Epaphras: The Fervent Warrior
Sermon by Pastor Bob Johnson / Nov 26, 2023
Series: The Underrated
Text: Colossians 4:12-13
Introduction:
The Underrated
Aquilla and Priscilla – The servants of God
Barnabas – The Encourager
Boaz – The Kinsman Redeemer
Epaphras – The Fervent Warrior
Q: When you hear the word Fervent, what do you think of?
Fervent = having or displaying a passionate intensity
(MULTILINE REVEAL)
1 Samuel – fervently prayed for a child.
Psalm 6 – The fervently pleaded for mercy and healing.
1 Kings 18 – prayed fervently for God to send fire.
2 Kings 20 – prayed fervently for God to heal him.
Daniel 9 – prayed fervently for repentance on behalf of his people.
John 17 – prayed fervently for His disciples
Epaphras demonstrated a strong , a rich prayer life, a boldness in sharing the even at the risk of suffering, and deep for those in whom he had invested spiritually.
(MULTILINE REVEAL)
The three descriptions of Epaphras give us three instructions to follow:
Description #1
Epaphras is described as a fellow of Jesus Christ. (Philemon 1:23)
Instruction #1
Be to Jesus Christ regardless of the cost.
(Luke 14:27-33) And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
(Proverbs 28:20) A faithful man shall abound with blessings,
(1 Corinthians 4:2) Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.
(1 Timothy 1:12) And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
Description #2
Epaphras is described as a dear fellow . (Colossians 1:7)
-He taught the Scriptures to the believers in Colossae.
-He was a faithful minister of Christ.
-He declared the believer’s love in the spirit.
One of the greatest descriptions given to Jesus is a servant.
(Philippians 2:5-8) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
(MULTILINE REVEAL)
Instruction #2
Have a spirit in all of your interactions with others.
(Philippians 2:3-4) Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
(Galatians 5:13) For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
(Hebrews 10:24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
(Ephesians 4:32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
(1 Peter 4:8) And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Description #3
Epaphras is described as a servant of Jesus Christ laboring fervently in . (Colossians 4:12)
“Laboring fervently” = agonize, to struggle, to compete for a prize
What did Epaphras agonize over?
Verse 13 = Epaphras has great zeal for those he was praying for. Fervent prayer produces great zeal. We lose our zeal when we fail to pray!
(MULTILINE REVEAL)
Instruction #3
Labor fervently in for the people you love.
(Ephesians 1:16) Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
(Colossians 1:9) For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
(2 Thessalonians 1:11) Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
(James 5:16) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
The fervent warrior is faithful to Jesus Christ regardless of the cost.
The fervent warrior has a servant spirit in all their interactions with others.
The fervent warrior labors fervently in prayer for the people they love.
Are you living as a fervent warrior for your commander and chief, Jesus Christ?
(MULTILINE REVEAL)