Tychicus: Dependable Servant of God Colossians 4:7-8 |
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Introduction: 1. The Book of Colossians was written from Rome during Paul's first imprisonment in Rome. He was afterwards released and reimprisoned and martyred. He did not plant the church at Colossae and never visited the city. Paul during his first imprisonment wrote Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. Paul greatly cared for this church and was concerned about its welfare. The church was beset with Oriental mysticism, Jewish legalism, and Greek philosophy. The Devil always has false religion, cults, traditions, entertainment, and even hypocrites to keep people from coming to Christ and false teaching to try and keep them from living for the Lord after they become a Christian. But God has called, godly Bible loving pastors, preachers and teachers to teach the truth. I want to introduce you to a man God greatly used in the earlier church of whom few have heard. We know much about the work of Barnabas and Paul in spreading the Gospel into Asia and Europe in the first century. Paul stands in the lime light as the man God called to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. He was faithful to God’s calling and all owe much to him. God used him to write most of our New Testament. But not often mentioned are the men who went with Paul and assisted him in his missionary endeavors. When he left Antioch on each of his missionary journeys he was not alone. Luke, Barnabas, Timothy, Mark, 4-Onesimus, 5-Aristarchus, 3-Justus, Epaphras, (3-Ep-puh-fras) and Tychicus (7-Tich e cus), to name a few. These men were invaluable in Paul's ministry. God calls one man to lead and he calls many others to assist and one without the other will fail. 2. I want today to look at one of these men and see what kind of man God used to support and help Paul. Few people have heard of Tychicus and others are more popular and well known, such as Barnabas, but I do not believe that in service to the Lord, Tychicus would take a back seat to anyone. 3. He is mentioned only in Acts 20:4, Colossians 4:7-8, Ephesians 6:21, 2 Timothy 4:9-12, and Titus 3:12. But although little mentioned, what is said shows him to be the tremendous servant of God he was. 4. In Acts 20:4. He is with Paul on his Third Missionary Journey along with six other men. With Paul was: So-pater a Berean, Ar-ist- archus (Air a tar cus) and Se-cun-dus from Thessalonica, Gaius of Der'be, Timotheus (Timothy), Tychicus and Tro-ph-i-mus both from Asia Minor. 5. In Colossians 4:7-8. Paul sent Tychicus, along with Onesimus to Colossae to deliver his letter and to help that church. By being named first in the passage, Tychicus was probably leading or in charge of the group. He was sent to take the letter to Colossae, to tell them of all Paul's affairs. His name means "fateful." Not "faith" but "fate" like in saying "this is one's fate." His God given fate was to assist Paul in the important task of taking the Gospel to the Gentiles. His name reflects that God had a select purpose for his life and he was faithful to his calling. Tychicus was also to bring the Colossians comfort. The word "comfort" is the form of the same word used of the Holy Spirit (parakaleo par-ak-al-eh'-o ) as meaning "one called along side." 6. Ephesians 6:21, Tychicus was sent with the letter to the Ephesians, to share with them the same purpose as to the Colossians. 7. 2 Timothy 4:9-12. Paul tells Timothy that he is sending Tychicus to Ephesus. 8. Titus 3:12. Paul was sending him or Artemas to tell Titus to meet Paul and Nicopolis (Ni capolis - a providence in north Greece.) and it appears, to take over the work in Crete.
I. Tychicus was a "Beloved Brother." Col. 4:7, Eph. 6:21
A. Prov. 17:17. "a friend loveth at all times."
This friendship was especially significant because Paul was forsaken during his second imprisonment in which is was beheaded by many who had earlier worked with him. In 2 Tim. 4:12...Tychicus is seen still working with Paul and helping him.
ILLUS: Sam Davis was a Confederate spy executed at Pulaski, Tennessee, by the Union Army for spying. When captured by the Union army, he had in his possession some papers of vital importance. After examining the case closely, the officers in charge knew he must have had an accomplice in securing the papers. He was court-martialed, led out before the firing squad and blindfolded.
Then the officer in charge put forward a proposition:
"If you will give us the name of the man who furnished you this information, you may go free." Sam Davis did not hesitate in his reply, "If I had a thousand lives I would give them all before I would betray a friend."
It has been said, "Loyalty thou are indeed a gem, seldom found in the hearts of men." Each of us would be greatly blessed if we had a friend like Sam Davis.
Sadly, even among pastors and preachers of the Gospel you rarely find a true friend. If someone makes a derogatory statement about you, many will be quick to believe it and few will defend you. Some preachers and church members seem to enjoy passing on a good bit of gospel....whether true or false.
B. Proverbs 27:6, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend." A loyal friend may correct us in love to help us, but the enemy will use sweet words, but will harm not help us. Read Prov. 27:17.
