I Get By With A Lot Of Help From My Friends

Good morning from the Panhandle, I pray this finds you doing well. We are half way through June and Camps are looming on the horizon. Summer time is always a busy time here as I'm sure it is every where. You know Girl's Camp, Boy's Camp, and Youth Camp could be overwhelming if I had to do it all by myself. But praise be to God I do not. I am blessed to have others to lead out and to help in these ministries. It was the same with Paul, he got help from his friends, fellow Christ followers to carry on his ministry. The sharing of the Gospel is not a one man show or even a 12 man show, it is all Christian brothers and sisters working together to share the Good News.

Now in the final verses of his letter to the Church at Colosse, Paul gives us the names of some of his fellow servants in the ministry. Even as Paul names these fellow workers of the faith, he reminds the church that they are “fellow bond-servants” in Christ. Remember, Christ Jesus is the exalted Creator and Redeemer in Colossians chapter 1. He is the fullness of deity, and He conquers by His cross in chapter 2. He is seated in majesty and authority in chapter 3. And in chapter 4 it is Christ Jesus who is proclaimed, Christ Jesus who is Lord. - Max Anders

Clarence Forsburg tells a story about what it means to be a part of a team. It is a story of Al McGuire and Butch Lee. McGuire was a great basketball coach, who retired from Marquette after winning the NCAA tournament in 1976. Butch Lee was a kind of prima donna player on that team. The story is about McGuire trying to teach Butch Lee about team basketball. This was the coach’s word. “Now, Butch, the game is forty minutes long, and if you divide that between the two teams that means there is twenty minutes when one team will have the ball and there’s twenty minutes when the other team will have the ball. There are five players on each side. That means each player will have the ball for about four minutes. Now, Butch, I know what you can do with a ball in four minutes. What I want you to show me, is what you can do for the other thirty-six minutes.” - Maxie D. Dunnam

There is more than one lesson here and it goes beyond basketball to the whole of life. What do you do when someone else has the ball? When someone else is in the limelight? When you are the supporting member, not star of the game?

Colossians 4:7-18

7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information.

8 For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts;

9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here.

10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas' cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him);

11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.

12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

13 For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.

15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house.

16 When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea.

17 Say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it."

18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.

1. Paul Gets A Little Help from His Friends

There is a Beatles' song titled “With A Little Help From My Friends”

What would you do if I sang out of tune
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
And I'll try not to sing out of key

[Chorus]
I get by with a little help from my friends

Paul’s final greeting to the Colossians reminds us that ministry is not a thing done alone; it addresses the question about what we do when someone else has the ball. How did Paul maintain his perspective while in prison? With so many churches so close to his heart, how was he able to keep up with helping each one face their unique challenges. He did it with a little help from his friends and fellow servants in Christ Jesus. 

When we read this list of names—Tychicus (too-khee-kos'), Onesimus (on-ay'-sim-os), Aristarchus (ar-is'-tar-khos), Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas (day-mas')
, Nymphas (noom-fas'), and Archippus (ar'-khip-pos), we see a list of heroes of the faith. Paul gives us a glimpse into this fellowship of encouragement. This is more than a list of names, these are real people. These are ordinary people who helped Paul carry out an extraordinary ministry for the sake of our extraordinary Saviour, Christ Jesus. Apart from Mark and Luke, it is rare to hear these other names. So it is good that we slow down and celebrate the “supporting cast”. It is only possible for the main character to come through with impact at center stage if the supporting actors are performing well.

2. The Supporting Cast

The heroes of the faith, mostly unsung and unknown, are celebrated by Paul and we should be inspired and encouraged.

“On the ship of the church there are no passengers; all are members of the crew. The church is not a trumpet corps, but an orchestra; each member a different instrument playing a unique sound. Added to the sounds of others, the symphony of the gospel is lived and shared with the world.” - Maxie D. Dunnam, Christian author and commentator 

 

Tychicus (too-khee-kos') – We might call him the trusted assistant. He was with Paul for many years. He is mentioned five times in the New Testament (Acts, Titus, 2 Timothy, Ephesians, and here in Colossians). Tychicus is an example of faithfulness in little things which led to greater things. He was sent to Colosse to inform the church there of Paul's circumstances and encourage their hearts. It is also more than likely that he carried the letter to the Church in Ephesus. In later years Tychicus was a relief minister for Titus (Titus 3:12). And as Paul's death approached, he sent Tychicus to care for the church in Ephesus.

