Message of the Week

The Little White Community Church

Scripture: Col. 4: 7-11 Nov. 23, 2025

Message: “Mail Carriers!”

By Pastor George Gnade

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Introduction: 

1. Today we are continuing our study of people Paul was thankful for. So far we have considered Philemon and Onesimus who Paul led to Christ and how much they meant to him.

a. Then we considered Epaphras who worked hard to help the Christians in and around Colossae. When he turned to Paul for help, he ended up in prison for his faith. We all are thankful for people who are struggling with the same problems that we have. I am sure that made Epaphras very special to Paul.

b. Last week we considered Luke, who wrote both the Gospel of Luke as well as the Book of Acts. But what made him even more special to Paul was the fact that he was a doctor who stood by him through all of his trials.

2. Today we would like to consider a few more men who helped Paul and why he was thankful for them.

A. Let us begin with Tychicus.

1. In Col. 4:7, we learn that Tychicus was a blessing to Paul by delivering many of his letters to important churches in his behalf.

a. This included the church in Ephesus (Eph. 6:21) as well as the church in Colossians (Col. 4: 7). In both cases, Paul tells the churches Tychicus would bring them up to date on the issues he was facing.

b. This is a reminder to us that there are many things we will never know because Paul used men like Tychicus to fill them in.

2. In plain words, Tychicus didn’t just deliver the mail. He also brought with him a lot of personal information. Call this information the equivalent of a letter or two in his head that was never written down.

a. In plain words, the letter Paul wrote to the church was primarily spiritual instruction.

b. In addition, what Tychicus would share was more private and personal information.

3. In those days, they didn’t have a postal system. People like Tychicus took the place of such a system. If you and I are thankful for the letters we get in the mail, how much more would Paul give thanks for helpers like Tychicus.

B. This reminded me of another mail carrier, whose name was Epaphroditus. 

1. In Phil. 2:25, Paul wrote: “I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.”

a.Obviously, Paul had great admiration for this man who loved the Lord and was serving the Lord as a messenger, our equivalent of a mail carrier.

b. In this case, he was an active worker for Christ in Philippi.

2. They had heard Paul was in need of financial help and sent Epaphroditus to Paul, bringing a special gift from them.

a. Now Philippi was a very poor church. But their hearts were bigger than their wallets. So they gave far more than they really could afford.

b. Isn’t that what often happens around Thanksgiving time? Many churches accept special offerings for people in need. Often poor members will actually give more than those who can afford it because they understand what it is like to struggle financially.

3. In Phil. 4: 14-16, Paul writes: “It was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need… Now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, I am amply supplied.

They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.”

a. And because they gave so sacrificially, Paul went on to say: “And my God will supply all of your needs accord-ing to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

b. This is a promise many Christians have claimed in a time of need. Many a Christian can testify to the generosity of our God and have expressed their thanksgiving for it.

4. But this is just the beginning of the story. In the process of delivering their gift to Paul, Epaphroditus became very ill. In fact, he almost died.

a. In spite of the fact that Paul was used of God to do many miracles, on this occasion, it was not that simple. Paul was uncertain about how God would answer his prayer.

b. In Phil. 2: 26, Paul wrote: “He longs to see you and is distressed that you heard that he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him, but also on me, lest I have sorrow upon sorrow.” 

5. This life is not always easy. Sometimes problems come in bunches. Paul was going through that kind of a time. God lifted his spirits by healing Epaphroditus.

a. But once Epaphroditus was feeling better, the situation was reversed. Now Paul wanted him to be his mail carrier and bring this letter he had just written to the Philippians. 

b. In Phil. 2: 29, he went on to say: “Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me (yourselves).”

In conclusion: 1. Here is a good lesson for all of us to remember. God does not bless only pastors and missionaries. Yes, people like me are rewarded by the Lord for the work we do for Him.

2. But God also blesses those who work for Him in different ways. In our day, we may not think the work of a mail carrier is important. We probably never even think of praying for them. But the work they do is just as important as the work of a pastor or a missionary in the eyes of God.

3. In my own personal situation, it is true that I write every sermon you receive. But my wife then helps me send those messages out to others. When computer problems develop, she is the one who works behind the scenes to make sure those problems are corrected so that those who do not come to my church but receive my sermons through the air waves will get them regularly and on time.

4. The same thing can be said about Leban Serto and his nephew Boboi Serto who receive my sermons in India and then use a blog they created so that my messages can then be sent by them all over the world. Therefore they deserve a lot of the credit for the effectiveness of my ministry.

a. Not only that, I have friends in the states who know me from my ministry among them over the years who also receive my sermons, and they in turn give them away to some of their friends or neighbors.

b. So my message today on this Thanksgiving Sunday is an expression of my thankfulness for all of you who help me behind the scenes to share Christ with others. Some day you will receive your reward from the Lord too.

5. Jesus once said that “he who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward.” I believe the same could be said about a minister. Amen!