C. Using the adjective "beloved" meant that Tychicus was highly esteemed, someone dear to Paul, who was a favorite and showed himself worthy of love. (Strong's)
ILLUS: My pastor, when I was called to preach, told me that a man could consider himself fortunate if he had one or two true friends during his whole life. He, about ten years later shunned me. Another I thought close friend, and my college buddy has little or nothing to do with me now. I have tried on several occasions to rekindle our friendship, but he does not seem interested. I still call him occasionally, and have visited him, but he never calls or visits me. I deeply miss the friendship of these two men. I have another friend a preacher with whom I had a several of disagreements....some quite strong, but in spite of that our friendship held. His friendship means a lot to me. One thing I admire about him is he does not judge to condemn others. He once wrote me a long letter of encouragement because he sensed I was feeling down. He and I chose to be friends and we love and appreciate each other. I believe I could share anything with him and have no fear that it would be kept confidential and he would make it a matter of prayer.
D. A friend is a valuable thing to have. I saw a little clip once that read: The best vitamin for friends is B1. Clearly Tychicus offered himself to the Lord and then to Paul, because he saw God using Paul. He was Paul’s trusted friend and fellow minister.
1. He did not take the lime-light. He served with little mention.
2. He respected Paul, whom he knew to be God’s man, and followed his instructions and went where Paul sent him.
3. Because he was a friend, he was "beloved" by Paul. Surely this was a great comfort to him.
4. Any preacher vitally needs fellow workers, men and women who are close friends he can count on. A pastor or minister who has little support and help from those who love him will not be very effective in his calling. Sadly, human nature rules in many lives rather than the godly nature of the Spirit of God.
5. I believe God's word, and in 1 Cor. 12:18 and 28 God says He puts people in each church to carry on His work. What He wants done He places someone to do it. Preachers are not qualified or called to do everything, though often that is what is required of them. They need help and God will bring people with the necessary skills to help them. However, the people are not always willing to do so. Tychicus was a man God could count on.
II. Tychicus was faithful minister.
A. God calls leaders who must have fellow ministers. Clearly Tychicus' ministry was directed by Paul. He is not shown in the limelight, but a faithfully loving friend aiding and supporting Paul. He was not called to be a preacher....but a minister. Though we think they should be one, some make a great deal of difference between a preacher and a minister. One is called to lead the other is called to minister....and both have the same responsibility to the Lord Jesus.
1. The word used here for minister is "dia-kon-is" which is the word servant or transliterated "deacon" in English. The Catholics, Protestants and a great many Baptists have done great harm to God's people by corrupting the work of the "diakonis" and making him an official in the church. The transliteration the word into "deacon" instead of translating it in to "servant" or "minister" has cause a great deal of confusion. It is an accurate transliteration, but would have better been translated...servant.. 1 Timothy 3:7 can be correctly translated "the ministry of a servant."
2. Tychicus was not a pastor, evangelist or called as a leader. He was a called as indicated by the words used which denotes one who "one who executes the commands of another, especially of a master, a servant, attendant, minister."
B. Tychicus served God by serving Paul and those to whom he was sent. How effective would Paul have been without men such as Tychicus, Onesimus and Tro-ph-i-mus?
C. A minister serves others. You cannot serve the God without serving others. (Nothing is original, but I cannot find any other person who authoried this phrase.)
1. Note that in Col. 4:8, Eph. 6:22, he is sent also to comfort.
2. The "serving" that God uses is service that comforts those we serve. The spirit and intent of our service is as important as the service itself. There is no comfort from one who helps out of necessity or whose heart is not in it.
ILLUS: Example: I once had a nurse in the hospital who came in giving orders and acting as she was being imposed upon by me being the patient? She might get the job done, but there is no comfort. When I was in Duke Hospital, in Durham, NC with a life threatening liver disease I have many nurses who attended me. What a blessing most of them were. I was had a high fever and was perspiring so heavily that I would completely wet the bed every hour or so. I hated to call them to get dry sheets and clothes. Most of them made it a point to come by often and check on me. Most came in smiling and when I was apologetic about causing them so much work, they would tell me not to worry...they were there to help me get well and they were happy to change my clothes and linen. It was their work, their ministry.... they saw their work as being helpful. That made all the difference in their work...they were ministers.
One orderly came to take me to get a biopsy. At that time the doctors did not know what was causing the ten absesses on my liver. I was our the fourth floor where most patients left on a gurney. The doctors were trying to find what bacteria was effecting me so they could get the right antibiotic. The orderly came while the doctor was in the room explaining to me what my true situation was. He asked the orderly to wait for just a moment till he was finished talking with me. The orderly clearly was put out and she just left. She complained and spoke sharply. It was three hours later before another orderly came and the biopsy was done. It delayed my treatment about half a day...which was very serious. Clearly, you can see the difference here. This lady was only doing a job and had no concern for the patient or the their well being. She did not have a ministry...she had a job and was only punching a clock.
May I say that if we as pastors we could get a little put out by the things some of our church members do....maybe we should consider asking the question...are we doing a job or being a minister. Working in the church, cleaning up, and doing the many jobs that makes a church run...we could get to feeling that we are being put upon. We could forget serving the Lord in any capacity is a ministry...we should never see it as a job. You may or may not get thanked....But it is God who keeps the book. He always rewards faithful service.
