Click here to download in pdf format.
Sermon Notes of Rev.Dr.I.J.W.Oakley (1-12-1996
Guisborough Evangelical Church)
Additional Reading: Colossians 4:7-9
It is likely that, as in other letters, Paul was
dictating the words to a secretary or amanuensis. Now Paul takes the pen and
writes the closing words in his own hand. (c.f. Galatians 6:11; 2 Thessalonians
3:17; Colossians 4:8; 1 Corinthians 16:21). He commends the postman, who most
likely was the secretary as well. Paul chose Tychicus as postman, maybe because
he belonged to the district of Ephesus. Seems he carried not only the letter to
the Ephesians, but also the letters to the Colossians and to Philemon.
We are going to put the
spotlight on the postman, and glean from other New Testament references some
information about him. The New Testament is dominated by two or three
outstanding figures – the Lord Himself is the centre and the key to
everything. Then some of the apostles stand out – Peter, John, Paul. But after
that, everyone else gets only a few brief mentions. We have all we need in the
providence of God, though there is much we do not know and would love to know.
We only know one incident from the first 30 years of Jesus’ life, and that was
when He was 12. And we may wonder what happened to Philip, and Matthew, and
Andrew. There are also only fleeting references to Paul’s companions on his
journeys, in prison, carrying his letters. We would love to know more – where
they came from, how they were converted, where they went with the Gospel, how
they died.
One such is Tychicus. We know from the briefest references to him that he was in touch with Paul over a period of ten years, but we know little in detail.
We have two descriptions of
Tychicus in Ephesians, and another in Colossians: Dear brother and faithful
servant in the Lord (Ephesians 6:21), A dear brother, a faithful minister
and fellow-servant in the Lord (Colossians 4:9).
To be described as a “dear
brother” or “beloved brother” – what a lovely and enviable description
of a Christian. Part of the Christian family, one who has experienced new birth
into God’s family, someone sharing with us a new relationship to God through
Christ. The New Testament has other descriptions of the same thing – Those
who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6:10), people who bear one
another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), people who love each other as brothers
(Hebrews 13:1). Their love is demonstrated in the way they are always
endeavouring to keep unity and in being hospitable to people in need. Whoever
does the will of my Father (Matthew 12:50) – committed to doing God’s
will and pleasing Him.
The Greek word diakonos,
used here for “servant” or “minister”, was originally used for a man
obeying the commands of his master, a man who waited on his superior, waited on
tables, offered food and drink to his master’s guests. In the New Testament
this term is used for servant, minister or deacon. In Tychicus’s case, he was
probably just a servant, not a deacon. As such, he was faithful in the Lord –
spent much of his time in serving the churches and especially Paul. The few
times he is mentioned, it is in the context of service. The first time is when
he is grouped with the men who went to Jerusalem, probably with money for the
poor saints (Romans 15:26). Later he was with Paul during his first captivity in
Rome, and then he is the postman with three of Paul’s letters. In Titus we
read of him being dispatched on another journey to Crete, and in 2 Timothy, just
before Paul’s death, Tychicus is sent home to Ephesus. He was always busy in
the Lord’s work. If ever there was someone who knew he was saved to serve, it
was Tychicus.
He was faithful, dependable,
reliable, his word was as good as his bond, he was loyal in every respect, and
could be trusted not to let you down. Paul had no worries about Tychicus
fulfilling his tasks. How important Tychicus, and a host of others, were to the
New Testament church. Not dynamic characters, not great preachers or thinkers,
but men of godliness and Christian character, who carried letters, passed on
information, looked after the details, eased the apostle’s burdens.
Such ministry was absolutely
essential. What was the point of writing this letter if there had not been a
postman to carry it? How surprised Tychicus would be if he knew those three
letters he carried from Rome, those three pieces of parchment would outlast all
the ostentatious pomp of Rome, and that his name would therefore be known to the
end of time all over the world.
Small things done for Christ are
of supreme importance. How crucial for much machinery to be small and humble.
Remember the old jingle – “for the want of a nail, the shoe was lost; for
the want of a shoe, the horse was lost; for the want of a horse, the man was
lost; for the want of a man, the battle was lost; for the want of a battle, the
kingdom was lost.”
Trifles done for Christ are as
crucial as the great things. The errand boy, Tychicus, was needed as much as the
preacher and pioneer, Paul. Here we are two thousand years later – in debt as
much to Tychicus as to Paul for the epistle to the Ephesians. We can never know
how far the effect of this work will reach.
We all have gifts and talents.
