1. A Christlike mindset: Hezekiah or Tychicus?
Colossians 4:2-9

2. Review from Colossians 3 (set your hearts on things above)
Being a Christian means cultivating a Christlike mindset.
We are to pursue an eternal perspective because we are now in Christ and He is all that really matters.
We are to seek the “things above” with single mindedness

3. Hezekiah Isaiah 38 Got very sick Got the death notice
Turned his face to the wall
Wept bitterly

4. Hezekiah’s response
I walked with you all my life (doesn’t that count for anything?)
You have robbed me
I will be gone from this world
I made it through the ‘night’ but you crushed me at dawn
I can’t praise you when I’m dead
I want to stay with the living (keep things as they were)

5. God’s response Gave him another 15 years
Promised reprieve from his enemies
Gave him an amazing sign (turned back time?)

6. Not a happy ending … 2 Chronicles 32:24 - 33:9
Hezekiah was healed but became proud
Became very rich but foolishly revealed all his riches to envoys from Babylon
His son Manasseh did much evil
Erected poles for Baal
Worshipped the stars
Sacrificed two of his sons in fire
Practiced sorcery, witchcraft, consulted mediums

7. A self indulgent father produces evil children
Eli the priest – sons blasphemed God
King David
Amnon raped his sister
Absalom killed Amnon and took the kingship
Solomon wasted himself with wealth and too many women

8. Instead of that … Colossians 4:2 - 6
Devote yourselves to prayer (consistent, disciplined, hard work…continually steadfast)
Be watchful and thankful
Focus on mission
Open door for the message
Clear, powerful proclamation
For one another
Be outwardly orientated – to your friends

9. For example: Tychicus Colossians 4: 7 - 9
Dear brother => Relational closeness
Faithful minister => Committed to task
Fellow servant => on the same page
=> no sense of competition
=> travelling with others