S.E.R.V.E God - P5 - Exemplify Jesus Christ

2 Timothy 4:12 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

It was almost five years since Paul had written the Book of Ephesians.  When he wrote that letter he was under house arrest in Rome.  In this second letter to the second generation pastor Timothy, Paul is writing from a Dungeon.  The ministry veteran Paul is writing what are most likely his final words.  Many of his ministry partners have come and gone.  Out of all of them, Tychicus was one of the very few who remained ready to go wherever Paul needed him.  For over a decade Tychicus has been the "faithful servant of God and beloved brother" to the Apostle Paul. (Ephesians 6:21)  Tychicus has been shown thus far to be a prime example of a servant of God in the following ways:

1. He Seeks God first.
2. He Emphesized Faithfulness.
3. He Reinforced the ministry.
4. He Validated God's people

In this final part of our blog series, we will consider the final letter of our acrostic S.E.R.V.E in defining what it means to serve God, namely: Exemplify Jesus Christ

How did Tychicus exemplify Jesus Christ and how are you and I to do the same?
If seeking God first represents the foundation of the servant of God, with faithfulness, reinforcement of the ministry and validation of God's people as the associated aims, then exemplifying Jesus Christ represents the servant's goal.  Tychicus without a doubt exemplified Jesus Christ, which explains why Paul was eager and confident in sending him in his place to the churches he had established.  As we briefly consider how Tychicus exemplified Christ, you and I can take note of what it means to be Christ-like in our service to God:

1. Humility - Humility is the greatest Christ-like trait in the realm of our mindset in ministry.  Paul writes in Philippians 2:5 "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus."  The word translated "attitude" could just as easily be translated "mindset".  Whatever our minds are set toward, our hearts will follow.  Just as Christ humbled Himself, so are we to be humble in our thoughts, which lead to humble actions.  Tychicus, as far as we can tell, never hesitated to go where he was being sent.  As long as it progressed another square inch for God's Kingdom, Tychicus was ever the eager servant, regardless of what it cost him. 

2. Love - If humility represents the most Christ-like trait of the mind, then love represents the most Christ-like trait of the heart.  Love is considered the greatest of the virtues which issue from the heart. (1 Corinthians 13:5)  Love was the center motivation for the cross. (John 3:16; Romans 5:8) Love is to be the center motivation for obedience (John 14:21-23)  Tychicus was referred to as the "beloved brother".  He was much loved due to the fact that he showed much love.  As God's servants, our hearts need to be full of God's love in order to accomplish the work He has called us to perform. 

3. Diligence - A servant of God should be ready to labor for the Lord.  Tychicus was among the most hardest working ministry partners of the Apostle Paul. He was constantly encouraging and comforting God's people. (Ephesians 6:21-22; Colossians 4:7-8)  Even in Paul's final days, Tychicus was still at Ephesus, undoubtedly helping out Pastor Timothy, the recipient of Paul's final letter.  1 Corinthians 10:31 gives us one of the clearest exhorations concerning diligence -"Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."  

Conclusion - What it means to S.E.R.V.E God
As we close out this study, we can look back and understand what it means to S.E.R.V.E God:
1. Seek God first
2. Emphasize Faithfulness
3. Reinforce the Ministry
4. Validate God's people
5. Exemplify Jesus Christ

To be Christ-like means approaching our service with a humble mindset, a loving heart and a diligency to do the work.  May you and I be servants of God who bring pleasure to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

S.E.R.V.E God - P4 - Validate the Saints

Ephesians 6:22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.

For the past few days we have been interested in unfolding what it means to serve God.  Tychicus has been our model for this study, since he is commended by the Apostle Paul as a faithful minister or servant in the Lord.  The word for servant in Ephesians 6:21 comes from the same Greek word (dee-auk-a-nos) that is translated "deacon" in such passages as 1 Timothy 3:8-13.  All Christians are called to be servants of God, with Deacons being the visible examples to the flock as to the nature of such a calling.  Tychicus has been show thus far to be a prime example of a servant of God in the following ways:

1. He Seeks God first. 
2. He Emphasized Faithfulness.
3. He Reinforced the ministry.

By continuing to use our acrostic S.E.R.V.E, we come to the fourth aim that marks a servant of God, namely in how we are to validate the saints.

