Today is our last Sunday looking at Colossians.  Going through Paul’s letter Paul has been focusing us on Truth - God’s Truth - specifically - God’s truth written down - meaning the Bible - and on Jesus - God’s truth in the flesh and blood of humanity... Jesus.  We have a really short video to help us get thinking deception and truth.

In the places were we do life there are a tremendous number of other voices out there - religions and philosophies and ways of doing life - different world views.  Paul has been warning us that all that is based on a totally different “truth” that is totally opposite to God’s Truth.  Paul’s point being that listening to any of that - basing our lives on any so called “truth” apart from God’s Truth - is really going to mess us up.

Paul wrote that God - in Jesus - has freed us from all that deception and delusion and confusion and self-destruction.  Freed us to live in His Truth - the reality of what life is truly all about and what life really can be for us - now and forever.

Paul warned us to not look backwards as if somehow what we need is behind us - what God has forgiven us for and freed us from.  Warning us not to look horizontal as if somehow what we need is found in what humanity has to offer us.  But to keep our eyes on Jesus.  Focus our lives and everything that we are on Jesus.

Coming to these last verses of Colossians - what we have here are Paul’s final commendations and salutations and instructions to the Church.  Essentially a list of names.  What we could easily sleep read through as a list of names and easily miss Paul pleading with the Colossians to stay focused on Jesus - the Truth of God in the flesh - and the crucial significance of what that focus on Jesus can look like for us as a congregation.

Unpacking what Paul writes here - first we need to get to know the people on this list.  There are four groups of people.

The first group is in verses 7 to 9 - those that Paul sent to Colossae:  Those Sent To Colossae

Let’s read together:  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.

Paul is in… Rome.  He is under arrest - a prisoner - a captive “guest” of the Roman government.  Colossae is about 1,200 miles east in what is now Western Turkey.  Tychicus and Onesimus are carrying this letter from Paul - in Rome - to Colossae.

The first person we need to get to know is Tychicus.  Who is Tychicus?

Paul describes Tychicus three ways.  In verse 7, he calls him, “a beloved brother” - a much loved fellow Christian. 

Tychicus was one of Paul’s disciples.  He was originally from Asia Minor.  For two years Tychicus traveled with Paul on his journeys - watching him - learning from him - growing in his faith and effectiveness in ministry.  Imagine what that would have been like.  Traveling around with Paul on his missionary journeys.

You get to know people spending time with them like that.  Either you never want to see them again or - like Paul and Tychicus - there is a deep kinship in Christ that’s been forged between them.  They share a deep relationship together in Jesus.

Paul describes Tychicus as “a faithful minister” - someone who was faithful in ministry.  Its hard to find someone that can be trusted to do a job the same way we’d do a job - with the same passion and commitment.  Paul could trust Tychicus.

Paul would send Tychicus into a city long before Paul ever got there.  Tychicus was Paul’s advance planning and preparation team - setting things up in advance of Paul’s coming.  He knew Paul’s style - his way of doing things.  He knew what would be needed - the contacts to be made - the places they needed to go.  Paul knew that if he sent Tychicus ahead to do the job - it would get done and it would get done right.

Paul sent Tychicus to Ephesus to replace Timothy and then to Crete to pastor there.  He was part of a delegation chosen by the churches of Macedonia to accompany Paul to Jerusalem and to take the offering from Macedonia to the poor and needy believers in Jerusalem. 

Third, Paul describes Tychicus as a “fellow-servant” - literally a fellow slave   “Fellow” meaning that Tychicus wasn’t above doing what needed to be done.  He just got in and did the nitty gritty dirty basic stuff of ministry.

The most devoted servants in the church are usually the one’s we don’t see.  We see the effects of their work.  They’re consistently working behind the scenes to do what must be done without looking for people to notice them or get some kind of recognition from people.  Because they’re serving God.  Their focus is vertical - on Jesus - not the praise of people around them.

That’s Tychicus - a beloved brother - a faithful minister - a fellow servant.

Second, Paul writes of Onesimus - verse 9:  “our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.” 

