Thank you so much for being there; we are honored to be with you today. Looking into the Word of God and allowing it to mold and shape us is a benefit for every human who is willing to do this. We trust today’s teaching will be a blessing for you.
Today is our last lesson in the book of Colossians. I appreciate Paul’s emphasis on the supremacy of Christ in the first part of the book, and then how this belief will influence our daily lives in the second part. As we examined the final part of Colossians 4, I was reminded of the importance of other believers in our lives. Years ago, when I was just a young man, I was part of a group of young men who met regularly. We could ask each other anything, and we were accountable to each other. Many times, I reflect on this and thank God for their influence in my life at such a crucial time.
Today, our title is “A Band of Brothers,” and we will discuss some characteristics that define what is needed in this type of relationship. Turn to Colossians 4 for today’s lesson.
With this message, we have reached the end of our study in the book of Colossians. A casual reading of the final verses of chapter four may seem to be some random messages of thanks to some of Paul’s associates. But that conclusion overlooks some essential truth.
I invite you to join me in examining verses 7-18 of Colossians 4. We will explore the central message of this text under the title “A Band of Brothers.”
Here is Colossians 4:7 to 18.
7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.
8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, with Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),
11 and Jesus, who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in the will of God.
13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.
15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church in his house.
16 Now, when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
18 This salutation is by my hand, Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
This text illustrates how embracing the preeminence of Christ results in the CHARACTERISTICS that define a band of brothers (and that includes sisters too).
As I noted multiple times in this series, the preeminence of Christ, the superiority of Christ, is the central theme of this epistle. The final verses of this letter exemplify how embracing this truth affects our relationships with fellow Believers.
The First CHARACTERISTIC (that defines a band of brothers) is,
Mutual Love
Paul begins by introducing us to Tychicus (Titchi-cus). His name means “fortunate”, and his gift appears to be exhortation or encouragement. Paul refers to him as a “beloved brother.”
He’s first mentioned in Acts 20 among a group traveling with Paul through Asia Minor. In Ephesians 6:21, he is noted as the bearer of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Finally, we see him in II Timothy 4:12, still serving the aged apostle in the final days before Paul’s execution.
Paul told the Colossians that Tychicus would bring them up to date on what was happening in his life. Paul knew that Tychicus’ love for the Lord and the church would motivate him to complete his assignment. Love motivates brothers to endure hardship for each other.
Onesimus was a runaway slave who, now a Christ-follower, was accompanying Tychicus in the delivery of the Colossian letter. He, too, is referred to as a “beloved brother.” We learn from the letter to Philemon that Paul’s love for Onesimus was so great that he was willing to pay whatever debts the former slave owed to his master, Philemon. He appealed to Philemon based on his “…love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints.”
Aristarchus is another name in our text. A native of Thessalonica, his life was endangered, along with Paul and others, in the riot at Ephesus (Acts 19:29). Paul addresses him as a fellow prisoner. Whether he volunteered to be imprisoned with Paul or if the imprisonment was figurative, either way, his love for the apostle motivated him to serve him.
John Mark is next in this band of brothers. He was the cousin of Barnabas and fell out of favor with Paul in Acts 13. Later, in Acts 15, he became the source of division between Paul and Barnabas, resulting in the formation of two missionary teams instead of one.
But now, Paul commends him to the Colossians and commands them to receive him with hospitality. Paul’s love for John Mark is further highlighted in 2 Timothy 4:11, where he wrote, “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.” Paul’s love for Jesus caused him to acknowledge that his initial perceptions of John Mark were wrong. Genuine love gives people room for growth in every area of life.
And then, we meet Epaphras. His name means lovely. According to chapter one, verse seven, he was most likely the founder of the Colossian church. His acceptance of Christ’s preeminence motivated his great love and zeal for the churches in the Lycus Valley of Asia Minor: Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis. We will discuss his sacrificial service in more detail later.
Next, Paul refers to Luke as “my beloved physician.” At the end of Paul’s life, we learn from 2 Timothy 4:11 that Luke was the only person who remained with Paul throughout his imprisonment. What an example of mutual love between brothers!
