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• So soon we end Colossians 4 today with an anointed word from Minister James Deke! You’ll be super blessed by this! 🤗📖
• We continue with 1 Thessalonians 1 tomorrow on our 50 Days Quiet Time journey. (Why don’t you join in?)
• As iron sharpens iron, may we continue to sharpen one another with the Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God 🔥

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

While imprisoned in Rome, the Apostle Paul sent Tychicus to deliver three of his epistles to the Ephesians, the Colossians, and to Philemon and to accompany a runaway slave, Onesimus, back to his master in Colosse (Col. 4:7–9).

• Philemon, the master of Onesimus, was a prominent member of the Church in Colosse, and historical accounts suggest that church gatherings were held in his home.
• Philemon had a son, Archippus, with Apphia. It is to this Archippus that Paul directed his personal charge in Colossians 4:17: 

“Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.”

Although this instruction was given specifically to Archippus, it carries a timeless message to every believer; to faithfully carry out the ministry we have received from the Lord. As Jesus said in Mark 13:37, “And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”

• It is worth noting that every believer or Christian has received a ministry, and this ministry is in the Lord.
• We must take heed (to be careful, vigilant, and pay close attention) to the ministry and fulfill or complete it (Eph 4:11-12).

What is ministry?

The word ministry simply means service. It is derived from the Greek word, “diakonia”, meaning to serve or attend to the needs of others. In essence, ministry is performing responsibilities as a servant of God. 

• Every believer, therefore, has a responsibility or duty in the Lord and must be faithful in fulfilling it. 
• Jesus Himself, our perfect example, lived a life of complete service. He said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28).
• His entire earthly ministry was one of humility, compassion, and obedience to the Father’s will (John 9:4; Luke 22:27, John 17:4).

"I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do." ~ John 17:4

"I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work." ~ John 9:4

The Threefold (3) Ministry of the Believer:

The ministry of the believer can be categorized into three, ministry to the Lord, ministry to the body, and ministry to the world. These groupings are defined based on the recipient or beneficiary of the ministry rendered.

In order to fulfill the ministry as commanded in Col 4:17, we must clearly understand what the ministry entails. Let’s briefly look at the threefold ministry of the believer.

a. Ministry to the Lord:

The first ministry of the believer is unto the Lord Himself. Apostle Peter shows us in his first book that we are a royal priesthood:

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people...” ~ 1 Peter 2:9. 

• One of the primary responsibilities of the priesthood in the Old Testament was to minister to the LORD (Eze 44:15-16).
• This is the primary ministry of the believer, and we must prioritize it above all else (Acts 13:1-2).
• We minister to the Lord through adoration, which includes praise, thanksgiving, and worship in deep reverence. 

In fulfilling this ministry, it is all about Jesus; it is a ministry of the heart and from the heart (Psalms 27:4,8, 2 Chronicles 16:9, John 4:23-24).

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” ~ John 4:23-24

I strongly believe this is the ministry of ministries, upon which all other ministries can be clearly identified and fulfilled. It is the premise for intimacy with God. 

b. Ministry to the Church:

In God’s plan for building His church, He has given service or ministry graces to every believer with which we are to serve the church, which is the body of Christ.

• Some have the grace to usher, counsel, sing, play an instrument, encourage, exhort, organize, teach, offer help, etc. (Romans 12:4-8). 
• Through these, we are edified, nourished, fed, formed, framed, and built up in Christ (1 Cor 14:26, Eph 4:12-13).

Every Christian has been graced to be involved in this ministry. You must identify your ministry to the body and fulfill it. There is something you can do for God in church (also in AWG), roll up your sleeves and let’s dirty our hands for God.

There are several ways one can find his/her God-ordained ministry, they include:

• Divine revelation (1 Cor 2:9-12, 1Tim 4:14, Acts 13:2)

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ~ Acts 13:2

• Spiritual giftings and abilities (1 Cor 12:4-7)

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: ~ 1 Cor 12:4-7

• Spiritual desires (1 Tim 3:1, Acts 7:22-25, Matt 9:36)

• Ease of work (Luke 2:46-47)

"After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers." ~ Luke 2:46-47

• Mentorship or discipleship (Acts 9:6)

“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” ~ Acts 9:6

• Necessity or opportunity (1 Cor 9:16-17)

For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. ~ 1 Cor 9:16-17

c. Ministry to the world:

The third part of our ministry as believers is our ministry to the world, also known as the ministry of reconciliation. Jesus saved us from the world to save the world. We have been reconciled to reconcile (2 Cor 5:17-20).

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. 
And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. ~ (2 Cor 5:17-20)

• It is God’s heart desire that all men will be saved and the friendship between God and man be restored.
• This restoration project (the ministry of reconciliation – 2 Cor 5:18) started with Jesus during His walk on earth and has now been handed over to every believer (Matt 18:11, Luke 19:10, John 20:21, Mark 16:15)

We are to witness, testify, and tell the world that Jesus saves and that we have tasted of the Lord’s saving power and goodness – how refreshing and satisfying it is to us. 

With the spoken words of our mouth and the unspoken words of our lifestyle, we must reach out to the dying world.

Every Christian must carry out all three ministries: minister to the Lord, to the Church, and to the world. 

It is not enough to receive the ministry; we must fulfil it, complete the assignment, finish the course, and keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

• In the end, may we hear the Master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
• So today, hear again Paul’s timeless admonition: “Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.” 

Beloved, it’s time to fulfil your ministry! ~ Minister James Deke

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