Colossians 4.7-14— “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; With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. 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. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.”
There are 8 people mentioned here serving on a team with Paul. All were completely different, a motley looking crew indeed. I have been reflecting on the statement—‘It takes all kinds’and found it does! I’m reminded of the story of the sight of a man at his wife’s graveside service. There was a massive clap of thunder, followed by a tremendous bolt of lightning, accompanied by even more thunder rumbling in the distance. The little, old man looked at the pastor and calmly said, “Well, she’s there.” Maybe you can relate? Just kidding! It does take all kinds. Honestly, I am one of those in that motley crew of misfits in our church. Every person is in their church on purpose. God doesn’t make mistakes. Fact of the matter is, ministry takes a team! The days of being a lone-wolf minister is out at Highland Baptist and I pray you come to your senses soon too. We need each other and territorialism is ridiculous and selfish.
Paul saw each of these 8 (and many others) as essential to the success of the ministry. Come to think of it: some were newbies; some veteran ministers; some Jews; some Gentiles; some would turn; some were there to death. Using the 8 people mentioned I want to show you some identifiers of what it takes to develop a successful ministry team. It isn’t what you think. Using the Apostle Paul’s team we will gather who this motley crew is.
First, it takes faithful servants. In verse 7 we meet Tychicus—“All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:” Paul first met Tychicus in Acts 20.4: “And there accompanied him into Asia… and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.” He also mentioned him in Ephesians 6.21 as the one who carried the letter of Ephesians to Ephesus—“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:” Same character qualities are mentioned about him here in Colossians—“a beloved brother and faithful minister.” He was faithful. In fact he was with Paul to the end and delivered Paul’s last letters of 2 Timothy and Ephesians. We learn that he even became one of the Pastor’s of Ephesus— “And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.” (2 Timothy 4.12). Thank God for faithful servants. I really don’t know if I could continue without them.
Secondly, we see it takes redeemed people. In verse 9 Onesimus is labeled a— “beloved brother”. Formerly a runaway slave, divinely met Paul in Rome where Paul witnessed to him (while in prison). Now saved, he is sent back to his home town to get things right. He carried Paul’s letter to Philemon, the man whom he ran from. Philemon 10 says— “I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:”. If you think about it, we are all people of second chances. It is required that redeemed people, with a past that is still in their past, are on the ministry team, how else can we be able to tell others of the savior without saved people doing it?
Third, it takes sympathetic friends. In verse 10 we meet Aristarchus, labeled a “fellow prisoner”. Imprisoned with Paul in Rome, he was originally detained in Ephesus. We find this in Acts 19.29— “And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.” He was originally from Macedonia and member of the church in Thessalonica so we find from Acts 20.4— “And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus…” He knew exactly how Paul felt and was sympathetic to what he was going through, because he was going through it with him. Thank God for those who understand. Thank God for those who are right in the middle of it with you.
Fourth, it takes people who have failed. In verse 10 we also see a relatively familiar name: John Mark (Marcus). This is Barnabas’ nephew and the very same one Barnabas and Paul split over. We find him first in Acts 12 while he was housing members for worship. He joins Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. But, on that journey, Mark left them high and dry and took off for home. Because of that, in Acts 15, when Barnabas wanted to take him again, Paul said no. Barnabas then took him, like He did Paul before, and discipled him further. After some time passes we find him again here and 2 Timothy 4.11— “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.” Thank God for failing forward. Thank God for those like Barnabas that will come along side of us and help us through our failure and see in us something beyond our failure. It takes those who have failed to be empathic and sympathetic to the ones they will reach as as team. Someone can say ‘Yeah, I’ve been there man.’
Fifth, it takes comforting coworkers. In verse 11 we find a guy named “Jesus called Justus”. Here Paul said he was a comfort to him. They first met in Acts 18 when Paul was opposed and no one would listen, he went to Justus’ house for comfort then too—“And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.” (Acts 18.7) Thank God for those who are always there to comfort us during difficult times. I have heard more than once someone say to my wife and I—‘I need to crash somewhere tonight’. I have, but I do pray I become a better Justus to others.
Sixth, it takes prayer warriors. Epaphras pops up on our radar in verse 12. He had no ordinary prayer life. He was an intercessor. He “labored fervently” for them in prayer. This is no casual prayer man… this is a prayer warrior! It takes these kinds of people to make all of this happen. He had been in prisoned with Paul more than once (Philemon 23). He was also one of the Pastor’s of Colossians (Colossians 1.7). He was sent by the church to work on the team with Paul, as a representative. He took his duty seriously and found the best way to pay his church is to bathe them in prayer. A minister who does not do that is not a minister at all!
Seventh, it takes people who may leave. Yes, you read that right. In verse 14 Demas is there, but later bailed! In 2 Timothy 4.10— “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica…”. People will fail, people will bail, people will quit along the way. I have chosen to not get jaded by it. I was advised by a Pastor on his death bed— “when they come love them, when they leave, let them go.” As simple as that may sound, it has become POWERFUL in my life as a minister. While they are there, pour into them! What if they bail? How can you know who will or won’t? I am not God. What I am is a man who has a job to do and that is to pour Jesus into as many ‘potential’ laborers as I can. I wonder how many counted me out or still do? I wonder how many great ministers I passed up because I thought they wouldn’t make it? Paul put time into Demas even though he eventually left. It happens, move on and keep training.
Finally, eighth, it takes committed confidants. The personal friend and physician— Luke (14). He had been there since the beginning— the book of Luke. He had stayed there through it all— the book of Acts (where he joined Paul). He was there to the end— 2 Timothy 4.11— “Only Luke is with me…” This man was the Doc Holliday to Paul as Wyatt Earp (cue the Tombstone entrance scene). This man was there no matter what! My eyes swell with tears when I think about those who have been there with me no matter what. I am confident they would go to prison with me and watch as I was beheaded like Luke did for Paul. Thank you God for those who have been my committed confidants, help me to be a better one!
What kind of minister are you? A Luke, an Aristarchus, an Onesimus? The better question is: How much are you allowing God to use you? You can’t work together until you can let go of yourself.
Luke and Demas— what a contrast. The Faithful and The Quitter. I think maybe more like The Committed and The Coward. Considering the situation Paul was in; Demas saw the temporary relief of this life better than imprisonment and beatings he was enduring, or as Paul, an eventual death by beheading. Paul’s account of Demas in 2 Timothy 4.10 says “having loved this present world“. This is what will derail you off the team. This is what hinders your effort in ministry and in fulfillment with the rest of the body you are joined to. It’s not the other people! Obviously this text explains different people from different backgrounds can produce a world impacting ministry team. It isn’t people… it is all about your walk with the Lord.
1 John 2.15-17— “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
Ministry is not what we do for God… it is something God does in and through us.
One thought on “Working Together”
How much time is covered in these efforts when often we give up on what God will use later to work with others even beyond our knowledge. Some also are going to serve only a short term. Maybe only eternity will reveal the results because we are still learning from people in the Old and New Testaments. I am thinking of a man called Milton who is coming to the end of his life but not his ministry.
Some very good thoughts even looking at failures which might motivate others.
Thanks