Colossians 4:17
Archippus
- This man is mentioned
twice in the NT: Col. 4:17 & Philemon 1:2
- Philemon 1:1-2 - Philemon was another book written by Paul
at the same time as Colossians and delivered at the same time by Tychicus.
- Philemon was a wealthy
Christian man from Colossae.
i.
Paul writes to this man, who
was a slave owner, to receive back as a brother in Christ a runaway slave named
Onesimus.
ii.
As a side note, Paul mentions
here that the church in Colossae met in his house… or a portion of the church.
- The most natural
reading of verses 1-2 would lead one to believe that Paul is addressing a
“household.”
i.
Philemon… (head of the
household)
ii.
Apphia… (presumably his wife)
iii.
Archippus… (Presumably his son)
iv.
And the church that meets in
his house…
- It SOUNDS like Archippus
might be the son of Philemon and Apphia… but not certain.
- It SOUNDS like Paul is
writing to a FAMILY… who own a large home… where the assembly meets.
- Archippus is also
called a fellowsoldier with Paul.
- We just have a few
interesting tid bits of information…
- It is possible to
assemble these pieces in various ways… so we CANNOT say with absolute certainty
(1) exactly what his ministry was; (2) where he ministered; (3) what his
relation to Philemon was.
- Possibility:
- He was the son of Philemon
and Apphia;
- He was also functioning
as the pastor of the church that met in their home.
- He may have been the
pastor to replace Epaphras – who had been the minister at Colossae… (Col.1:7-8)
- But at the time of this
writing, is in Rome with Paul.
- Epaphras is sending
greeting TO Colossae along with Paul (Col. 4:12).
- Perhaps Epaphras was
imprisoned with Paul and Archippus took his place as minister to the
church… either temporarily or permanently.
- Others think he was the
pastor/overseer at the church of Laodicea.
Ministry
Received IN the Lord
- Archippus received a
ministry from the Lord.
- Ministry defined: διακονίαn
- This is the Greek word
from which we get our English word “deacon.”
- However, the term does
not always refer to the official office of a deacon in a LC.
- Consider its broader
usage in the following:
i.
I Tim.1:12 – “putting me into
the ministry.”
ii.
II Tim.4:11 – Mark is
profitable to me for the ministry.
iii.
Romans 11:13 – used to describe
Paul’s apostolic office.
iv.
Acts 12:25 – Saul and Barnabus
fulfilled their ministry
v.
Acts 20:24 – Paul’s ministry of
preaching the gospel
vi.
I Cor.12:5 – differences of
administrations (diakonia)
vii.
Eph.4:12 – for the work of the
ministry…
- It seems quite likely
that the term “ministry” used of Archippus was used in this broad
sense… not the narrower sense of the office of a church deacon.
- II Tim. 4:5 – make full proof of thy ministry.
i.
This passage is the MOST
similar to that of Col.4:17… in wording and meaning. (fulfilling your
ministry)
ii.
Here the ministry of Timothy
was that of a pastor… in Ephesus.
- For that reason, many
believe that Archippus was functioning as pastor/overseer of
the church that met in the home of Philemon… in the absence of Ephaphras.
- His ministry was IN
the Lord.
- The ministry Archippus
received was IN the Lord.
- Paul relates his
ministry to his POSITION in Christ.
- IN Christ speaks of:
i.
The believer’s Spirit baptism
into the Body of Christ.
ii.
The believer’s union with
Christ in his death and resurrection…
iii.
The believer is sanctified
in Christ Jesus (I Cor. 1:2)
iv.
The believer’s position with
Christ in the heavenlies
v.
The heavenly sphere in
which the believer in Christ lives and breathes… our LIFE is there. (Col. 3:3)
vi.
It is that sphere where the law
of the Spirit of LIFE is operative in the believer… (Rom.
8:2)
vii.
It is the sphere of victory
– where the HS always causes us to triumph IN Christ (II Cor. 2:14)
viii.
Any man in Christ is a new
creature. (II Cor. 5:17)
ix.
In Christ no earthly
distinctions exist: neither Jew nor Gentile; bond nor free; male or female;
all one.
x.
The believer possesses all
spiritual blessings in Christ. (Eph. 1:3)
xi.
The believer’s high calling
of God is in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14)
xii.
The beleiver’s position IN the
Lord (in Christ) is not a minor issue.
- Our position IN CHRIST
(and our ministry in Christ) stands in contrast to our former position IN
ADAM.
i.
In Adam speaks of the natural,
earthly realm.
ii.
And yes, it is possible to
conduct ministry in that realm!
iii.
It is possible to attempt to
conduct ministry from within that sphere… from the earthly… worldly… natural
realm.
iv.
