Tomorrow is a day that we recognize as Veterans Day. It is day that we honor those who signed a blank check with their lives to protect the freedoms we share as a country. To my fellow veterans, I thank you for the sacrifices you’ve made for my freedom. And as a church you thank you.
The great philosopher BOB DYLAN, said:
“A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.”
Peter Marshall said:
“May we think of freedom, not as a right to do as we please, but as an opportunity to do what is right!”
Jennifer Granholm said:
“Caring for veterans should not be a partisan issue, it should be an American issue.”
Someone once say, “We may not know them all, but we owe them all.”
Another unknown writer said, “If you want to thank a soldier, be the type of American worth fighting for.”
Finally, someone else said, “America without her soldiers is like God without His angels.”
Veterans are men and women,
who fight because they care.
They give their lives to serve our country,
by land, by sea, or by air.
They serve because they love us.
They serve because
they want a better future for their country,
a better future for their world.
Serving comes with consequences,
that they know and are willing to dare.
You can’t find a braver person,
here or anywhere.
They fight for their rights.
They fight for our lives,
and we owe them all a thank you
for all that they’ve sacrificed.
As we continue this series of message on Reasons to be Thankful from the book of Philemon, I feel it appropriate on this day that we honor our veterans to share this message from Paul that in the two verses we will look at take a snapshot of this man names Archippus, who Paul considers to be his “fellow soldier.”
Philemon 2 says “1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: 3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Now look with me at Colossians 4:17, “And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.”
This morning, I want to share this simple thought, “I’m Thankful for my Fellow Soldiers.”
The letter Paul is writing here to Philemon was part of what is known as “The Prison Epistles,” meaning that they were written while Paul was in prisoned in Rome between 61-63 A.D.
Some believe that Apphia was Philemon’s wife, and that could very well be true as the name is a female name. Some also believe that Archippus is the son of Philemon and Apphia.
The truth is, I can’t prove that to be true. But in the same sense, I can’t disprove it either.
Now, if he is in fact the son of Philemon and Apphia, we can make some assumptions:
- We can assume that he raised in a Christian home.
- We can assume that he himself is a Christian.
- And we can assume that he surrendered his life to be a soldier of faith.
What we can be assured of in these two short verses, is that Archippus was a “fellow Soldier” in the ministry with the Apostle Paul. He was on “Active Duty” in Spiritual Warfare for the Lord. And as a soldier, he was expected to:
- Fulfill his duty (Col. 4:17)
- He was expected to be faithful to his commander.
- He was expected to endure hardship as a good soldier.
- And he was expected to “fight a good faith.”
I look around this church today and I see a group of people who have joined us to “fellow Soldiers” in this ministry. And as good soldiers, we are expected to:
- Fulfill our duty
- To be faithful to our commander
- To endure hardship as a good soldier.
- And to “fight a good fight of faith.”
Here is a very short 3-point message about Archippus based on Colossians 4:17:
ARCHIPPUS WAS CALLED – “And say to Archippus . . .”
This term “called” is often misused and misrepresented. You hear people say, “I “feel” God is calling me to something . . .” The truth is folks, our “feelings” change, God’s mission for our lives does not.
Without exception, the theological use of this word “called” always represents God’s power of forgiveness and redemption on our lives when we are “called to salvation.”
Archippus was “called” BY NAME.
ARCHIPPUS WAS COMMISSIONED – “Take heed to the ministry which thou received in the Lord”
God had a particular ministry for Archippus to do. Whether he was the pastor of the church in Colosse, or to be an assistant pastor, I am not certain. What I am certain of is that whatever it was, it was God appointed.
ARCHIPPUS WAS CHALLENGED – “That thou fulfil it.”
Paul is challenging Archippus to finish what he started and to be a good soldier of the faith.
In order for me to really understand a message, I try to put myself in the text. I try to bring it alive in my life. So, let me share with you how I picture this message from Paul.
I imagine in those days, as Paul was sending out these letters from prison, whoever was delivering the messages, probably came at a time with the church was gathering together, whether that be the church in Rome, or the Church in Corinth, or the church in Galatia, or Ephesus, or Philippi, or Colosse or the church in Philemon’s house. And the deliverer would bring the letter, either he, or the head of the church would read the letter to the gathered audience.
I picture this being the setting when this letter was delivered to Colosse, to the church in Philemon’s house. As the deliver begins to read, Paul mentions that he is a prisoner of Jesus Christ, he then recognizes his fellow laborer and son in the faith Timothy. Then he recognizes Philemon, and Apphia, and then his fellow soldier Archippus.
Can you see Archippus sitting there when his name is called? I’m sure his ears perked up when he heard these words from Paul:
“And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it”
“Archippus, God has chosen you for a purpose. He has given you something that only you can do. So Archippus, be a good soldier of the faith and finish what you’ve started.”
“You see Archippus, faithfulness calls for both focus and fulfillment”
“Remember Archippus, he which hath begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ.”
- So, If I were to leave a letter to you, I would hope to say to you:
- Be a good soldier of Faith,
- Be faithful to the work that God has for you.
- It won’t always be easy but endure hardship as a good soldier.
- Finish what you started.
I encourage you all to be anything but aimless! Serve God purposefully. Serve Him with FOCUS and Serve Him with FAITH. Be a good soldier of Jesus Christ!
Fighting for My Pea Patch 