Christ Church Daily Devotion Oct 23 2023

In this Daily Devotion, Paul sends greetings and updates through his fellow workers. He mentions Tychicus and Onesimus, who will share news and encourage the readers. Aristarchus, Mark, and Luke are also mentioned, along with other unnamed workers who have been supportive. Paul wants the Colossians and Laodiceans to know about these important individuals. This serves as a reminder that valuable work in faith is often done behind the scenes. The analogy of a piccolo player is used to illustrate the importance of serving without recognition. The personal worship option is to pray for a passion to share the good news with others. Welcome to Christ Church's Daily Devotion for October 23rd, 2023. Today we will be reading from Colossians chapter 4 verses 7 through 17. 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 co-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 Heropolis. Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters 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 ministry you have received in the Lord. As Paul comes to the end of this letter, he names several brave people who have come to be near him in prison. One of them, Aristarchus, is a fellow prisoner. Some of them, like Mark and Luke, are familiar to us. Mark is believed to have written one of the Gospels, and the Gentile physician Luke wrote both a Gospel and Acts. Others, whom Paul names here, are known only by the one reference, by their work was important. And Paul wanted the Christians in Colossae and Laodicea to know that. This serves as a good reminder to us that some of the most important work in the faith is done by people who are in the background, get no press, and are content to serve in this way. Reverend Paul Smith, our first minister of evangelism, preached the sermon once called, Be a Piccolo Player. In it, he emphasized how the piccolo is a really small instrument. Rarely is the piccolo featured in a solo part, and the instrumentalist sits quietly, waiting for his or her part. But when it is played, its sound is the perfect complement to the violins and other instruments. That was a great analogy, illustrating our call to be among those who serve in valuable and important ways without notice or fanfare. Today's personal worship option. Offer this prayer or one like it in your own words. Oh Lord, who came to give us the good news, help me develop a passion to share your good news with as many people as I can. Amen.