“…to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house…”

Archippus our fellow soldier,

Archippus was Philemon’s son or possibly the pastor of the congregation or both.  He was a “fellow soldier” with Paul.  A “fellow soldier” is someone who undergoes brutal battle in campaigns for the cause of Christ with someone else.  Archippus was a trooper in the cause of Christ. 

Php 2:25, “Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need…”

Archippus is mentioned twice in the Bible: 1) here, and 2) Colossians 4:17, where Paul challenges Archippus to be true to his ministry.  He ministered at Laodicea and Colosse, both of which were in the Lycus valley. 

PRINCIPLE: 

Success in ministry requires an unswerving commitment to one’s calling. 

APPLICATION: 

Successful ministry takes unswerving staunchness to one’s calling.  Paul had this attitude.

Ac 20:24, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

Paul challenged Timothy to “make full proof” of his ministry.

2 Ti 4:5, “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

If God leads you to do ministry, do not settle for the Presidency of the United States nor the Prime Minister of Canada.  Keep unswerving loyalty to God’s calling upon your life.  Don’t settle for anything less. 

Unswerving ministry means that there will be many battles.  Ministry always involves hardships.  It is not easy being a missionary or pastor.  At times you will lay wounded on the spiritual battlefield, but a good soldier of Jesus will keep fighting until he draws his last breath.  Ministry is blessed and gratifying but not easy or glamorous. 

2 Ti 2:1-4, “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. ³ You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ⁴ No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”