3. What about a person in the church who does something that needs to be done, but feels as if they are being imposed upon? Sometimes people who teach for years, keep the nursery, clean the church, cut the grass, visits shut-ins, etc. has a wrong attitude.
D. Faithful here means "one who has faith." True belief produces faith and faith produces action in one's life. James said, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." (James 2:17-18)
III. Tychicus was a Fellow Servant.
A. The word "fellowservant" means "one who serves the same master."
B. Note Paul says "fellowservant in the Lord."
1. This is akin to "beloved brother" but with a little different emphasis.
2. They both had the same Lord and the same goal....to bring glory to God.
C. Paul was called to carry the Gospel to the Gentiles, Tychicus was called to help him! Doing the will of God was Paul’s commitment and it was Tychicus’ also. The shared the vision and calling. There is no hint of jealousy. He knew God was leading Paul, thus he served Paul and put himself aside.
1. Both their callings were equal in God's sight.
2. God calls us to be faithful and serve where called.
3. The responsibility and importance of each of their work for the Lord was important. One complimented the others. The were a team.
4. God does not reward based on the position we hold, but on our faithfulness to serving were we are called.
D. There are lots of people who want a title, prestige, high position in the church.
ILLUS: Years ago my pastor Roger Baker and myself were visiting in our community in King, NC, near a place call Sauratown Mt. It was a rural mountain community with many small farms. We went into a drive that lead to two houses that were close together. We knocked on the door of the ladies home we went to visit, but she was not home. An old gentlemen, came from around a tobacco barn that was near the house and so we stopped and told him what we were doing there. He stuck out his chest and with an air of great pride told us that he had been the adult men's Sunday School teach at the Mountain View Baptist Church for thirty years. He told us too that used the "Socrates method of teachings." He was busting with pride at his position. By the way....according to what Jesus said about the Pharisees....this SS teacher at Mt. View Baptist Church had his reward. We visited the church and not one person even spoke to us.
On other occasions I have met men who informed me they were the "Chairmen of the Board of Deacons" at their church. It was clear they wanted me to know I was talking to someone important! They took great pride in their title and position.
Yet, I have know others who served the Lord faithfully and few people even knew what they were did. I have a statement in my Bible which reads, "There is no limit to what a man can accomplish if he is not concerned with who gets the credit."
Tychicus was not interest in credit and being someone big in the church or being recognized....he quietly, steadfastly went about caring out the tasks and jobs Paul had for him...glad and happy to do so.
ILLUS: There are a small group of men in my home church in King, NC. The church has grown from a small handful of people meeting in a rented...abandoned worn out truck stop, to a thriving church of close to 1000. They have a Christian school, a Bible college turning out preachers, and vibrant church winning souls to Christ. No so called "Christian rock, contemporary Christian music" there and they do not have non-traditional services. They used the old King James Bible and defend it as God's word. They have not gone to the modern popular "shows" some churches put on. The pulpit is where the Word of God is preached...it is not stage where shows are put on. Behind Pastor Baker is a group of Godly laymen. They can be counted on for their stewardship to that church in every way. The men and women in the church have two or three prayer meetings each week praying for the pastor and the work of the Lord. God has greatly used Brother Roger as the pastor of the church, but behind him....the backbone of that church are godly men of god...serving and carrying on the work of God. If something is broke...or needs fixing....the pastor does not have to worry about these things....they are pleased and happy to be doing God's work...serving their pastor and their congregation. Folks that church would still be in the truck stop without these men!
D. This common bond and commitment to Lord made Tychicus the useful servant of God that he was.
Tychicus loved God and because of that he was faithful he was greatly used of the Lord.
Conclusion:
1. Can it be said of us that we are "a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellowservant in the Lord." God needs Tychicuses, Tro-phi-muses, O-nesi-muses. Would that be what other pastors would say about you.
Many of us are pastors....but may I say to you, that you cannot be a good leader if you do not know how to be or are willing to be a follower. I learned a great deal about being a pastor, working in two churches as a servant. You will get no respect, if you do not know how to show others respect, you will not be served if you do not serve others.
Churches need godly faithful women too like Lydia, who greatly aided Paul and his missionary companions as Acts 16:14-15 tells us in starting and establishing the work at Philippi. Only three verses mentions her...yet she was so important to the Lord’s word in opening her heart and home to God's preachers. In Acts 16:22-40, tells how that Paul and his brethren were beaten and thrown in prison. God broke open the doors of the jail. The Philippian jailer was saved. When they left the jail, they went to Lydia's home where she was putting them up. She too was a vital part of the ministry. She prayed for these servants of God and provided for their needs.
2. Is it our desire and goal to be ministers of the Gospel? That's where we begin.
3. People are not automatically friends and faithful fellow workers in the church. They are not automatically servants, but those that are, are the ones who have made a decision to be faithful to the Lord and to serve and support their local assembly, their pastor and fellow members.
If we a preachers and our congregations would grasp these truths and live them the work of the Lord would be booming. It takes a committed effort and desire on our part to be used of the Lord.
4. You cannot be Tychicus. He had his own job to do. God has given you yours. You can be LIKE Tychicus. Are you faithful? What a blessing is God's faithful.
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