Why Should We Strive for Others?
Base Text: Colossians 4:12 "Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God."
INTRODUCTION
A. The Example of Epaphras In the closing of his letter to the Colossians, Paul highlights a man named Epaphras. He is presented as a faithful servant who "labored fervently." This wasn't a casual effort; he wrestled in prayer and service so that his brothers and sisters would stand firm, mature, and secure in God's will (Col. 1:7; 4:12).
B. The Heart of a Servant Epaphras reveals the true Christian heart: a genuine, burning interest in the spiritual well-being of others. He didn't just care about his own salvation; he was consumed with the growth of his neighbors.
C. A Catalyst for Growth The church experiences its greatest growth when believers look past their own reflection. When we abandon selfishness and rivalry to care for one another, the body of Christ becomes an unstoppable force (Phil. 2:3-4).
D. The Call Today Today, the church desperately needs "modern-day Epaphrases"—believers who are willing to roll up their sleeves and strive for the sake of others.
E. Purpose Today we will explore the biblical reasoning and the practical methods of striving for the benefit of our brothers and sisters.
I. WE MUST STRIVE INTENSELY FOR OTHERS
(Colossians 4:12)
A. What Does "Striving" Mean? In the original Greek, the word for "laboring fervently" is agonizomai, from which we get the word "agonize." It implies a diligent, dedicated, and constant effort (1 Cor. 15:58). It is an active surrender to the spiritual welfare of the church.
B. Fervency in Spirit We are commanded not to be lagging in diligence, but to be "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord" (Romans 12:11). Christian service is not a hobby for our spare time; it is a life-consuming commitment.
C. Biblical Clouds of Witnesses
• Epaphroditus: He was deeply distressed because the church heard he was sick; his primary concern was the peace of mind of his brothers (Phil. 2:25-26).
• Timothy: Unlike many who seek their own interests, Timothy had a "kindred spirit" who genuinely cared for the state of the believers (Phil. 2:19-22).
• Paul: Beyond his physical trials, he carried the "daily pressure" of his concern for all the churches (2 Cor. 11:28).
D. The Supreme Model: Jesus Christ
• He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).
• He was moved by compassion to meet physical and spiritual needs (Matt. 14:13-14).
• He gave His life voluntarily—the ultimate act of striving for others (John 10:17-18).
II. OVERCOMING SELFISHNESS AND INDIFFERENCE
To strive for others, we must first go to war with our own ego.
A. The Barrier of Ego Self-interest is the enemy of service. Paul instructs us not to look out only for our own interests, but also for the interests of others (Phil. 2:4). Pride tells us we are too important to serve; the Gospel tells us we are saved to serve.
B. The Danger of Indifference Indifference is a silent killer in the church.
• Neglecting the Sick: To ignore the suffering is to ignore Christ (James 1:27).
• Neglecting the Discouraged: Failing to encourage the faint-hearted shows spiritual negligence (1 Thess. 5:14).
• Neglecting the Needy: True love is not a feeling; it is providing material help when it is within our power to do so (James 2:14-16; 1 John 3:17-18).
• Neglecting the Lost: If we do not preach the Gospel, we prove we do not truly love souls (Mark 16:15; Romans 10:14-15).
C. The Consequences When we stop caring for one another, the church weakens. Brothers and sisters fall away not because the Gospel failed, but because the "safety net" of mutual care was full of holes.
III. STRIVING FOR OTHERS REFLECTS THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST
A. A Life of Pleasant Service A mature Christian does not live to please themselves. We are called to bear the "infirmities of the weak" and please our neighbor for his good, leading to edification (Romans 15:1-2; 1 Cor. 10:33).
B. The Battle of Intercession Prayer is the most intense way we strive for others. Like Epaphras, we should be "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit... for all the saints" (Eph. 6:18).
C. Carrying the Weight When we "bear one another’s burdens," we fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). This sacrificial service is the glue that creates Christian unity.
- How should brotherly love be between Christians?
- Why We Must Walk in the Truth Philippians 3:15–16
- Is Love a Commandment?
The Golden Rule in Action: Why We Must Strive for Others
Matthew 7:12 "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."
I. STRIVING FOR OTHERS BY IMITATING JESUS
Jesus was the master of finding the "gold" in people. He chose to highlight their potential rather than just their problems. To follow Him, we must have this same "mind of Christ" (Philippians 2:5).
• He Exalted Faith: * To the Centurion, He publicly praised his faith as being greater than any in Israel (Mat. 8:10).
◦ To the Canaanite woman, He highlighted her "great faith" (Mat. 15:28).
• He Recognized Character and Service:
◦ He spoke highly of John the Baptist before the crowds (Mat. 11:11).
◦ He recognized Nathanael’s sincerity, calling him a man "in whom is no deceit" (Jn. 1:47).
• He Offered Restoration:
◦ He saw the faith of the sinful woman and gave her hope (Luc. 7:50).
◦ To the woman caught in adultery, He offered mercy and a path to a new life (Jn. 8:7-11).
The Seven Churches of Revelation: Even when Jesus had serious corrections to make, He often started by recognizing what they were doing right—their perseverance, work, and love (Rev. 2:2-3, 9, 13, 19; 3:8).
Practical Application: Our speech should always be for the purpose of edification, imparting grace to those who hear us (Ephesians 4:29).
II. IMITATING GOD'S SERVANTS WHO EXALTED OTHERS
We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses who knew how to prefer others over themselves.
A. John the Baptist: The Example of Humility John had his own ministry, but he used his platform to exalt Christ. He famously said, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 1:29-30; 3:30). He was happy to see others succeed.
B. The Apostle Paul: The Encourager Paul dealt with messy, problematic churches, yet he always looked for something to praise.
• He praised the Corinthians for keeping the traditions he delivered (1 Cor. 11:2).
• He exalted Timothy's character, noting that he had no one else like-minded who would genuinely care for the believers (Phil. 2:19-22).
C. The Spiritual Principle We are commanded to "be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another" (Romans 12:10). Pleasant words are like a honeycomb—sweet to the soul and healing to the bones (Proverbs 16:24).
III. STRIVING FOR OTHERS EDIFIES THE CHURCH AND GLORIFIES GOD
When we put effort into the lives of others, the entire Body of Christ benefits.
1. Promotes Unity: When we stir up one another to love and good works, the church grows strong (Hebrews 10:24).
2. Fulfills Christ's Law: Bearing one another's burdens is the ultimate fulfillment of His command (Gálatas 6:2).
3. Protects the Body: Encouragement is the best defense against grumbling and division. If we are busy building each other up, we won't have time to speak evil of one another (James 4:11; Phil. 2:3).
CONCLUSION
The Golden Rule is not a passive suggestion; it is a call to action. It asks us: "How would I want to be treated if I were discouraged? If I had failed? If I felt invisible?"
God expects us to be the hands and voice that reach out to others.
• Strive to Animate the tired.
• Strive to Recognize the unnoticed.
• Strive to Restore the fallen.
Treat others today as you want God and your brothers to treat you tomorrow.
God expects His children to be actively invested in the spiritual and material success of their neighbors. We cannot be "islands" of faith.
• The Challenge: Will you be an Epaphras this week?
• The Call: Look around you. Who is struggling? Who is discouraged? Who is wandering?
Don't just offer a polite greeting. Strive for them. Pray for them. Serve them. In doing so, you are not just helping a human being; you are manifesting the very heart of Jesus Christ.
