14/01/2023
Colossians 1:1-8 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,
To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,
For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
Our Study Of The Life Of Epaphras is not just to look at him as another man but looking at Epaphras as a symbolic representation of the spirit every believer should possess.
It's my prayer that at every step in this months discussion, the Holy Spirit will hijack our desires and make it His, take over our words and will and make it His in Jesus name.
Epaphras the scripture shows in three main light which we will consider in the coming weeks, he is:
•A Dear Fellowservant
•An Effective Minister Of The Gospel Of Christ, and
•An Example To Believers and God's Church
BACKGROUND OF THE COLOSSIANS CHURCH
Epaphras was the local church pastor, he was even referred to as a dear fellow servant by the brother Paul, nonetheless that do not mean the church in Collosse was exonerated. Below are the few concerns the Lord raised within the church through the Apostle Paul(the last two verses 8,18 capitalized amplify the Church state then, and this was Paul's concern):
Colossians 2:1-8, 18, NKJV
For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
BEWARE LEST ANY MAN SPOIL YOU THROUGH PHILOSOPHY AND VAIN DECEIT, AFTER THE TRADITION OF MEN, AFTER THE RUDIMENTS OF THE WORLD, AND NOT AFTER CHRIST.
LET NO MAN BEGUILE YOU OF YOUR REWARD IN A VOLUNTARY HUMILITY AND WORSHIPPING OF ANGELS, INTRUDING INTO THOSE THINGS WHICH HE HATH NOT SEEN, VAINLY PUFFED UP BY HIS FLESHLY MIND
Summarily, I wrote them out here:
He had concerns about Heresy, Philosophy, Empty Deceits, Human Traditions, Foul Spirits Been Exalted And Replacing The Accurate Knowledge Of Christ In The Church.
In Conclusion, Epaphras as a man was laboring accurately and effectively but his labors was amongst divisive, unyielding and idol worshipping men, yet he's not a 'bad' minister or demonic as we mostly generalized, this is my view at least for the purpose of this study on Raising Epaphras'
•The Pastor, Epaphras' ministry wasn't condemned by God nor another man(Paul in whom God made him submit to spiritually). Likewise, your ministerial approval must be validated solely by God but approved of worthy men too those whom the Lord has raised to be what Paul was to the pastor.
•The church was ravaging in the waters of heresy, yet, this Shepherd stood akin of Christ's parable even as a good Shepherd
•In the midst of the corruption, heresy, doctrinal errors and worldliness bedevilling the church, The Lord Pointed Out Epaphras As A Worthy Ensample To Believers Within The Church.
To me, he was raised and preserved for a time as this. Who knows, the cure to our generations doctrinal anomaly may just be hanging in here, learning and increasing in knowledge of Christ, not donning the spotlight of church nor ministry but the Lord knows him by name and he's been preserved for a time as this.
Brethren, over the coming weeks, I trust the lord to show me and you greater revelations about this issue, even as we trust that he'll be more accurate and absolute with the diagnosis of our spirituality and stand. I beg that you join me here https://rb.gy/ywi4hc every Saturday's of this month as we look upon Him to raise many more Epaphras' (spiritual symbols of consecration, silent labor in ministry, spotless service, humility, intercession and power) unto himself for the end time church and our generation.
Shall We!?
Remember to click the link and join us.
I call you blessed.