Onesimus was originally from Colossae.  We know that he was originally a slave - the property of Philemon.  Philemon who is a friend of Paul.  A brother in Christ.  Its probable that the church of Colossae met in Philemon’s home.

Apparently Onesimus had stolen some money from Philemon and run away - eventually ending up in Rome.  Maybe hoping to blend into the crowds there.  When Onesimus is in Rome - he comes into contact with Paul who’s in prison.  Paul leads Onesimus to salvation in Jesus.  And Onesimus becomes a disciple of Paul - a fellow worker in the ministry there in Rome - “a faithful and beloved brother.”

Paul is sending Onesimus back to Philemon - not as a runaway slave but as a brother in Christ.  With the letter to the Colossian Church - that Paul is sending with Tychicus and Onesimus - Paul also sends a personal letter with Onesimus - a letter written to Philemon.  Which is the Epistle of Paul to… Philemon.

In the letter to Philemon - Paul writes, “I appeal to you - Philemon - on behalf of Onesimus, who is my own son in Christ; for while in prison I became his spiritual father.  At one time he was of no use to you, but now he is useful to both you and to me.  I am sending him back to you now, and with him goes my heart.  Now he is not just a slave, but much more than a slave:  he is a dear brother in Christ.  Welcome him back just as you would welcome me.  If he has done you any wrong, or owes you anything, charge it to my account.”  (Philemon 10-12, 16, 17, 18 GNB)

That’s quite a recommendation.  Isn’t it?  Coming from Paul.

But - grabbing some reality - putting ourselves in Onesimus’ sandals for a minute - even with a letter of recommendation like that from Paul - its a great act of faith that Onesimus returned to Colossae and Philemon.  Runaway thieving slaves are dead men.  No questions asked.

That Onesimus was welcomed by Philemon and the church is a powerful demonstration of what God can and will do in our lives if we allow Him to.  God taking these two men on opposite sides of society and now they’re loving brothers in Christ sitting on the same church bench together - singing the same hymns - praising the same Savior - servants of the same Master.

Paul sends Tychicus and Onesimus to Colossae with this letter - which is full of teaching about Jesus and God’s Truth - encouraging them to stay focused on Jesus.  Which is important for us to grab on to.

Paul could have just sent the letter.  But, he sent Tcyhicus and Onesimus with the letter - both faithful beloved brothers in Jesus.  There’s a flesh and blood - heart to heart - connection behind all that.  There’s a difference between getting a text from someone and having that person show up on our doorstep.

These beloved brothers are going to share with Colossians - eye ball to eye ball - with real time presence - what God has been doing in and through Paul.  To share what is will encourage the Colossians - at the heart level - to keep focused on Jesus.

Which is something that we need to hang on to as we go through this list.  Getting to know the people here on this list.  This is more than just a dry list of names.  There is a personal touch here - what is deeply relational - that we need to hang on to. 

The second part of Paul’s list - verses 10-14 - describes those who are with Paul in Rome:  Those With Paul

Let’s read together:  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.

Aristarchus was a Jew from Thessalonica.  The first time we see him in Scripture is in Ephesus - along with Gaius - where there’s a mob that’s enraged by Paul’s teaching.  The mob drags Aristarchus and Gaius into the theater ready to kill somebody.

Aristarchus went with Paul to Macedonia where again they endured persecution.  He is a traveling companion of Paul’s that ends up with Paul in Rome - as a fellow captive “guest” of the Roman Government.  Paul’s description of Aristarchus here in verse 10:  “my fellow prisoner.”

Mark was the son of a wealthy woman in Jerusalem named Mary.  His father was probably deceased.  Mark wrote the Gospel of… Mark.  He was a disciple of Peter.  Peter refers to Mark as “his son.” (1 Peter 4:13)  Mark ends up in Rome with Peter when Peter was a captive “guest” of the Roman government waiting to be martyred.  Mark is credited with planting the church in Alexandria - where he was martyred.