Onesimus (on-ay'-sim-os) – He was a run away slave from Colosse. He is the slave spoke of in the Book of Philemon. The story of Onesimus is a story of grace and hope. Onesimaus who once a salve becomes a dear brother. Only the gospel can cause such a radical and absolute change in a person's life. 

Aristarchus (ar-is'-tar-khos) – A Jewish believer, he was a devoted companion. Aristarchus was always there when Paul needed him. In Acts 19:29 we see him with Paul during the Ephesian riot. And in Acts 27:2, he was shipwrecked with Paul. Adversity didn't lesson his affection for Paul or his service to Christ Jesus.

Mark – Also known as John Mark, was the recovered friend. Barnabas' young cousin, he started on Paul and Barnabas' first mission journey; but turned back. Because of this Paul refused to take Mark on the next mission trip, but Barnabas nurtured and encouraged him and salvaged him. He also studied at the feet of Peter from whose accounts he wrote the Gospel of Mark. Reconciled, he was with Paul as the letter to the Colossians was written. As the end of his life neared, Paul wrote that Mark was useful to him in 2 Timothy 4:11. Paul wanted the Colossians to welcome Mark into their fellowship. 

Jesus Justus – There was something about this man that made Paul mention him. Unfortunately we do not know what it is. Little is known about him other than he has a Jewish and Roman name. Jesus is a Jewish names and Justus is a Roman name. 

Epaphras – Was the founder of the Church at Colosse, and more than likely the pastor when Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians. Not only was he the founder of the church, but he was the one who brought the gospel to Colosse. Epaphras was a prayer warrior, he prayed continually, fervently, and with purpose. It was Epaphras who went to Rome to tell Paul about the heresy that threatened the Church in Colosse. He knew what the immature Christians at Colosse were facing and urged them to grow in maturity so that they would be able to resist the alluring lies of the false teachers. 

Luke – One of Paul's most enduring companions. He was Paul's personal doctor and traveling companion of Paul as well as a historian and a writer. Luke is the only Gentile writer found in the New Testament. He wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Luke was Paul's friend. 

Demas (day-mas') – Was with Paul during both of his imprisonments in Rome. He did a lot for the kingdom. Demas was at Paul's side when he wrote the letter to the Colossians. But sadly in 2 Timothy 4:9-10 we learn that Demas gave into the world, more than that he fell in love with the world and forsook Paul in his last days. 

Nymphas (noom-fas') – I'm not sure why the King James and some of the other translations say “her.” The original Greek uses the word autos (ow-tos) and is translated as “his”. He lived in Laodicea and hosted a house church in his home. This is all we really know about him. Apparently the letter to the Church at Colosse was to be read in the Church and the house churches in Laodicea. And there was another letter coming addressed to just the churches in Laodicea. But we never hear of that letter again. Later, a Latin letter to the Laodiceans circulated in some churches and is included publications of the New Testament Apocrypha, but it was certainly not written by Paul.

Archippus (ar'-khip-pos) – He may have been the son of Philemon and Apphia (ap-fee'-a) as well as the pastor of the church that met in their home (Philemon 2). Paul challenges Archippus to complete the work [he] received in the Lord. With all the false teachers trying to lure the Christians in Laodicea astray Archippus just need some encouragement “to keep, keeping on” in the ministry of Christ Jesus.

Paul shows us that ministry is not meant to be done alone. Ministry is a group effort carried out by ordinary people each and every day.

3. Paul's Final Words to the Church in Colosse (vs. 18)

Paul’s final word: “Remember my chains.” It is possible that when Paul wrote Colossians by his own hand his chains moved over the paper; his hand was chained to the Roman soldier who kept him. 

Whether literally in chains, the image is far more than symbolic. Paul is a prisoner for Christ Jesus, literally, in a physical sense—locked up, detained, denied freedom—but far more important in Paul’s mind is that he has voluntarily chained himself to Christ Jesus: "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20. 

So above any circumstance there is praise, the joy of one who sees in every circumstance the opportunity to share the gospel and to live like Christ Jesus. And so the final note, as always, is grace. What has been sufficient for Paul, even in prison, is sufficient for everyone: the all-sufficient Christ Jesus.

Conclusion: Through this letter to the Colossians we learn that we are to know the truth and avoid error. We are to live out our new life developing character and deepening relationships with Christ Jesus (the very likeness of God) and other Christians. And we are to pray, prayer must be a major part of our lives. But first and foremost we must keep Christ Jesus central in our lives.