Summary: A call to faithful service as illustrated in the lives of Paul's friends; many of them "no-name" saints.

The Companions of Paul

Col 4:7-18

1. The Men who OBEYED.

A. Their Character:

* Tychicus, the Faithful

- A “beloved brother” – ENDEARMENT – recipiocal love & respect

- A “faithful minister” – ENDURMENT – dependable character

- A “fellow servant” – ENDOWMENT – mutual service

* Onesimus, the Fugitive

- A runaway slave (Philemon 10-12)

- A respected saint (Col 4:9)

- A returning servant (Philemon 10-12; Col 4:9)

B. Their Calling:

* Explain – Paul’s situation

* Evaluate – The Colossian’s situation

* Encourage – Those in distress

2. The Men who STAYED.

* Aristarchus, the Fearless

- He was involved in a riot in Ephesus. (Acts 19:29)

- He traveled with Paul as his personal assistant. (Acts 20:4)

- He was shipwrecked with Paul. (Acts 27:2)

- He was imprisoned with Paul. (Col 4:10)

* Mark, the Forgiven

- His family connections – Church met in his mother’s (Mary) home; nephew (or cousin) of Barnabas. (Acts 12:12)

- He followed Jesus as a teen. (Mark 14:51-52)

- He was eager to serve. (Acts 13:1-13)

- He was easily discouraged. (Acts 1-13)

- He was restored to faithful service. (Col 4:10; 2 Tim 4:11)

* Justus, the Friendly

- A no-name saint.

- Sent warm greetings to people he had never met.

* Luke, the Famous

- Wrote Luke & Acts

- Was a Greek Physician

- Was always faithful to Paul

3. The Man who PRAYED.

* Epapharas, the Fervent – He prayer …

- Constantly – always

- Fervently – laboring fervently

- Personally – for you

- Directly – directly

Stand

Mature

Complete

In the will of God

4. The Man who STRAYED.

* Demas, the Faulty

- The Worker (Philemon 24)

- The Watcher (Col 4:14)

- The Wanderer (2 Tim 4:10)