Paul describes Mark as the cousin of Barnabas and writes that the Colossians have received instructions about Mark and that they are to welcome him.  Which is hugely significant.

We know that Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on Paul’s first missions trip.  Until they got to Perga in Pamphylia - which is on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey.  And then Mark deserted them.  Something that really really bothered Paul.  When Barnabas wanted to bring Mark along on their second missions trip.  Paul absolutely refused.

But here in verse 10 - as a huge testimony to what God can do in restoring people and relationships - Paul commends Mark to the Colossians.  “if he comes to you, welcome him.”

Paul goes on to “Jesus is called Justus.”  Whom we know nothing about except what Paul mentions here.

Mark actually had two names.  John was his Hebrew name - meaning “God is gracious.”  Mark was his Roman name - meaning “large hammer.”  Mark had a ministry to Gentiles - which may have something to do with the two names. 

Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua - which was a popular name at the time.  Justus is Latin - meaning “just” as in “upright.”  This man may have had a significant ministry among the Gentiles in Rome.

In verse 11 Paul writes:  “They - Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus - they are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.”

They’re Jews.  Paul’s own Jewish people.  Ministering - with Paul - in Rome.  Comfort - by definition of the Greek word - has to do with relieving pain.  Soothing someone - consoling someone.  With words.  With actions.

There is a heart felt loneliness in what Paul writes here.  Of all the Jews –his own people - of all the Jews who could have served with Paul - they alone did.    They stood by him.  Hung in there with him.  Brought him comfort in his imprisonment.  How deeply did Paul appreciate these three men?  Tons.

In verse 12 Paul goes on to list three Gentiles that are with him in Rome.

Ephaphras, who is one of you - was the man who started it all.   He was a native of Colossae who had been in Ephesus.  Ephesus being a port city about 100 miles west of Colossae.  Epaphras had been to Ephesus and had been taught by Paul himself.

Paul for about two years had been teaching in the school Tyrannus - there in Ephesus.  Epaphras may have been led to Jesus by Paul.  He was discipled by Paul.  Someone who had worked side-by-side with Paul. 

Then Epaphras went from Ephesus to Colossae and began to instruct people in the Gospel - began the Colossian church.  Epaphras worked hard with those churches - serving - raising support - leading prayer - teaching.      

Epaphras was someone you wanted on your team - to serve with you.  He was a man who was known for his commitment to Jesus - to the ministry - not only in Colossae - but also in places like Hierapolis and Laodicea - which were cities near Colossae - in the Lycus River Valley.  Can you see those there on the map?

Epaphras went to Rome to be with Paul.  As far as we know Paul never actually went to Colossae.  What he knows he knows because of Epaphras.  Epaphras who is in Rome bragging on the Colossians - cluing Paul in on what’s going on in Colossae.  Paul’s letter to the Colossians was written in response to what Epaphras had shared with Paul.

While in Rome - Epaphras struggled in prayer for the Colossians.  Struggled is the Greek word “agonizomai” - which is where we get our word… “agony” from.

He agonized in prayer for the Colossians that they would stand and keep on standing - mature - complete - fully convinced - remaining focused on God’s will for them - God’s truth - Jesus.  He agonized in prayer for the Colossians - agonized because with all the other truths out there - there was a real danger that they wouldn’t stand. 

Do you hear the passion in that?  How many of us could describe our prayers as being in agony for each other - here at Creekside - here in Merced.  Agonizing in prayer that we’d stand firm following Jesus.

Luke was the Gentile doctor and companion of Paul who wrote the Gospel of… Luke.  Luke also wrote Acts - which details a lot of what we know about Paul and his missionary travels.  Meaning that Luke was there with Paul through most of that.  The good - the bad - the ugly.  He’s there with Paul in Rome.

Demas is mentioned as being in several other places with Paul.  Here - he’s in Rome.  Later - as Paul got closer to martyrdom - Demas deserted Paul - ran back to Thessalonica.  Not for ministry.  But to live in the deception and lies of the world.  A heart breaker for Paul.  (2 Timothy 4:10).

