The missions ministry of Epaphras
Colossians 4:13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #502 Heralds of the Light, Be Swift (#259 in previous version)
Colossians is a letter that Paul sent to the church of Colosse. The Scripture is about the missions work of Epaphras, and Epaphras is a worker who carried out the evangelism movement in blind spots without the Gospel, namely, Laodicea and Hierapolis. Like Epaphras, we must hold on to the commission to relay God’s blessings to the fields of the world.
1. Laodicea
Laodicea (or Laodikya) is the old name of a city in Turkey that Antiochus II Theos named after his wife. Water with healing power came down from the nearby natural hot spring region called Hierapolis. The city was a commercial region that was wealthy especially due to medicine for the eyes made with the spring water. However, it was a city filled with disaster on the inside because there was no Gospel. Epaphras opened his spiritual eyes and spread the Gospel in Laodicea, and Paul and his disciples supported him so that he can evangelize.
2. Hierapolis
Hierapolis (Pambuk-Kale) was a city that was deep inside of idol worship, shamanism, and fortune-telling. Consequently, many people suffered from poverty and various mental illnesses. Epaphras spread the Word in this region and fostered Gospel unity. When Epaphras put the covenant in his heart and shared the Word, the work of the Holy Spirit that changed the region was revealed. The Word of God is living and is fulfilled after it is proclaimed. We must begin praying to share the Gospel by holding on to the names of the people we come across in our fields that come to mind.
3. Colosse
The church of Colosse (Honas), a church raised by Paul, was very fruitful. It was the church of the lay leader Philemon, and even Onesimus who was Philemon’s servant. In prison, he met Paul and was changed into an evangelist and became a supervisor in serving the church. Epaphras is the one who ran errands for this work. Epaphras helped Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus join their hearts in communication, and he served as an example for the ministry of preaching the Gospel.
- Meditate on the spiritual answers that was brought by one person Epaphras. What are the errands that I must run for the sake of the church, the pastors, fields, lay leaders, and Remnants? Immanuel Sunday Sunday Worship 2nd Service / 2011. 12. 18