The Dependable and the Restored

Colossians 4:7-18

What is a Christian? He is a sinner who has trusted Jesus to save him from sin. He grows in Bible knowledge, love for God, love for others, and in obedience. He will be pure - sexually. He will be holy - not an angry, slanderous, gossip. And it will show in his closes relationships. Why? It’s because he exalts Christ. He doesn’t live for himself. He lives for Jesus.

Now, many things this hinder growth. When we’re busy in service, but not holiness - we don’t grow. Service can deceive us to think we’re spiritual. Much biblical knowledge, but not character deceives us too. We think we’re living out the gospel. Legalism - obeying manmade religious laws makes us think we’re not worldly. Mysticism - we speak in tongues so feel close to God - but we don’t know how to pray aside from that. Real spirituality has to do with love for God, holiness, and love for the brethren and the lost.

We come to the last 2 messages on Colossians. And I think these are good message for these 2 weeks. Today, we have Confession of Faith. Next week, we have ordination and installation. And in these closing words of Paul, he gives a list of 10 names - his friends and co-workers. Men who are spiritual and mature. Men who also have their own struggles. He speaks about them, commends them, and instructs them. And there are precious lessons for us. I’m sure there will be assurances and instructions our parents can take away for their children. Similarly our sister; as well as our officers elect.

From this list, we see 4 categories of men. There were dependable men, rehabilitated men, unnoticed men, and troubled men. We’ll look at 2 today and 2 next week.

Firstly, the dependable men. There are 2 - Tychicus and Epaphras. Tychicus is mentioned in verses 7-8 - “All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts.”

From these verses, we see that he was a trusted man. He was with Paul in Rome, who sent him to Colossae to find out how they were doing - to know their estate, to comfort their hearts, and then to give them news about Paul. He was Paul’s assistant. Paul was in prison and couldn’t leave. So Tychicus went to Colossae because Paul couldn’t. And this wasn’t a minor trip. It was a far and perilous journey from Rome to Colossae. The safer way was over land - but it took too long. The faster way was by ship - traveling the Mediterranean. But there was the treat of shipwreck. Then there was the mixed way - by ship and land. By crossing the Adriatic and the Aegean Seas, Greece and Phrygia.

Not only did he travel back, but he had precious cargo. Verse 9 says Onesimus was with him. Onesimus had run away from his master Philemon, so now was being returned to him. Furthermore, Tychicus was carrying Paul’s epistle to the Colossians. We know this, because verse 7 says he would give a report of what was happening to Paul. He was the messenger. And likely, he was the one who would deliver the message in person. Verse 16 says that this letter will be read out to them. It also says that this letter should be read to the Laodiceans, not far from them, and the letter of the Laodiceans be read to them. So this tells us that he was also carrying the letter to the Laodiceans. And not just that, he couriered the letter to the Ephesians. Ephesians 6:21 says, “But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things.” And, since he was also bringing back Onesimus, which other letter was he carrying? The letter to Philemon! Tychicus carried 4 important documents; 3 of which survived. He was trusted.

Acts 20:4 tells us that he was from Asia Minor, most likely Ephesus, and had joined Paul on his third missionary journey. Through his years of service, probably 10 years, Paul considered him a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellowservant. So dependable was he, that Paul thought of sending him on a mission to take over Titus in Crete. Titus 3:12 tells us that. And he also sent him to Ephesus to help Timothy. 2 Timothy 4:12 tells us that. He was a trusted man of God - spiritual and mature.

Next, we have Epaphras. He was a zealous man. Verse 12 says, “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” Epaphras was from Colossae - he was one of them and a servant of Christ. Meaning, he was their pastor, as Colossians 1:7 says. He likely planted the church. And now he was returning from Rome. He probably went there to tell Paul about the problems. What should he do to handle the problems? So what kind of man was he?

