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Study 10 How do I fulfill God's purpose or ministry? Archippus as a case study

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@Livingwater Study 10 ARCHIPPUS: FULFILLING OUR MINISTRY (Scripture Portion: 2 Timothy 2: 1-15) This concluding study in our series is based upon one of Paul’s requests at the end of his Letter to the Colossians:- “Tell Archippus: ‘See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.’ ” (Colossians 4:17) It almost seems as if this personal note was added as a postscript at the end of his letter. Let us look at the four very important thoughts contained in this one verse –- verse 17:- 1 . THE REQUEST THAT PAUL MAKES It is very simple indeed: “Say something to Archippus!” Who was he? He is only mentioned here and in Paul’s letter to Philemon. It is very likely that he was the son of Philemon, in which case he lived in a fine Christian home in Colosse; and he was a minister, a leader, a pastor having the charge of an assembly of believers. Was he the pastor of the church at nearby Laodicea –- Colossians 4:16? In Philemon 2 he is spoken of as Paul’s “fellow-worker”...
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Study 9 what are the snares of worldliness? Demas as a case study!

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@Livingwater Study 9 DEMAS: THE SNARE OF WORLDLINESS (Scripture Portion: 1 John 2: 15-29) Almost every character of whom we read in the Word of God is known for something; each is associated with some deed of glory and honour, or of shame and dishonour. The subject of this study is Demas, who is mentioned in Colossians 4:14. Here was a man who lived and worked with the apostle Paul but who afterwards, like John Mark, deserted him (Luke 9:62). When Paul wrote this Colossian letter all was well (Colossians 4:14), but things had tragically changed when, some four years later, he wrote to Timothy –- see 2 Timothy 4:10. Demas had been a man of great privilege. He had been converted at Thessalonica, most likely through the ministry of Paul. Added to this, he actually worked with the great apostle. But though he was so privileged, he suffered a serious spiritual breakdown; and we must remember that his backsliding started in his heart before it became manifest in his life –- look up Prove...
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Study 8 Who's Epaphras?

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@Livingwater Study 8 EPAPHRAS: AN EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW (Scripture Portion: 2 Corinthians 4: 1-12) In Colossians 4:12 the apostle Paul describes Epaphras as “a servant of Christ Jesus”. He is mentioned only three times in the New Testament –- in Colossians 1:7-8; 4:12-13 and Philemon 23. He was a native of Colosse and a zealous worker for the Lord; through his ministry many of his fellow-countrymen had been converted, and thus the church at Colosse had been founded. In this church, as well as in the assemblies at Laodicea and Hierapolis, Epaphras exercised a pastoral and a teaching ministry (Colossians 4:12-13). 1 . EPAPHRAS WAS A BELOVED FELLOW -WORKER In Colossians 1:7 the apostle describes Epaphras as his “dear fellow-servant”. There was a special reason for referring to him in this way. At the time this epistle was written Epaphras was with Paul in prison, and he had visited Paul to seek his advice and counsel concerning errors which were creeping into the church at Colosse. But...
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Study7 What does John Mark have to do with "turn back"?

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@Livingwater Study 7 JOHN MARK: HE TURNED BACK! (Scripture Portions: Acts 13: 1-13; 15: 36-41) We all need the solemn warning of Luke 9:62, and this particular study is specially designed to warn us from taking any course which will bring dishonour upon the Name of the Lord and unhappiness into our lives. John Mark stands out on the pages of the New Testament as a great character –- but he did “turn back”; however, from that position of spiritual relapse he “turned again” and was a most useful servant of the Lord and one whose ministry the apostle Paul valued tremendously (2 Timothy 4:11). In addition, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he wrote the Gospel which bears his name (2 Timothy 3:16). Let us gather up the scripture allusions to this man, whose Hebrew name was John and whose Roman name was Mark (or Marcus). 1 . JOHN MARK WAS GREATLY FAVOURED IN HIS YOUTH His mother was a Christian. We read in Acts 12:12 that the saints met for prayer in her home. He must have had ...
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Study 6 what does Holy living really mean?

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@Livingwater Study 6 A CHAPTER ON HOLY LIVING (Scripture Portion: Colossians 3: 1-25) The whole thrust of Paul’s argument and appeal in this chapter may be summed up thus: “Christian, because of your union with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, ascension and exaltation, your life must be different!” The first two chapters of this letter are doctrinal, but now, with chapter three, we move into the practical and experimental teaching of the epistle. Our belief must behave; our creed must be translated into conduct; what we are “in Christ” (our standing ) must be influenced by and must affect what we are (our state), wherever we are. The doctrine is vitally important, but we must make it attractive (Titus 2:10), and because of all that we are by virtue of our union with Christ, our whole life must be different. 1 . WHAT ARE WE BY VIRTUE OF OUR UNION WITH CHRIST? The expression “with Christ”, which occurs three times, (in verses 1, 3 and 4), gives us the answ...
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Study 5 what does it mean to receive and walk with Christ?

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@Livingwater Study 5 RECEIVING AND WALKING IN CHRIST (Scripture Portions: Psalm 1 and Colossians 2: 6-10) In Colossians 2:6-10 the apostle Paul appeals to Christians to go on in the same way as they started (verse 6). Just as we receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, so we must go on living and labouring –- walking by faith. This passage of scripture, the key-verse of which is verse 6, contains three vital truths about the Christian life:- 1 . WE ARE TOLD WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO BE A CHRISTIAN What is a Christian? Some people believe that to be born in a “Christian” country, to have received a Christian education, or to accept and apply Christian principles makes a person a Christian. Or, they believe that being christened, baptised or becoming a member of a church makes anyone a Christian. No! It is possible to do all these things and still not be a Christian. According to verse 6, and other scriptures to which we shall refer, a Christian is one who has “received Christ Jesus ...
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Study 4 what do I mean by pastor's conflict?

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Study 4 THE PASTOR’S CONFLICT (Scripture Portions: Acts 11: 19-26; Colossians 2: 1-5) Paul had never seen the Christians at Laodicea or Colosse face to face, yet he writes to them of his deep concern for their spiritual welfare and of the burden upon his heart for their spiritual and eternal well-being –- Colossians 2:1. What an unveiling of the apostle’s heart! He is a model for every minister, pastor, leader and worker in the Lord’s vineyard; an example we can never hope to equal but should seek by grace to follow. In Colossians 2:1-5 we are told seven things about this conflict of which Paul speaks in verse 1:- 1 . THE NATURE OF THE CONFLICT It was not primarily physical; it was spiritual, mental and emotional. His great heart yearned over the Christians at Laodicea and Colosse, and this issued in a volume of intercessory prayer on their behalf. Paul’s conflict was a burden of spiritual desire for the blessing of the Lord to rest upon those who had been converted through his min...
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