Completion

06.18.14

Colossians 4.17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.” NIV

When’s the last time someone said to you, “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”? How are you doing in your ministry? What victories have you experienced; what lessons have you learned? Have your gifts grown?

Paul knew Archippus (ark – hee – poos); he knew him from a previous visit. He knew him well enough to mention him by name and call out his ministry efforts. God knew Archippus as well. Perhaps Archippus wasn’t taking his ministry seriously. Perhaps he’d suffered some setbacks and felt like giving up. Of all the people Paul knew in Colossae, he called out and challenged Archippus to complete his ministry – Paul knew more than he let us onto, but Archippus knew. And God knew.

What is our ministry (not ours together, but ours individually. And maybe ours collectively)? Do we have one? If not, why not? Are there times we don’t take our ministry seriously? Are there times we suffer setbacks? Are there times when our commitment is called into question? What do we do or how do we react when that happens?

One day, God will call us all into question: What did you do with all I gave You? It isn’t a threat; it isn’t a stern warning – it’s just a question we will all have to answer. Now it doesn’t mean we’re to run right out and do something either; it just means if we’re not ministering, then perhaps a conversation with God is in order and perhaps a step of faith to follow that conversation. We’re all to minister in the Lord and we’re all to be involved in the lives of others for His sake. It’s who we are; it’s what we do.

Church is a 'team sport' and it’s also an active one. Inactivity means something is wrong. Either we don’t know, or we don’t believe – one or the other; something is wrong if we’re not ministering to someone somehow sometime.

Ministry is as simple as having a cup of coffee regularly with a group of peers. I’ve been doing that on Thursday mornings for the last 8 years. I hear and I am heard. There is no right or wrong – no win or lose; it’s just five or six guys who love each other and who love the Lord, who get together and talk about the Lord, the Church, and Kingdom issues. The coffee is always great and the conversation is always insightful and helpful. I think we love each other.

And those conversations lead to other ministry activity and the blossoming of love for God’s people. I know it’s helped me and challenged me to “…complete the ministry I have received in the Lord: the ministry of encouragement. I’m called by God to serve in His Church. It isn’t a win or lose thing: it’s a called to choose thing; I’m called to choose God’s Kingdom and to help His people over all the other things in my life.

Father, help me to fulfill and complete the ministry I have in You. Help me to stay focused on the goal and to bless people with encouragement along the path on which we all travel: You!

Thank You for calling and equipping this saint. May his work result in Your glory – amen.