The little known soldier: Archippus
From wiki: The Tomb of the Unknowns (also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, although it has never been officially named) is a monument dedicated to American servicemen who have died without their remains being identified. It is located in ArlingtonNationalCemetery in the United States. The "Unknown Soldier" of World War I is a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the Victoria Cross, and several other foreign nations' highest service awards. The U.S. Unknown Soldiers who were interred afterwards are also recipients of the Medal of Honor, presented by the U.S. presidents who presided over their funerals.
It is considered one of the highest honors to serve as a sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Less than 20% of all volunteers are accepted for training and of those only a fraction pass training to become full-fledged Tomb Guards. The sentinels do not wear rank insignia on their uniforms so that they do not outrank the Unknowns, whatever their rank may have been.
There is a meticulous ritual the guard follows when watching over the graves:
1. The soldier walks 21 steps across the Tomb. This alludes to the 21-gun salute, which is the highest honor given to any military or foreign dignitary in America. His weapon is always on the shoulder opposite the Tomb (i.e., on the side of the gallery watching the ritual).
2. On the 21st step, the soldier turns and faces the Tomb for 21 seconds.
3. The soldier then turns to face the other way across the Tomb and changes his weapon to the outside shoulder.
4. After 21 seconds, the first step is repeated.
The little known soldier: Archippus
Philemon 1:2 (NASB) and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
Colossians 4:17 (NASB) Say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it."
In the ArlingtonNationalCemetery there is the famous Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Many such men have died in battle through history that died without being properly identified.
It is true that there are vast numbers of “Unknown Christian Soldiers” who have given everything for the cause of Christ, men and women who even gave up their lives so that the truth of the Word of God and the Message of eternal life would continue forward in time.
Though we know this man’s name – Archippus: “master of the horse”, a military name) - little is actually known about this early “soldier” of the faith. So he is not “unknown,” just “little known.” Just like the vast majority of us, beloved, we are little known except to a few family and friends. When we pass from this scene we will be probably soon be forgotten or, at best, little known. So I can identify with Archippus – he never wrote a book in the Bible; he never made a huge impact on the church or the world as far as we know; secular history records nothing of him; he was just a common, everyday man who was a believer, a man who lived his life out in this world and then, at some point, passed on to glory.
The three things we know:
- The apostle Paul considered him a “fellow soldier”
- He was in a “ministry” of some kind which he had “received in the Lord.”
- He was at Colossae at the time of theseletters
He may have been in the pastoral ministry at Colosse and possibly was later a pastor at the church in Laodicea (see Colossians 4:16). He may have been one of the 70 disciples that Christ sent out (Luke 10:1). Church tradition – which is often unreliable – states these things including that Archippus died as a martyr.
Since today is Father’s Day 2009, I want to use these simple facts from this “little known soldier” to challenge us men especially to consider our lives in the light of these fourkey words:
- “fellow soldier” (one word in the Greek)
- “ministry”
- “take heed” (one word in the Greek)
- “fulfill”
Fellow Soldier
The New Testament’s use of military metaphors is well known. The reason is this: the life of the born-again believer is a life of constant spiritual warfare from three main sources:
- Our own sin nature (Romans 7:23; 1 Peter 2:11)
- Spiritual forces of wickedness [the devil and his angels] (Ephesians 6:12)
- The satanic cosmic system – the world – in which we live which operates both independent of God and against God (1 John 2:15-17;5:19; James 4:4)
The moment you placed you faith alone in Christ alone you were transferred from the authority of darkness (Satan’s kingdom) into the kingdom of light (Christ’s kingdom) [Colossians 1:13]. At that moment you became a soldier in the battle for Truth.
The Lord Jesus Christ – our commander in this spiritual army – did not leave us alone. He has given us the Word of God and the Spirit of God to provide us with all we need to be a victor over the enemy. We have to learn to utilize these resources to succeed.
Ephesians 6:10-18 – to “stand firm” (v.11) means to not be overcome by the enemy in the face of battle; it means not to run away.
Men, it is especially important for us as the God-appointed leaders of home, church, and society to recognize this simple yet oh so profound fact: you are not only a soldier but you are to be a leader of soldiers! You have your commission: you are an officer in God’s army. Now lead!
Why did Paul point out Archippus for this special message? Probably because of the leadership potential Paul saw in him. Men of West Side, this is exactly what I see in every one you! I long to see each one of us maximize our full potential for Christ.
Paul called Archippus a “fellow soldier.” This is one who is a close associate, a trusted team member, in the hard work and in the unceasing conflict associated with the cause of Christ.The battle for the absolute Truth of God’s Word is not easy and no one should ever have to stand alone.The normal life of a soldier is that of supportive teamwork.
It is interesting to note that Paul calls only one other person by this title of “fellow soldier”:
Philippians 2:25 (NASB) But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need
Epaphroditus did that which every true soldier knows he must be willing to do:
Philippians 2:30 (NASB) because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.
Every believer is a soldier:
2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NASB) 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.