We learn he labored fervently in prayer for them. His urgent pray for them was this - he wanted them to be mature - that they would grow up. I mean, imagine if you had a bunch of people in church who were always looking down on others - ee, you watch movie; so unspiritual; ee, you didn’t wash your hands before you eat; ee, you didn’t do quiet time today - what? You never learned to read? What excuse is that? Learn to read, so you can read the Bible! Never mind that you’re 85. God will help you learn. What? You don’t have this special prayer language to God?! Or perhaps the latest - if you’re not vaccinated, you’re not loving; or if you’re vaccinated, you’re not spiritual. His desire for them was Paul’s desire for them. Not just to grow in knowledge, but in godliness - to mature spiritually - to be like Jesus.

And his concern was not just for the Colossians. Verse 13 says he had great zeal also for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. In some Greek manuscripts, the word zeal is replaced by the word pain. As you know, I prefer the majority text - I prefer zeal. He was so zealous for the Colossians, Laodiceans, and Hierapolitans would grow that it pained him. That’s the meaning in verse 12 - he labored fervently - literally, he agonized for them. When he prayed, he prayed till his knees ached. He was fighting in prayer for them. Jesus in Gethsemane agonized in prayer.

You can be sure he wasn’t praying they’d be happy, fulfilled, or rich; nor have a beautiful building and good music. He prayed fervently that they would grow up. Not to be weak and easily stumbled Christians, but knowledgeable, discerning, and Christ-centered people. And he didn’t just pray for his congregation, he prayed for the other churches around. When we grow in spiritual maturity, in holiness, in love for God and the brethren, in usefulness - the Lord uses us in kingdom building. Tychicus was trusted. Epaphras was zealous. They were dependable.

Secondly, the restored men. Along with Tychicus, Paul mentioned Onesimus in verse 9 - “With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.” Onesimus was a slave that worked for Philemon, a church member. Very likely, the Colossian church met at Philemon’s home. Philemon 2 speaks about the church that meets in his house. So Philemon was rich. He owned Onesimus. But Onesimus stole from Philemon and ran away. If he was caught, the penalty was execution. But when he ran away, he met Paul - maybe bumped into him in prison for an unrelated crime, or sought Paul out - we’re not sure. But what is sure is he became a believer. In all ways, he was freed - from his sin and sinfulness. Philemon 10 says Paul led Onesimus to Christ in prison. And now, he was on his way back, willingly. He was now Philemon’s brother.

When he left, he was a thief, a runaway, a useless worker - but after believing, he changed. He was now willing, because of the gospel, to be a servant to his master; willing even to receive whatever penalties there were. Yes, Paul wrote in the letter to Philemon to forgive Onesimus; but who knows what Philemon would do? Onesimus risked his life going back. But Onesimus returned, because he changed.

Paul didn’t call him a useless runaway but a faithful, beloved brother. One of you. That’s what Christ does. He saves sinners with sinful stories, and those sinners are saved to serve. Their stories end differently. All of us have a past, a history. We’re not respectable people. We’re sinful people. But Christ has saved us from our sins. Onesimus was restored by God in 3 ways. He now had a right relationship with Philemon - he was returning to make amends.

He was also restored in his status. Slaves were owned in the Roman empire, they could be mistreated, but Paul called him a brother. He may be a slave, but he’s also a brother to his master. In Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free - we’re all in Christ. Christianity destroys slavery because it breaks that caste system. There’s no lower or higher. There may be lords and ladies, and servants and slaves; but if they’re in Christ, they are brethren - children of God.

Moreover, he was restored to spiritual usefulness. His name meant useful and profitable - but he was not. He was a thief. But after his salvation, he changed. In Philemon 13, Paul said he took care of him in prison. And evidence points to greater things. Onesimus was not an uncommon name, but neither widely used. There’s a description of an Onesimus. Ignatius of Antioch, the pastor of Antioch at the end of the first century, revealed something interesting in a letter he wrote to the Ephesians. “I received, therefore, your whole multitude in the name of God, through Onesimus, a man of inexpressible love, and your bishop in the flesh, whom I pray you by Jesus Christ to love, and that you would all seek to be like him. And blessed be He who has granted unto you, being worthy, to obtain such an excellent bishop.” If this was the same Onesimus, it meant he became the pastor at Ephesus. How wonderful that is. From slave to pastor, enemy to friend, useless to useful, sinner to saint. It’s not conclusive, but to my romantic mind, I want to believe in this. It doesn’t matter from where you come - jail? drug addiction? gang? Christ restores you.

