Tychicus, a Beloved Brother and Faithful Minister (Bible Study) 

I love the whole Bible and I try as much as possible to read the whole books, but I am passionate about the Epistles because they were written directly to churches. The content is relatable. I study the Epistles many times every year.

While studying the last chapter of Colossians few days ago, I got to a verse and decided to dig deeper. 

“Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.” Colossians 4:7. (NKJV).

Tychicus was an Asiatic Christian who, with Trophimus, accompanied the Apostle Paul on a part of his journey from Macedonia to Jerusalem. He is also alluded to have been with Paul in Rome, where the apostle sent him to Ephesus, probably for the purpose of building up and encouraging the church there.

You may not believe it, but Tychicus means Casual, by chance.

But in the same verse, Paul said “faithful minister.” How can you be called Casual by chance but you’re a faithful minister? It mean that God can use anybody to do His will if we are ready to align with His plan.

The Greek word for faithful is pistos. It means believing, trusting, faithful, true etc. The verb pisteuo means to believe, to be persuaded of, to place confidence in, to trust, and sense of reliance upon.

The synonyms of faithful are true, constant, loyal, steadfast, devoted, staunch, and trusty.

So, faithful is loyalty! Tychicus was loyal and could be relied upon by God and other Christians.

Whenever Tychicus was given an assignment in the church, brethren knew that he would do it to the best of his ability. God knew that Brother Tychicus would not go about defrauding people in the name of prophecy or prayer. God trusted him. Paul and the church trusted him.

Dear minister of God, are you faithful to God? Can God vouch for you the way He vouched for Brother Tychicus? Are you faithful to your fellow Christians?

I think some ministers are derailing because of two things; the quest for popularity and instant wealth.

What happened to Aaron is happening to some ministers today. We are allowing people’s expectation to push us into doing things that dishonors God.

This is what Aaron did:

“Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” And Aaron said to them, “Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” So all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron. And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf. Then they said, “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!” So when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow is a feast to the LORD.” Then they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Exodus 32:1-6.

Verse one says it all. “Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us…”

In our time, a minister will say, “This ministry is not growing. It seems God is not answering our prayers. Let us go to the baba (native doctor) my friend talked about so that we can acquire power to do signs and wonders. This church must grow.”

A young man will say, “I have suffered in this nation. Nothing is working. The government is doing nothing to ameliorate the multilevel dimension of poverty in this nation. I have been praying for years for divine intervention, but nothing seems to be happening. It seems God is no longer interested in my case. Let me join secret cult and see if I can enjoy for few years before I die.”

A woman who is desperate to be pregnant will say, “I have fasted, prayed, sowed seeds to men of God, and served God with all my heart, but this is twelve years after my weeding, but I am yet to be pregnant. Let me do what my friend encouraged me to do. I will pay a young man to impregnate me, and I will quickly copulate with my husband to cover up. After all, nobody will find out.”

A young lady who is desperate to get married will say, “I have been serving God for years. I don’t sleep around, yet my friends who sleeps around are all married except me. This is my 38^th birthday, yet God has not to bless me with miracle marriage. I will start sleeping around from today.”

The pictures I painted above are happening in our generation. People are not serving God because they love Him, but because of material blessings. That is why most praying and fasting programs in the Body of Christ are geared towards things—fruit of the womb, marriage, exam success, cars, houses etc. Only few Christians engage in consecrated fasting and praying because they want to have an encounter with God or grow spiritually.

The man of God succeeded in acquiring power from the devil (through a witch doctor) to perform miracles. That is, he paid the devil to give him power to perform miracles in the name of Jesus Christ! People will testify and give glory to God for the miracles He did not play a part in. He is now popular with large congregation, but the devil makes him to worship him in his bedroom before he shows up in the church daily. He is popular and has toys, but he is the most miserable man on earth.

The young man who joined secret cult to be rich will use the money to build a cathedral and the church leaders will give him different titles. But at the middle of the night the devil shows up to torment him daily. He smiles during the day, but people don’t know that he is the most miserable man on earth.