How Tychicus was used to validate God's people
To validate someone means to affirm, to comfort to give proof to the cause or action that they are doing.  The church at Ephesus was located in a very pagan city.  It would had been easy for disillusionment to set in.  Furthermore, wondering about the plight of the Apostle Paul in prison could had fueled even further instability in the young congregation.  But Paul had a stretegy: send Tychicus to validate or "comfort" these people in their efforts to be faithful to Christ. (Ephesians 6:22)  The Greek word for "comfort" literally speaks of someone calling another person to walk along side so as to be a friend. 

In Paul's letter written to the Colossians, this same man Tychicus was being assigned the same task for the Colossians church in Colossians 4:7-8 "As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts." 

A church composed of God's servants ought to be the most encouraging place
When we are validated in our life and service for Jesus Christ, we desire to live and serve Him all the more.  Of all the places in the world, when we come together as the church, the atmosphere ought to be one of encouragement and validation.  1 Peter 2:16 plainly tells us to live as servants of God.  Servants of God aim to be a support, a validation and encouragement to the cause of Christ being lived out by other fellow servants of the Lord.  Repeatedly the Book of Hebrews urges Christians to come together for the sake of mutual encouragement. (Hebrews 3:12-13 and 10:24-25) 1 Thessalonians 5:11 plainly tells us as Christians: "Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing."  May you and I in our service to God remember that we also serve one another for the purpose to encourge, edify and validate the work of the Lord in one another.   




  

S.E.R.V.E God - P3 - Reinforce the Ministry

Ephesians 6:21-22a But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. 22I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us...."

As we continue in this series on what it means to serve God or be a servant of God, we look once again at Tychicus, the faithful servant of God mentioned by Paul in Ephesians 6:21-22.  We have noted so far the following aims of service to God:

1. Seek the Lord First
2. Emphasize Faithfulness

Today we endeaver to note the third aim required for effective service to God, namely reinforcment of the ministry.

Reinforcing God's work derives from three vantage points: upward, inward and outward
Paul has described the type of servant of God that Tychicus is: a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord.  Now in verse 22 we see Paul explaining the purpose for which he is sending Tychicus: "so that you may know about us..."  The reinforcement of any ministry derives from three vantage points: knowing what it is to do from above, knowing who it is within itself and knowing how much advance is being made beyond the view of those doing the ministry.  Let me explain what I mean by these three vantage points.

To know what I am to do as a servant of God from above means gaining my direction from God through His Word. Colossians 3:1-2 states - "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."   If I know who I am and whose I am in my calling, I will be ready to reinforce the work of God.

But notice secondly that a servant of God or ministry is reinforced by how well it knows itself.  Paul's exhortation to a young minister Timothy speaks well to this point in 1 Timothy 4:16 "Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you."  Knowing who I am in terms of strengths and weaknesses, gifts and talents, what I am and what I am not - will aid in excercising a necessary Christ-like trait - humility. (compare Philippians 2:5-11) 

Then in reinforcing the ministry as God's servant we note that you must thirdly know what advances are being made beyond or outside the walls of the ministry.  In other words, do you find it encouraging when people come and testify to how much they have grown in their faith as a result of God's work through whatever ministry you are serving?  Testimonies supernaturally motivate us to want to serve God all the more.  (Compare Colossians 1:4-8, 2:1-2, 4:7-8)

Tychicus' role was to inform the Ephesians congregation of what was going on in Paul's imprisonment.  To know that he was not feeling discouraged, but rather joyful over having to suffer for Christ's sake would perhaps motivate them onto greater service for Jesus Christ.  A servant of God aims to look upwards, then inward and finally outward.  Reinforcing the cause of Jesus demonstrates the heart of a true servant of God.  May every Christian, including this blogger, be those servants to aim to serve so as to reinforce the efforts of ministry for Jesus' sake. 

S.E.R.V.E. God - P2 - Emphasize Faithfulness

Ephesians 6:21 But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you.

Yesterday I began a new blog series on the subject of serving God.  We are using the acrostic S.E.R.V.E to aid us in unfolding Paul's comments about one of his faithful ministry partners Tychicus.  We noted yesterday that a servant of God first and foremost "Seeks God first" in all things.  Isaiah 55:6 tells us: "Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near."  Then of course Jesus states in Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Seeking the Lord first in all things regulates the motivation and vision of the servant of God.  With that review, we now move onto the second aim of a servant of God, as exemplified here in Tychicus: Emphasizing faithfulness. 

