Join the Team • Devotion #4: Tychicus
Dr. Randy T. Johnson
“Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.” Colossians 4:7
At the end of Paul’s letters, he sends greetings from others who are serving with him. We often do the same thing when on the phone. If I am talking with one of our children, I might say, “Mom sends her love.” I also send her greeting to friends, “By the way, Angela says, ‘Hi!’”
A difference in Paul’s greetings is that there are times when he describes the person who he is relaying the message from. In Colossians 4:7, he describes Tychicus, “He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.” The tendency can be to just pass over these phrases; however, it appears there is a message within them.
First, Paul calls Tychicus “a beloved brother.” We would assume Tychicus was a believer, so Paul does not just call him a “brother.” He is more than a Christian acquaintance. He is “a beloved brother.” There is give and take in their relationship. When one is down, the other is there to pick him back up. We all have relationships that are one-sided. We feel we do all the giving. They only reach out when they need something. The conversation is always about them. That is not friendship; they are a project. Tychicus was different. He was “a beloved brother.”
Second, Paul calls Tychicus “a faithful minister.” In Ephesians 6:21, Paul also uses the same first two descriptions, “Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything.”Tychicus was a “faithful minister.” He preached the Word. He knew, lived, and preached the Gospel. Paul could count on him. He was reliable, trustworthy, and dependable. He was a “faithful minister.”
Third, Paul calls Tychicus a “fellow servant in the Lord.” This phrase caught my attention. I do not think Paul is being redundant. He is emphasizing that Tychicus is capable of being on stage sharing the Gospel. However, he does not strive to be the center of attention. Tychicus is also a “fellow servant.” He is willing to do whatever it takes for others to hear the Good News.
Fellow servants are important. They do not get or need recognition. They just want to make a difference with their life. They want to serve the Lord. Their ministry is crucial! What they do helps set the tone or atmosphere for someone else to relax without distractions and hear the Gospel. These fellow servants work in the nursery, stand in corners making sure everyone is safe, pull weeds, run a camera, pick up garbage, straighten chairs, vacuum, change the oil in buses, clean windows, pray before gatherings and throughout the week, host Growth Communities, write to our missionaries, make hospital visits, and send notes of encouragement. Their ministry is crucial!
The mindset of a “fellow servant” says, “Just put me in the game, coach.” It is the attitude of wanting to be involved in what God is doing. Please join the team. It is an honor and privilege to serve the Lord. The church needs faithful ministers and fellow servants. Together the message becomes all about Him. To God be the glory!