Colossians 4:7-10
A Friend in God’s Ministry
I. \\#1:1-2:23\\ The Person of God Displayed through Christ
A. \\#1:1-12\\ Introduction
1. \\#1-2\\ Paul’s Salutation
2. \\#1:3-8\\ Paul’s Recognition
3. \\#1:9-11\\ Paul’s Prayer
B. \\#1:12-2:3\\ The Person of Christ
1. \\#1:12-14\\ Paul’s Thanks
2. \\#1:15-22\\ Paul’s Message
a. \\#15-17\\ Who Jesus is in Creation.
(1) \\#15\\ Jesus, the image of the invisible God.
(2) \\#15\\ Jesus, the firstborn of every creature.
(3) \\#16\\ Jesus, the Creator of all things.
(4) \\#17\\ Jesus, the One before all things.
(5) \\#17\\ Jesus, the One by whom all things consist.
b. \\#18-21\\ Who Jesus is in the church
(1) \\#18\\ Jesus, the Head of the body.
(2) \\#18\\ Jesus, the beginning, the firstborn from
the dead.
(3) \\#19\\ Jesus, in whom dwells all the fullness of
the Godhead.
(4) \\#20\\ Jesus. the Peacemaker.
(5) \\#21\\ Jesus, the Reconciler.
(6) \\#22\\ Jesus, the Presenter.
3. \\#1:23\\ Paul’s Challenge
4. \\1:24-2:3\\ Paul’s Ministry
a. \\#1:24\\ Paul Enduring
b. \\#1:25-28\\ Paul Entrusted
c. \\#2:1-3\\ Paul Expected
C. \\#2:4-23\\ Warnings to the Church
1. \\#2:4-7\\ Don’t Be Beguiled
2. \\#2:8-15\\ Don’t Be (Spoiled) Ruined
3. \\#2:16-17\\ Don’t Be (Judged) Condemned
4. \\#2:18\\ Don’t Lose Your Reward
5. \\#2:19-23\\ Don’t Lose Your Christ
D. \\#2:10-23\\ The Solution is to Remember
1. \\#2:9-10\\ Who Christ is.
2. \\#2:11-15\\ What Christ has done.
3. \\#2:16-23\\ What we should do.
II. \\#3:1-4:18\\ The Person of God Displayed through the Believers
A. \\#3:1\\ A Condition
B. \\#3:2-4\\ A Correlation
C. \\#3:5-4:6\\ Commands
1. \\#3:5-17\\ For A Growing Christian
a. \\#5-7\\ We must kill some things.
b. \\#8-9\\ We must "put off" some things.
c. \\#10-17\\ We must "put on" some things.
2. \\#3:18-21\\ For A Godly Home
3. \\#3:22-4:1\\ For Good Business
4. \\#4:2-6\\ For A Strong Christian Witness
a. \\#2-4\\ Pray
b. \\#5\\ Walk Wisely
c. \\#6\\ Speak Graciously
D. \\#4:7-18\\ Friends in the Ministry
1. \\#7\\ Tychicus—A Servant Who Will Help
2. \\#9\\ Onesimus—A Servant Who Will Help
3. \\#10\\ Aristarchus—A Brother Who Would Not Leave
4. \\#10\\ Marcus—A Brother Restored
5. \\#11\\ Justus—A Completed Jew
6. \\#12\\ Epaphras—A Lover of Souls
7. \\#14\\ Luke—A Faithful Companion
8. \\#14\\ Demas—A Failing Stepping Stone
9. \\#15\\ Nymphas—A hospitable brother
10. \\#17\\ Archippus—A Careful Minister
By reading Paul’s letters, we learn a little bit about him. From
time to time, we see his heart and even get inside his head. But
what of the band of servants which accompanied Paul? We know that
he had "preachers" and helpers with him, but who were they?
In this section, we get a glimpse of those with Paul as he sat in
prison. Some will be stay with him. Some will move along to
continue the ministry. And some will abandon him.
This evening, let’s look around Paul’s prison ward and see who sits
with him. Eight men are mentioned as being with him. Two are
mentioned as being at Colosse where the letter will be sent.
Let’s see Paul’s company of witnesses.
I. Tychicus - A Servant Who Will Help
A. Tychicus is mentioned several times by Paul.
1. Tychicus is mentioned, along with several others
including Aristarchus, as Paul was on his second
missionary journey going back into Asia on his return
trip to Jerusalem.
Ac 20:4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of
the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and
Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
a. I really do not think this is the first reference
to Tychicus but I mention it first because it
suggests that Tychicus was introduced to Christ
either on Paul’s first missionary journey or on
the first part of the second missionary journey,
while they were still in Asia.
b. Some of the cities that are mentioned as being in
Asia are Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, Antioch, and
others.
c. It is obvious that Tychicus became a helper to the
Apostle Paul. There is no indication that
Tychicus was a preacher as Titus or Timothy, but
he had a very valuable role in spreading the
gospel.
2. Paul mentions Tychicus to Titus.
Tit 3:12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be
diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to
winter.
a. Paul was either in or heading to Nicopolis.
b. There are several cities called Nicopolis but
it seems likely to have been located in Macedonia,
meaning that this reference actually occurred before
the one in Acts 20:4.
3. Apparently, when Tychicus joined with Paul, he joined
for life. It may be that Paul either sent or left him
at different places, but he basically stayed with Paul
through the remainder of his second missionary journey.
a. Ultimately, Tychicus ended up in Rome to minister
to Paul in prison.
Eph 6:21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do,
Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall
make known to you all things:
22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know
our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
Col 4:7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a
beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the
Lord:
8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know
your estate, and comfort your hearts;
b. I cannot find a passage that tells whether Tychicus
was or was not with Paul during the third
missionary journey.
4. Paul eventually sends Tychicus to Ephesus, likely with
the epistles that he has helped to pen. (His name
is mentioned in the postscripts of Ephesians and
Colossians.)
2Ti 4:12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
B. \\#7\\ Tychicus will help.
1. Tychicus is described as a beloved brother and a
faithful minister.
2. Paul knows that he will tell those concerned about him
of his welfare \\#Eph 6:21-22\\ and report back to
him concerning those he was concerned for
\\#Col 4:8\\.
3. However, Tychicus is never referred to as a preacher,
a missionary, an evangelist, or even a teacher. He
was a faithful man who HELPED.
C. The Bible acknowledges a gift of HELPS.
1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles,
secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then
gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
1. In addition, the Bible gives us many examples of those
with this gift.
Ac 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha,
which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good
works and almsdeeds which she did.
Ro 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of
the church which is at Cenchrea:
2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye
assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath
been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
2. And to all of this, the Bible commands us to master
this gift.
Ga 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Php 4:3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women
which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with
other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
Tit 3:13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey
diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses,
that they be not unfruitful.
D. Characteristics of those with this gift:
1. Their pleasure and fulfillment comes in helping others.
2. They have a humble spirit. (They do not need and will
often shun recognition.)
3. No man of God, no church, no ministry would ever get
accomplished if it were not for the unsung heroes of
the faith who simply desire "to git ‘er done!"
II. \\#9\\ Onesimus - A Saved Slave Going Back
A. \\#Col 4:9\\ Paul indicates that Onesimus was a Colossian.
B. The story of Onesimus is found in the book of Philemon.
1. Philemon was his master.
a. \\#Phm 1:12-15\\ Apparently, Onesimus had run away
from Philemon.
b. Onesimus was likely a bond servant, that is, he
was working off a debt and decided to leave before
the debt was paid. (Granted, we do not KNOW that.)
2. Somehow, Onesimus had gotten himself imprisoned with
Paul, and Paul lead him to Christ.
3. Paul knew Philemon, wrote him a letter asking that he
would be gracious to Onesimus and sent Onesimus back
with that letter.
C. Even though Paul sent Onesimus back, Onesimus had to choose
to go.
1. What a difficult decision to make!
2. Onesimus was obeying God in keeping his word even when
it cost him something!
a. The psalmist asks the question, "Who will the Lord
bless?"
b. In giving the answer, one part says….
Ps 15:4 …but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth
to his own hurt, and changeth not.
c. To that, the Bible adds other commands.
Ec 5:4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he
hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
Jon 2:9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of
thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the
LORD.
D. There are many ways to measure a Christian but one is his
willingness to do what is right even when it may cost
him something.
