Living to Benefit Christ and Others

Dr. George Bannister

Woodville Baptist Church

Colossians • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

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Paul lived his life to advance the mission of Christ and to benefit the churches. These two goals should permiate the life of every disciple of Christ.

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Colossians 1:24-2:5

Colossians 1:24–2:5 NLT

24 I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. 25 God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you. 26 This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. 27 For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. 28 So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. 29 That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. 1 I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally. 2 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. 3 In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments. 5 For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.

INTRODUCTION:

I- THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE THE MISSION OF CHRIST AND BENEFIT OTHERS. (Colossians 1:24-29).

A- Negative circumstances can be the catalyst for joy. (Colossians 1:24).

Colossians 1:24 NLT

24 I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church.

1- Joy may be found in suffering.

a. Because of personal spiritual benefits. (Romans 5:3-5)

Romans 5:3–5 NLT

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

b. Because of potential spiritual influence.

Paul & Silas in Prison (Acts 16:16-34)

Job

Personal experience

2- We participate in the mission of Christ of building up the church through faithfulness in negative circumstances.

a. (Philippians 1:27-30)

Philippians 1:27–30 NLT

27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.

B- Regardless of the circumstances, the believer’s responsibility remains the same. (Colossians 1:25-28)

Colossians 1:25–28 NLT

25 God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you. 26 This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. 27 For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. 28 So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.

1- Every believer has the responsibility of declaring the gospel to others. (Colossians 1:25-26)

2- Every believer has the responsibility of helping other believers mature in the faith. (Colossians 1:27-28)

C- The reason for the believer’s struggle and source of his power are the same in all circumstances. (Colossians 1:29)

Colossians 1:29 NLT

29 That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.

1- The believer must work in the power of Christ.

a. The power of the Spirit (Acts 1:8)

Acts 1:8 NLT

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

b. The power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16)

Romans 1:16 NLT

16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.

II- THE PLAN FOR MISSIONAL MINISTRY IS CENTERED IN THE PASSIONATE, EFFECTIVE EDIFICATION OF OTHERS. (Colossians 2:1-5)

A- Missional ministry is motivated by an inner passion to impact others. (Colossians 2:1)

Colossians 2:1 NLT

1 I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally.

1- We must seek God for the passion to impact others.

a. People we know.

b. People we don’t know.

B- Missional ministry to other believers has three goals:

1- Unity in the body (Colossians 2:2)

Colossians 2:2 NLT

2 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.

a. Unified in relationships. (Col. 2:2 a)

through encouragement

through being “knit-together” in love.

2- Grounding in understanding God’s will and way. (Colossians 2:2-4)

Colossians 2:2–4 NLT

2 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. 3 In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments.

a. Grounded in knowledge of Christ. (vs. 2b)

(Philippians 3:7-9)

Philippians 3:7–9 NLT

7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.

b. Grounded in spiritual wisdom and its source. (vs. 3)

(1 Corinthians 1:30)

1 Corinthians 1:30 NLT

30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.

c. Grounded enough to avoid the deception of worldly philosophy. (vs. 4)

(1 Timothy 4:1)

1 Timothy 4:1 NLT

1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.

3- Encourage spiritual growth. (Colossians 2:5)

Colossians 2:5 NLT

5 For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.