Example of a Faithful Minister (Colossians 1:6-8) All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. (NIV) Paul rejoiced at the Evidence of the Colossians’ Salvation Paul rejoices over the Example of a faithful minister

All over the world this Gospel is bearing fruit and growing (1:6) Primary historical purpose of the NT John 15:16 - You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. (NIV) Reggie McNeil – We have a problem

Epaphras - Faithful Minister of Christ (1:7) Luke 12:20-21- "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Matt 6:19-21, 24 - "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Shares the Gospel (Learned it from Epaphras – 1:7) Two Characteristics – Grace and truth (1:6) Romans 10:13-17 - "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? … As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Shares the Gospel (Learned it from Epaphras – 1:7) “If I firmly believed, as millions say they do, that the knowledge and practice of religion in this life influences destiny in another, then religion would mean to me everything. I would cast away earthly enjoyments as dross, earthly cares as follies, and earthly thought and feelings as vanity. Religion would be my first waking thought and my last image before sleep sank me into unconsciousness. I should labor in its cause alone. I would take thought for the morrow of eternity alone. I would esteem one soul gained for heaven worth a life of suffering. Earthly consequences would never stay my hand, or seal my lips. Earth, its joys and its grief, would occupy no moment of my thought. I would strive to look upon eternity alone, and on the immortal souls around me, soon to be everlastingly happy or everlastingly miserable. I would go forth to the world and preach to it in season and out of season, and my text would be: “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?”

Steadfast (faithful) – 2nd In Witness Rom 10:21 But concerning Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people." Mark 4:11-12 - He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, "'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding.”

Steadfast (faithful) In Spiritual lives Rev 2:3-5 (Ephesus) - You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary … [but] You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. How do we recapture this first love? Remember Repent Return

Servant of Christ We are Christ’s ministers – not our own We have been purchased by Christ’s blood – more precious than silver or gold (1 Peter 1:18)

Conclusion What does it mean to have a legacy as a faithful minister? Share faith (single-minded), remain steadfast, servants of Christ Beliefs, actions, identity – are all around Jesus Christ - Jesus is the subject. Rev 3:7-9 - These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.