The difference is between one
who is absorbed with his position in the Lord… in Christ… and conducting the
Lord’s work from that perspective (heavenly, holy, spiritual, Spirit filled,
power of the resurrection)… --- OR --- conducting the Lord’s work from
the natural realm… as those in Adam… who do not understand spiritual things…
and are left with ONLY the natural... the earthly…
v.
The Lord’s work can become
quite successful and prosper when conducted from the natural realm… when judged
from the earthly perspective.
vi.
One is thus forced to use
business practices to promote God’s work… and those practices WORK… though they
may be entirely barren of the Spirit of LIFE in Christ Jesus… devoid of the
power of the resurrection… and FULL of wisdom, works, and the will of the
flesh.
vii.
The flesh can do a LOT on
its own – but it can do NOTHING of any eternal value.
- The ministry Archippus
received was IN the Lord.
i.
The ministry of Archippus did
not consist of what he did for God in the natural realm… using his natural
talents… but what GOD did in and through him…
ii.
The end produce of ministry in
the Lord does not magnify the genius of man’s skill and efforts… but it
magnifies Christ…
iii.
I Cor. 12:18 – Ministry in the Lord especially related to the fact
that he was in Christ’s Body… a member of that Body… and equipped
by GOD to function in that Body.
1.
It is a supernatural work of
Christ the Head manifesting His life, power, wisdom, grace, and will
through Spirit filled members of His Body.
2.
The moment a person is saved in
this age, he is immediately baptized by the Spirit INTO the Body of Christ. (I
Cor. 12:13)
3.
Right from birth, (the new
birth) the believer is placed into the Body as it hath pleased Him.
A hand is made by God to be a hand… a foot a foot… an ear an ear… an elbow an
elbow… etc.
4.
The spiritual gift or capacity
to function in the Body is part of the new birth.
5.
Of course that gift needs to be
developed, grow, mature, be instructed and improved upon…
6.
That comes through time,
spiritual growth, practice, use, study, etc…
7.
It is part of the new
creation in Christ. (II Cor. 5:17)
- The ministry Archippus
had was IN the Lord…
i.
From the moment of his new
birth, God had His hand on this man… to function in the Body as a
pastor/elder/shepherd.
ii.
Of course he had to grow,
learn, and mature in order to FUNCTION… but God created him for that purpose in
the Lord… in the Body.
iii.
It was his calling…
it was God’s design for his life… it was God’s work in him…
- Eph. 2:10 – we are created IN CHRIST unto good
works which God had ordained that we should walk in them.
i.
God called Archippus to
salvation… and he called him to function in the Body… with a
specific ministry…
ii.
God had a ministry for
Archippus… and God had good works all planned out for him to walk
in.
iii.
And as long as Archippus was
yielded to the HS… the law of the Spirit of LIFE in Christ Jesus would be
operative in and through him… filled with the Spirit… and he WOULD walk in
those God ordained works… and thus fulfill his ministry…
- And by the way – the
same principle holds true for every one of us in Christ.
i.
There are DIFFERENCES of
administrations (diakonia)… but the same Spirit operating in us in the
Body of Christ.
ii.
As we yield to the HS… the
Spirit will manifest the LIFE of Christ in us and through us…
iii.
We will be functioning in the
Body as God designed… so that Christ, the Head, might accomplish HIS will in
and through us.
iv.
The key is to be yielded to the Spirit… abiding in Christ
in communion with Him… surrendered to God… like putty in His hand… available…
clean…
v.
When that is the case, EVERY
member will FUNCTION as God created him to function in the Body.
vi.
Every member will thus fulfill
his own unique, God given ministry… and as a result, Christ will be
manifested clearly through the Body… unto the glory of God.
- Ministry IN the
Lord – (especially a
pastor) is not like any job in the world.
- It is by God’s
appointment… God’s design… God’s choice…
i.
Ministry is not something WE
choose on our own… or get a degree and become…
ii.
A degree from Bible college is
no substitute for the call of God. 10 degrees won’t equip a man for service if
he hasn’t been called of the Lord.
iii.
He may be talented, intelligent,
skillful in all kinds of techniques, but spiritually he will produce nothing
but wood, hay, & stubble.
- Ministry in the Lord is
not a career but a calling.
i.
God does not always call those
whom we deem to be most likely from man’s perspective.
ii.
God called fishermen, a
Pharisee, a shepherd, tax collectors, and a herdsman… to serve Him in various
ministries.
iii.
Their backgrounds and training
differed, but they shared one thing in common: God called them to their
ministry.
- For the Christian,
ministry is received as part of the new creation… upon
entrance into the Body as a member… with a God given, supernatural capacity
to function in the Body of Christ.
i.
That capacity is given by God,
directed by God, empowered by God, to draw attention to God.
ii.
It was received as a grace
gift… not something we can glory in.
iii.
