Complete the ministry from the Lord 盡你從主所受的職分

Be cautious and complete the ministry from the Lord: Archippus

Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.” [Colossians 4:17]

Character introduction:

Archippus was an early church age believer, said to be the son of the apostle Philemon, whom Paul called "Archippus our fellow soldier" (Philemon 1:2). In Paul's letter to the Colossian church, he especially exhorted Archippus to be careful in all things and fulfill the ministry that came from the Lord. Since there are not many descriptions of Archippus in the Bible, Paul gave such a reminder, probably because Archippus took on the important task of shepherding the Colossian church at that time, exhorting him whether he encountered temptation in the service, or accepted in new tasks, he must be cautious and self-controlled, and be loyal and faithful to the Lord.

 

Life application:

Legend has it that Archippus served the Lord faithfully throughout his whole life, and was even martyred for holding to the way of the Lord when King Nero was in power. Brothers and sisters, believers in the early church could unite with each other and fight for the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; today we also need to unite with each other before the Lord, hold on to the truth, and fight for the Lord. Paul said in 1 Timothy 6:12: "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Dear Brothers and sisters, every believer who are called from God has the same purpose, we have to fight the good fight for the gospel of the Lord and to bear a good testimony for the Lord before everyone. Perhaps the spiritual battle we are facing now is different from that of believers in the past. Today's generation is full of heresies or cults, distorted values and perspectives on life, marriage and family. We as the children of God, as Paul said, "Be cautious, and fulfill the ministry you have received from the Lord" It is indeed our part in our life. May the Lord help us to continue to be good witnesses in this generation.

 

Prayer:

Dear Jesus! May you teach me the way I should walk, and give me words of wisdom, so that I know how to bear good witness for you in this generation, take up the ministry and work in which you called me to do, and fulfill the great commission you have entrusted to me. I pray this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!

Reflection: Have you found your role and ministry to serve the Lord Jesus?

務要謹慎，盡上本分──亞基布 

要對亞基布說：「務要謹慎，盡你從主所受的職分。」（西4:17）

人物介紹：

亞基布是一位早期教會時代的信徒，據說他是使徒腓利門的兒子，保羅稱他為「同當兵的亞基布」（參門1:2）。在保羅寫給歌羅西教會的書信里，他特別勸勉亞基布要凡事謹慎，並且盡上從主而來的職分。由於聖經對亞基布的描述不多，所以保羅給予這樣的提醒，可能是出於亞基布當時擔起牧養歌羅西教會的重任，勸勉他無論在事奉上遇到試探，或接受新的任務，也要謹慎自守，為主盡忠。

生活應用：

傳說亞基布一生忠心事奉主，更在尼祿王執政的時候，因為持守主道的緣故而殉道。弟兄姊妹，早期教會的信徒能夠彼此同心，為了主耶穌基督的福音而爭戰；今天我們同樣也需要在主面前彼此同心，持守真道，為主爭戰。保羅在提前6:12這樣說：「你要為真道打那美好的仗，持定永生。你為此被召，也在許多見證人面前，已經作了那美好的見證。」

親愛的弟兄姊妹，每一位信徒蒙主呼召的其中一個目的，就是要為主的福音打美好的仗，並且在眾人面前，為主作美好的見證。或許現在我們所面對的屬靈爭戰，跟過去的信徒已經不一樣。現今的世代充滿了異端邪說，以及扭曲的價值觀、人生觀和婚姻家庭觀，我們作為神的兒女，正如保羅所說：「務要謹慎，盡你從主所受的職分」，這才是我們的本分。求主幫助我們，能夠繼續在這世代作美好的見證。我們一起禱告。

禱告：

親愛的主耶穌！求祢指教我走當行的路，並且賜下祢智慧的言語，使我懂得在這世代為祢作美好的見證，擔當從祢而來的職分，完成祢給我的托付。奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們！

默想：

你找到自己在主裡面的角色和職分嗎？