SERMON OUTLINE:
(1). Ministry Involves Suffering (1:24).
(2). Ministry Involves a Sense of Duty (1:25a).
(3). Ministry Involves Preaching the Word (1: 25b-27).
(4). Ministry Involves Exhortation and Education (1:28-29).
(5). Ministry Involves Genuine Care for God’s People (2:1-5).
SERMON BODY
Ill;
• I'm going to give you a quick quiz.
• Don't worry, it's easy! I'll give you a word and you give me the opposite…
• The opposite of Fast is... Slow.
• The opposite of Long is... Short.
• The opposite of Cold is... Hot.
• The opposite of Young is... Old.
• The opposite of Soft is... Hard.
• The opposite of Sour is... Sweet.
• The opposite of High is... Low.
• The opposite of Rich is... Poor.
• The opposite of Love is... Hate?
• Now for the hard one…the opposite of ministry/service is…
• You could have non-involvement, or detachment or observation.
• TRANSITION: In these verses this morning,
• I want to pull out the theme of ministry/service,
• In the New Testament,
• Ministry is seen as service to God and to other people in His name.
• So ministry is not just for the professionals or the select few,
• Ministry is for every Christian,
• Because service to God and to other people in His name.
• In the passage I have been asked to speak on this morning;
• There are five insights as the what Christian ministry/service is.
(1). Ministry Involves Suffering (chapter 1 verse 24).
“Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.”
• I prepared this sermon sitting in a comfy office chair,
• With a cup of coffee next to me,
• In the top draw of my desk is my ‘secret stash’ of sweets,
• And I was listening my favourite music blasting out the speakers.
• Preparing sermons… it’s a tough job but someone has to do it!
• Now in contrast to me, the apostle Paul wrote this letter (Colossians);
• From a prison cell in Rome,
• Probably no comforts,
• Experiencing great hardships,
• And his only crime was telling people about Jesus!
Notice: those two little words: “for you” (vs 24)
• Now Paul did not plant this Church and he had never visited this Church,
• It was started by a man called Epaphras,
• You would have met him in an earlier sermon when you looked at verse 7.
• Now Epaphras was a convert of the apostle Paul.
• He somehow encountered him, heard the gospel,
• And was converted, he came to faith in Christ.
• When he returned back to Colossae.
• He shared his faith with others and soon a Church was formed.
• So the apostle Paul is the spiritual father to Epaphras;
• And the spiritual grandfather to this Church.
Now although the apostle has never visited this Church:
• He is very concerned for it,
• And through his letters he is able to give guidance and teaching to this Church.
Question: What was the problem with the apostles message?
Answer: He preached to Gentiles (non-Jews).
• In taking the gospel to non-Jews (i.e. Gentiles like those at Colossae);
• Paul put himself on a collision course with religious Jews and pagan gentiles.
• And in the earliest history book of the Church;
• The New Testament book of Acts,
• We read about how he upset both groups with the message of Christ.
• The end result was persecution and ultimately prison,
• He was arrested in Jerusalem on false charges,
• And the key factor in his arrest was when in his sermon he used the word ‘Gentiles’
• His Jewish opponents could not handle that and wanted him executed,
• (You can read about it in Acts chapter 22 verse 21 – full account: Acts chapters 21-28)
• For the apostle Paul and for many Christians in New Testament times.
• Suffering and persecution seemed to go hand in glove
• For many Christians, suffering and persecution as still very much part of the package;
• When it comes to following Jesus.
Ill:
• As I was preparing this sermon, I received an email from The Barnabus Fund,
• With news updates on the persecuted Church.
• The email contained these three headlines and stories.
• (1). The Myanmar (Burmese) Army is waging a “genocidal campaign” against Kachin Christians in northern Myanmar.
• (2). A teenage Pakistani Christian (Ribqa) from Punjab has been kidnapped, forcibly converted to Islam and married to a 25-year-old Muslim man.
• (3). Armed Chinese police stormed a church service in Lanzhou, northern China and take away offering box
• According to Open Doors:
• (Source: https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/)
• 215 million Christians experience high levels of persecution;
• In the 50 countries on the world watch list.
• This represents 1 in 12 Christians worldwide.
• Every month:
• 255 Christians are killed
• 104 are abducted
• 180 Christian women are raped, sexually assaulted or forced into marriage
• 66 churches are attacked
• 160 Christians are detained without trial and imprisoned
• For many Christians in the world;
• When you choose to follow Jesus, then suffering is a normal part of the package.
Quote
• When I read statistics like that;
• It makes me think of the poem written by Amy Carmichael (18-67-1951):
• She was a missionary in India for 55 years;
• She was also the author of 35 books,
• Worked among girls who were victims of sexual-abuse, or temple prostitution.
• Help with the babies born as a result of the temple prostitution.
• On numerous occasions she faced legal charges of kidnapping,
• And often faced physical threats.
• Following a serious fall;
• She spent the last the last twenty years of her life as an invalid.
“Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land,
I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star,
Hast thou no scar?
Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers, spend,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned:
Hast thou no wound?
No wound, no scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And, pierced are the feet that follow Me;
But thine are whole: can he have followed far
Who has no wounds nor scar?”
Notice:
• That the apostle is not depressed and discouraged by his suffering,
• In fact he says; "I rejoice in what I am suffering for you "
Question: How could he have such a positive attitude to suffering?