We RECEIVED it. We didn’t earn
it or buy it.
iv.
Salvation was designed by God in such a way that it does not
give the flesh or SELF one ounce of glory…
v.
Ministry was also designed by God in such a way that it
gives NO opportunity for self to glory.
- I Cor. 4:7 – “and what
hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why
dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”
- Archippus received a
ministry in the Lord. He had received a special grace gift… a
capacity to serve God… and Paul writes to challenge him to TAKE HEED to
that ministry.
- Take heed = Blepo – take
heed to; look out for danger; see to; watch carefully; pay attention to;
- Often used as a
“warning”. (Mark 13:5,9,23,33)
- Archippus – like every
one of us – had received a grace gift – a capacity to serve in a
ministry for the Lord.
- But possessing a
ministry or a grace gift - does not mean that God is pleased with what we
DO with that ministry.
- Such a gift is a valuable,
precious tool to be used for God’s glory. Every gift is necessary and
valuable to the Body.
- Which gift we receive
is up to God. What we DO with the gift we receive is up to us.
- God GAVE Archippus a
gift to function as a leader in the church – AND he is encouraged here to
be CAREFUL about what he does with that gift!
- Be careful with it!
Take heed! Be watchful! Be mindful of the gift… don’t forget to use it…
to develop it… and function as God intended!
- Archippus is told to TAKE
HEED to his ministry…
- It may indicate that
Paul felt there was a problem along those lines…
- OR (which seems more
likely) it may simply be a friendly reminder and warning that ANY
minister needs from time to time.
- This same type of
warning was given to others as well.
- II Tim. 1:6 - Paul sent to Timothy to stir him up
concerning his ministry – perhaps because Timothy was prone to fear.
- Paul may have seen
Archippus to be in need of “stirring up” too – perhaps because he was prone
to laziness… or being drawn away from his real ministry.
- Acts 20:28 – leaders in ministry at Ephesus were warned to TAKE HEED to themselves first of all… and
secondly to their ministry to the flock. FEED the flock!
- II Tim. 4:1-5 – Take heed by preaching the word! (an
exhortation from Paul)
- I Tim. 4:16 – take heed to yourself and to the DOCTRINE…
and save yourself and those who hear you!
- Regardless of our gift
and capacity to function in the Body, we ALL need this kind of
challenge from time to time.
- We all tend to grow weary
in well doing.
- We all tend to get lazy
in the work of the Lord and need this reminder: be steadfast, unmovable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord…
- We all tend to get discouraged
in the work of the Lord when things don’t go the way we had hoped.
- We all tend to lose
our zeal and enthusiasm over time and need to be stirred up –
like embers cooling off and becoming covered with ashes… lukewarm!
- In ministering to
others, we all need to be reminded to take heed to ourselves!
- And others might become
so busy in taking heed to themselves that they need to be challenged to
minister to others.
- Perhaps some folks here
today have slacked off in your service for the Lord… perhaps God has
given you a gift and you have been hiding it under a bushel…
- The result is that the
body is losing out on that needed function… and you are losing out in the
spiritual exercise and the reward you could have had!
- We all HAVE a gift and
thus a capacity to function in one ministry or another. Take heed to your
ministry!
- Defined:
- Strongs: Fill full… complete…
full to the brim; make complete in every particular; to be permeated;
carry into effect, bring to realization…
- John 12:3 – when Mary
took costly perfume and anointed the feet of Jesus the smell “filled” the
house…
- Related to the word
for riches: supply abundantly with something, impart richly…
- Acts 12:25 – Paul &
Barnabus fulfilled their ministry.
- Col.2:10 – we are complete
in Him.
- Eph. 1:23 – used 2 times… the body of Christ is FULL of
Christ… because He fills it with Himself….
- He fills it with His
life, love, grace, compassion, righteousness, holiness, the fruit of the
HS… Christlike character
- He fills the Body, the
church, AS WE yield to the HS… and abide in Him.
- As we do, EVERY
function and God anointed ministry of the Body will be fulfilled.
- God will accomplish His
perfect will in the Body by FILLING each one of us… that we might FULFILL
our God given ministry… and thus the Body is full of the fullness of Him
who fills it! It is full of Christ!
- Eph. 3:19 - We can only
fulfill our ministry for Christ as we are filled with the fullness
of God… God’s life and power operating in us to manifest the
indwelling life of Christ.
- That’s what men
should see in the LC: Christ and Him alone!
- When a visitor walks
into a local church – a local manifestation of Christ --- they be “convinced
of all, he is judged of all: 25
And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down
on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a
truth.” (I Cor. 14:24-25)
- If we were all faithful
in fulfilling our ministries in the LC… this WOULD occur… to the glory of
God.