We are all essential in the work of God. Our influence blends with that of
thousands of others in advancing God’s cause. The eye cannot say to the
hand ‘I don’t need you’, and the head cannot say to the feet ‘I don’t
need you’ (1 Corinthians 12:21). When we all play our part, the whole
fellowship is enriched. When one person fails to play their part, then all are
diminished. We are not meant to be passengers or observers in the work of God.
We are not doing God a special favour. We are in His debt and under obligation
to Him.
In Colossians it is the Greek
word doulos that is used to describe
Tychicus – meaning bondservant or slave. A slave was bound to his master till
death, a slave was a tool that breathes. His slave-hood was permanent, and he
simply existed for his master. We, like Tychicus, we once enslaved to Satan and
sin, but now set free. Not to live as we like, but to live in slavery to the one
who delivered us from the enemy. I consider everything a loss compared to the
surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord, for whose sake I have lost
all things (Philippians 3:8).
When we are the Lord’s, we
have to forget our own rights and privileges – we have none. We are willing to
serve God, however menial the task. We are not concerned with recognition, we
are the Lord’s slaves and just want to do His will and bring Him glory. You
are not your own, You were bought at a price (1 Corinthians 6:20), needs to
be burnt into our souls. We are not free agents, cannot do as we please. Shall I
obey the Lord in this or that? Shall I do my own will or God’s will in this
matter? Such questions have no place, and are quite irrelevant. When we ask such
questions, we clearly do not realize what it means to be saved and redeemed and
to be Christ’s, we do not understand the implications of the foundation basic
truths of the Gospel. He owes us nothing, we owe Him everything, and we shall
never get out of His debt.
Scottish Covenanter’s prayer: “Lord Jesus, I desire to take thee for my all – to be ruled and governed by thee, acquiescing to whatsoever shall be thy ways of dealing with me. Give me Thyself and this shall be all my desire.”
Tychicus will tell you
everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. I am sending
him… that he may encourage you (Ephesians 6:21,22). Some things were
better said by word of mouth, especially as writing material was neither cheap
not plentiful. Therefore it was better for Tychicus to explain Paul’s
situation by word, and answer their questions, especially since they would have
been very anxious and concerned. They would also need to know what God was
doing, what Satan was doing to attack the work, and how their prayers were being
answered. Tychicus would bring the readers up to date with all this.
Paul knew that his sufferings
were a source of discouragement to the Ephesians (Ephesians 3:13), that they
were concerned that the leader to whom they were so indebted was in jail and his
ministry was curtailed. So with up to date news they could pray more
intelligently for his safety and his new circumstances. Paul had prayed for them
constantly, and requested prayer for himself (Ephesians 1 & 3; 6:19,20). So
their fellowship was deepened by prayer for one another.
Also, Paul wants Tychicus to
encourage them and put heart into them. parakalew
is translated variously as encourage, comfort or exhort. This ministry of
encouragement and comforting one another is so prominent in the New Testament.
In Acts 11:23, Barnabas encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with
all their hearts. Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch, Lystra and Iconium,
specifically to strengthen and encourage the new churches there (Acts 14:22).
Paul and Silas, released from prison, went to Lydia’s house, where they met
with the brothers and encouraged them (Acts 16:40).
In Macedonia, Paul spoke many words of encouragement to the people (Acts
20:2). The same root word is used – The God of all comfort, who comforts us
in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the
comfort we ourselves have received from God (2 Corinthians 1:4). After
explaining the Lord’s return to the Thessalonians, he says Therefore
encourage one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18). Encourage
the timid (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Encourage one another daily (Hebrews
3:13). The same word again in 1 Peter 5:1 – To the elders among you I
appeal.
Encourage, comfort, exhort one
another – this was Tychicus’s task, and ours. Not just to exchange news,
discuss the weather and the cost of living – but encourage one another in
spiritual things. These days are far from easy for any of us, especially as
Christians. There are few who have no concerns or anxiety at all. Many are
struggling with weariness, doubt and fear, bearing heavy burdens. How easy just
to be neutral or say something to pull one another down and discourage and
dishearten. Let’s make one another strong. Help each other to cope with life.
Put courage into the faint hearted. We are meant to be the instruments by which
God’s encouragement and comfort reaches out to others. But God, who
comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus (2 Corinthians
7:6).
“He makes the coward spirit brave
And
nerves the feeble arm for fight”
This messenger was a beloved brother, a faithful servant in the Lord, a fellow-slave. His task was to let people know about the situation of other Christians, and to encourage prayer. Also to comfort their hearts. We are all messengers – does this description apply to me? Am I fulfilling my task? Am I an encourager? The challenge comes to us all.
