“12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.” Colossians 4:12-13.
Some biblical personalities are well known. Others enter the scene briefly and are gone. Similar to a movie extra, there's little known about them. But everyone has a story! Epaphras was a man with an inspiring story.
The name Epaphras means, "lovely, charming, and handsome" He was a native of Colossae. After his conversion to Christianity, he took the Gospel to his hometown. Epaphras was very instrumental in the establishment of the churches at Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis. These three cities made up the ancient Lycos Valley in modern-day Turkey. Epaphras was the person responsible for the growth of Christianity in these cities. After a while, the churches were threatened by the danger of false doctrine. So Epaphras sought godly counsel. He set out to visit Paul, who at that time was a prisoner in Rome. Eventually, he became Paul’s fellow prisoner. Philemon 23. Yet he never stopped laboring for the churches at Laodicea, Hierapolis, and Colossae. Epaphras cared for the believers in those cities and expressed that concern by doing something about it. Even though he was not physically with them, he was spiritually there. Epaphras prayed on their behalf. In his letter to the Colossians addressing false doctrine impeding the growth of the churches, Apostle Paul bears witness to it that even in the prison, Epaphras never stopped praying for the church. Colossians 4:13.
So, what can church leaders, ministers, deacons, and workers learn from Epaphras?
EVERY CHRISTIAN IS A MINISTER:
"as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf," Colossians 1:7.
Paul describes him as a fellow servant and a faithful minister of Christ. A minister is anyone who serves or ministers to the needs of others. So every believer is a minister. Each of us has been given skills, resources, abilities, time, and opportunities to serve. Every Christian is called to be a faithful steward. None is called to spectate. Every member of the local church has a significant part to play. We all have an assigned role in the Body of Christ. Every believer has a unique contribution to make. Romans 12:4-5. Therefore, we must strive to use well the gifts we've received from God. The church must encourage members to become ministers. The job of pastors is to equip, prepare, and train the believers, so they can learn to function in their ministries.
Are you serving or ministering in the local church? Are you faithful in fulfilling the responsibility God has given you? If not, make up your mind today to serve. God has equipped you for ministry. Get involved. There's a place for you! You may not be called to preach behind a pulpit. But you are called to serve. Be humble. True greatness begins with humility. Be holy. The presence of sin in the life of a minister is a stain. Psalm 66:18. Avoid sin. Be sober, and disciplined. Read to know the Word. Be a student of the Bible. Abide in the Word. Don't be judgmental; the love of Christ must be your motivation. Don't give up! Be teachable. Be available. Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Lean on Him and He will equip you to fulfill the very task He has called you to complete. As you serve, trust that God will equip you, guide you, and give you joy for the work.
"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10.
MAKE DISCIPLE:
"as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf," Colossians 1:7.
The word "disciple" means a learner. In other words, we can say the church at Colossae learned from Epaphras. He was faithful in making disciples. Also, believers are to make learners or disciples of Christ. A disciple is a follower. They listen, learn, and follow the Master. Following Jesus means that you show others how to follow Him. Every Christian is supposed to disciple others. Being a disciple requires making disciples. To be a disciple is to become a student of Jesus Christ. True discipleship involves investing in younger believers, walking through life with them, and guiding them to Christian maturity. The command to “make disciples” was given to the first set of disciples. Matthew 28:19-20. But they are long dead. Before they left this world, they passed the baton down to the next generation of disciples and the next. Today we hold the baton. What are you going to do with it? God’s desire is for us to go and make disciples. Every church should major in discipleship.
Are you a disciple who makes disciples? To make disciples we need to step out and reach out. When you go out and share your faith, God can use you to bring someone to Christ. Be the kind of person others want to follow. Reach out to someone today who will reach their community tomorrow. Disciples make disciples. Make time for discipleship. Build a relationship with your disciple. Be accountable. Love fully. Trust God to help you. Keep good records. Be faithful in little things. Keep your word. Be disciplined. Set guidelines to prevent being alone and avoid temptation. Plan your time together. Ask questions. Keep your lessons simple. Be discerning. Listen carefully. Fill your life with the Word. Be credible, reliable, and trustworthy. Maintain confidentiality. Do not share personal information your disciple has entrusted to you. Help them to reach out. Encourage them to make a new disciple. The greatest treasure we can give our disciples is our fervent prayers.
THE GIFT OF INTERCESSION:
"always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” Colossians 4:12.
Not only is Epaphras described as a dear fellow servant, and a faithful minister of Christ, he is also pictured as an intercessor. Epaphras agonized in prayer. He labored in prayer on behalf of his people. The Colossians were always in his prayer time. He toiled over them before God. There were no phones, WhatsApp, Skype, or Zoom in his days. Epaphras could not blog for them or post on Facebook. But he could pray! When he saw a problem, he made it his priority to pray about it. Epaphras wrestled in prayer. He was an intercessor! And Paul took note. Apostle Paul knew he was a prayer warrior. Epaphras agonized, wrestled, and prayerfully contended, for the Colossian church. His request was for them to stand mature in Christ. Epaphras prayed that the believers in the ancient cities of Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis, would know the will of God, and stand confident in it.
Are you praying to build up the church? You can start today! For God’s love to flow through you unrestrained, your heart needs to be free from sin. Confess your sins and accept the Lord’s cleansing and forgiveness. Come with confidence to the throne of grace on behalf of the church. Hebrews 4:16. Pray inquiry prayer. Be still and listen. Have a list. This is very simple, but effective. Pray for your pastor and his family. Intercede for the Sunday school, teenage, youth, and children’s ministries. Pray that the Spirit would empower them to teach with boldness and humility. Ask God to release power and unity in the different ministries within the church. Pray for the elders, families, and marriages. Ask God for increased sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading. Pray for maturity and spiritual growth. Pray that they would be open to God’s teaching and correction in their own lives. Try fasting while praying. Expect difficulty. Epaphras stood firmly for the Gospel. It resulted in his being put in prison, but he continued praying. Have a team. When one intercessor is exhausted, another can encourage the other and help shoulder more of the burden. Be disciplined. The intercessor will not succeed without discipline.
YOU'RE NOT FORGOTTEN:
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58.
In the Bible, Epaphras is a minor character, yet he made a major impact on the growth of the Gospel. People may or may not notice or appreciate your service, but God sees and He will surely reward you. Nothing you do for Him is a waste of time or effort. He never forgets the labor of His workers. Be firm. Don’t be discouraged. Your labor of love is not in vain! “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name” Hebrews 6:10a. If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. Kindly say this prayer: O LORD, I come to You. I know I am a sinner, forgive me. Jesus, from today, I accept You as the LORD of my life. Change my heart from a disobedient heart to a heart that will obey You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, write my name in the Book of Life, and make me brand new in Jesus' name. Amen!
"23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23-24.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. O Lord, help me to pray faithfully for churches, ministries, families, and institutions, in Jesus' name.
2. Father, keep me firmly in your will and growing in the grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
3. Give me, O Lord, a greater burden for intercessory prayer, in Jesus' name.
4. Lord Jesus, give me discernment to know Your will and give me the courage to be obedient to Your voice.
5. Help me, Father, to always stand firm, realizing that my labor is not in vain, in Jesus' name.
6. Dear Father, I receive grace to do all you have ordained and created me for, in Jesus’ name.
7. O Lord, help me to be your disciples, learning from you, that I may make disciples of others, in Jesus' name.
8. Thank you for answering my prayers.
