#1510. Can We Be Sent? (6/5/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.

To serve God and grow in responsibility, we must show ourselves trustworthy to be sent.

To watch this devotional, please select the link below:

(See also Colossians 4:7-9)

This week, from Paul’s description of Tychicus at the end of Ephesians, we’ve been reflecting on what it means to be a servant of Jesus. Today, let’s focus on these words: “I am sending him.”

1. Paul sent him

Firstly, we see that Tychicus is being sent by Paul.

To be sent speaks of trust. Paul entrusted Tychicus with responsibility. Scripture is very strong on this idea:

Paul can send Tychicus because he is a “dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord.”

To be in a position where we are sent—appointed to serve and to lead—requires that we first prove ourselves faithful. It begins with being committed members of a church and being willing to serve.

Many jump from church to church and wonder why they are never entrusted with responsibility.Many push themselves forward, driven by ambition, rather than being willing to serve in simple and helpful ways.

Many want a church to fulfil their vision, but are not willing to serve the vision of others. Yet we must learn to serve another’s vision before we can expect others to serve ours.

May we be like Epaphroditus, who was willing to be sent to care for the needs of others:

Like Tychicus and Epaphroditus, may we be sendable—faithful, helpful, and ready to serve wherever we are needed.

2. To be sent, we must have proven character

Paul has great love and confidence in Tychicus because he has proved himself over time.

It reminds us of what Paul says about Timothy:

Like Tychicus, Timothy can be sent by Paul because of his proven character.

Romans 16 gives us a remarkable snapshot of the kind of people God uses—ordinary believers with proven faithfulness:

Here are just a few of the men and women Paul commends:

• Phoebe – A servant (deacon) of the church in Cenchreae; a benefactor and helper of many, including Paul.

• Priscilla and Aquila – Co-workers in Christ who risked their lives for Paul and hosted a church in their home.

• Mary – A woman who worked very hard for the believers.

• Andronicus and Junia – Fellow prisoners, outstanding among the apostles.

• Ampliatus – A dear friend in the Lord.

• Urbanus – A co-worker in Christ.

• Tryphena and Tryphosa – Women who work hard in the Lord.

• Persis – A beloved woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.

These are not commended for gifting, but for faithfulness. They are not recognised for ambition, but for service.

To be sent, we must first be faithful where we are.

Before public usefulness comes private provenness.

May we be people who, over time, prove ourselves trustworthy—so that, when the moment comes, we too can be sent.

Response

To serve God and grow in responsibility, we must prove ourselves trustworthy to be sent.

Are we in good relationship with our leaders? Do we seek to be helpful and serve, or are we difficult and driven by ambition?

Have we proven our character over time, or do we allow impatience and frustration to damage relationships?

Faithfulness is not proved in moments, but over time.And those who are trusted to be sent are those who have first learned to serve well where they are.

Community Group Study

(This week is ‘SIV’ (Serve, Invest and inVite) Week, so we’ll be focussing on this during our time together. 

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

2. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

3. Study and pray together

(This week is ‘SIV’ (Serve, Invest and inVite) Week)

What is SIV? 

SIV stands for Serve, Invest and inVite. This is our very simple strategy to help bring our community to Jesus. We believe that God has placed us in relationships and in specific locations to be 'salt and light.' and to ‘fish for people’.  We can effectively bring people to Jesus by: 

• 'Serving' them - Demonstrating the love of Christ in practical ways; 

• 'Investing' - Investing in the ‘people of peace’ those whom we feel the Spirit is leading us. 

• 'Inviting' - Inviting them into our homes by showing hospitality and inviting them to church events, to Alpha, and ultimately, inviting them to come to Jesus through the gospel. 

In your groups: 

• Share stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing stories of how we’ve seen God at work through simple faithfulness.

• Think about practical next steps – Who might God be placing on your heart at this time? Are there any “people of peace” (see note) in your life—those who seem open, welcoming, or receptive to spiritual conversation?

Pray together:

• Pray for courage, wisdom, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in our Serve, Invest, and Invite opportunities.

• Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - that God would open hearts and deepen relationships.

• Pray for our Alpha ministry and Phil Mash who heads up this team 

• Pray for our mission in Roehampton - that He would lead us in reaching that community with the gospel. 

• General prayer: how do people want prayer at this time?