E. Most everyone is familiar with the wreck of the $450
million Costa Concordia cruise ship which had more than
4,200 passengers and crew on board when it slammed into
the reef Friday off the tiny Italian island of Giglio
after the captain made an unauthorized maneuver. It
appears that one of the first off the ship was the
ship’s captain—I do not know what happen but a recording
which has been circulated indicates that he and his
second-in command simply left the ship via a lifeboat
and then refused to return. Instead, some say that he
made it to shore and took a taxi home, leaving the crew
and passengers to fend for themselves. At last count,
11 are known dead with 24 passengers and 4 crew still
missing in an article dated January 18, 2012 on Fox
News’ website.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/01/18/search-for-
survivors-suspended-after-wrecked-cruise-ship-shifts/#ixzz1jpwMj2DA
1. It sounds like the captain was afraid and fled for his
life.
2. Was he in danger if he stayed? Sure. Especially if
he attempted to help others who were in danger.
3. Yet those are the difficult decisions that Christians
must make when called upon to do so!
4. Onesimus was young in the Lord, but he was being
reared right!
5. He was a saved slave who was going back!
III. \\#10\\ Aristarchus - A Brother Who Would Not Leave
A. The first mention of Aristarchus
Ac 19:29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having
caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in
travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
1. This would be another of the converts from the second
missionary journey. In fact, another of the verses
\\#Acts 27:2\\ tells us he was from Thessalonica.
2. He is mentioned in the same verse as Tychicus as
following Paul back to Asia.
Ac 20:4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of
the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and
Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
3. He is also mentioned as actually sailing with Paul
as he was a prisoner being transported to Rome.
Ac 27:2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning
to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of
Thessalonica, being with us.
4. Paul mentions him in the letter of Philemon as well.
Phm 1:24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
B. Notice here Paul calls him "my fellowprisoner."
1. I think it is unlikely that Aristarchus was actually
a prisoner with Paul for two reason:
a. He is mentioned as a passenger not a prisoner by
Luke in \\#Acts 27:2\\.
b. Paul calls him "MY fellowprisoner" not A
fellowprisoner, indicating that Aristarchus had
MADE himself a prison for Paul’s sake.
2. I think that is exactly what Aristarchus had done—
made himself a prisoner for Paul.
C. Aristarchus would not leave Paul’s side!
1. This was a man who was determined to be a friend to
Paul to the end.
2. Remember, no one knew if Paul would live or die. (Many
think he did was never released from the Roman
prison.)
3. What a friend, comfort, and help Aristarchus must have
been to Paul!
4. \\#2Tim 4:11\\ At some point Aristarchus did leave,
perhaps to do an errand for Paul; but it seems likely
that it was his intent to stay—no matter what.
IV. \\#10\\ Marcus - A Brother Restored
A. This is the same Mark who wrote our gospel.
1. Mark, sometimes called John Mark, was not one of
Jesus’ disciples.
2. The book of Acts presents him as Mary’s son, no doubt
one of the Mary’s who followed Jesus and in whose
house the early church met.
Ac 12:12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house
of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were
gathered together praying.
3. This verse tells us that Mary and Barnabas were
siblings, making John Mark Barnabas’ nephew.
B. Paul and Barnabas took Mark on their first missionary
journey, but he left in the middle of it.
Ac 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had
fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was
Mark.
Ac 13:13 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came
to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to
Jerusalem.
C. When they began the second missionary journey, Barnabas
wanted to take Mark again, but Paul refused.
Ac 15:37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose
surname was Mark.
38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from
them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed
asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed
unto Cyprus;
1. Apparently, Mark had repented and wanted another
opportunity.
2. Paul did not think it was good to take the faint-
hearted with them.
3. They ultimately split because of this.
4. However, John Mark is with Paul now in Rome,
ministering to him.
5. He will leave and Paul will send for him to return.
2Ti 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee:
for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
D. Can God use someone who has quit in the heat of the
battle? YES! John Mark is our example.
1. He goes on to serve faithful as a missionary, a
minister, and a gospel writer.
2. Like Peter, Mark had feet of clay; but when the Holy
Spirit adds glory to clay, that clay becomes as solid
as the Holy Spirit Himself!
What a group of helpers and friends! God used the Apostle Paul but
God expanded Paul’s reach with his friends. Will you be a friend in
God’s ministry?
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