6/7/25 Divine Peers

Today we continue our series of Colossians. Throughout the series we have taken a look at the elements of the divine throughout the book and meanings that are not commonly recognized by modern preaching. As we have tried to really put a microscope on is that the most of this book deals in relational issues. This was a church in which Paul was concerned because of outside influences trying to steer the people of this church of the truth of Jesus Christ. Repeatedly he points out the strain in relationships and the necessity of operating properly within those relationships for the purpose of spiritual authority in prayer. Join us today as we examine: Col 4:7-14.

7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.

Tychicus is a Gentile convert who traveled with Paul extensively.  He delivered the letters to Ephesius & here in Colossae. Paul trusted him as an encourager to the churches, building people up & filling them with the knowledge of Jesus. He is sent to not only provide the news of Paul but the news of the hope that he and the others share in Jesus. Paul is renowned for his knowledge of the word but also exhibits the leadership to send out those who have the fire of Holy Spirit within.

9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

Now Onesimus is a deep topic. He is the subject of the book of Philemon. He is a slave who Paul does not look down on. Paul lists him here as faithful and a brother and one of the followers joined in the family of Christ.

Notice his role. Along side Tychicus to inform and encourage. Maybe this should be our roles. To encourage not to beat down. To lift up and not just inform. To share the infectious joy from being in the family of Christ and not as a citizen of what ever nationality. Paul sent this two out, but the list goes on.

¹⁰ My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)

Paul is not alone in prison. He is not the only in chains, and even despite that Aristarchus still says HEY from his chains, but again he is not alone. John Mark you know the author of Mark who wrote down the testimony of Christ from Peter? He is there also.

¹¹ Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me

Justus Jesus is not the savior of the world nope, he is a Messianic Jew and one of the closest friends of Paul. God put tis man in Paul’s path because they could empathize with another.

¹² Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. ¹³ I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Epaphras is the pastor of the church he is addressing. He was first mentioned in 1:7 and is also mentioned ironically in Philemon 1:23. Guess what? He is in prison there also and he is a praying man who is praying for the maturity and the resolute devotion of the church of Colossae to the known will of God. Paul even gives his endorsement to this man as a servant of sound character. Then we get to the final two.

¹⁴ Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.

Luke we all know penned the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. Now take a look at what is represented here. 3 writers of the New Testament are in jail together. A pastor of the church of this letter, a slave who is devoted to Jesus and considered a brother & a minister who encourages. Now look at what they all have in common, they are all in jail for spreading the gospel and the gospel is their fuel for life. They are encouragers who still tell the truth of scripture without becoming motivational speakers who twist it.

And that is what we need in this age, we need Divine Peers who are willing to walk with us through the fires of hell that the world deals us for being members of the family of Christ. Paul is not alone, there is a bond at looking at this bunch and seeing yes they are sold out to Christ, but look at them. The man that was in training to be the next High Priest is joined by a doctor, 2 ministers, a slave, a mix of Jew and Gentiles, meaning there is quite the diversity here.

This diversity did not hold them back. This diversity did not prevent them from becoming a team, no they are all on the same team because they believe in the mission, they believe in the mission because they believe that Jeus is the Messiah! When we move in our day to day ask the question what is it that draws you and your teammates together who will go through the fires of hell in this world? Because if it is not the bond of Jesus you may need new teammates.