One thing that everyone wants is to feel like they matter. We want to know that our life matters. We want to know that our lives are making an impact and that we are making a difference. That is one thing that our church prides ourself on: making a difference. As the saying goes here in our church: Make a living, make a life, and make a difference.
There is something inside of us that wants to be seen. However, the world measures impact by visibility: how many people see it, how many people applaud it, how many people acknowledge it. However, when you open your Bible, you will find out that God does not measure impact the same way the world does.
Some of the most impactful people
in the Bible are characters that you have barely heard about…
•
Jochebed
•
Bezalel
•
Shiphrah and Puah
• The Boy with the Loaves
Well today we are going to talk about someone else who is not well known in the Bible, but had a major impact in that day and for generations to come. He also happens to be one of my favorite characters in the Bible. Today we are going to be talking about the Faithfulness of Tychicus.
Tychicus was such a cool guy!! Not only that, but he was also a great example for what it means to be a faithful follower of Jesus. We will talk more about that later.
But Tychicus was not David. He wasn’t Moses. He’s not Paul the Apostle. However, there are parts of the New Testament that we would not have today if it weren’t for Tychicus. And although there is not much in the Bible about him, what we do learn from his life is simple, but powerful.
So let’s dive in together to see what we can learn from the life of Tychicus.
Background of the Text
We are going to be in chapter 4 of the book of Colossians.
Colossians was a letter written by
the Apostle Paul to the church in Colossae, which was located in modern day
Turkey. He was writing to the church for a few reasons:
•
The church was
under pressure
- They were living in a very pagan environment: multiple
gods, idol worship, and demonic spiritual practices.
- This meant that they would have stuck out and would
have been rejected
•
False teaching
was spreading into the church
- People were telling them that Jesus was good, but they
needed to add Judaism and other mystical teachings/ practices.
•
The Colossian
Christians were uncertain
- Upon hearing that Paul was in prison, they were
uncertain of what to believe
- They were hearing all kinds of things and Paul wanted to clear the air
In chapters 1-3, Paul is addressing many different issues. By the time you get to chapter 4, Paul is doing a little house keeping. It seems like what is written in chapter 4 is not as important. Most people might even just pass over this part of the book, but its here that we here about Tychicus.
Colossians 4:7-8 — “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”
This is not the only place we hear about Tychicus. Some other places we hear about Tychicus are:
•
Acts 20 — He is
traveling with Paul to help deliver the offering collected from the churches
abroad to Jerusalem.
• 2 Timothy 4 — He was considered a leader and a trusted ministry substitute for Timothy in Ephesus.
Back to Colossians 4, Paul said that he was sending Tychicus.
So who was this man, Tychicus? The Bible does not record much about the man. However, according to the Apostle Paul, he was a:
•
Beloved
Brother — He was someone that Paul
trusted (like family)
•
Faithful
Minister — He was someone that Paul
could rely on
•
Fellow
Bond-Servant — He was someone that
Paul respected
*Only other person he says this about outside of Timothy, Epaphras, and
himself
Tychicus was someone that the Apostle Paul loved and respected. So what was it about him that made Paul trust him so much? What did he do that made him so valuable?
I believe that it was one thing: His faithfulness.
Sometimes we imagine that we are not able or capable of being used by God to make an impact for His kingdom. Sometimes we imagine, there is someone else that is more gifted, more knowledgeable, more experienced, etc. However, God is not just looking for the gifted and talented, He is looking for those who are faithful! That is exactly what Tychicus was and what we should all aim to be.
It is true that there is not much written about Tychicus. But based on what we do know about him, I would like to share 3 truths we learn from him about faithfulness that I believe we too should apply to our life as fellow followers of Christ.
1.
Faithfulness
goes the extra mile
Tychicus did more than just serve— he went the distance. He was given the
responsibility of one of the most important roles that someone held in the
early church days: Carrier.
Tychicus had the responsibility of delivering letter(s) written by Paul. This
may not sound that impressive, but this was just some easy task. He would have
had to:
•
Cross Italy on
foot
•
Sail the Adriatic
Sea
•
Cross Greece on
foot
•
Sail the Aegean
Sea
•
Travel from the
coast of Ephesus up to the steep Lycus Valley
•
Travel through
Laodicea on foot
•
Travel through Hierapolis
•
Finally arrive at
Colossae
•
Between Rome and
Colossae, it would have been approximately 1200 miles he would have had to
travel on his own. It would have taken roughly 3-5 weeks. Not only that but he
would have faced difficult and dangerous feats when delivering this letter.
Nevertheless, he got the job done. Needless to say, Tychicus went the extra
mile.
Faithfulness is willing to go the extra mile.
2.
Faithfulness
brings a positive report
v7 — “Tychicus, a
beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell
you all the news about me.”
When Paul went to prison, there were a lot of questions. Letters took
weeks-months to arrive and rumors began to spread fast. So Tychicus was
instrumental in bringing a long awaited update on the status of Paul and what
was going on. When Tychicus arrived, he was bringing a positive report on the
status of Paul. There had been false reports about his time in a Roman jail
cell. Yet, Tychicus was there to set the record straight.
There are many people who are already adding to the negativity around us. When
you walk into a room or when you show up around people, bring a positive
report. Have a smile on your face and joy in your heart. We don’t need to look
sour when we show up. Let us show up ready to be a light wherever we go.
3.
Faithfulness
shows up when it matters most
v8 — “I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your
circumstances and comfort your hearts”
Tychicus was also there to encourage the church. He was a fellow minister,
capable of encouraging them in their moment. He was there for them in a very
difficult time to strengthen them. Not only that but their pastor Epaphras was
gone. So with all of the false teaching, uncertainty of Paul, and their pastor
being gone, there was a lot of turbulence. Tychicus was there for them when
they needed him the most.
Faithfulness is being there when it matters most. It means showing and being
present. Your presence is powerful. We represent the hands and feet of Jesus
here on earth. Your presence means more than you imagine. Reach out to someone,
check on them, and be there for them. Realize that your presence in church is
even more important than you realize.
We are given no indication that Tychicus was the most gifted. We are not given any indication of him being the most educated, the most skilled, the most respected, nor the most famous. However, what we do know about Tychicus is that he was faithful.
TAKEAWAYS
I.
Faithfulness
is a defining mark of a true follower of Christ
Matthew 25:21 — “Well
done, good and faithful servant”
II.
Faithfulness
impacts more people than you realize
Galatians 6:9 — “And
let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we
do not lose heart.”\
III.
Faithfulness
is doing your part in God’s bigger plan
IV.
Faithfulness
is what God expects out of you
