Begin with two minutes of silence and stillness before God.
As a teenager, I loved to read biographies and autobiographies. I guess that’s where my love of history developed. From Bear Bryant to the Wright Brothers, I couldn’t get enough about the full story of someone and their life experiences that brought them to fame. The same is true after reading Colossians 4, the stories behind the names mentioned in verses 7-15, but first, Paul shows us the power of words and how important speech is to ministry.
Paul shows us the importance of ‘Prayer’ in verses 2-3a. ‘ Proclaiming the Word of God’ is a great privilege and tremendous responsibility in verses 3b-4. ‘ Witnessing to the Lost’ is a responsibility that all believers carry in verses 5-6. Last, but not least, ‘Sharing Burdens’ is beneficial to those sharing and receiving in verses 7-9. Words matter in our everyday walk.
Now, the part that 95% of us skim over or try to get through in a hurry- the names. Friends matter and Paul had plenty. There are more than 100 different Christians associated with Paul in Acts and his letters to the churches. It’s the stories behind these names that grab you and give you greater insight into Paul’s life and theirs. Let’s take a few for example and dive into their biography.
Tychicus is the first mentioned in Paul’s final greetings. Tychicus was Paul’s mailman of sorts. He helped deliver the letters to the Ephesians and Colossians and the personal letter to Philemon dealing with Onesimus. He shared of Paul’s Roman imprisonment, he was a beloved brother, and dependable. Following Paul wasn’t easy, but Tychicus did it well.
Aristarchus was a fellow prisoner and risked his life in a riot in Acts. He was with Paul on his voyage to Rome so he got to be a part of a storm, shipwreck, and snakebite. He stayed with Paul through thick and thin. He suffered and labored with Paul til the end.
John Mark is an example we can all look up to. The author of the book of Mark, John Mark failed in his first attempt at ministry when he abandoned Paul and his cousin Barnabas on their first missionary journey, but he didn’t lay down and sulk. He picked himself up, and proved himself faithful to the Lord and Paul, and even received some commendation from Paul in 2 Timothy 4:11.
Epaphras was the founder of the church in Colosse. He became a believer in Ephesus through Paul’s ministry and became a home missionary when he went back to Colosse and established the first church there. Not only was he a friend of Paul and a faithful minister of Christ, but he was a prayer warrior. A great friend to have in all circumstances.
Luke was a Gentile, the author of the epistle Luke and Acts, and a physician-which was strange to have because Paul had healing power through the Holy Spirit. Regardless, he followed Paul everywhere and was a great service to the Lord and a devoted friend.
How could I leave out Nympha, who was a House Church Host and maybe a Pastor. I’m sure Paul attended a few meetings on Wednesday nights in Nypha’s house church and may have joined in on some of the questions.
They say that you are the sum of your 5 closest friends. Paul had true Bible believing, hard working, foxhole worthy, to die for friends. That's the application I want us to take away from Colossians 4. Make it your mission or goal to find your fellow, like minded friends who have a burning desire to follow Jesus and are devoted to serving Him till they are called ‘home’. Paul was a hated man once with very few friends, but his devotion to Christ changed all of that. Friends helped Paul, encouraged him, picked him up, and strengthened him until Christ called him ‘home’. Now that's a biography to read about.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.