The Example of Epaphras

A reflection on Colossians 4:12-13

^“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.” (Colossians 4:12-13)

(Rembrandt - “St. Epaphras Sends You Greetings”)

At the end of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, the Apostle shares a greeting from an early Christian leader named Epaphras. While Epaphras is often forgotten amidst the more popular biblical figures like Moses, David, and Peter, he’s someone we shouldn’t forget . From this short greeting we see two beautiful examples for us as a church: Prayer & Service.

Prayer

Paul describes Epaphras as someone who was “always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” He loved the church in Colossae. He cared for them. So he prayed for them.

This week, we have the opportunity to begin praying as a church in preparation for the planting of Clover Hill. On Monday at 6:30pm in the ROCC sanctuary, we will have our first prayer meeting as a church planting core group. And from here on out, each Monday we will gather to join together and pray.

Why? Why do we need to come, week after week, to pray together? Is it to twist God’s arm? To force his hand so he’ll give us what we want? Not at all! Gathering to pray is an expression, both individually and corporately, of our extreme desperation for the power of God. We can’t do anything apart from God’s grace. We can’t wake up in the morning without his grace, much less plant a church! So we need to come together and cry out to our Father in heaven.

Will it be easy? Not always. Sometimes, we don’t feel like going to a prayer meeting after a long day. We are easily distracted. Our mind wanders. It can feel awkward. This is why Paul said that Epaphras was “always struggling on your behalf in his prayers”! Prayer isn’t easy! It can be a struggle. But is it worth it? Absolutely!

So brothers and sisters, let’s come together and pray!

Service

Paul also calls Epaphras a “servant of Christ Jesus”, which Paul demonstrated by showing the Colossians how he “worked hard for you”. Epaphras was known as a hard worker as he served the church out love for Christ, and love for Christ’s bride, the church.

At the last core group meeting I shared several ministry teams that need people to serve. Each one of these teams currently needs more volunteers to join them before the launch of Clover Hill. I would encourage you to pray through this list and ask the Lord which ministry you could help serve the body and the community. Here are the ministry teams (please contact the assigned leader so you can start getting equipped and serving right away):

• Worship Team (Kevin Miller)

• Children’s Ministry (Shannon Slater)

• Student Ministry (Eric Esmark / Patrick Bowerman)

  • Specific needs: Men and women who can serve as leaders in both Middle and High School ministry. There will be a weekend training in the near future to equip you for student ministry.

• Tech Team (Ken Moore)

• Hospitality Team (Jon Gilbert)

• Security Team (Dave Thomas)

*Note: I had mentioned at the core group meeting that we might need a dedicated parking team. After visiting Maryville Vineyard on a Sunday morning, it became clear that we do not need this team.*

I love that we are a church that works hard to serve one another and to serve our community, because our Savior first served us through the gospel. I’m looking forward to how the Lord will use each one of you to build up River Oaks: Clover Hill!

“I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” (Romans 15:30-33)

News/Events:

• NEW - The second episode of the “Preparing to Plant” podcast is out! This podcast will walk us through how the book of 2 Timothy can help prepare us to plant Clover Hill. The second episode covers 2 Timothy 1:8-14, you can listen to it here on the newsletter, on YouTube here, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

• Art and I will be teaching a class through Carl Trueman’s book “Strange New World” during second service starting Sunday June 4th. Here’s a short video that goes over why you should join us.

• This Monday - Prayer Meetings - In June we will begin having weekly prayer meetings for Clover Hill. I would encourage all of us to prioritize gathering together to go before the throne of grace to find help. Without Christ we can do nothing (especially plant a church)! So saints, let’s pray! The prayer meetings will begin this Monday June 5th and will take place on Mondays from 6:30-7:15pm in the ROCC sanctuary (not at the Maryville Vineyard building).

• Women’s Gathering - This is a time for the women going to Clover Hill to fellowship, get to know one another, and pray.   This will take place on June 17 from 9-11am at the Fowler's home (2125 Angus Blvd., Maryville, TN 37803). 

Prayer:

• As we begin having prayer meetings for Clover Hill, let’s pray that the Lord would make us a praying church! Also, pray that the Lord would raise up servants and leaders in all the areas we need them for the church plant.

Resources:

• Parenting 001 - Kevin DeYoung (Article)

  • “I just know that the longer I parent the more I want to focus on doing a few things really well, and not get too passionate about all the rest. I want to spend time with my kids, teach them the Bible, take them to church, laugh with them, cry with them, discipline them when they disobey, say sorry when I mess up, and pray like crazy. I want them to look back and think, “I’m not sure what my parents were doing or if they even knew what they were doing. But I always knew my parents loved me and I knew they loved Jesus.” Maybe it’s not that complicated after all.”

• Flee the Gospel of Me - Marshall Segal (Article - Text & Audio)

  • “Sin has always taught us to put ourselves at the center of everything — even the gospel.”

• Before You Share Your Faith - Matt Smethurst (Free eBook)

  • Matt Smethurst's book Before You Share Your Faith is free here. 

  • “This short book, which you can read in one hour or less, will teach you how to share the gospel with those in your sphere of influence一whether neighbors, coworkers, or family members. Author Matt Smethurst gets to the heart of why we struggle to share Christ, while avoiding idealistic “success” stories or scolding readers for their evangelistic apathy. This resource is packed with practical takeaways that will reinvigorate your witness today.”