in his prayers that you would be mature

fully assured in all the will of God

Works hard for you in prayer

Luke - The Doctor

Luke was probably from Philippi

He wrote the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts

Luke was the last friend of Paul, came and found him in his last imprisonment

Luke cared for Paul

He travelled with Paul to Jerusalem, was with him in his imprisonment, and went with him to Rome

Demas - The Fallen

Not much is said

Out of love for the world has fled (2 Tim 4:10)

1 John 2:18 - they went out from us but they were never of us

This is a warning to us that we should take the Word seriously, ask if we are truly in the faith.

It is Actually God’s grace when those who are not believers realize it. Because when they realize they don’t believe, then they realize they need to repent.

It is God’s grace when he reveals sin through Church Discipline, because it encourages people to repent and it makes the Word of God pure.

The recipients

Nympha - The Hostess

She opened up her home to the church in her house

Nothing else is said, but she is generous with her time and money

Archippus - The pastor

God has given him a call

He is to fulfill the calling God has given to him

How has God done this work in their lives? vs. 16 Through his Word!

Hebrews 4:12

Colossians 3:15-17

1 Timothy 3:14-16

Application

Be grateful for how God has worked in his Word

Devote ourselves to the reading of the Word of God, devote ourselves to the Preaching of the Gospel, devote ourselves to Christ so that we might keep pressing onto maturity.