In closing verses of Colossians - in his final words - Paul gives a cross-section of the early church - a list of believers: male, female, Jews, Greeks, gentiles, Asians, slaves, free - those who are older in the faith - and those who are younger. There are all kinds of differences between them. But, they are a community in Jesus Christ.

Listed with each name is a particular reason why Paul makes mention of these people. Its an impressive list of what God holds up to us what is worthy of honor - recognition - and imitation. Conduct that we are to strive to imitate in our own lives.

This morning I’d like to focus on two of these individuals - Tychicus and Onesimus - who are listed in Colossians 4:7-9. This is how Paul describes these two men.

Colossians 4:7-9: “Tychicus will tell you all about my affairs; he is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellowservant 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, the faithful and beloved brother who is one of yourselves. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.”

Tychicus is an example to us of CONSISTENT COMMITMENT TO CHRIST.

Tychicus was one of Paul’s disciples. He was originally from Asia Minor and he traveled with Paul on his journeys - watching him - learning from him - growing in his faith and effectiveness in ministry. Imagine what we could have learned just spending two years - like Tychicus - traveling around with Paul on his missionary journeys.

In time, Tychicus became a trusted fellow-worker of Paul. Paul sent Tychicus to Ephesus to replace Timothy and to Crete to pastor there. He was part of a delegation chosen by the churches of Macedonia to accompany Paul to Jerusalem and to take the offering from Macedonia to the poor and needy believers in Jerusalem. And, Paul sends Tychicus with Onesimus to Colossae - with this very important letter that we know as the Book of Colossians.

Paul gives three descriptions of Tychicus. In verse 7, he calls him, “our beloved brother” - a much-loved fellow Christian. Some brothers in Christ are hard to love. But Tychicus was loved by Paul and others.

And he is, “a faithful servant” - literally a trusted assistant. When Tychicus volunteered to do something it would get done - right - the first time. You could count on it.

Paul would send Tychicus into a city long before Paul ever got there. Tychicus was Paul’s advance planning and preparation team - setting things up in advance of Paul’s coming. He knew Paul’s style - his way of doing things. He knew what would be needed - the contacts to be made - the places they needed to go. Paul knew that if he sent Tychicus ahead to do the job - it would get done and it would get done right.

Third, Paul describes Tychicus as, a “fellow-bondslave.” Someone who was used to doing the nitty gritty dirty basic stuff of ministry. Tychicus didn’t turn away from the work because it was beneath him.

“Fellow-bondslave” describes the equality of the workers. In Paul’s day they didn’t have this hierarchy of church leadership that came later. Later on the church added all these layers of positions and offices. Paul - even with apostolic authority - describes himself as older brother - a spiritual father - a fellow worker - a bondslave.

The most devoted servants in the church are those we don’t see - but we see the effects of their work. They consistently work behind the scenes to do what must be done - because they serve God and that’s enough.

God doesn’t ask us to be popular - great speakers - or highly skilled - professionals. He asks us to be faithful in whatever ministry - job - or assignment He’s given us. Faithful in our service.

And that was Tychicus - a beloved brother - a fellow servant - a bondslave in service for Jesus.

Those who are consistently committed to Jesus don’t give up at the first sign of opposition - their commitment isn’t based on the opinions and the support of their peer group - they don’t find other more convenient things to do. They’re in it for the long haul. To be consistent in our commitment to Jesus Christ means having a dogged determination to serve Jesus - day in and day out - whatever the circumstances.

Paul sends Tychicus to Colossae to encourage the believers - in a church that itself was struggling to stay committed - they were ready to give up on their faith. It takes a committed Christian to make a difference in the lives of others.

Secondly, Paul writes of Onesimus.

Onesimus is an example to us of a GROWING COMMITMENT TO CHRIST.

Paul describes Onesimus, in verse 9, as “our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.” He’s a believer in Jesus Christ. He’s loved by Paul and others. He’s our equal in Christ - a member of the body of Christ.

Onesimus was from Colossae. Originally he was the property - the slave of Philemon. At some point he had stolen some money from Philemon and run away. Somehow, by God’s grace, he ended up in Rome with Paul.

Paul shared the Gospel with Onesimus - and Onesimus had come to trust in Jesus as his Savior. In Rome, Onesimus had been discipled by Paul - grown in his faith - and had served in the ministry there. And then, Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon - not as a runaway slave but as a brother in Christ.

In the letter Paul writes to Philemon - Paul writes, “I appeal to you - Philemon - on behalf of Onesimus, who is my own son in Christ; for while in prison I became his spiritual father. At one time he was of no use to you, but now he is useful to both you and to me. I am sending him back to you now, and with him goes my heart. Now he is not just a slave, but much more than a slave: he is a dear brother in Christ. Welcome him back just as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong, or owes you anything, charge it to my account.” (Philemon 10-12, 16, 17, 18)

That’s quite a recommendation. But, putting ourselves in Onesimus’ shoes for a minute - even with a letter of recommendation from Paul - its a great act of faith that Onesimus returned to Colossae and Philemon.

If Christ and his resurrection are not real - if God cannot change the hearts of men - and in this case Philemon - then Onesimus is a dead man. He’s a criminal with the death penalty hanging over his head.

That Onesimus was welcomed is a powerful example of the restoration - renewal - and growth that can only come from God. A demonstration of what God can do in our lives when we allow Him to change us.

There was once a captain of a ship - who relied on slaves - convicted criminals - for his crew. This captain was cruel - he whipped and beat and treated his slaves with absolutely no regard for their humanity. Obedience was compulsory. Service was demanded. There was no alternative. It was a death ship. Those who served on it were condemned men.

There was another ship - captained by a very different sort of man - a captain who cared deeply for his crew. His crew served him out of love and loyalty. It was a ship of life.

One day these two ship owners met. When the kind captain saw the condition of the slaves his heart was broken. He offered to buy the slaves and a price was agreed on - the son of the kind captain would be given to pay for the freedom of the slaves.

Well, of course we’re speaking of Jesus Christ - who was given to free us from our slavery to sin - and the penalty for that sin - death. The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 2: “You were dead in your trespasses and sins....But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ.” (Ephesians 2:1,4,5)

Onesimus must have understood this truth - looking at his own life and what Jesus had done for him. When he returned to the household of Philemon, he must have had a powerful testimony before his fellow slaves. What a change they must have seen in his life. Its a long journey from being a runaway slave to a trusted brother in Christ and a partner in ministry.

Those who realize their freedom in Jesus - are committed to pursue their relationship with Him whatever the cost - a commitment to growth. These are the people who are in church Sunday after Sunday worshipping God - coming with expectation to learn from Him. These are people who spend daily time reading the Bible and in prayer with God. They pursue Bible study. They desire prayer with other believers. They are serving God - not out of obligation - but because they love Him. They share Jesus with others - because they know that Jesus saves - and everyone needs His salvation.

People watch us. At work - those we work with with and work for. At home - our children - parents - relatives. Here at church - guests - brothers and sisters in Christ - and those who don’t know Him yet. In the community - the organizations we belong to. People watch us. What is honorable in our lives? What is worthy of imitation?

That’s the challenge before us this morning. Are we people who are committed to a consistent walk with Jesus - regardless of the circumstances? Are we committed to growth - a deepening relationship with Jesus - whatever the cost?