The woman danced to the altar (in the church) to thank God for the baby that came through extramarital affair. The woman knows, her friend knows, the boy knows, and the devil also know. She smiles whenever people pay her a visit but cry profusely anytime she is alone because she knows that she is unfaithful to God.

The young lady starts sleeping around because to her, God is too slow. Once in a while, she would weep and lament, but she has gone too far. Now she is sick, and it seems she contracted a particular disease. No marriage, no peace of mind, and her health is deteriorating. The product of unfaithfulness to God.

Moses asked Aaron a question, “What did this people do to you that you have brought so great a sin upon them?” Exodus 32:21. (NKJV).

Aaron replied, “Do not let the anger of my lord become hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil. For they said to me, ‘Make us gods that shall go before us…” Exodus 32:22-23. (NKJV).

If you are a minister of God please be careful. If you are not careful, people’s expectation will lead you to destruction. God is the Caller, and He is the One who uses people. Stop trying to please people.

Yes, some people may say, “It seems this man of God doesn’t have the anointing to settle my case.” Nonsense! Tell them you don’t. Anyone who says that is an agent that wants to push you into error. Pray, fast, seek God, study His Word, and allow Him to do whatever He wants to do through you.

Refuse to Negotiate Your Stand for God. 

No matter the pressure from people, don’t compromise. No matter how much they will give you, don’t lie or manipulate people.

Judas was one of the twelve disciples. In fact, he ate with Jesus and went to almost everywhere with Him. He was the treasurer of Jesus’ ministry. But Judas sold Jesus because of his love for money.

Many ministers are selling Jesus on daily basis because of fame and finance. You agreed to become a sex slave to a wealthy woman so that she can give you money, cars and houses. In case you don’t know, some women and men prefer to sleep around with ministers of God.

Dear man of God, no matter the pressure don’t lower your standard. Whether the church is growing or not, whether you’re getting invitations to preach in other churches or not, stand your ground. 

Paul said, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”1 Corinthians 15:58.

Paul also said to Timothy, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”1 Timothy 4:16.

“And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” Colossians 4:17.

It takes faithfulness to go through the wilderness experience and still stand strong. It takes faithfulness to reject every suggestion that will taint your image and bring mockery to God and His Kingdom.

Dear Christian, vow to be faithful to God from this moment. Let your faithfulness be so rugged that nothing can tamper with it. In fact, resolve that you’ll never have any other option outside God.

If you are deeply rooted in Christ, your resolve will definitely be tested. Life issues will rise against you. The devil will also test your resolve. But if you stand your ground, heaven will always back you up.

Jesus said, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:46-49. (NKJV).

When you get to the dimension where you say to the devil, his agents and the challenges of life that you have made up your mind to stand for God no matter what happens, heaven will definitely stand with you.

Nebuchadnezzar tried to bully God’s children in Babylon. He forced everybody to worship an image. But these dedicated sons of God replied thus:

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18. (NKJV).

That is the true meaning of rugged faithfulness. Even in the face of death, they stood their ground. Whether God saves us or not, we will not bow to your god!

We must get to the dimension where our stand is well defined. You declare openly, “Whether God answers my prayer or not, I will not backslide. Whether God gives me children or not, I will not patronize the devil. Whether I eat or not, I will never manipulate people with prayer or prophecy and steal their money. Whether my business grow or not, I will always serve God. I am not serving God because of what He will do for me, I am serving Him because He is my Father!”

The writer of Hebrews opined, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23. (NKJV).

“Therefore, do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:35-36. (NKJV).

Dear friend, stand your ground! Remember that Jesus is coming to take us back to our home country—heaven. Always be ready.

If you want to recieve Jesus into your heart, say this short prayer and believe it from your heart:

Lord Jesus, I belive that you died to rescue me from damnation. Come into my heart and save me. I declare today that You are my Lord and personal Saviour. I am saved. I am born again. Thank you Jesus. Amen.

Order my books like Wonders of Faith and Higher Life In Christ to learn more.

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