Paul's Message for the Local Church: Strive Toward Maturity in the Faith
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Scripture Reading
Opening Prayer
Introduction
Exposition
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,
Now, serves as a conjunction to the closing idea that Paul has become a minister of the Gospel (vs. 23)
I rejoice in my suffering for your sake Paul’s current suffering is somehow “for” the Colossians meaning that they are deriving some benefit.
How? … the rest of the verse
in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,
Filling up? … Paul’s sufferings in his flesh are in response to what is lacking.
what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body? …
Notice Paul uses the word afflictions rather than sufferings
there is a difference
Sufferings point to the cross
Afflictions point to the coming trials and tribulations that the church is expected to experience before the return of the Lord.
This idea points to the fact that the Church universal and by extension the church in Colossae as well as our church here partake in Christ’s sufferings as His body.
So how do Paul’s sufferings accomplish this on their behalf?
Paul’s ministry as an apostle is being fulfilled even while in prison
Paul’s time in prison allows him time to right
Paul’s time in prison allows him to have a unique ministry that he would not otherwise have.
I. The afflictions you face for Christ actually serve the Church and work towards accomplishing God’s ultimate plan (24)
I. The afflictions you face for Christ actually serve the Church and work towards accomplishing God’s ultimate plan (24)
25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,
Paul became a minister, or servant of the Church (deacon)
According to the stewardship from God points to the fact that God made him a servant rather than himself which gives him authority to accomplish his mission (to make the Word of God fully known)
26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.
This verse is an explanation of the Word of God
The saints
27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
To them = the saints
Gentiles can be saints
This mystery is “rich”
The mystery is “Christ in you, the hope of Glory”
II. You must, as a recipient of the apostolic ministry, strive to know the Word of God and the Good News contained within (25-27)
II. You must, as a recipient of the apostolic ministry, strive to know the Word of God and the Good News contained within (25-27)
The Good news is the “hope of Glory:”
Glorification
God’s Glory manifest
28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Notice we don’t just proclaim the Gospel but we warn and teach inorder to “present everyone mature in Christ”
29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
This (vs. 28) is what Paul works for
III. You must work towards maturity in yourself and others
III. You must work towards maturity in yourself and others
1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ,
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.
5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
IV. You (plural) must strive together in love you bring one another to maturity in the faith.
IV. You (plural) must strive together in love you bring one another to maturity in the faith.