My Fellow workers

Col.4: 11, ‘These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.’

 Apostle Paul wrote the epistle of Colossians for the saints and the faithful brothers in Colosse from prison. He was always a zealous and anointed apostle who took no rest and faithfully finished the race of faith. In all situations, he remained encouraging and nothing could pull him down spiritually. But when we read these verses, we understand that there were a few people who were with Paul who always comforted him. He might have had many lives around him when he set out into ministry, but towards the end of his life, many abandoned him. Yet, God had kept a few who did not leave him even till the end.

We all need each other, no matter how much ever spiritually grown we might be. Even Jesus asked Peter, James and John to watch and pray with Him in the garden of Gethsemane. Church is like a body with various organs knitted together into a beautiful framework. Each organ is connected to the other in some way or the other. Failure of one organ affects the other. Similarly, we need to recognise the various ministries placed within the body of Christ and respect and encourage each other. Apostle Paul always made it a point to name all his fellow workers and appreciate them for what they did. It’s amazing to see the things which they did for the Lord and His servants, which clearly reveals the various effective ministries within the body of Christ. These fellow workers never sought any fame or recognition for what they did and their service contributed a lot to make both the believers and apostles like Paul stand in grace till the end.  He caused several names who were laboring for Christ in his knowledge appear in the Bible. And till today, they are known by all who read it all across the globe. Yes, we need a great heart to make Christ known and a greater heart to make known those who are around us and with us . Apostle Paul had both a great and a greater heart.

 Col.4:12, 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 ^[c]complete in all the will of God.   Epaphras, who was with Paul in prison, was a prayer warrior, who labored in prayers. He faithfully interceded for all lives in Colosse so that they would stand perfect before Christ. For this he might have needed just a room or even a corner of a room to bow his knees for the souls in the church. Prison walls and chains could not stop him from interceding. Nobody would have known this, had Paul not written about him. Today, when many are longing for ministries which highlight their names, God is looking for faithful intercessors who would cry at the feet of the Lord in their personal rooms for the perfection of the church. V 13 says that Epaphras had great zeal for the church in Colosse. May we be zealous to see our brothers and sisters in Christ growing in the Lord. Though ministry of intercession is hidden, but its most powerful tool for the perfection of church.

V 10 speaks about Aristarchus, who was in prison with Paul. Marcus and Justus were fellow workers of Paul and their presence comforted him. They all might have had different ministries to handle but worked together with Paul and comforted him. Comfort is needed not only for believers, but also for God’s anointed servants. Ministry of encouragement & comforting is a powerful ministry. Acts 15:36-40 speaks about how Paul and Barnabas got separated on the issue of Mark, who had proved unfaithful to the ministry. Paul refused to take him again with him for further ministry works, while Barnabas decided to give him one more chance and thus encourage him. In 2 Tim.4:11, we see Paul speaking about this same Mark as a person desired much for ministry. The encouragement given by Barnabas transformed Mark from an unfaithful and weak person to a strong & faithful man of God. We all are imperfect, though redeemed by the blood of the lamb, for we dwell in the sinful flesh.  Holy Spirit, who is the comforter, seeks to work through us to comfort and encourage each other. One word of encouragement can rise up anointed lives. On the other hand, one word of discouragement can pull down lives to ruin and destruction. May our tongues be controlled by the Spirit of God and thus be instruments of great comfort. Apostle Paul’s words of recognition and appreciation for all his fellow workers were not much, but the few words he wrote about them definitely must have boosted up their spiritual strength to continue to run faithfully for the Lord.

 Col.4:14, “Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.” 2 Tim.4:11,”Only Luke is with me.’ Luke, who was a physician was always with Paul. Other than writing the gospel of Luke and the acts of Apostles, we don’t have a written record of anything which he did for the Lord in the Bible. But by these verses, it’s clear that Luke was with Paul most of the time and the highlighting of his profession shows that it might have benefitted Paul and other fellow workers. Serving the Lord’s servants through one’s profession is yet another ministry which these passages reveal. Luke practiced ministry of medical mission, where he offered free medical aid to God’s servants.

