Epaphras, who was he? We find him mentioned only in the books of Colossians, and Philemon.

In Philemon 23, we learn Epaphras was a fellow prisoner, with Paul.

He was a prisoner with Paul, because he was not ashamed to proclaim the Gospel.

We know, from Paul’s writing in Colossians 1 and 4:

~ Epaphras was our dear fellowservant.

He was not just a fellow prisoner, but a fellow servant. A Willing follower and Worker for Christ.

A man who is not afraid, to proclaim his Faith, his Belief, even if it leads to mockery, scorn, stripes, and even prison.

~ A faithful minister of Christ;

Saints, he didn’t just proclaim the Gospel, he lived it. The first century Christians, proclaimed the Gospel in the Power of the Holy Spirit.

Eastons Bible Dictionary defines a Minister as:

□ a subordinate officer or assistant employed in relation to the ministry of the gospel.

□ one who serves, as distinguished from the Master.

(See the Ministry Gifts Roman 12:4-9; Ephesians 4:11-12)

Moses, and Elijah’s Ministers, stayed by their sides, made sure their needs were supplied, their orders followed.

They are invisible, supporting the Master. Everything they do points to, Magnifies, Glorifies, Lifts up their Master. (Some people are naturally Ministers to those they respect)

Acts 4:29-31(KJV)

“And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.“

A powerful prayer, note please, they prayed; Lord, do what you have promised.

A faithful Minister did not just speak the Word. He was and should be, the Lord’s delivery man.

They delivered by the Power of the Holy Spirit, healing, comfort, peace, joy and the Love of Christ.

The Lord longs to touch and meet the needs of His people. He longs to use us to be the vehicle of His Grace.

We need to forget about ourselves, our wants desires, plans, and concentrate on pleasing Him.

We need to Know Him, and the Power of His Resurrection, the Fellowship of His sufferings, we must, be conformed to His image. (Philippians 3),

We should be invisible, pointing all to Christ.

~ Epaphras, also declared your love in the Spirit.

We heard:

☆ of your faith in Christ Jesus,

☆ of the love which ye have to all the saints,
☆ of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven.

This truth of the gospel; came to you because of the Faith and Zeal of Epaphras.

☆ that Gospel, brought forth fruit, since the day ye heard of it, and you knew the grace of God in truth:

Colossians 4:

Tells us of the Zeal of Epaphras, how he labors for the people in fervent, effective prayers that availeth much. (James 5)

We all, (every Church, fellowship, Christian), need an Epaphras, someone who loves us enough to battle in the Spiritual, for our mortal souls.

Who sees beyond this physical world into the next.

Are you an Epaphras?

Or do you fail, like I do, to make the cut.

There was another unsung giant, Onesimus.

In Philemon, Paul tells us, Onesimus, was at one time unprofitable to Philemon.

Through the Power of the Holy Spirit, he became so useful, Paul would have kept him as his own Minister, but felt that Philemon should receive Onesimus as a beloved brother.

To receive Onesimus, as he would Paul. If he had done Philemon any wrong, he was to forgive him, and charge it to Paul’s account.

In Colossians 4, we find Onesimus, to be a faithful and beloved brother.

If we have missed the mark, there is still time to change, to become a useful, truthful, trustworthy servant of God.

To learn to enter into the throne room of Grace, to receive the Grace and Mercy we need this day, hour or minute.

The Lord desires to walk with us, to empower those who are willing to accept the responsibility, the mantle of Leadership, in His Kingdom.