For the Faithfulness of Epaphras

Introduction

Tonight we’re going to begin looking through this wonderful epistle unto the Colossians, and in particular, one man named in v7 - Epaphras (Ep’-a-frass)

As many of you know, and the Scripture tells us, Paul is the author of this epistle, while in the company of Timothy. (v1)

Most date this epistle as being written about 60AD, somewhere around 25-26 years after the Death & Resurrection of the LORD Jesus.

But unlike many of the epistles that Paul wrote, Colosse wasn’t a place where Paul had visited and begun a local church. (That’s not to say that Paul didn’t have influence upon it, he most certainly would have, as those who founded the church could most likely trace their Spiritual roots back to Paul… which leads me to Epaphras.

Epaphras was certainly known by Paul as he’s mentioned at both the beginning and conclusion of this letter, as well as Paul’s letter to Philemon. The church here at Colosse that Paul never visited was surely - at least in part - founded by this man Epaphras. PAUL CERTAINLY ATTRIBUTES IT TO HIM ANYWAY.

With all that being said, I want to preach a message unto you titled ‘For the Faithfulness of Epaphras’.

The Bible describes him in Colossians 1:7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;

Because Epaphras was faithful, people were blessed.

Faithfulness leads to being a Blessing - as we’ll look at in this message tonight, but I want to make sure you understand something: Faithfulness leads to blessings as well.

(In Jesus’ parable of the pounds): Luke 19:17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

(In Christ’s instructions): Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

The Bible tells us that not only was he faithful, but he was ‘minister’ (def) an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially, a Christian teacher and pastor

So in looking at this Scripture, we see that TO THEM, Epaphras was a Faithful Minister OF Christ - he faithfully served Jesus by teaching & preaching unto the people the Word of God.

In looking at Epaphras, I want you to see the difference a Godly Christian can make in the lives of many.

First thing that I want to examine that the Faithfulness of Epaphras to the Word of God and to His Christ bestowed unto the people at Colosse is Faith in Christ Jesus

I. Faith (v4a)

The Avenue for Faith

There’s a wonderful verse of Scripture found in Romans - and if you’re familiar with the ‘Romans Road’ this is often a verse used there. It says: Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Aren’t you glad for that truth! I’m a ‘whosoever’! I’m thankful that we have that assurance. But I want instead to focus on what Paul continues on to say in the next verses: Romans 10:14-15 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Saving Faith can only come if SOMEONE is a Faithful minister of Christ as was Epaphras!

Church, might I remind you - there is no other way to Heaven, but by faith.

Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

The Application of their Faith

They placed their faith in Christ Jesus!

Do you know what the most common place people place their faith in the hopes of going to Heaven? Their works.

Most people in either their ignorance or vanity think that they will be ‘good enough’ to get in - but it doesn’t work that way, does it.

Paul tells us: Romans 4:1-5 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Paul also in: Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Paul to Titus: Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

If not for the Faithfulness of Epaphras, those Colossians would most likely have figured themselves to be ‘ok’ in the sight of God by their works as well - either that or by their false Gods.

For the Faithfulness of Epaphras, those Colossians Placed their Faith in Christ. Not only that, but they enjoyed Fellowship with the Saints

II. Fellowship (v4b)

Burden Bearers

The Bible tells us: Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

One of the purposes for church is not simply to listen to the preacher - but it’s to build this community of like-minded people who will help one another through this world in which we live. Because we are IN this world, but not OF this world, the going can get hard. This is why we’re told to Edify one another. To bear one another’s burdens.

We are God’s church, therefore we share our burdens so that our brethren can pray for them and us. Comfort us when we’re hurting. Help us when we’re down.

Epaphras blessed those people with leading them into a community of Burden Bearers

Fellow Laborers

Notice how Paul describes Epaphras in v7 - ‘Fellowservant’.

You’ve undoubtedly heard the term ‘Many hands make light work’. Well it’s true.

