The Qualities Of A Godly Man Or Woman Series

Text Colossians 4:7-18

Title: Father’s Day Message (Qualities of a Godly Man)

Introduction:

In Col. 4:7-18 Paul mentions the names of nine men who were co-laborers with him in the work of the Gospel.

I will break it down like this: Of the 9 men who were co-laborers with Paul we are going to look at 8.

I will give you their name, look at the verse(s), give you one outstanding quality that each man possessed, and then lastly turn that quality into a principal for each of us to live by.

1.Tychichus

“Tychichus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.” Col. 4:7-8

The outstanding quality that Tychichus possessed is Encouragement

…”and that he might encourage your hearts.” (v8)

Why would Paul pick someone who was known for the outstanding quality of being an encourager in order to send him to the Colossian church?

Could our greatest need be to have our hearts encouraged?

…”but let us encourage one another- and all the more as we see the day approaching.” (Heb. 10:25)

I see two things here that made Tychichus such a great encourager:

1) Tychicus was a great encourager because of who he was.

Tychicus was according to Paul “a dear brother, a faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord.”

The best encouragement a person can give another is by their life’s example.

Think about people that have been the most encouraging to you. How much of that encouragement was because of who they were?

2) Tychicus was also such a great encourager because of what he said:

What did Tychicus say that made him such a great encourager?

He told them all the news about Paul.

Explanation: He told them all the news about what Paul said and did.

We have a name for all the news about what Paul said and did. Scripture!

He encouraged them through the scriptures.

The Tychichus Principal – The best way we can encourage people is by living and using the scriptures.

The most encouraging thing people need is a word from the Lord!

2.Onesimus

“He is coming with Onesimus, our dear brother, who is one of you.”(v9)

“I am sending him-who is my very heart back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.” Philemon v: 12.

The outstanding Quality that Onesimus possessed is Helper.

The name “Onesimus” means “Useful One.”

Paul honestly tells Philemon he is having a difficult time letting Onesimus go back.

Why? Because nobody likes to lose great helpers.

“I would have liked to keep him with me…”

What made Onesimus such a great helper and someone Paul didn’t want to let go?

1. He had the same heart for ministry as Paul had.

“I am sending him who is my very heart back to you.”

The Onesimus Principal: If the leader (pastor or ministry head) doesn’t have God’s heart for ministry the helpers won’t either.

The leader must communicate his or her heart for ministry in order to successfully recruit great helpers.

2. The helper must also have a heart for the ministry they are helping in. If they don’t have a heart for their ministry they are helping in the wrong ministry!

3.Aristarchus

“My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends his greetings.” (v10)

The outstanding quality that Aristarchus possessed is Courage

This is not the first time Aristarchus is seized and put in prison for his faith.

He was previously seized back in Ephesus after he successfully preached against the occult and the worship of idols. (Acts 16:29)

How do you know when you have the quality of courage?

When although it is would be safer to do nothing you go ahead and do something anyway.

Many scholars believe that this second imprisonment of Aristarchus was a voluntary one.

Courage: When you could just as easily stay at home but you volunteer to do something dangerous instead.

Here is another Biblical example of someone who was courageous: Joshua

In Joshua chapter 1 Joshua is given the assignment to take the people into the Promised Land.

“Be strong and courageous,” (v6)

“Be strong and very courageous.” (v7)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified: do not be discouraged. (v9)

The Aristarchus Principal: What are you and I doing for God that requires great courage?

Just attending church might take great courage in other parts of the world but not here in Dudley. There has got to be something I’m doing for God that is taking great courage.