Unity in Diversity

Paul’s Friends

In his time serving the Lord, Paul developed many meaningful relationships, and often in his letters he made sure to greet some of those who he knew, either as the evangelist and apostle to those who found Christ through his ministry, or those who he was a mentor to, or those he consider to be fellow workers and those who were supportive of the church. As we look at the various relationships we find at the end of Colossians, may we also be considering how we need to be thankful for our relationships in the church, cultivate relationships in the church, and encourage relationships in the church.

Be Thankful for our Relationships

Cultivate Relationships

Encourage relationships

We have a beautiful gift that god has given each of us, and that is brothers and sisters in Christ. If we were to write a letter of our lives, how much could we look to our relationships in the church with gratitude, with love, and with confidence in each other? We need to ask ourselves individually, how am I doing? How are we doing? What can I work on to strengthen relationships in the church?

Colossians 4:7–18 ESV

Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Tychicus

Tychicus was a loyal supporter and companion of Paul. Paul has sent him personally to bring this letter, and also to tell the church about Paul’s activities. The letter contains the words of Paul, the instructions and encouragements to the church. These instructions, from Paul himself, are written, but Tychicus could give more of a report on Paul, things that are secondary to Paul’s main purpose, but still important, since Paul wants the church to know what is going on with him.

Tychicus is mentioned 5 times in scripture, in Acts, Ephesians, 2 Timothy, and Titus, and here in Colossians. He was likely a convert of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus. He had been with Paul through thick and thin, and face danger along side Paul. He had served as Paul’s messenger on other occasions, and may have been the one that carried the Ephesian church’s offerings to the poor in Jerusalem. So here in Colossians Paul commends Tychicus as a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. He was to deliver this letter, the letter to Philemon, to the Ephesians, and possibly to the Laodiceans. We know this is likely because in 16 Paul says the Colossian church should read the letter to the Laodiceans and have their letter read in Laodicia. I’ve probably mentioned this before, but we know that Paul’s letters were duplicated and brought to be read in other churches. And here we see specific directions from Paul commanding that.

Tychicus was behind the scenes, so to speak. He was a servant who was not in the spotlight, although he was very important. Sometimes in the church, we forget that those serving behind the scenes are vital and the work they do has eternal effect. The deacons appointed in Acts 6 were appointed to do work that freed up the apostles to focus on their teaching and study of the word. As one person said, a look at Tychicus reminds us that momentary things done for Christ are eternal. What would be the use of Paul’s writing a letter if it did not get delivered? what good would those wonderful passages we have been learning in Colossians had never been read? So we should be reminded that every job in service to Jesus is important, when we look at all the elements of what it takes to function as a church, may we never take for granted even what may seem to us a small task done by a quiet servant.

So Paul commends Tychicus as a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. He then says that the purpose he is sending Tychicus, besides the obvious delivering the letter, is so that the church may know how Paul and his companions are and also that he may encourage their hearts. Sometimes we think of Barnabas, the son of encouragement, someone with a special gifting of encouragement. But all of us are called to be encouragers of one another. how we need to be thankful for our relationships in the church, cultivate relationships in the church, and encourage relationships in the church. Again, we must consider how we need to be thankful for our relationships in the church, cultivate relationships in the church, and encourage relationships in the church.

Onesimus

Onesimus, now this is an interesting character! Along with the letter to the Colossian church, Tychicus also brought a letter specifically for one man, Philemon. We are going to look at that short letter after we finish Colossians, since they really go together in many ways. But briefly, the letter to Philemon is a letter where Paul requests that Philemon be kinds and forgiving towards Onesimus. Why? Because Onesimus was a runaway slave, and Philemon was his owner. But both Onesimus and Philemon are now Christians. Now, perhaps, you will have a better understanding of why Paul wrote to masters and servants about how they should treat one another. Onesimus was once worthless, but now was quite valuable. He is also referred to by Paul as a faithful and beloved brother. Paul says in the other letter that Onesimus is his child, that Paul became a father to him in his imprisonment. Onesimus was formerly useless to Philemon. This probably means he was lazy and he was a thief, but now Paul says he is useful to Philemon and Paul.

But Philemon has been transformed by the gospel. Paul says he is much more than a bondservant, he is a brother. In his letter to Philemon, he urges him to accept Onesimus as a brother, and in his letter to the church, he tells them that Onesimus is “one of you”. Onesimus and Tychicus together will tell the church all that has taken place.

Aristarchus

Aristarchus is a fellow prisoner of Paul. He is mentioned a few times in Acts and in Philemon and Romans as well. He also had been with Paul through thick and thin.

Mark

This is John Mark, and likely the author of the gospel of Mark. He is the cousin of Barnabas, who is to be welcomed by the church if they come.

Jesus called Justus

He is mentioned in Acts as well as a companion of Paul’s and also a fellow prisoner. Aong those with Paul, they are the only Jews.

Epaphras

We discussed Epaphras when we were in chapter 1, he is the one who Paul said had done a good job instructing the church in proper teaching of the gospel. Paul says Epaphras greets the church, and always struggles on their behalf in prayer. This word, struggle, means striving or fighting. Epaphras, like most ministers who have poured into those they have discipled, is concerned for them, wanting to see them mature and fully assured in all the will of God. Paul says Epaphras has worked hard for the churches.

Luke the Physician

A lot can be said of Luke and his contributions to the church. He was an eyewitness to many of the things he wrote in Acts about Paul’s ministry. He did a careful research of events in order to write the gospel of Luke and Acts.