The next restored man we see is Marcus. He was a changed man. Verse 10 - “Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him).” John Mark was the cousin of Barnabas. He was raised by a devout Christian mother. In Acts 12, when Peter was miraculously released from prison, he made his way to Mark’s house. Verse 12 says, “And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.”

In other words, Mark’s mother was godly, the church met at her house to pray. And the apostles knew him well. Early on, he joined them on their journeys. Acts 12:25 says, “And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.” What did he do? Acts 13:1 gives a list of preachers at Antioch - Mark’s name was not there. Acts 13:5 lists him their helper - he assisted. But the journey was too difficult for Mark. In Paphos, the preachers and companions faced serious opposition. There was also physical hardship. John Mark decided that it was enough - Acts 13:13 says, “Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.” It was too tough and he abandoned his post. He was overwhelmed and fearful. At Pamphylia, he decided to catch the next bus to Jerusalem. He didn’t even report back to Antioch - the church that sent him - but he returned home to his mother in Jerusalem.

But 3-5 years later, in Acts 15, he felt he was fit for service again. And it caused controversy. Verses 37-39 - “And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus.”

Paul and Barnabas argued about Mark, and they split up. Why? Mark was not reliable. He was soft. He was a deserter. He fled in the midst of battle; there was no stomach for conflict. Paul and Barnabas survived the first journey; Mark could’ve but he didn’t give it a chance. So when it was time for him to join them again, Paul wasn’t so keen. Barnabas, Mark’s cousin, felt otherwise and wanted to give him another chance to redeem himself. And that led to a big disagreement.

But by the time Paul wrote Colossians, his opinion of Mark had changed. Mark was restored. 10 years later. Mark was again with Paul. He may even visit the Colossians. Paul told them to welcome him. Paul called him profitable in 2 Timothy 4:11. Folks, it’s not where you start out that matters. We all start out sinful and unreliable. That’s us. But God changes us and restores us. We are all in the process of restoration aren’t we? We’re all in the process of change. We’re all like Onesimus; all like John Mark. God is working in us to restore us.

2 years ago, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris burned. The roof and spire burned down. Thankfully, the famous stained glass rose windows were preserved. But there was no roof, no spire, no usable cathedral. But what did the city do? Did they abandon the building and leave it to be derelict? No, they planned to rebuild it. Many designs were submitted. Many pledged money to support it. The hope is that it will be rebuilt, stronger, fire proof for use again. Using the best experts, who work with the utmost care and precision, they made every effort to restore the treasure - the Cathedral will be reopened in 2024. Now, the purpose is not to justify its religious use. It’s an illustration to show that just because a thing is ruined does not mean that it cannot be restored. And God restores the most broken and sinful of things. Using the best experts, who worked with the utmost care and precision, they made every effort to restore the treasures. And this was something that Paul himself understood. That he was a persecutor, a person who opposed Christ - this is why he called himself the least of the apostles. By His sovereign grace, God can bring good out of our failures, and even out of our sins.

The Lord Jesus has died to create a new heart in us. To change us. He’s not done with us. By his word, by his Spirit, by his church, by trials, by our enemies, he’s changing us. And if he died for us, to change us, why will we not let him change us? Is there an enemy you must forgive, find grace to release your offender. Is there sin you’re feeding? Flush away the sinful desire with grace to pursue holiness. Do you need help from others? Ask them. Are you frequently afraid and distressed, trust in Christ - yes, your life and earthly security may be removed, but you have an everlasting inheritance. Have hope that you can have and God can give you victory and relief from your trials. As you grow in Christ and surrender to him, you’re freed from sin; in your surrender, he will change you; and you will grow in zeal and fervency, restored to trustworthiness. We find my gems in church like Tychicus and Epaphras. Thank God for those who are precious because they are mature. We find rougher stones being polished - those precious souls who were outright failures - who are being changed. We thank God for each one of you.