Fulfill It!
Today’s Verse:
And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. ~Colossians 4:17
When I have the opportunity to preach in another church, I am blessed to meet the members of the other congregation. It is a blessing to meet people who have been in their church for many years. It is a blessing to hear when these faithful members have accepted greater responsibilities in serving the Lord. In our devotion, we see an individual whose family members were members of a good church. We see how this man went from being a faithful member to becoming an entrusted leader. This morning, let us see the man named Archippus.
We see the pastor.
Archippus was the interim pastor of the church at Colossae. Epaphras entrusted this ministry to him when Epaphras told the congregation that he needed to attend to Paul, who was in prison. As pastor, he was expected to grow the flock. He had the responsibility of preaching and teaching the Word of God and grounding them in the faith. As pastor, he was expected to guide the flock. A pastor is to take the oversight thereof. He had to take charge and lead this congregation in all matters. A pastor is to guard the flock. He is to keep the church safe from spiritual predators, false teachers, and being led astray.
We see the priority.
Paul charged the congregation to encourage Archippus to make the oversight of the church his high priority. Take heed means to see, to behold, to beware, to discern, and to discover. It is a catch-all phrase that imposes upon the man every aspect of ministry excellence. Archippus needed to have courage for the ministry. Archippus needed to have competence for the ministry. Archippus needed to have confidence balanced with caution. He needed to be committed in every aspect. He needed to be consecrated in heart, thought, and deed. He needed to be consistent. He needed to consider every facet of the ministry and give himself totally to it.
We see the power.
His name means “horse master.” Horses are noted for their strength. His name teaches us the importance of being under the power of a Spirit-filled life. James speaks about putting bits in the horses’ mouths to control them. Archippus had to have power over his tongue. Our tongues get us in a lot of trouble when they are not mastered. Archippus needed to have power over his temper. Solomon said, “Make no friendship with an angry man.” “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” Archippus needed to have power in testing. A test from God reveals what is inside of us. “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”
We see the persuasion.
He needed to take the ministry that he received in the Lord and fulfill it. Leaders are noted for having initiative. They must act. They move quickly and decisively. Leaders are also noted for getting things done. A godly leader is not a manager. Managers do things right: leaders do the right things. He had to be thorough in what he did. He had to be responsible in what he did. He had to be thinking all the time about things to be done and do them well. Leaders set goals and targets, and they move the congregation to come alongside of them in getting things done. Archippus received an encouragement to stay focused on what was entrusted to him and to fulfill his responsibilities. Never leave a job undone. Fulfill what you have been given and fulfill it well.
Have a prioritized God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Chronicles 6-8