Seventh Day Baptist
Christian Education Council
PO BOX 1678
Janesville, WI 53547
Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
(ESV)
—Colossians 4:7-15
by: Lisa Moore.
In yesterday’s passage, Paul listed the names of those who deserted him in ministry. In this passage, Paul listed names of the many who were a source of strength and encouragement to him. He shared greetings from faithful brethren who, though unable to be with the Colossians in person, still loved and cared for them from a distance. Paul’s greetings should encourage us to be more outwardly focused. While laboring in our local churches, we must also encourage and pray that all of our brethren “stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God” (v.12).