Ephesians 6:21-24 PODCAST
21 I am sending to you Tychicus, our brother whom we love and a faithful servant of the Lord’s work. He will tell you everything that is happening with me. Then you will know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this reason—so that you will know how we are, and he can encourage you. 23 Peace and love with faith to you brothers and sisters from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all of you who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love that never ends. Ephesians 6:21-24
In Ephesians 1 we heard that we are "blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places." In Ephesians 2, we discovered "we were dead in our trespasses and sins." We couldn’t save ourselves. God had to make us alive to Him. In Ephesians 3 we learned about "the mystery of our salvation." We discovered in Ephesians 4-6 we were instructed regarding our responsibilities as those who are in the battle.
In 6:21 we read the name of Tychicus. Paul wrote, "Tychicus, our brother whom we love and a faithful servant of the Lord’s work." The use of the word "brother" immediately communicates that he is part of God's family. The word "love" means he is one who is being defined by God's love for him rather than his love for God.
Not only was Tychicus a loved brother, he was a faithful servant. The word for "faithful" is the Greek word "pistos." This word is used of God as the one who is our divine persuader. And because Tychicus was convinced by the gospel, he was somebody who could be depended upon.
The Greek word "servant" used here is diakonos. The word literally means "a person who was willing to wait tables." Tychicus was a person who has the heart of serving, and it didn’t matter how much credit he got for it.
The unsung heroes of the faith are the people who say, "I believe in what you are doing. I believe it is for the same God I love. I believe it is His work in you, and I believe God has led me with my gift to come along beside you. I am going to do everything I can possibly do. If I am never known, that is okay. I will do whatever it costs me so that Christ’s work might be done."
The Apostle Paul ends his letter to the Ephesians on the same high note that he started the letter. In 6:23-24 Paul highlights peace, love, faith and grace. These are powerful concepts which God uses to change hearts one at a time. And, they are incorruptible. These qualities will endure throughout eternity. The more we are defined by these, the more we will realize the type of life that has the touch of eternity on it, even while in this sin-filled world.
Nobody can take away these qualities that we have in Jesus Christ. The blessings and the Blesser are incorruptible. Nobody can lay their hands on that which God has given us through His life ,death and resurrection. And, we will experience these blessings of God when we learn to habitually accommodate the presence of God. That is the message of Ephesians. And, once we begin to know His presence, we will know His power.
God has a plan for each and every one of us. He’s had one for us since we were born, since we were conceived, and even since we were just a thought. God, our Father has the power to know every little detail that makes us who we are!
Communicating with God as one who is perfect in Christ is so relieving because He is willing and able to include us in on what He is doing in this world. God has made us perfect through Christ, He has equipped us to be involved in whatever He is doing around us. Will we be so defined by Him that we factor in in a mighty way for His glory and the good of those who we work with?
