Ephesians 6:21-22 - Encouragement in the Family of God

Manybelieve that Tychicus was the one who carried this letter, which we callEphesians, from Paul’s prison in Rome to the believers in Ephesus. Paul waswriting while he was in chains, yet his concern was still for the believersthere. He knew that the Christians in Ephesus loved him deeply and were prayingfor him. But Paul also understood something very important about prayer: themore we know about a situation, the more intelligently and specifically we canpray. It is important that we learn to pray specifically. General prayersare certainly good, but it is even better when we can pray with clearunderstanding and specific requests. Thatis why Paul sent Tychicus. Paul did not want to keep his struggles or hiscircumstances hidden from the church. Instead, he wanted the believers to knowwhat God was doing, how their prayers were being answered, and how the gospelwas still advancing—even while he was in prison. This reminds us of somethingvery important about the Christian life. We are never meant to walk alone.The New Testament never pictures an isolated believer. Christians are describedas sheep who flock together, as members of a body who depend upon each other,and even as soldiers who stand together in the same battle. Pauldescribes Tychicus with two beautiful titles. First, he calls him “abeloved brother”. My friend, in Christ believers become part ofthe same spiritual family. Sometimes these spiritual bonds become even deeperthan the bonds we share with our natural families, because they are rooted inour shared love for the Lord Jesus Christ. If you read the Epistle of FirstJohn, you see this truth emphasized again and again. Second,Paul calls him “a faithful minister in the Lord”. The word“minister” here simply means servant. Tychicus was a man who devotedhimself to serving Christ and helping others. He assisted Paul, carriedimportant letters, and strengthened the churches. People like Tychicus areinvaluable to the work of God. They may not always stand in the spotlight, buttheir faithful service advances the kingdom of God. I can tell you that over my50-plus years of pastoring, the most faithful and valuable people in the churchare often not those in the limelight, but those behind the scenes who servequietly and faithfully without recognition. ThenPaul explains why he is sending him: “Whom I have sent to you for this verypurpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.” Perhapsthe believers in Ephesus had been discouraged when they heard about Paul’simprisonment. But when Tychicus arrived, he would bring encouraging news abouthow God was still working. Even in chains, Paul was preaching the gospel,writing letters, and seeing lives changed. Thisis a great reminder for us today, especially in a world that often seems soconfused and filled with violence. God’s work does not stop whencircumstances become difficult. In fact, sometimes God does His greatestwork in the hardest situations. Just like the believers in Ephesus, we arecalled to encourage one another. The Christian life is not a solo journey. Itis a shared walk of faith where we pray for each other, strengthen each other,and comfort one another. Thatis what we should take from these closing verses in Ephesians 6. I trust you willbe encouraged to pray specifically for believers around the world—especiallyfor the Christians in Iran, and also for those suffering in the persecutedchurch in many other parts of the world.  MayGod use us today to pray for one another and to encourage one another. Godbless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day.