--part of me wonders what Tychicus witnessed, AND when he saw gatherings missing the Spirit, how did he minister and encourage?

• • Because, The New Testament DOES give some organizational instruction.
  • When the body of Christ gathers…
    • … God’s Word was to be taught
    • … praise and worship of the Lord was to be offered up
    • … and ministry to one another like praying for one another, healing, prophetic words, serving, sharing meals, and overall encouragement to live in a day of persecution was instructed.
      • Much of this we find in 1 Cor 12 and 14, but also…
      • Eph 2:20 says the church is “a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”
      • Hebrews 10:24-25 says “to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another”
      • Col 3:16 says the gatherings are for “teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
      • Romans 16:17 says “to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.”
      • Acts 2:42 says the church “devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
        • And hopefully, Tychicus witnessed all these things!

• But when he didn’t, who did he encourage, how did he encourage, what authority did he have, etc?