What is faithfulness?
When Tychicus is described in Ephesians 6:21 as a "faithful minister", its not that faithfulness is merely one of his many characteristics, rather it is the essence of who he is.  Faithfulness is when we exhibit faith from one moment to the next.  Think of a string of pearls, wherein each pearl is a response of faith, and the string is the obedience connecting one response of faith to the next.  We know from scripture that obedience from the heart is the chief fruit of genuine faith. (James 2) 

A Faithful servant needs to be operating in the love of God
Tychicus is called a faithful ministry both here and in Colossians 4:7.  We could say that a faithful person in the Lord is one who exhibits not only faith and obedience from faith but also love for God and His people.  Why?  Because in Ephesians 6:21 Tychicus is called "a beloved brother".  Before he is called "faithful", Tychicus is first and foremost a "beloved brother".  Like the term "faithful", belovedness is not one trait among many but rather defines the essence of the man.  If we are to be faithful people, the love of God must flow ever through us like a river through a dry river bed.  Jude 20-21 summarizes this idea best: "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. "

Love motivating duty leads to faithfulness
Faithfulness without the love of God is nothing more than an "exercise of going through the motions".  Faithfulness is not merely doing more and trying harder.  So many Christians and churches have crammed their schedules full of activities, thinking that doing more and trying harder will yield a faithful people.  Yet so often, people get burned out.  1 John 5:19-20 connects the love of God to love of others: "We love, because He first loved us. 20If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also."  

As you and I aim to serve God, may we seek God first, so that we can then emphasize faithfulness. 

S.E.R.V.E God - P1 Seek the Lord First

Ephesians 6:21 But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you.

Over the next several days I would like us to think about what it means to serve the Lord.  You may have noticed in the title of this blog that the word "serve" is spelled "S.E.R.V.E".  Why? Because my aim in this series of posts is to unfold, by the Spirit's illumination of the scripture, what it means to serve the Lord.  My main text will be Ephesians 6:21-22, since therein is found a faithful servant of God by the name of Tychicus - more on him in a moment.  For now let us consider the five main ideas we aim to explore in this concept of serving God:

Seek the Lord first.               Ephesians 6:21a

Emphasize Faithfulness       Ephesians 6:21b

Reinforce thhe ministry        Ephesians 6:22a

Validate God's people          Ephesians 6:22b

Exemplify Christ                   2 Timothy 4:12

Tychicus, a servant of God who "hit the mark" for Jesus Christ
Tychicus' (ti-kick-us) name in the original language means: "to hit the mark, to obtain, to master". No doubt the Apostle Paul thought very highly of Tychicus, calling him a "beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord".  This man's track record as a faithful servant of God shines brightly in the New Testament. 

1. In Acts 20:4 we read "And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus, and by Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia." This man, along with other companions of the Apostle Paul, traveled with Paul to Asia from Ephesus some seven years prior to the writing of this letter to the Ephesians.  Thus we see that Tychicus was with the work of God at Ephesus from its inception.

2. In Titus 3:12 we discover this about Tychicus: "When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there." Tychicus was of such caliber that Paul proposed him to possibly come and take Titus' place, so that Titus could join Paul at Nicopolis. 

3. In 2 Timothy 4:12  we read of Tychicus: "Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus."  This is all we read of Tychicus in what is likely Paul's final words.  For over ten years Tychicus had been with the Apostle Paul every step of the way.

The servant of God must seek the Lord first, like Tychicus did
If you and I are to be a people who serve God effectively, we must seek the Lord first.  Making known what was happening to Paul in prison was a matter of updating the Ephesian church on what God's purposes and activities.  Paul states in Ephesians 6:21 "But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you." 




Why would Paul want his readers to know about his circumstances? In another letter of Paul written at about the same time and from the same prison, we read these words in Colossians 2:1-2 "For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself".

A man was needed who could communicate Paul's circumstances in such a way as to not solicit sympathy, but celebration and prayer for Paul and the work that God was doing.  As a servant of God, seeking the Lord first enabled Tychicus to have a God's-eye perspective on what otherwise looked like bad circumstances. 

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."  We also read in Galatians 1:10 "For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ."

As we conclude today's post, let us remember that if we are going to serve God faithfully and effectively, we must seek Him first in all things. 

Dr. R.G Lee on Jesus' prayer example

Luke 11:1 "It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.”

I'm always thrilled when I run across incredible thoughts from wonderful Christian thinkers, preachers and theologians.  It is important to read what other, more mature persons have written to keep yourself refreshed and strengthened in the Lord.  As a blogger and a pastor, whenever I find such material, I feel it necessary to share it with others, so that they too can get the blessing.  Years ago the great Southern Baptist minister and statesman Dr. R.G Lee wrote a book entitled: "The Bible and Prayer".1   In this book Dr. Lee writes some of the richest words about the Bible and prayer.  May today's post edify you and may you be blessed on this Lord's day.