 Rom.16:22, “I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord. “ In Paul’s day most letters were written by a professional scribe called an amanuensis. Sometimes the sender was illiterate, but generally an amanuensis was used to guarantee letters which would be grammatically sound and legible. Tertius was Paul’s scribe, and he inserted his own greeting at the close of the letter. As a professional, Tertius labored to collect the necessary materials for writing. This was not always easy since bulk paper production was not yet known. Although vellum or parchment (processed polished animal skins) were available, they were expensive. Paul was in Corinth while this was written and the gospel work in Corinth might not have allowed him to pen this himself. Tertius submitted himself to do what Paul was not able to do. He put efforts and as a result innumerable souls are being edified by this epistle till today. Had Tertius not greeted the church in Romans, this ministry of writing would have been hidden. He wrote what the Spirit of the Lord asked him to write through apostle Paul. Without travelling, the secrets and treasure of His Word reaches the corners of nations through the powerful and vast reaching ministry of writing. The pen preaches in the same power of Holy Spirit as the tongue of a God’s servant.

Rom.16:1-2,”I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, ² that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the -saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she, ‘ has been a helper of many and of myself also.” Phoebe sister was active in helping ministry. She helped many including God’s servants to fill up all the lacks which hindered the growth of gospel work. Urbane (Rom.16:9) was yet another helper. They might have got a name of ‘helper’ but their contributions caused their names to be recorded in the scriptures for all the nations to read and glorify the Lord for what they did for his kingdom. Helping ministry is needed much for the smooth running of a ministry.

 1 Cor.16:15, ‘ I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints.’  Ministry of saints focuses on equipping the children of God for the work of the Lord. Stephan as and his household contributed much in this area. They served God’s people out of unconditional love.   In the process, they built them up in God’s word, love and faith so that they would submit themselves to step out into the harvest field of souls.

Acts 16:14-15, Lydia who was from Thyatira and who stayed in Philippi got converted after hearing the gospel from apostle Paul. She got baptized and constrained Paul and those with him to come and stay in her house. Apostle Paul never made any missionary visit to Thyatira as per historical records. And Lydia was the first European lady to be converted.  Later in the book of Revelation, we see the church of Thyatira being addressed by the angel of the Lord.  Surely, the opening of Lydia’s house for the servants of God resulted in formation of a church. Opening one’s homes for God’s servants to dwell is a powerful ministry. If we cannot preach, let’s open the doors of our house for His anointed servants to come in and preach. Such houses are blessed and are a blessing to many. 2 Sam.6:11 says about how the house of Obededom was blessed when the ark of the Lord was kept there. Today as the church struggles to find suitable places to worship, may we open our homes for same.

Romans 16 and Colossians 4 speaks exclusively about various contributions and ministries which strengthened Paul’s apostolic ministry. Ministry is knowing the Lord and making Him known. God seeks laborers for the harvest is much and the laborers are few. Laborers are not just preachers and prophets. And no ministry is great or small. Only one person is great i.e. the Lord whom we serve. We all can labor for His kingdom in various ways through various gifts and talents bestowed upon us. We need to just be passionately in love with our Lord. That’s the only criteria needed for an effective ministry. And the only way for that is to focus on the love displayed on the cross of Calvary. Peter loved Jesus and hence was given the ministry to feed the lambs. Only love sustains the wear and tear the ministry might cause. Only love overcomes persecution that comes along with ministry. Only love dares to go through lonely lanes in seek of lost souls. Only love takes the pain of disciplining oneself. Only love reaches the finishing point of the race of faith.

Are we longing to serve the Lord? Are we seeking a ministry? Let’s pray that God fills our heart with unconditional love for the Lord and all around. That stimulates the birth of a powerful ministry. Let’s not seek fame or name but only the glory of the Lord through whatever ministry He hands over to us. Let’s be counted as faithful when He comes in glory.  Time is passing by. The end is approaching fast. Lets use the time wisely. May we all have burden for the perishing souls and submit to do what God asks us to do.

God bless us all

http://thebrokenbread.wordpress.com/