Are we together?  Six brothers in Christ.  Jews and Gentiles from a number of variety of places and backgrounds.  Sending greetings to the Christians at Colossae.  Some were greeting friends.  Some were sending greetings to people they’d never met.  But all were sending greetings.

Coming to verse 15 - Paul’s third group are Those At Colossae - and the church of the Lycus Valley.

Let’s read together starting at verse 15:  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.”

The brothers at Laodicea are…  the brothers at Laodicea.  Nymphia is...  Nymphia - probably a sister in the Lord who owned property.  Probably the church in Laodicea met her house.

In verse 16 Paul gives instructions to exchange letters with the Laodicean church.  Which probably means that Paul wrote a letter to the Laodicean church as well.  That letter is - of course - not in our Bibles.  We don’t have it.

Which is not a big issue.  Paul wrote other letters to other churches that we don’t have.  Paul mentions a letter to the Corinthians that he would have written before what we know as 1 Corinthians.  There are a number of books that the Old Testament refers to that we’re known back then that we don’t have.

God just didn’t preserve those for us.  They’re not part of what God intended for us to have in the Bible as Scripture.  If it was important for us then God would have preserved them for us.  He didn’t.  Its His Bible. He inspired it.  He can do what He wants with it.

What’s important for us to grab on to is Paul’s instructions for the letter exchange between these sister churches in the Lycus River Valley.

There are some churches in the same city that can’t get along with each other.  Like there’s some kind of competition between us.  Who’s got the better program or bigger sanctuary or larger congregation.  Who’s more spiritual than the other one.  Maybe you’ve noticed this - but there are people even in the same congregation who can’t along with each other.  Like all this is about us.

Paul is writing to churches that have a shared partnership in Jesus.  The instructions and teaching for one are just as applicable to the other.  These are congregations who need to stay focused together on Jesus.  What Jesus wills for them.  How Jesus desires for them to serve Him together. 

Then Paul writes to Archippus.  “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

Archippus was probably the son of Philemon.  A young who had been commissioned to ministry - maybe even the pastorate of one of these churches.  From Rome - Paul who had a particular compassion for young men who struggled in ministry - young men who stressed over what it meant to lead in ministry - men like Timothy and Mark - Paul from Rome makes specific personal mention of Archippus - to encourage him - to get the church behind him.  “Don’t be afraid.  If Jesus calls you to serve Him - keep your focus on Him - and get on with it.  Because you can do what He has called and equipped and will empower you to do.”

Coming to verse 18 - the last group is really only one person.  That’s Paul Himself.

Let’s read together:  I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.  Remember my chains.  Grace be with you.

Paul usually dictated his letters.  He was probably dictating this letter to Timothy.  Timothy writing down what Paul was saying.  We can almost see Paul - overcome with emotion - passion - Paul grabbing the stylus out of Timothy’s hand and writing this out for himself.

Hand written letters - remember those? - are way different that texts and emails and Facemail.  Letters have been touched by the very hand of the author.  Paul’s love - his passion for these siblings in Jesus - heart is being poured out on paper.

Paul writes, “Remember my chains.”  Which is not about whining.  “Look at how I’m suffering for Jesus here in Rome.”  We saw - when we looked at 4:3 - that Paul is a prisoner of Rome - willingly - for the purpose of sharing the Gospel with those in Rome.  Paul’s “remember” is a reminder - reminding the Colossians their shared ministry - of God’s working through us for His glory.

Paul - the persecutor becomes Paul the preacher who becomes Paul the prisoner - for God’s purposes.  All of us being fellow servants - slaves - bound to Jesus for His glory.

Paul concludes:  “Grace be with you.”  The English translation of that misses the fullness of what’s being said in the Greek.  In Greek it has the idea “Let grace be with you.”  Which is a choice.  “To let grace be with you” - in our relationships together in the church.

Put another way:  As God has been gracious to us - if we can even begin to process the magnitude of what it means for God to choose to know us and to allow us to know Him.  God choosing to graciously call us - us with all of our hang ups and failures and stuff.  If we can begin to process God graciously choosing to call us into a saving relationship with Him through Jesus - we need to choose to be gracious to each other as we encourage each other to pursue life together in God’s Truth - Jesus.

