“And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.” (Colossians 4:17)
Upon closing his letter to the Colossians, Paul sends a special message to Archippus for him to make sure he is fulfilling his calling. It is possible that Archippus, for whatever reason, had started to neglect his ministry and this was affecting the church in some negative way. Why was his ministry so important? He had received it in the Lord. In other words, it was an assignment given to him by God, not men, and that made it of the utmost importance to see it through to the end. God never gives us a gift for no reason since he is a God of purpose. It’s possible that Archippus in fulfilling his ministry would set an example for other saints or prove how valuable the souls of men are or maybe help protect the church from doctrinal errors and other ungodly practices.
When God calls us out of darkness into the marvelous light of the Lord Jesus Christ, he saves us so we can get busy fulfilling a calling. Everyone has something to contribute to the church that will strengthen it which in turn glorifies God. When saints sit on the sidelines and neglect their gifts, it tends to weaken the church not only locally but universally. Whether we realize it or not our actions or lack of action in the body of Christ has a ripple effect throughout the church.
The ministry God calls us to do doesn’t always have to be something that man would consider spectacular. Even if it’s something that seems small and insignificant to us, God still considers it important. If you have a desire in your heart that will glorify God and you can’t seem to get it off your mind even when you try to avoid it, then the Holy Spirit is probably speaking to your spirit to encourage you to get busy. It doesn’t necessarily have to be something that is done within the four walls of your church building either. Remember, Christ and the apostles even though they attended synagogues regularly did most of their ministering away from the temple and synagogues.
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12: 6-8)
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)
So saint of God, please fulfill the ministry the Lord has called you to do. We could seriously use your help.
–Harry A. Gaylord–
sunandshield.wordpress.com 
It would be advantageous, not only for those who sit in the pews but also the pastors who do most of the work, if the Church began teaching and implementing 1Cor 12 and other such scriptures that deal with the Body of Christ.
Many do not know they have a calling by God because no one told them. If they knew, most would ask of God, and He would answer.
Truly the harvest fields are white and the workers are few.
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Yes, cumby, it’s unfortunate but true. Another contributing factor is the consumer mentality our society seems to have. We want to be served and entertained instead of rolling our sleeves up and getting to work for the kingdom.
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