The Church at Work

Colossians 4:7-16 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. 10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha  and the church in her house. 16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
 
WE conclude our Colossians study with Paul’s recognition of several faithful workers. Some of these names – Luke, Mark, Barnabas – may be familiar to you. Their work for the Lord included evangelism, discipling and writing. In addition to Barnabas’ work to disciple Paul, he is known as a steady encourager of the early apostles. Some say Barnabas may be the author of Hebrews. The other names are not as “famous”; yet, Paul demonstrates here and in his other epistles that they faithfully work for Jesus with their gifts.
    Tychicus, for example, came from Asia to travel with Paul in his early ministry. Paul mentions him in four other epistles such as Ephesians 6:21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. Epaphras is mentioned in Colossians 1:7 a dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ and in Philemon 23. There are indications he may have been a prisoner in Rome as Paul was.
    Onesimus was a slave belonging to Philemon. He had run away and possibly had stolen some of Philemon’s possessions. He traveled to Rome, and through God’s providence, Onesimus met with Paul and became a Christian! Nympha is a gracious example of other women who opened their homes to the fellowship of Christians for teaching and worship. Where would the church be without gracious women who open their homes to Bible studies, meals and prayer?
    Forgiveness, redemption and restoration is the theme of each man’s life. None of these mentioned, especially Paul, were qualified to work with the Lord in their natural condition. Yet, Jesus’ resurrection power transformed their lives.
    Still, each had to adjust to their kingdom work and learn to love one another as fellow workers. In Jesus’ love, grace, forgiveness and commands, the Holy Spirit transformed these men to humbly follow the Christ. In communion with Jesus and one another, through many trials, mistakes and challenges, they helped transform the world.
    This is a fellowship of believers doing God’s work. This is the church in action.  
 
Life Thought: Kingdom workers aren’t perfect, but they are God-empowered.