The Tychicus Road
Recently I finished up a sermon series on the book of Ephesians by preaching through Ephesians 6:21-24. The message was called “Final Greetings.” I must admit, when I read the verses I was not very excited to preach through them but what I learned about faithfulness really surprised me.
In Ephesians 6:21 Paul writes,“Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing.”
On the surface, Paul is simply telling the recipients of his letter that he is sending Tychicus to them to update them about how he is doing and what he is doing. Makes sense because Paul is writing from prison, so of course the followers of Jesus he is writing to are concerned about him.
But the verse prompted two questions. First, who was this Tychicus guy? And second, what made him a faithful servant in the Lord? It’s a big deal when you get mentioned in the Scriptures as a “faithful servant of the Lord.”
So after a little digging I learned Tychicus was one of Paul’s right hand helpers during his third missionary journey. He is mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:9-12:
“Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.”
Six people are mentioned in these verses…
1. Demas – went to Thessalonica and deserted Paul in the process because he loved the world.
2. Crescens – went to Galatia
3. Titus – went to Dalmatia
4. Luke – still with Paul
5. Mark – Timothy is to get Mark and bring him to Paul because he is helpful to his ministry
5. Tychicus – went to Ephesus – sent by Paul in Ephesians 6
Here is the important question: What is the difference between Demas and Tychicus?
On the surface, Tychicus was a faithful servant in the Lord and Demas was not.
So in God’s eyes am I a Tychicus or a Demas? In God’s eyes are you a Tychicus or a Demas?
Only you can answer that question. I can show you the Tychicus road however. The road is very simple. Maybe deceptively simple.
The Tychicus road is the one where you pursue God’s plan and purpose for you. Nowhere does the Bible say Tychicus was smart, powerful, gifted, wealthy…whatever. In fact we really only know one thing about him: he did what he was told. At one level by Paul…but presumably Paul was telling him to do what God desired. Either way, the Tychicus road is paved with the pursuit of God’s agenda for our lives. This is the narrow road. It is the road few find.
The Demas road is paved with different material. This is the material derived from the pursuit of worldly things. This road is a whole lot smoother than the Tychicus road. It is also a lot shinier and attractive looking. This is the broad road. It is the road most are on.
The only real question is, which road are you on?
Today, do you think Tychicus is glad he chose to continue following God?
Today, do you think Demas is glad he deserted Paul to pursue the things of the world?
One day you will look back on the road you have travelled in this life. Will it by the Tychicus road or the Demas road?
I don’t know. Only you know. The decision is not mine. It is yours alone. In the end the only road we get to choose is the one we decide to walk.
I will say though if you are pursuing your spiritual growth it is a fairly good indication you are on the Tychicus road.
This is the road I want to be on. This is the road I believe you want to be on. Let’s take the journey together!