Note to the reader: If you would like to read a brief bio of Dr. Lee, I have included it at the end of today's post for your reference to give you an idea of what kind of man wrote the words and thoughts your about to read.

Jesus' Prayer Example - by Dr. R.G Lee

Dr. R.G Lee begins with these words about Jesus' use of words: "These are some of the many verbs Jesus used.  But among them all, one word, pray, stands out with unusual significance and beauty. Some of the words Jesus used were mountains in weight, some were suns in brightness, some were rivers in reach, some were music in sweetness, some were storms in terror, some were oceans in depth, some were lullibies in tenderness.  But let us examine outselves around this one sentence of Jesus: 'I pray'....."

 

To summarize Dr. Lee's observations in this chapter of his book, I will list in outline form the verses and headings he used to unfold Jesus' prayer example:

 

1. Jesus spent much time in prayer in secret.  Matt 14:23, 26:36; Mk 1:35, 5:16; Luke 6:12, 9:18

 

2. Jesus prayed in public.  Matt 11:25, 26:26; Luke 11:1; John 11:41, 17:1

 

3. Privately Jesus prayed before eating. Matt 14:19

 

4. Privately Jesus prayed before eating. Mark 6:41

 

5. Jesus prayed a long prayer. John 17

 

6. Jesus prayed at morning. Mark 1:35

 

7. Jesus prayed at night. Luke 6:12

 

8. Jesus prayed short, sudden prayers.  Matt 27:46

 

9. Jesus prayed for His friends. John 11:41-42, 12:27-28

 

10. Jesus prayed for His enemies. Luke 23:34

 

11. Jesus prayed for Himself. Matthew 26:39; John 17:1-2

 

How you can apply Dr. Lee's observations of Jesus' prayer example

I would encourage the reader to look up the above verses over the course of this upcoming week.  They will enrich your prayer life.  May God bless you as you go to the Lord's house to hear His word, worship with His people and become equipped to reach the world for Jesus' sake.  To God be the glory. 

 

Brief Bio of Dr. R.G Lee

For many years Dr. R.G Lee was one of the leading pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention in the early twentieth century. Among many of his accomplishments, he was president of the SBC three times. At Bellvue Baptist Church in Memphis Tennesee he had pastored, preceeding his successor, Dr. Adrian Rogers, another late famous Southern Baptist Preacher and pastor of that church for many years. His famous sermon "Payday Someday" (which is now available on You-Tube) was his most famous sermon, preached over 1,000 times.

 

End Notes______________

1 Dr. R.G Lee. The Bible and Prayer.  Broadman Press





Ten comparisons between Matthew and Luke's Geneaologies

Matthew 1:1 The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham

Luke 3:23 When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son of Eli

As we look at the records of Jesus' birth, one will immediately notice a difference in the geneaologies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke.  Why is this important?  2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that every Word of scripture, having been God breathed, is profitable.  Furthermore, knowing the reasons for certain scriptures can yield richer understandings of Christ, His purposes and our identity in Him.  With that said, let me just list ten comparisons between these two genealogies.  May you find them interesting and edifying for your Christian walk today:

Matthew's Geneaology                                   Luke's Geneaology
1. Ascending Geneaology - from               1. Descending Geneaology
Abraham to Jesus                                      from Jesus back to Adam

2. Purpose: Legal, to show Jesus             2. Biological, to show
as rightful heir to David's throne               Jesus as a true human
                                                                  being like Adam was

3. Focus: names descended from            3. Focus: names connected
Joseph's side of the Geneaology             to Mary's side of 
                                                                  the Geneaology

4. First mentioned before Jesus'              4. Mentioned after Jesus
public ministry                                          public ministry in Luke

5. 52 names, divided into 3 sets of 14     5. Over 70 names,
                                                                 sequential in order

6. David and Abraham are main names  6. Adam and Christ are
to show Jesus as fulfillment of both         main names to show Jesus
their covenants                                        as the New Adam

7. The geneaology is written for a           7. Written for a Gentile
Jewish audience                                     audience

8. The Holy Spirit is mentioned as          8. Holy Spirit mentioned as
the Agent of virgin birth conception        sign of His Messianic identity
fulfilling Messianic prophecy                   and Agent of virgin birth

9. He is God with us, who became man 9. He is fully man, who never
                                                                ceased being God

10. He is the True King who came to    10. He is the perfect man who
die for the sins of the people                 came to seek and save that
                                                               which was lost