(Ill.) If I ask one of you to move this pew, depending on where it needed to go, you may or may not be able to accomplish it. But if I ask two… it’s much more manageable. But what if 3 or 4 helped, working together? Something like this is easy for us to relate to, but the truth is Ministry is no different. If one a few of us are striving to build this church by sharing the Gospel and being a living testimony, we’re going to struggle - but if we’re all on board, LABORING TOGETHER, the work would be much easier, and the building would magnificent.

Paul implored the church in Phiippi: Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

In Nehemiah’s day, when they went to build back the walls of Jerusalem, the Scripture says: Nehemiah 4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.

Epaphras blessed them with Fellowship

For the Faithfulness of Epaphras, those Colossians Placed their Faith in Christ. They enjoyed Fellowship with the Saints. Next we see that they had a Future

III. A Future (v5a)

Something to Look Forward To

I don’t know about you, but whenever I look at the ‘news of the day’ I get a little depressed. Oftentimes angry.

You’ll be discouraged by:

The state of our government

The absence of morals

The distortion of God - His mindset & expectations

The skyrocketing inflation

In California, we have a recall election because of the tyrannical Governor robbed people of their lives & livelihoods through lock downs & the candidate that is best suited to replace him is a transgender former Olympic athlete! News can be depressing!

But I sure an glad that this world is not my home! I have a better one to look forward to!

Jesus said: John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Epaphras gave them something to look forward to! But also something to rest in

Something to Rest In

Jesus continued: John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Church - by the authority of the Word of God I assure you today that Jesus did go… and He’s coming back!

We can rest in the truth: 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Paul encouraged the church in Theselonica with these words: 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Paul said ‘Hey I know that it’s bad now, but rest with us, knowing that it’s going to get better!

Epaphras gave them something to Rest in! A future Home in Glory

For the Faithfulness of Epaphras, those Colossians Placed their Faith in Christ. They enjoyed Fellowship with the Saints. They had a Future Home in Heaven. Next we see that they had Fruit

IV. Fruit (v6b)

When we consider fruit, we have a few things to think on:

Nourishes Others

If any of you ate an apple this week, you did so because a tree was good enough to bear it one day.

And I’m sure you’ve heard the saying ‘An apple a day keeps the doctors away’. There’s a reason for that: because men figured out long ago that apples were good for you. They give you nutrition your body needs to be strong.

Church we should be fruit bearers. And the fruit that we bear should be good in that it nourishes others - gives them what they need for life: Not physically like an apple, but Spiritually!

Fruit Nourishes Others

Recreates Life

In speaking of His own death Jesus gave this illustration: John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

In God’s creation, He has made it to reproduce itself. Genesis 1:11-12 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

The fruit that we bear should not only nourish others, but reproduce as well.

We have the ‘seed within us’ that must be planted so that it will bring forth fruit. (Parable of the Sower - Mat. 13)

We see that the Sower sowed (v3) in various places - some producing fruit (v8), then we see that Jesus tells us what He was sowing in v18-19

The seed within us will bring forth life - if we cast it.

Testifies of the Tree

Jesus said: Luke 6:43-44 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

Epaphras gave them the Opportunity to bring forth fruit - and that fruit Nourishes Others, Recreates Life & Testifies of the Tree

For the Faithfulness of Epaphras, those Colossians Placed their Faith in Christ. They enjoyed Fellowship with the Saints. They had a Future Home in Heaven. Then we see that They had Fruit and lastly - they had Friends

V. Friends (v8-9)

Epaphras told Paul and Timothy ‘Hey, ‘yall got some people over here in Colosse that love the LORD - and love you. So what we see for lack of better words is that those at Colosse for the Faithfulness of Epaphras gained them at Colosse friends in Paul & Timothy.

Not a Facebook Friend

This world has distorted what true friends are. And while you may have some real friends that are on the Facebook, you don’t have them because of Facebook - and often times in spite of it!

These were not Facebook friends - they were Faithful Friends

But Faithful Friends

Look at v9 - they PRAYED FOR THEM! That’s the kind of friends we need!

Conclusion

What a blessing Epaphras had on those at Colosse. Let me tell you something - one person can make a difference! The key is that you must be a faithful minister of Christ (v7) and faithfully share the Word of God (v5) as Epaphras did.