If someone were writing a letter to your church or about your church, would you be named as one of those whose love is exemplary? Would you be referred to as a “beloved brother or sister?” Mutual love is a vital characteristic of a band of brothers and sisters.
The Second CHARACTERISTIC (that defines a band of brothers) is,
Sacrificial Service
Several individuals are recognized for their exceptional dedication to their work. Paul commended Epaphras by saying he was “always laboring fervently for you in prayers…” The word Paul used for laboring fervently is agonizomai. We derive our English word “agonize” from this. In Paul’s day, it was a term for the toil and strain of contestants in the athletic competitions. Those competitions were sometimes a matter of life or death.
In addition, he had great zeal and ardor, as well as a deep concern for the churches under his care. Each of the three churches he had planted in the Lycus Valley was in danger of being infected by the Gnostic heresy. So, Epaphras agonized in prayer for the people in these churches. I can imagine that he prayed fervently for their spiritual maturity. Anyone who thinks that prayer isn’t hard work probably hasn’t done too much of it!
Tychicus also demonstrated sacrificial service. Remember, he is carrying the letter from Paul to the Colossians. We often overlook the challenges of travel in the ancient world. The distance between Rome and Colossae was more than 1,500 kilometers (nearly 1,000 miles) and involved travel over land and sea. Today, we can travel that distance much more easily.
And then there’s Nympha. The church in Laodicea met in the private home of Nympha. It wasn’t unusual for a wealthy woman to open her home as a place for the church to meet.
Again, if someone were writing to your church, would your name be mentioned in the context of sacrificial service? Are you willing to agonize in prayer for a brother or sister, or for the lost in your community? Are you willing, like Nympha, to use the resources God has given you to bless others? Sacrificial service is another vital characteristic for a band of brothers and sisters.
The Final CHARACTERISTIC (that defines a band of brothers) is,
Personal Encouragement
As a church planter and pastor, Paul understood the value of encouragement. His letters are filled with encouraging words and feelings. Even when he had to administer discipline, he always accompanied it with words of encouragement and appreciation.
Each person mentioned had some role in encouraging either Paul or others. Tychicus and Onesimus were sent to the Colossian Believers to encourage them with their report from Paul. Aristarchus, John Mark, and Justus were Jewish Believers who assisted in sharing the Gospel with the Gentiles. That fact encouraged Paul and the Gentile Believers in Colossae.
The diligence of Epaphras in the Word and prayer was a great encouragement to many people. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas (or Demetrius) greatly encouraged Paul through their commitment and attentive service. Can you imagine how many people were motivated by Nympha, allowing the church to meet in her home?
And finally, the Apostle Paul signs this letter with his hand. Imagine the chains on Paul’s hands clanking as he picks up the pen and adds his signature to this encouraging letter. And in return for the encouragement offered by him and the others mentioned in this letter, he asks a favor. “Don’t forget me in my chains.” The great Apostle needed encouragement, too!
Do these characteristics define your life? Are you a committed part of a local fellowship of Believers where you can develop and practice mutual love, sacrificial service, and personal encouragement? If not, why not? No local church that I know is perfect, because it’s comprised of imperfect people. There’s always room for growth and improvement. But how will that improvement take place if you and I stand aloof and refuse to commit and engage?
If you and I truly embrace the preeminence of Christ, how can we refuse to take our place among those He’s chosen to be His Bride? I encourage you today to take the role Jesus has for you among the band of brothers and sisters that make up His Church.
Thank you, J. Mark, for sharing these three characteristics with us. Did you notice how he connected today’s teaching to the preeminence of Christ? This is what is needed; our beliefs are not just in our heads. We must live them, and today we were given three clear ways to improve or work on our relationships.
If you want to contact us for any reason or if you’d like to hear any of the Colossian series again, here’s how you can reach us. A good way is by email; our email address is hope@heraldsofhope.org. Alternatively, you can visit our website at heraldsofhope.org and send us a message online. There, click on the “contact us” link, which is on the top right. Please get in touch with us however you can; we would love to hear from you.
This brings us to the end of our series in Colossians. We were blessed and trust that you can say the same. It seems fitting to close our series with these great verses from Colossians 3, “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Thanks, and God bless you.
