Be Encouraged To Be A Finisher...

BE ENCOURAGED TO BE A FINISHER

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com

Text: Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

My friend I will never doubt that my God that helps us start things can also help us to finish the task of ministry before us. Those that God calls, God enables. If we invest our time, talent and energy into God’s plan… God will help us to be a FINISHER. We must encourage everyone to finish God’s call.

*FINISH: To complete a task, to bring to an end, final part, to bring to a conclusion, complete the race, a job well done, wrap it up, lack nothing,

PAUL IS NOW AN OLD MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL. PAUL NEARS THE END OF HIS RACE. HIS ACTIONS AND HIS WORD TAKE ON A SERIOUS NOTE!

Biblical history has recorded ARCHIPPUS AS ONE OF THE 70 THAT JESUS SENT OUT in the book of Luke. History also says Archippus was a MARTYR and gave his life to finished his calling. Archippus’ name means keeper of or master of horses. We know Archippus was an early Christian believer. Archippus is briefly mentioned two times in the New Testament. Philemon and Colossians.

Philemon 1:2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

AS PAUL IS CLOSING THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS HE HAS A FINAL NOTE TO ADDRESS HIS FELLOW SOLDIER…

As Paul was closing Colossians Paul makes a REQUEST OF HIS READERS… to tell Archippus something important…

We know very little about the type and nature of Archippus’ ministry. We do know what Paul is trying to teach this young man, SON YOU MUST LEARN TO BE A FINISHER AND TEACH OTHERS TO FINISH.

Colossians 4:17 (KJV) And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

Colossians 4:17 (NIV) Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord."

Colossians 4:17 (ESV) And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

Colossians 4:17 (NASB) Say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it."

Colossians 4:17 (MSG) And, oh, yes, tell Archippus, "Do your best in the job you received from the Master. Do your very best."

Colossians 4:17 (NLT2) And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.”

HOW MANY START A GOOD WORK AND LOSE ZEAL AND PASSION AND QUIT BEFORE THE RACE IS OVER?

Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Have we ever learned? Are we teaching that endings are better than beginnings? Sticking to it is better than giving up and quitting....

Perhaps Paul is concerned that Archippus’ daily work was causing him to lose sight of the goal. Paul might have been giving Archippus a gentle reminder or maybe an admonition to encourage this Christian worker.

MAYBE ARCHIPPUS HAD GROWN TIRED OR LAZY? MAYBE THE GOOD OLD BOY LACKED SELF DISCIPLINE? MAYBE CARELESS AND LUKE WARMNESS?

Paul’s words are something on the line of what Jesus commanded the servants at the WEDDING FEAST. Mary said: DO IT… WHATEVER JESUS SAYS DO IT… FILL THE WATER POTS TO THE BRIM… your best effort is required.

AS A SOLDIER STANDS ON HIS WATCH, BE ALERT! TAKE HEED! PAY ATTENTION! SEE TO IT! WATCH OUT!

MAYBE PAUL’S LESSON TO ARCHIPPUS IS A LESSON SENT TO THE WHOLE CHURCH WORLD: COMPLETE, FINISH, DON’T STOP, REFUSE TO BE HINDERED, DON’T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE GOAL BEFORE YOU, REMEMBER YOUR CALLING.

MAYBE ARCHIPPUS WAS STRESSED? MAYBE THE REALITY OF WORKING WITH REAL PEOPLE IN REAL DAILY CHORES AND TRIALS HAD GIVEN BIRTH TO THE LOSS OF HIS ZEAL AND FIRST LOVE?

Maybe Archippus was working with people he did not like too much? Maybe the people he was trying to teach were not faithful? Maybe Archippus had a lot of zeal when he first started but he saw how angry and stubborn people can grow? Maybe Archippus saw the REDUNDANT CIRCULAR, SAME OLD SAME OLD STUFF OCCURRING OVER AND OVER?

WE KNOW PAUL RECOGNIZED ARCHIPPUS AS A MAN OF PURPOSE AND MINISTRY. EACH LITTLE LIGHT MATTERS.

MAYBE ARCHIPPUS WAS JUST TIRED AND NEAR BURNOUT AND MAYBE EVEN NEAR BURNED UP…

WE UNDERSTAND FROM HISTORY THAT ARCHIPPUS WAS MARTYRED NEAR LAODICEA. ARCHIPPUS, PHILEMON AND APPHIA WAS STONED TO DEATH NEAR LAODICEA. Tradition teaches they were MARTYRED AT THE SAME TIME.

LET US COUNT THE COST … THE COST OF BUILDING VS THE COST OF NOT BUILDING… WE MUST BE A FINISHER.