Demas

Paul doesn’t say much here about Demas, but we know that Demas ended up falling away. 2 Tim4.10

2 Timothy 4:10 ESV

For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

How sad this must have been for Paul, but also a reminder to us of the the benefits and risks of being vulnerable to invest in time with other people. When we love much, we can be hurt much. Many times in ministry and in life, we spend time on people only to be taken advantage of, or to be later reviled by the ones we loved. On the other hand, if we close ourselves off so much that we never risk these relational pitfalls, we will also never have the golden opportunities to see real growth in people, to find ourselves in real, loving and life-giving relationships.

Demas loved the present world. We can only guess what specifically Paul means by this, but it is as true today as at any point in history that if we lose our focus on the heavenly kingdom, we may fall into the pit of temptation. In Pilgrim’s promise, the study or Demas is illustrated in a silver mine. Travelers are tempted to go into the mine for what looks like an easy gain, but they fall in and die.

So in this letter, Demas is mentioned as one who greets the church, but later in his letter to Timothy Paul says he has deserted him. Does he mean deserted the gospel altogether, or wimped out of doing ministry, we cannot be sure. Knowing Paul’s prayer life, I’m sure he prayed for Demas to turn back to his service to the Lord, and so we ought to as well pray for those who have seemingly gone out of the church. God knows their hearts, we do not always see what God does. We have a responsibility nonetheless to pray.

Then Paul says give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, this refers to the believers there.

Nympha

We don’t know much about Nympha, other than that there was a church in her house. Now, some have said this is an example of a woman pastor, but the text does not say that, it simply says a church was in her house. So she hosted believers in her house. Other than that, we don’t know too much about her.

Next Paul says read this letter in Laodicea, and read their letter as well. So likely Paul had distinct teachings in these letters and he wanted them to be read and shared. We know they were also meticulously copied, which is one reason why we can have such confidence in scripture, because so many copies were made, and therefore scholars are able to compare them and verify their authenticity.

Archippas

We don’t know much about Archippus either. Here and in Philemon only is he mentioned, and only mentioned. He is told to fulfill the ministry he has received

Finally, Paul signs the letter in his own hand, giving it authenticity. So the letter itself was dictated by Paul, we know he had some eyesight issues, but he writes a greeting at the end in his own hand. And finally, he tells them to remember his chains. His physical chains to him are a mere symbol of his chains to Jesus. He calls himself at times a slave or bondservant of Christ. To Paul, it isnt the Romans who hold him captive, but Jesus himself.

Be Thankful for our Relationships

Cultivate Relationships

Encourage relationships

Be Thankful For our Relationships

Paul is clearly thankful for his relationships, that have been developed throughout his ministry. They say nothin bonds people together like going through trauma together. Another thing that bonds people together is working together. People who accomplish a task together, who worked side by side to do something, will have a bond that they wouldn't have had otherwise. This is why work days at the church are good. This is why I encourage you to help out at our fall festival, to get involved with packing shoeboxes, to be apart of the church and serve. It isn’t only that we need your help, but you will benefit in many ways. You will have been obedient to Christ, and you will find increased appreciation for others. You may also find yourself annoyed by people’s quarks. But that is all part of it. The trick is to not focus on those things that could be divisive, but to focus on the things that are good in others.

This is what Paul was talking about when he encouraged two ladies in a church to get a long. Imagine that! We don’t know what their issue was, but think about this. There are two ladies whose names are forever enshrined in the Holy Bible because they were not getting along. Phil4.2-9

Philippians 4:2–9 ESV

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Do you notice how this goes together? “Ladies, get along!” You are one in Christ, you have labored side by side with me in the gospel, your names are in the book of life!”. And immediately after is the means to do this: Rejoice, be reasonable, don’t be anxious, pray, and you will have peace. And think about good things. things true, hooroable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, praiseworthy. And practice the things Paul has demonstrated in his own example for them.

Paul was pretty smart, right? And of course, inspired by the Holy Spirit to write this, which you will learn more about tonight if you come to my class. (see how I did that segway?) This is brilliant. Yet it is so simple. If you focus on rejoicing, being thankful, and all those other things, you will have a much easier time getting along with others.

Cultivate Relationships

Relationships are hard work. But look at all the people Paul has in his life! These are relationships that took time and probably patience and sweat and tears. It is hard work to get along, yet it is our lot in life as Believers that we are to get along. Cultivate your relationships through time, through prayer, through care. Epaphras is an example here as well, wouldn’t you love to know that someone is struggling on your behalf in prayer? The word cultivate is an agricultural term. to help a plant or seed to take root, you cultivate the soil. Relationships take cultivating.

Encourage Relationships

Get along, forgive, be reasonable, build one another up, and many other exhortations are given to us in scripture. So we ought to remind each other what scripture teaches about relationships, and not only should we be thankful for our relationships and cultivate them, we should encourage others towards healthy relationships as well.

Sharpening our focus on Christ

the result of this will be our sharpened focus on mission, on relationships, on the kingdom of God

Sharpen your focus on Jesus, our Savior, Sanctifier, healer, and Coming King.

Sharpen your focus on the fact that if we love Jesus we must love his bride, the church.

If you say you love a friend who is getting married, and yet tell him his bride is ugly, he won’t be your friend for long.

If you say you love your friend who is getting married and want no relationship with his bride, you are not a true friend.

If you say you love your friend who is getting married and you mock his bride, you really are no friend at all.

The church is the bride of Christ. If you say you love Christ, and yet tell him his bride is ugly, you probably don’t really love Christ.

If you say you love Christ and want no relationship with his bride, you are not a true friend.

If you say you love Christ and you mock his bride, you really are no friend at all.

Unity in Diversity