A study once disclosed that if both Mom and Dad attend church regularly, 72% of their children remain faithful. If only Dad, 55% remain faithful. If only Mom, 15%. If neither attended regularly, only 6% remain faithful. The statistics speak for themselves – the example of parents and adults is more important than all the efforts of the church and Sunday School. Warren Mueller in Homemade, May, 1990. Being a good example is vital.

Transition

This evening, I want to introduce you to a man named Tychicus, who left us a valiant example to emulate.

Tychicus was a companion of the Apostle Paul (Ac 20:4)

1. This tells us much about his character.
   1. He was a native of Asia. (See Map)
   2. He knew and loved the Lord, whom Paul preached.
   3. He chose to travel with Paul.
   4. We know nothing of his age or family, but he was willing to give up a career to serve the Lord.
2. Being a companion of Paul was no picnic.
   1. Travelling with Paul in the first Century was not a glamorous task. Hardships were daily. Paul’s ministry was often persecuted. Travel was frequently dangerous.
   2. Read Acts 20:1-4. It seems that he joined Paul after the uproar in Ephesus (Ac 19). This was during Paul’s third missionary trip.
   3. He chose to befriend the Apostle Paul, though it endangered his life.
      The type of friends you choose to hang around clearly identify the kind of person you really are inside. Your choice of friends speaks volumes about your character. If your friends are dodgy people, you are telling others that you are dodgy as well.

Paul called Tychicus a beloved brother. (Col 4:7; Eph 6:21)

1. He was a brother in Christ.
   1. Tychicus had repented of his sins and trusted Christ to save his soul from hell. That is all that God requires for you to be in Christ.
   2. Two verses later, in Colossians 4:9, Paul also calls Onesimus a “beloved brother”. This is that Onesimus who had been the runaway slave of Philemon. Colossi was his hometown. In Philemon 1:10, Paul states that he had “begotten Onesimus in his bonds”. Evidently, Paul led this runaway slave to Christ there in that Roman prison. Paul now called him a beloved brother.
   3. It is a blessing that no matter what our past has been, salvation in Christ alone changes us from the inside out and makes us brothers and sisters in Christ.
2. Paul loved him.
   1. Love is giving of yourself to meet the needs of another, expecting nothing in return.
   2. Paul did not love Tychicus or Onesimus because of what he might gain from them. They were dear to him, and he chose to love them.
   3. Their shared faith in Christ no doubt endeared them to each other.
   4. In ancient times, Jonathan and David were beloved friends. They loved the same God. They sharpened each other’s character. They helped and encouraged each other. At Jonathan’s death, David said, (2 Samuel 1:26) “I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.”
      When choosing a beloved friend, be sure that the person is a genuine believer in Christ, and that his or her life testifies of it.

Tychicus was a faithful minister. (Col 4:7; Eph 6:21)

1. First, we note that he was a minister.
   1. The word translated “minister” is also translated deacon, and servant. It describes one who serves others.
   2. Today, most people want to be served rather than serving others. That is part of our human nature.
   3. We remember that James and John, Jesus’ disciples, longed for position and power in Jesus’ kingdom (Mark 10:35-45). What did Jesus tell them? (Mark 10:44) “And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.” God honours humble service.
   4. Tychicus was a minister of the Lord. He had chosen to serve Christ with His life.
2. We note also that he was a faithful minister.
   1. The word “faithful” modifies his service for the Lord.
   2. It depicts one who is trustworthy, dependable, believable, and true to his word. A faithful person is consistent; he does not bob up and down like a cork on the rolling waves of the sea. He is stable. He is not changeable. He does not show up late or get distracted. He does not go back on his word.
   3. Being a faithful minister, Paul knew that he could depend on Tychicus when given a job to do.
      God wants you to be His faithful servant. If you are married, that means you will be loyal and keep your promises to your spouse. If you attend school, it means you will obey the rules and do your work. If you work a job, you will be hardworking and honest. As a Christian, you will seek to witness for Christ.

Paul called him a fellowservant in the Lord. (Col 4:7)

1. This is a compound word.
   1. The word consists of two Greek words. The first means together with, the second means slave.
   2. Both Paul and Tychicus were slaves of Christ. They shared that same title. They were in that position together.
2. To be a fellowservant was humiliating.
   1. There was nothing glamourous about being a slave. Slaves had no rights of their own. They owned little or nothing.
   2. A slave does the bidding of his master. A good slave will seek to please his master. A good slave always puts his master’s wishes before his own. A slave’s entire life was centred around serving his master.
   3. As a Christian, Tychicus considered himself to be a slave of the Lord Jesus Christ. He had given up his personal rights and wishes. His sole focus was on glorifying the Lord with his life, his lips, and his energy.
      Living as a fellowservant of the Lord is a high commitment, yet it ought to be your goal and mine. To do so, we must give the Lord our entire lives, including our goals and ambitions. If married, we must give our spouse and marriage to the Lord. If we have children, we must give each of them to the Lord. We must give our jobs to the Lord. If we are going to be a slave of the Lord, He must be in control of every part of our lives. If we try to control any of these on our own, we stop being a faithful slave of the Lord.

Tychicus was a trusted representative for Paul. (Col 4:8-9)

1. He had a message to share.
   1. Paul sent him to Colossi to tell them of “all his state” (v.7).
   2. He was also to “make known unto them all things which were done here (in Rome, in the local churches of Rome, and in Paul’s cell)” (v.9).
2. He had a mission to fulfil.
   1. He was to observe their estate or the things concerning them and their local church. Paul likely awaited this information.
   2. He was also sent to comfort their hearts. This is the word the includes to admonish, to exhort, to console, to encourage, to strengthen, to comfort, to instruct and to teach. He was Paul’s representative to minister to them spiritually.
      We, too, have a mission to share the Gospel with those in our community and to encourage and edify fellow believers. If you are not regularly doing this, you need to begin.

Conclusion

What kind of example are you to those around you? Do you have quality friends? Are you a beloved brother in Christ? Are you a faithful minister in your little corner? Are you God’s humble slave? Are you seeking to faithfully represent the Lord to the lost world and to edify one another? God is looking for more good examples!

Song: More Like the Master – 325
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Tychicus, a Valiant Example
5 November 2023 PM – Text: Colossians 4:7-9 – Topic: Example – Series: Col23