Colossians 4:7-9 - Laborers Together With God

Today, Tuesday June 22 Laborers Together With God Colossians 4:7-9 “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.” In verse 5, Paul tells us to “walk in wisdom”, especially in our relationships with those who still might not have a personally relationship with Jesus Christ. This means we will take the time to get to know and understand those we might have the opportunity to share Christ with. We need to genuinely care about them and their needs. After they see we care, they will hopefully begin to ask us questions about our faith. That’s why Paul goes on to say, “that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (v. 6) Now, beginning in verse 7 to the end of the chapter, Paul begins to mention the names of several people who have assisted him in the ministry. As I think about these names, I’m amazed at my lack of knowledge of who they are. We all know about the “great” Apostle Paul who was accused of “turning the world upside down”. Who was used by God to take the Good News of Jesus to the known world of his day! And who gave us thirteen books of the New Testament. One of the most famous churches in the world today is St. Paul’s Cathedral in London England. No doubt, thousands of churches around the world bear his name. But have you ever heard of a church named, “St. Tychicus Cathedral? The truth is, that as great as the Apostle Paul was, he could not have done it alone. And Paul was always quick to give credit to those who assisted him in the ministry. No pastor, evangelist, or missionary can do the Lord’s work alone. 1 Corinthians 3:9 reminds us that “We are laborers together with God.” Tychicus (vv. 7-8) had been with Paul for several years. He accompanied Paul from Ephesus (Acts 20:4) as he returned to Jerusalem and possibly was a citizen of Ephesus. He had labored there with Paul for those three years. Tychicus was to carry the letters to the Colossians and the Ephesians (Eph. 6:21-22). This man had a long and dangerous journey ahead of him. How thankful we are that he was faithful to deliver the Word, otherwise we could not study it today! (2 Tim. 4:12). I am so thankful for all those who have assisted me over these forty-six years of ministry with their prayers, love, support and their dedicated Christian service! Thank you and God bless!