The "A" List
Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord." I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
(Colossians 4:7-18)
Have you ever had your name appear in print? Did it make you proud to see your name in the newspaper, or some magazine? In Hollywood they tend to make lists of people who are deemed to be more important than others. They talk about people who are on the “A-List.” Actors and actresses are rated as being on the D, C, B, or A list according to their box office drawing power. The higher you are on the list, the greater your “bankability” when it comes to financing a prospective movie. According to an article on wikipedia.com, there are presently only nine actors on the A+ list. George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Will Smith, Tom Hanks, Johnny Depp, Russell Crowe, Jim Carrey, Tom Cruise, and Julia Roberts. (My name is conspicuously missing. By the way, so is yours.) Having your name on the “A List” in Hollywood undoubtedly has some advantages to it, but there are better ways to be recognized when it comes to name recognition.
The verses in passage above are the closing lines from the book of Colossians. In these verses Paul mentions ten people by name that he wanted the Colossians to remember. Each name is a friend that impacted Paul’s life in a different way.Tychicus - Paul’s FedEx guy. Paul was in prison, and there wasn’t a postal system, so it was up to Tychicus to deliver the letters to their destinations. He is remembered for his faithfulness and willingness to serve.
Onesimus - was a runaway slave. After he escaped, he became a Christian and encountered Paul. Onesimus’owner was a Christian named Philemon. The book of Philemon is Paul’s personal appeal to Philemon to forgive and receive Onesimus back. He was friend who needed to experience forgiveness.
Aristarchus - Aristarchus was a guy who stuck with Paul when the going got tough. He was there when Paul caused a riot in Ephesus. Later, when Paul boarded a ship to Rome, Aristarchus was by his side again. When the ship sank and Paul crawled out of the water on the isle of Malta, Aristarchus was right beside him on the sand dunes. He is remembered as a friend who stayed with Paul through the tough times.
Mark, the cousin of Barnabas - There was a time when Paul refused to work with Mark because Mark had abandoned Paul on one of his missionary journeys. But by the time Paul wrote this letter Mark was there with him, and in his final letter to Timothy Paul wrote, “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me.” (2 Timothy 4:11) Paul had been reconciled with Mark. Mark was friend whom Paul had forgiven.
Jesus, who is called Justus - a fellow Jew who faithfully served alongside of Paul. He is remembered as a friend who brought comfort to Paul.
Epaphras - was a prayer warrior. It says he literally “wrestled in prayer.” Paul remembers him for his faithfulness in prayer.
Luke, the doctor - was Paul’s companion and physician. But he was also the one who recorded Paul’s missionary adventures. Luke paid careful attention to the details of Paul’s private health and his public ministry.
Nympha - The only female on this list - whose name means “beautiful maiden.” She performed the ministry of hospitality because she opened up her home for a church to meet there. She is remembered for her welcoming spirit.
Archippus - named once alongside Philemon and Aphhia as a host of the church, and encouraged to continue to fulfill his calling in Christ in these verses. Archippus was a friend who needed encouragement.
Demas - with Paul in prison, but five years later Paul was back in prison. In the last letter we have recorded from Paul, written just before he was executed, we read these sad words written about Demas to Timothy, “Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me.” (2 Timothy 4:9-10).
Demas was friend whom Paul loved but who eventually deserted Paul because of his love for the world.
It’s great to have your name in print. But it is better to have your name imprinted on someone’s heart because of the way in which you have impacted their life. Why not stop and write down your own “A-List.” And then take a moment to contact your list and tell them how much you appreciate them and how meaningful they are to you. The “bankability” of your friendship will skyrocket.
Live the Victorious Life,
PT
(Colossians 4:7-18)
Have you ever had your name appear in print? Did it make you proud to see your name in the newspaper, or some magazine? In Hollywood they tend to make lists of people who are deemed to be more important than others. They talk about people who are on the “A-List.” Actors and actresses are rated as being on the D, C, B, or A list according to their box office drawing power. The higher you are on the list, the greater your “bankability” when it comes to financing a prospective movie. According to an article on wikipedia.com, there are presently only nine actors on the A+ list. George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Will Smith, Tom Hanks, Johnny Depp, Russell Crowe, Jim Carrey, Tom Cruise, and Julia Roberts. (My name is conspicuously missing. By the way, so is yours.) Having your name on the “A List” in Hollywood undoubtedly has some advantages to it, but there are better ways to be recognized when it comes to name recognition.
The verses in passage above are the closing lines from the book of Colossians. In these verses Paul mentions ten people by name that he wanted the Colossians to remember. Each name is a friend that impacted Paul’s life in a different way.Tychicus - Paul’s FedEx guy. Paul was in prison, and there wasn’t a postal system, so it was up to Tychicus to deliver the letters to their destinations. He is remembered for his faithfulness and willingness to serve.
Onesimus - was a runaway slave. After he escaped, he became a Christian and encountered Paul. Onesimus’owner was a Christian named Philemon. The book of Philemon is Paul’s personal appeal to Philemon to forgive and receive Onesimus back. He was friend who needed to experience forgiveness.
Aristarchus - Aristarchus was a guy who stuck with Paul when the going got tough. He was there when Paul caused a riot in Ephesus. Later, when Paul boarded a ship to Rome, Aristarchus was by his side again. When the ship sank and Paul crawled out of the water on the isle of Malta, Aristarchus was right beside him on the sand dunes. He is remembered as a friend who stayed with Paul through the tough times.
Mark, the cousin of Barnabas - There was a time when Paul refused to work with Mark because Mark had abandoned Paul on one of his missionary journeys. But by the time Paul wrote this letter Mark was there with him, and in his final letter to Timothy Paul wrote, “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me.” (2 Timothy 4:11) Paul had been reconciled with Mark. Mark was friend whom Paul had forgiven.
Jesus, who is called Justus - a fellow Jew who faithfully served alongside of Paul. He is remembered as a friend who brought comfort to Paul.
Epaphras - was a prayer warrior. It says he literally “wrestled in prayer.” Paul remembers him for his faithfulness in prayer.
Luke, the doctor - was Paul’s companion and physician. But he was also the one who recorded Paul’s missionary adventures. Luke paid careful attention to the details of Paul’s private health and his public ministry.
Nympha - The only female on this list - whose name means “beautiful maiden.” She performed the ministry of hospitality because she opened up her home for a church to meet there. She is remembered for her welcoming spirit.
Archippus - named once alongside Philemon and Aphhia as a host of the church, and encouraged to continue to fulfill his calling in Christ in these verses. Archippus was a friend who needed encouragement.
Demas - with Paul in prison, but five years later Paul was back in prison. In the last letter we have recorded from Paul, written just before he was executed, we read these sad words written about Demas to Timothy, “Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me.” (2 Timothy 4:9-10).
Demas was friend whom Paul loved but who eventually deserted Paul because of his love for the world.
It’s great to have your name in print. But it is better to have your name imprinted on someone’s heart because of the way in which you have impacted their life. Why not stop and write down your own “A-List.” And then take a moment to contact your list and tell them how much you appreciate them and how meaningful they are to you. The “bankability” of your friendship will skyrocket.
Live the Victorious Life,
PT
posted by Larry | 2:03 PM
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