Are we together?  In thinking through how this list can apply to us today we need to pause and take a moment to think back through Paul’s list.

Four churches separated by 1,200 miles - on two continents.  One church in the capital of the Empire - a city of great wealth and power.  Three churches in a rural agricultural valley - that economically had taken a nose dive.  Jews - Gentiles - Greeks.  10 men - one woman. 

A useless slave made useful in the service of God.  A women of great wealth.  A deserter who returns - restored by God.  A beloved brother who would desert Paul.  A doctor.  Three writers of Scripture.  A persecutor of the church who’s a prisoner - by the law of Rome a criminal.  A man known for his prayer.  Men known for their commitment and a man who fears to commit.

We’re just skimming the surface.  But can we hear the diversity in that?  People that are literally all over the map - and socially - culturally - economically - mentally - from very diverse backgrounds.  And yet - they’re all siblings in Jesus.  Living by One truth.  One Lord.  One calling.  One ministry.  By the grace of God.

David Kinnaman - who is the President of Barna Group.  You all know what Barna Group is.  Right?  They research all kinds of things and put out reports about what they find.

In a Barna report entitled:  How the Last Decade Changed America - David Kinnaman writes this:  “As a nation, we are embracing the digital revolution and, ironically, we are becoming a lonelier population.  While there are many benefits of being participants in possibly the most relationally connected age in human history, the social media revolution has not made us feel more connected, less lonely, or replete with friends.” (1)

We’re more connected and yet we experience less community.  We’re more linked in and yet we’re less linked together.  Can we relate?

There are some very real spiritual needs in the community around us - even here.  And yet people - the church in America today - among those that will say that showing up for church is important - people are increasingly dissatisfied with the church’s attempt to meet those spiritual needs.  Despite a growing epidemic of loneliness - just one in 10 people showing up for church say they’re going because they’re looking for community.  One in five say they’re going because the Bible teaches us that we’re suppose to go. (2)

That hurts.  We show up because we’re suppose to show up.  Not because we actually expect to meet God or have any meaningful fellowship.

Jon Tyson is a church planter, author, and Lead Pastor at Trinity Grace Church in New York City.

Jon Tyson asks:  “How could the early church capture the imagination of the Roman empire while we, with all our resources and rigor, are slowly losing influence in our culture?” 

“The early church leaders didn't have the things we now consider essential for our faith.  They didn't have official church buildings, vision statements or core values.  They had no social media, radio broadcasts or celebrity pastors.  They didn’t even have the completed New Testament.  Christ-followers were often deeply misunderstood, persecuted and some gave their lives for their faith.  Yet they loved and they served and they prayed and they blessed—and slowly, over hundreds of years, they brought the empire to its knees.  They did it through love.” (3)

There is no app that can take the place of a personal face to face relationship.  We need to value what God has graciously blessed us with.

Distinctions of race and status and culture die at the foot of the cross.  Prerogatives - self - dies at the foot of the cross.  When we submit our lives to Jesus - the forgiven learn to forgive.  Those who are loved learn to love.  Those to whom God has been gracious learn to be gracious to others. 

Creekside is not an easy congregation to be a part of.  We are church in the raw - or pretty close to it.  We are increasingly not a congregation for people who want to coast comfortably through an American Jesus version of Christianity.

Put simply - we all got stuff.  And God - by His grace - has brought us here because we need each other - by His grace - to encourage each other to keep moving forward following Jesus.  To be used by God in each others lives.

Put simply:  We need to value what God has given us. 

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1. “How The Last Decade Changed America” - Barna Group, July, 2013 

2. “Americans Divided On The Importance Of The Church” - Barna Group, March, 2014

3. Jon Tyson, “Sacred Roots:  Why The Church Still Matters” - cited by Barna in “Americans Divided On The Importance Of The Church” - Barna Group, March, 2014

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®  (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.