08/08/2026
* TGIF-And Sunday's Coming (weekly encouragement from Christ the King Church, Arlington)
Read Colossians 4:7-18
I used to skip over the ends of Paul’s letters when he would mention people mostly unknown to us, but like in almost any endeavor, a little more digging reveals some great truths. I looked over these last 12 verses and realized I could preach a sermon on just about every one of them. I’m not going to, as with the rest of Colossians, I am only trying to give you a few nuggets that might apply to your life. If you really want to grow in Christ you will feed yourself regularly.
So here is a little bit of what I learned from these people mentioned by Paul.
Tychicus was a close friend and valued helper of Paul who was with Paul during the first Roman imprisonment and carried the letters to the Ephesians and the Colossians. As a letter carrier he would also tell the churches much more about how Paul was doing.
What I learned from Tychicus (Acts 20:4; Ephesians 6:21; 2Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12)
fidelity - he was faithful to the end
integrity - he was trustworthy with money, letters, etc
Onesimus was a slave of Philemon of Colossae who had apparently robbed Philemon and ran away to Rome where he could disappear in the big city. Somehow he came to Paul, perhaps in prison, and became a Christian through Paul’s ministry. Paul persuaded him to return to Philemon and sent that personal letter (Philemon) along with him.
What I learned from Onesimus: redemption - Jesus redeems and transforms (from slave to brother)
Philemon 10 I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment,
Aristarchus was a Thessalonian Jewish convert (see Acts 17) and one of Paul’s travel companions who was also imprisoned for the sake of gospel and shipwrecked with Paul.
What I learned from Aristarchus: perseverance - I may suffer for proclaiming the gospel
Mark (John Mark) who wrote the Second Gospel had abandoned Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey which caused a “sharp disagreement” between them that led to them parting ways. He is mentioned by name ten times in the NT. John was his Jewish name, Mark (Marcus) his Roman. Now, some years later John Mark has become a help to Paul in his ministry.
What I learned from (John) Mark: reconciliation – As long as we are striving for the same goal (Jesus Christ) there is always the possibility to mend broken relationships.
Jesus who is called Justus is only mentioned here and we know nothing else about him except that he merited recognition. It’s a reminder that Christianity is not about human recognition or worldly fame – most of us will labor in relative obscurity, but God sees all and knows our hearts and our deeds.
What I learned from Jesus Justus: Obscurity - (versus recognition by the world) – God knows our deeds and service.
Do you know your ministry right now? Are you serving the Lord and following the guidance of Scripture and the Holy Spirit? This is what we are made for, this is our mission.
Shalom
Rick
