https://youtu.be/myfl8X81adU

“Which Archippus Are You?”

Colossians 4:15-18 New King James Version (NKJV)

15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and [a]Nymphas and the church that is in [b]his house.

16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

18 This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

“Say to Archippus”- the church is entrusted with the duty of exhorting one of its ministers. It is generally supposed that the Archippus mentioned here is the same in Paul’s letter to Philemon

Philemon 2 New King James Version (NKJV)

2 to [a]the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

Archippus is Paul’s fellow-soldier and laborer in the faith. According to church tradition and the Apostolic Constitution, Archippus was the first bishop (overseer) of the church in Laodicea and Paul exhorts the church to give him a message from the imprisoned apostle. It seems odd that Paul would write a letter to Colossae and ask them to read it in Laodicea, but the church was only 12 miles away and a very common practice among the early churches.

“Take heed to the ministry” This word “ministry” in the Greek means a “laborious and painful work”; an obligation to do and suffer all things, to be the least and the servant of all.

“In the Lord”- Archippus had been appointed by the Lord, called and anointed by the Holy Spirit for this work and gifted with various gifts.

“That you may fulfill it”- That Archippus faithfully discharge all the duties of his calling with diligence and care, as the consequences for neglecting them will be infinitely dangerous and fatal, after having solemnly undertaken to fulfill them.

Little else is known about Archippus and his ministry. There are four possible scenarios:

Archippus knew his ministry, was faithful, but needed encouragement to keep going.Archippus knew his ministry, was faithful once, but had slackened and stopped.Archippus knew his ministry, but did nothing about it.Archippus did not know his ministry, and had to be prompted by Paul.

We all fall into one of the above scenarios. The question then, which scenario applies to you? The times are urgent and there is work to be done. WE have received an assignment from the Lord, but will we be faithful to complete it?

Proverbs 20:6 New King James Version (NKJV)

6 Most men will proclaim each his own [a]goodness, But who can find a faithful man?

1 Corinthians 4:2  “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

WE want to be found faithful! I am coming from the position that Paul was encouraging Archippus to be diligent in his work and calling.

There are four characteristics of a faithful Archippus:

Almost Anonymous- The beautiful thing about Archippus is that he is only mentioned twice in the entire Bible. He is almost anonymous and yet mentioned by name. This is the season for nameless saints to arise and to take up their positions in the kingdom.

Quote “Preach the Gospel, die and be forgotten.”

Are you willing to be forgotten for the cause of Christ? A faithful ambassador does not care who gets the credit and ...