Friends in the Ministry Titus 3:12 - Equipped for Battle

A conductor of a huge orchestra was asked, “What instrument among all those played in an orchestra is the most difficult to have someone play?” His answer was simple, “Second violin.” Whenever there is a minister who is effective among people he or she usually has a team of people behind the scenes who are helping that ministry be successful. Such is the case with Paul the apostle, and as we close the book of Titus we will discover some of those people who were beneficial to Paul. He wrote in chapter three and verse twelve:

When I shall send Artemas unto you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.

Paul begins his benediction to Titus by mentioning, “when I shall send Artemas unto you.” This is the only place that Artemas is mentioned in the Bible. He is said to have been the bishop of Lystra, but there is no other mention of him which brings us to an interesting point. Sometimes people are used behind the scenes who are not well known by others. Their ministry is in the shadows or in secret, and although the one they serve may receive the attention and limelight, these faithful ministers are well-known by God who uses all who are willing well.

Paul next mentions, “Tychicus” who was employed by Paul on a couple occasions to deliver his letters to various churches such as Ephesus, Colosse, and to deliver a personal letter to Timothy. Again Tychicus is another faithful minister to Paul, and his work along side of Paul helped to make the ministry effective. Tychicus was known traditionally to be the successor to Titus in Crete, and he was also subsequently bishop of Chalcedon in Bithynia.

The next phrase offered by Paul to Titus was, “be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis, for I have determined there to winter.” Nicopolis means “the city of victory” and in Paul's travels this city became one he enjoyed in the wintertime. The book of Titus was probably written from Corinth in the autumn, and Paul's plans for winter were to have Titus join him in Nicopolis for a visit. There is nothing like having those who are fellow-ministers join together for mutual strength and encouragement as they share in the responsibilities of the gospel.

So what can we learn from these verses? First, who are those people behind the scenes in our lives? Who are the men and women that give us support and confidence to continue in our work? Secondly, to whom are we in support of in the ministry? Are we their friends behind the scenes and although we are not as much in the limelight as they, do we continue to help them shine? Perhaps we would all do well to consider those to whom the Lord Jesus has put within our lives in either of those positions, and if we are wise we will continue to discover other venues by which we are blessed and being a blessing in this way..

Next time we will continue to look at those who involved themselves in Paul's life, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore