When is life is tough, challenging, or even desperate ... who is there for you? Who do you have around that encourages you, prays for you, shares your hopes and dreams? We all need those friends in our lives. Those brothers and sisters in Christ with whom our shared bond has been forged by mutual struggle and faith. Paul ends his letter to the church at Colossae with a shout out to those who are present with him, have been with him or those he knows share with him in his burdens ... names like Luke, Mark, Barnabas, and Nympha. But the first name he mentions is Tychicus. He was Paul's traveling companion, a brother who Paul could trust to represent him and even help troubleshoot problems in various churches. He is mentioned five times by name.

Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved
brother and faithful minister and fellow servant 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 …
Colossians 4:7-8

And he was accompanied by … Tychicus … 
Acts 20:4

… Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord … 
Ephesians 6:21

But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 
2 Timothy 4:12

When I send … Tychicus to you …
Titus 3:12

Paul shared his life, his love for God, his faith in the long awaited for Messiah, Jesus the Christ … and along the way, people believed in Jesus and took up Paul’s cause as a missionary to the Gentiles. Many believe that Tychicus is the “brother” referred to in 2 Corinthians 8:22,  We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found diligent in many things, but now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you. Tychicus surely modeled the quality described in Titus 1:9 ... He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. 

Tychicus was one of those guys you want on your team: loyal, trustworthy, passionate, faith filled and confident in Christ.
Do you have a Tychicus in your life? Certainly, all those mentioned - Luke, Mark, Barnabas, Nympha and others - were all special friends with different gifts that they brought to the team. Who are you doing life with for Jesus? What is Jesus calling you to do and who has he put in your life to do it with? Paul could not have accomplished all that he did without the help of those who were in it with him for the glory of God.

We are in this together … for the glory of God, the sake of the Gospel and the growing of His Kingdom!

– Pastor Jerry