Jump Start # 272

Ephesians 6:21-22 “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. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.”

  His name is Tychicus (pronounced: Tick –e –cuss). He was one the companions, fellow workers and vital links in the life of the apostle Paul. His name appears several times in the N.T. Tychicus plays the role of a phone call or email and text message today. The book of Ephesians was written from a prison in Rome. Paul had been arrested for preaching the gospel. The Ephesian church worried. Was Paul still alive? Was he being tortured? What was going on? Tychicus was sent to these brethren for two reasons. First, he was carrying this letter, the book of Ephesians. Secondly, he was bringing news about Paul. Twice in these verses Paul states that Tychicus will tell you “how I am doing.” This will set their hearts at ease and bring comfort to them.

  The role that Tychicus filled reveals two important aspects of life. First, is the concept of communication. Being informed and in touch with what is going on allows a person to make the right choices. When we don’t know what is going on, fear and frustration can fill our lives. It’s obvious from our verses that the Ephesians were concerned about Paul. They didn’t know. Tychicus was the line of communication. Sometimes the lines of communication in a family are not clear. The “Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus” books have been a hit for a long time because they address a pressing problem in many marriages—poor communication. Parents struggle with communicating with their teens. They often are in a different world, speaking a different language. Communication in business, church and in government is essential for progress. There are many things that can clog up the lines of communication, especially stubbornness and selfishness. But of all areas we are talking about, communication with God is most important. God has spoken clearly to us through Jesus Christ. Jesus told us all things. God is very specific and clear about what He expects from us. I don’t have a problem with God communicating with us. The problem is our communicating with God. We call that prayer. You get a group of Christians together, and you ask, ‘What is one area of your spiritual life that needs improving?’ Almost immediately the answer will be “our prayer life.” We just have a hard time with this. Praying often, choosing prayer first, praying honestly, praying intensely, praying about others, praying big prayers. We can get stuck praying the same things. We can settle for shallow prayers. In our prayers, we forget that we are talking to a real God.

   Communication. God knows, but God wants you to pray to Him. Prayer reminds us that we are not alone, there is God. Prayer teaches us that it is “God’s will” not our will that gets accomplished. Jesus showed us this in the garden before His arrest when He asked for another way, but qualified that with, “Not my will, but Thy will be done.” Prayer humbles us. Prayer is a great way to help another person. God wants to hear from you.

 The other thought we see here is the concept of concern. The Ephesians were concerned about Paul and Paul was concerned that they were concerned about him. Caring brethren. Caring enough to do something. Caring enough to find out. Caring enough to send word. Those are all the concepts illustrated here. One of the key ingredients to the life of a church is that the members care about each other. The difference in the crowd at the movie theater and the crowd at the church house is that those at the church house feel connected to one another. They sense that spiritually we are family. At the movie theater it’s a bunch of strangers who happen to be doing the same thing at the same time. Nothing else.

  Some churches act more like the movie theater concept. People don’t know each other and worse, they don’t care to know each other. When I go to a movie I like an empty seat between me and the next guy. Sit still, turn off your crazy cell phone, watch the movie and don’t bother me is all I expect from the guy next to me. Then we get up and go our separate ways. That’s movie theater syndrome. Church attendance is so different. Folks hug. I see them sitting down after services engaged in intense conversations. You hear laughter. Thirty minutes after services have ended, people are still hanging around talking. It’s amazing! It is that sense of care, concern and connection for otherss. That is what makes a church a family. That is a bond that pulls one through difficult times. Love one another is the key.

  Tychicus filled that role. He was the bridge between Paul and the Ephesians. Talk to God and connect with brethren! Two good formulas to have throughout your life. When either are missing, something just isn’t right! You need to find a Tychicus to help!

Roger