Sermon Tone Analysis

Colossians 4:7-14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen Caswell © 1999

Introduction

 

When we last looked at Colossians three weeks ago we saw the */ministry of the mouth/*.

I called the message/ serving sentences/.

We saw how to make our words work for us.

Paul emphasized the importance of prayer and gracious speech.

It is easy to speak without thinking and hurt those around us.

Christians ought to use their tongues to minister grace to the hearers.

Today Paul talks about his partners or fellow ministers.

He lists a number of men who served with him.

Every Church and ministry needs workers who help the leaders.

Often these tasks are done behind the scenes and no one knows what is done.

But God knows such labors and He will reward all faithful servants.

Here is a definition of ministry by Warren Weirsbe.

/Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God./

The Definition of Ministry

 

Ministry is giving when you feel like keeping, praying for others when you need to be prayed for, feeding others when your own soul is hungry, living truth before people even when you can't see results, hurting with other people even when your own hurt can't be spoken, keeping your word even when it is not convenient, it is being faithful when your flesh wants to run away.

/--John A. Holt/

/ /

/What is involved in ministry?

And Who is to be involved in it?/

The word diakono" is translated serve or servant over one hundred times in the New Testament.

In the majority of cases it is used of everyday Christians serving the Lord.

On about three occasions it is translated deacon.

Paul had men assisting him with the Gospel and many of these were not preachers, pastors or deacons.

They were simply servants of the Lord exercising ministry.

*/Today we will see:/*

 

I.

The Ministers That Served Away

II.

The Ministers That Stayed

III.

The Minister That Prayed

IV.

The Minister That Strayed

 

I.

The Ministers That Served Away

 

*Colossians 4:7-9* /Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.

I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.

They will make known to you all things which are happening here./

Firstly we see two men that Paul sent to Ephesus, Colossae, Laodicea and Hierapolis.

*/Tychicus/* and */Onesimus/* carried letters from Paul to the Churches at Ephesus, Colossae and Laodicea.

They also took a letter to Philemon and carried greetings to the Laodicean Church.

Paul has much to say about them.

/ /

/a.

Tychicus/

 

Tychicus was a Christian from Asia, perhaps from the Church at Ephesus.

He often traveled with Paul and assisted him.

His name means */fortuitous/* or*/ fortunate./*

Paul was able to send him to Ephesus to relieve Timothy as pastor so he could come to Paul prior to his execution.

Even though we don't know much about Tychicus Paul speaks of him in glowing terms.

Listen to how Paul describes him.

A */beloved brother/*.

This indicates that he was in God's family for he was not from Paul's human family.

Paul calls him */beloved/* because he stayed with him during difficult circumstances.

He didn't quit when the going got tough.

Many deserted Paul during his final trial but Tychicus remained faithful.

No wonder Paul loved him appreciating his ministry.

Secondly, Paul calls Tychicus a */faithful minister./*

The word */minister/* is diakono" and means*/ servant/*.

Paul is not describing a position of rule as much as he is describing a worker in God's service.

This word is also translated */deacon/* in Philippians 1:1 and 1 Timothy 3. It literally means to wait on tables.

Seven deacons were appointed in Acts 6 to care for the needy widows.

Paul commends Tychicus for his faithful service.

One cannot be a servant without serving.

All believers are encouraged to serve one another.

Deacons cannot hold the office without serving.

Thirdly Paul calls Tychicus a */fellow servant/*.

The word */servant/* is doulo" meaning */bond servant/* or */voluntary slave/*.

Tychicus served the Lord with the apostle Paul.

He was a team man.

He didn't mind that Paul called the shots.

He didn't resent being asked to go on Paul's errands.

When Paul asked him to deliver these letters he willingly obeyed.

He */comforted/* the Colossians by bringing them word of Paul's situation.

He then took word back to Paul on how the Churches were going.

He realized that by assisting Paul in this way he was really serving the Lord.

A church can never have too many people like Tychicus.

People who comfort others are very valuable.

Two weeks ago I asked for people to help with some of the rosters such as cleaning, mowing and morning teas.

A number of folk have said they will help and that's great.

But as yet no one has volunteered to drive folk home after the service so that we don't have to use the bus.

This is a practical way in which we can serve others.

I realize that some folk may have full cars with family and folk already.

But if you can assist here I would greatly appreciate it.

You might think that this is insignificant, but God knows and He will reward each one for their service.

A cup of cold water given in the Lord's name will bring a reward.

/Are you helping the ministry here at West Orange Baptist Church?

Or is it beneath you to serve others?/

All service rendered.... is really done for Christ.

/Are you willing to be like Tychicus and assist the minister in God's work?/

 

/b.

Onesimus /

/ /

The second person Paul mentions here is Onesimus.

Paul calls him a faithful and beloved brother.

His name means */profitable/*.

Previously he had been a runaway slave who stole from his master Philemon.

He wasn't living up to his name.

Then he met Paul in Rome and was converted.

Onesimus served Paul in Rome and told him what he had previously done.