In considering this important topic before us today, our text from the Scriptures will be taken from the letter of Paul to the Church at Colossae:

“And say to Archippus, take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it” – Col. 4.17 (KJV)

Before we go further looking at the apostle’s admonition to Archippus, I want to bring this to your attention, that, this wasn’t the first time this brother’s name appeared in Paul’s letters. In Paul’s letter to Philemon, he acknowledged Archippus:

“To the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house” – Phm 1.2 (NKJV)

The word used for ‘fellow soldier’ was translated from the Greek word ‘sustratiōtēs’. It means an associate in labour and conflict for the cause of Christ.  Paul used that same word for Epaphroditus:

“Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier” – Philippians 2:25

Paul used this word ‘fellow soldier’ to describe one who was actively engaging in the Lord’s work with him, fully aware of the dangers and difficulties that was set before them.

Archippus was a brother, just like you and I, who was always present at every meeting, going out for evangelism, recognized by the pastor for his labour over God’s work and His people. By the time Paul wrote to the Church at Colossae, he was not acknowledge his labour and life threatening situations he may have been faced with, doing the Lord’s work, but rather, it was for a warning.

Let’s look at the text before us today and zero-in on some things as the Lord would have us:

“And say to Archippus, ‘take heed’”

The phrase ‘take heed’ was translated from the Greek word ‘blepō’. It is used to refer to vision, that is, the ability to see, literally or figuratively. The Greek Concordance sheds more light on this word — The word ‘blepō’ is used for perceiving by the use of the eyes. To turn the eyes away to anything: to look at, look upon, gaze at. Metaphorically, it can imply to see with the eyes of the mind. To discern mentally, observe, perceive. To turn the thoughts or direct the mind to a thing, to consider, contemplate, to look at, weigh carefully, examine.

The word ‘blepō’ was used in several texts in the Gospels and the Epistles. In his letter to the Church at Colossae, Paul used it thrice, Col. 2.5 ‘beholding’, Col 2.8 ‘Beware’, and Col 4.17 ‘Take heed’.

Hence, Paul’s admonition to Archippus as touching the ministry was that he shouldn’t lose sight, not to take his eyes away, keep his gaze.

What ministry did Archippus receive in the Lord, that Paul reminded him to keep his gaze at?

Upon Jesus’ resurrection, He spoke to his disciples saying: “go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen” – Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus commanded his disciples, and by extension, us today. The preaching of the gospel is the assignment of every believer. It is not for a selected few, it is for ALL believers.

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ”. – Ephesians 4:11-12

The saints are meant to be equipped, furnished to do the work of the ministry. The work of the ministry can be seen in two folds, your responsibility to your local church and the training you have received from your local church to take the gospel to the world. This is the work of the ministry.

“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation”. – 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

From our text thus far, we can see that every believer has received the work of the ministry from the Lord, and the Lord has given the Church ministry gifts to equip the saints for His work. In considering the matter before us today, what can we say was the Lord’s work to Archippus? The Scripture revealed: “and to the church in your house”. He had responsibility to the church that met in his house, men whom he was labouring over.

What are the activities of the Church that met at homes?

1. They met for prayers (See Acts 1.12-14, Acts 4.23-31, Acts 12.5&12)

2. They met for the teaching of the Word (See Luke 10.38-39, Acts 16.14-15, 40, Acts 18.24-26, Acts 20.7-12, 20.)

3. They met for evangelism (See Acts 4.31, Acts 5.42)

Hence, Archippus had the responsibility of overseeing these activities for the church that met in his home.

“That thou fulfil it”

The word ‘fulfil’ was translated from the Greek work ‘Plēroō’. It means to make full, to complete, to carry through to the end, full to the brim.

The work of the ministry is not something one takes a break from. Just as Paul admonished Archippus, if a work has been entrusted to you, faithfulness to the work is required. God wants you to carry on His work till your very last breathe.

Oh! How I love the words of my Master, Jesus: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34).

What is your meat brothers and sisters? Is it to pursue what you have desired and complete it even though it may not be God’s plan for your life? Is your heart still tender and pliable before the Father and for His work? If you have taking your gaze away from what God committed into your care, now is the time to get back on track.

Go back to preaching the gospel again. Go back to building your relationship with God once more. Go back to been discipled. Go back to being committed to the Lord’s work. You cannot carry on the Lord’s work to the end if you keep taking your gaze away from His work. You’ve got to make a decision to stay committed to the Lord’s work. Submit yourself to the leadership of your local church were you can be accountable, trained and equipped for the work of the ministry.

Eromose R. Moses

Eromose R. Moses is a minister at Edify Ministry, the author of Before You Say – I Do and Life as a Teenager – The Foundation. His writings are devoted to building young people to leading a successful life in relationships, personal development and fellowship with God.