DEC 19

Colossians 4:7
Memorise Hebrews 6:10
“…brother…minister…fellow servant…”

Paul now mentions certain individuals, beginning with Colossians 4:7 “All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord.” Remember Paul was under arrest in Rome at the time of writing, and he was grateful for all these brethren who stood by him while he was in bonds. That is why Paul first describes Tychicus as “beloved brother”. Tychicus had been one of his companions during the return leg of Paul’s third missionary journey from Macedonia back to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4). It was an important journey because Paul needed companions like Tychicus to help him carry the offerings collected for the poor brethren in Jerusalem. Despite Paul’s impending arrest, Tychicus stayed in touch with him, and was with him in Rome. He was then sent by Paul to bear this epistle to the Colossians as well as the epistle to the nearby Ephesians (Ephesians 6:21-22). Thus Paul also describes him as a faithful minister, well versed in mission work and trustworthy with funds. He also calls him a fellow servant in the Lord, for he served the Lord without being distracted by the cares of the world, and endured a life of suffering because of it. Tychicus would later stay with Paul until the very end, for he was mentioned in Paul’s last letter as having been sent to Ephesus (2 Timothy 4:12). Paul remembered those like Tychicus, not because he wanted to lavish praise on him, but because he was grateful to God for sending such faithful brethren to co- labour with him.

Are you a fellow servant of God’s servants? Like Paul, our pastors need faithful servants to assist in their ministry. Obviously our pastors do not ask for personal servants, but rather they invite all brethren to serve the King of kings and Lord of lords together with them, to be “fellow servants in the Lord”. There is so much to be done, so many brethren to minister to, so many areas of need in the church. You might think, what can I do as a mere teenager; and the answer is, quite a lot. When God gives the opportunity, you can speak a word of encouragement to our pastors. When you see brethren neglected, you can befriend them and reach out to them, instead of leaving it to our over-worked pastors. Your Christian conduct and life of service can exhort the adults to be one body in Christ, by serving together with fellow teens in the youth choir or in church events. All this will warm the hearts of our pastors, to know they do not labour alone in the Lord’s vineyard.

Thought: Do I care more about my needs or the needs of others?
Prayer: That God will open my eyes to see the many needs in church.