Who has enlisted you, beloved, as a soldier? ______
Let’s then consider what being a successful, victorious soldier for the cause of Christ entails by recognizing that every soldier must “suffer hardship”!A “good soldier” must be willing to go through whatever tough and difficult things you have to go through in order to be a “good soldier” and please the commander, the Lord Jesus Christ.
A good soldier: Some expectations and hardships:
Allegiance to your home country – obedience to the commander, the one you want to please - rigorous training (the learning and application of Bible Doctrine) – self-discipline – self-denial (“No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life”) –hard work – sacrifice of personal pleasures - proper use of weapons and protective gear – unity of purpose with others – faithfulness to your comrades in arms–facing opposition by the enemy - a willingness to fight the enemy – trustworthiness in battle – a desire for victory – never run away - a willingness to face death if called upon.
Point one: you are a soldier who has been enlisted by Christ Himself.
Ministry
Colossians 4:17 (NASB) Say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it."
Ministry means “labor or service for the benefit of others.”As we have discovered in the first Sunday Bible class (which meets at 9:45, just in case you forgot!), every believer – at the moment of salvation – has received spiritual gifts which he is to use in service to the church which is the body of Christ.
Every believer has a ministry of some kind they are to perform. Once again, who gives this ministry to us? ______
The ministry of Archippus may have been that of a Pastor-teacher. But you too – every believer – has been given a ministry. What are you doing with it? Are you involved?
2 Timothy 4:5 (NASB) But you, be sober in all things, endurehardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Once again, ministry will mean enduring hardship (difficulties, opposition, affliction, bad treatment, hard work, time consuming effort, monetary costs – all could be included and more). Life here is to be a life lived for the glory of the Lord, learning and sharing the Truth of the Word of God, giving out the Message of Life to the lost, serving others in the church – it is costly, it is hard, it is difficult. But the rewards are terrific!TOUGHEN UP!BOTH SOLDIERING AND MINISTERING ENTAIL HARDSHIP!
Point two: you have a ministry of service from God – it is not optional!
Take heed
The single Greek word translated “take heed” means to look at something, to direct your attention to this, observe this, and keep this at the forefront of your mind. Make it your top and single most important priority.
In the Greek this is a present imperative active: it is a command that one is to start to obey immediately and keep on doing it in the future.
This is the soldier on duty in the face of the enemy who keeps alert, who keep his mind focused, who is paying attention to the responsibilities he has been given and keeps on doing it faithfully.
What are we to take heed to: THE MINSTRY – YOUR PERSONAL MINISTRY!
What are we commanded to start doing immediately and keep on doing until the commander calls us home? THE MINSTRY – YOUR PERSONAL MINISTRY!
How exciting it is when men who are believers, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb Jesus Christ, those who are given eternal life as a free gift, lead their families in spiritual issues. It is wonderful to see dedicated men – real men - serving in the church;men who faithfully give out the Message of Life to a lost and going-to-hell world.
Men of West Side, fellow soldiers, I cry out to you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ: PAY ATTENTION TO THE MINISTRY - YOUR PERSONAL MINSTRY!
Give all diligence to follow yourplacement in ministry fully and faithfully.
Point three: get your mind focused on your personal ministry
Fulfill
This means simply this: finish what you start. The previous command was start it and keep on doing it. This says keep on keeping on for the rest of your life and bring it to completion.
What will prevent us from fulfilling or completing the ministry God has given us? Here are some thoughts:
- Getting our focus on the “things of this world”:
2 Timothy 4:10 (NASB) for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
Demas had the same challenge as a soldier and a minister to keep focused and faithful – he failed.
These are the same people Jesus spoke about:
Matthew 13:18-23
The ones in v. 22 – the seed in the thorns - are, quite simply, the failure believers. Because eternal life is eternal they go to heaven when they die, but they will stand as losers – as far as reward is concerned – at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
- Getting mad and then quit
- Just overlooking the command to soldiering and ministering letting someone else do it
- Starting but not finishing for whatever the reason
- Just too busy with our own stuff
- Laziness
- Self-focus
Point four: completethe ministry God has given you. No excuses, brothers!
Don’t miss out on the results of faithfulness:
2 Timothy 2:1-13
2 Timothy 4:5-8
Unknown here – applauded there
You and I may not amount to much in the world’s eyes – but we can be worthy of the highest rewards and recognition there – in heaven – when we arrive home.
Little known here – there openly declared and rewarded as a faithful soldier, a minister-completer, and a winner believer that will be personally recognized by the Lord Jesus Christ.
There is an old song that proclaims this great truth (see back page):
“It will be worth it all when we see Jesus”!
Brothers, let’s be “fellow soldiers,” faithful in our “ministry,” “take heed” to it, and finish what we start all the way to the end of life. When you get home, you’ll be glad you did!
When We See Christ
Words and music by Esther Kerr Rusthoi
Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We're tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God's eternal day.
Refrain
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.
Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,
We're tossed and driven on , no human help in sight;
But there is one in heav'n who knows our deepest care,Let Jesus solve your problem - just go to Him in pray'r.
Refrain
Life's day will soon be o'er, all storms forever past,
We'll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;
We'll share the joys of heav'n - a harp, a home, a crown,
The tempter will be banished, we'll lay our burden down.
Refrain
1