- Hence, Paul challenged
Archippus to FULFILL his ministry in the Lord… and that becomes a
challenge to us all.
- Nothing is more
obnoxious than a minister that preaches himself… talks about himself… and
thus fills the body with himself!
- We are to preach CHRIST
and HIM crucified – not ourselves!
- The ministry, the
message, the methodology, the manner, the emphasis is all on Christ… he
is all in all.
- Only THEN will God’s purpose
for the ministry for the Body be fulfilled.
- Archippus was challenged
to fill his ministry full… pour his life into it.
- Cf. --- II Tim. 4:5,
“make full proof of thy ministry.” “Give all diligence to follow it out
fully.”
- It would imply the need
to be faithful… persevere in your ministry…
- Not all ministers… not
all pastor/teachers fulfill their duty as a minister.
- Some are busy
fulfilling duties their denomination requires… or trying to fulfill the
expectations of the people… or to fulfill duties they have assumed or
imagined to be part of the ministry… (soup kitchens; politics; social
agencies; medical services; games, camps, clubs, etc…)
- It is possible to be BUSY
in trying to fulfill all these alleged duties… and at the same time to be
negligent in carrying out one’s duties and responsibilities as
recorded in the BIBLE!
- ILLUSTRATION: Course in
church administration… (Business Management 101)
- We need to let the
BIBLE define what ministry is.
- Our ministry is not
what we do for God, but what HE does through us. Our job is to be ready,
available, willing, yielded, surrendered, a clean vessel He can use when,
where, and how He sees fit…
- The body does not
lack for spiritual gifts…
even Corinth was a gifted church! (I Cor. 1:7).
- God has equipped each
Body with all the gifts it needs to function.
- The problem is not a
lack of gifts, but a lack of AVAILABLE gifts.
·
Some gifted members are living
in sin
·
Some gifted members are too
busy with the affairs of this life
·
Some gifted members are not
faithful… not reliable
·
Some gifted members are not
available…
·
Some gifted members think it
beneath them to be a servant (pride)
·
Some gifted members think it
above them to serve (false humility)
·
Some gifted members are just
stubborn… and self willed. NO!
·
Some gifted members start off
using their gifts and ministering to the edification of the body… but over time
fizzle out and stop.
- Fulfill: Present
active subjunctive of
plêroô, "that thou keep on filling it full."
i.
It is a life-time job. It is
NEVER finished.
ii.
When God gave you a gift, He
intends for you to use it until He takes you home!
iii.
Jesus said, “I have finished
the work you gave me to do.” (John 17:4)
iv.
Paul said, “I have finished my
course; I have kept the faith.”
v.
That should be our goal too.
vi.
The ministry is a stewardship
for which the minister will be held responsible and called into account…
vii.
So, TAKE HEED to your ministry!
- Paul was exhorting this
minister to be faithful.
a.
But note that he uses a very
indirect approach.
b.
He tells the Colossians
(recipients of the letter) to deliver this message to Archippus.
c.
He wanted the believers in the
assembly to challenge and encourage their minister to keep on
ministering.
- Archippus was evidently
a minister and had authority in the LC.
- However, that did not
give him the right to do as he pleased.
- He was still UNDER
the authority of God’s Word. Paul reminds him of his God given
responsibilities.
- Ministers are to be
held accountable to the ministry. (qualifications)
- Members of the body
should exhort one another DAILY to be faithful… including
the leaders.
·
In doing so, each member is
thus doubly reminded to fulfill our OWN ministries in the LC!
·
Mote and the beam…
- This was probably a
great encouragement to this man: to receive a word of exhortation from Spirit
filled members of the body… who had received this message from the
apostle Paul himself!
- One word can mean a lot
to a person ministering for Christ
i.
A fearful Timothy can be
emboldned…
ii.
A discouraged Archippus can be
challenged…
Let’s all learn from
this passage:
·
Take heed to our OWN
ministries…
·
Encourage others in their
ministries…
·
be sure that our heavenly
position in Christ is the basis for our ministry down here on earth…
·
Abiding in our Risen, glorified
Savior… and experiencing HIS resurrection power operating in and through us as
we minister in the LC – that we be strong in the LORD and in the power of HIS
might…
·
Ministering in Christ… not in
Adam… with Adam’s earthly perspective - natural talents & human wisdom…
·
But be filled with the fullness
of God and thus fulfill your ministry… and cause this body to be full of
Him…
·
And to manifest Christ
as we ought…
·
And let’s exhort one
another daily lest any of us become hardened through the deceitfulness
of sin!
·
Oh yes, WE need to take heed to
our ministries!
IF YOU ARE NOT BORN
AGAIN…
·
Apart from the new birth, any
service you do for God is considered “dead works.” None will save.
·
(Have not we done many
wonderful works?)
·
BELIEVE and be saved today!