Answer:
• FIRST: He was suffering for Jesus Christ.
• He was not suffering for any sinful actions or for his own folly and stupidity,
• But he was suffering for proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
• SECOND: He was suffering because of the Gentiles,
• I have mentioned this already,
• The apostle Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles;
• (Ephesians chapter 3 verses 1-13)
• So the reason he is in prison and the reason they came to faith and formed this Church;
• Is down to his obedience and concern in reaching Gentiles with the gospel.
(2). Ministry involves a Sense of duty (chapter 1 verse 25a).
“I have become its servant by the commission God gave me…”
• The apostle Paul considered his ministry/service as a ‘commission’ from God;
• Other translators might use the word ‘stewardship’
• I have used the word ‘duty.’
Ill:
• A steward was a slave/servant (notice the apostle uses that word in this verse),
• This slave managed his master’s household.
• He would supervise the other servants,
• Dispense resources, Handle business and financial affairs.
• TRANSITION:
• The apostle Paul viewed his ministry as a ‘stewardship’ or a ‘commission’ from God,
• But every Christian has a ministry;
• We all have a role to play for God in the local Church and in the world,
• Each one of us are responsible to discover our ‘calling’ and to fulfil it!
Ill:
• Someone once asked the Pope, “How many people work in the Vatican?”
• He smiled and replied; “About half of them?”
• TRANSITION: If I were to ask the same question regarding your Church;
• What answer would I get?
• Now some of you were born with natural talents:
• i.e. play piano, guitar, maybe you are good at accountancy etc.
• But EVERY Christian has a spiritual gift (at least 1 maybe 2, 3, or even more);
• Every Christian no-one got missed out!
• Quote:
“Spiritual gifts are a skill or ability that enables each Christian to perform a function in the body of Christ with ease and effectiveness”.
• Spiritual gifts are given by God and he does not make mistakes!
• Now when you discover that gift:
• That is part of your contribution to the body of Christ, the local Church.
• It is your responsibility to exercise your gift.
• Not to exercise gifts you have not got.
ill:
• Organist was moaning at another Christian that;
• "He's been their 20 years and he's never been asked to preach".
• The man listened patiently to him moan and replied;
• "I know how you feel, I've been here 5 years and I've never been asked to play the organ",
• The organist replied, "But you can't play the organ".
• "Exactly" came the reply.
• TRANSITION: So it is your responsibility to exercise your gift.
• Not to exercise gifts you have not got.
• Now the apostle Paul was a gifted individual;
• He was a leader, he was a pastor but he was also a great evangelist.
(3). Ministry Involves Preaching the Word (chapter 1 verses 25b-27).
“…to present to you the word of God in its fullness – 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Ill:
• Who would have thought that American Minister the Reverend Michael Curry,
• Would steal the show at the Royal Wedding,
• He did it simply by preaching!
• His 14-minute sermon became the most-tweeted about moment;
• Of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding.
• Many people enjoyed his preaching style,
• But as always with these occasions it is always the content that lets us down.
• (now if you want me to expand on that, then see me afterwards!)
• Preaching should and has always played an important part in Church life,
• Especially in our type of Churches;
• Where there has traditionally been an emphasis on ‘The Word’.
Question:
• Why would any Christian waste their time in a church where the word of God isn’t taught?
• If I want human opinion, I can turn on the news or a political programme.
• If I want to hear a message from God and not just a sermon about God;
• I need to hear the Word of God, taught and explained!
ill:
• Samuel Clement (better known by his alias Mark Twain);
• Attended a Sunday morning services.
• He met the pastor at the door afterward and told him;
• That he had a book at home with every word the pastor had preached that morning.
• The minister said, impossible and assured him that the sermon was an original.
• Clement (Mark Twain) still held his position.
• The pastor wanted to see this book so Clement said;
• He would send it over in the morning.
• The next morning the book was delivered;
• And when the preacher unwrapped it,
• To see if it contained every word the pastor had preached that morning,
• He discovered it was a dictionary,
• But the sad part of the story is on the inside of the flyleaf he had written:
• "Words, just words, just words."
• TRANSITION: How sad, how tragic,
• For ministry to be effective it must involve the word of God.
• And it should be taught by this gifted to break it down and explain it.
• Notice in verse 25b the apostle Paul states the purpose of his stewardship;
• His calling, his vocation, his commission is “to make the word of God fully known.”
In verses 26-27, Paul expounds a little on the word of God.
• The apostle Paul refers to a mystery now being revealed.
• Mystery in the Bible use of the word means;
• Something that was hidden but has now been revealed.
• The apostle Paul says that part of his stewardship, part of his call to preach,
• Was to reveal this mystery, which is “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
• Don’t gloss over this too quickly!
• This is a phenomenal truth.
• The idea that Christ indwells every Christian!
• This was a foreign concept to an OT Jew.
• God might empower someone for a periods of time,
• i.e. Samson, ‘The Spirit of the Lord came upon him’
• (Judges chapter 14 verse 6),
• But then after the task was done the Spirit of God left him.
• Yet, for every Christian we ae indwelt, we are sealed,
• We are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
• Christ is in us and is living his life through us!
• Wow!
• Someone almost looked exited and someone else almost said, “Hallelujah!”
Note: The point to apply here is value and have confidence in the Word of God.
• In our services,
• In our evangelism,
• In our daily lives.
Quote:
• “This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation,
• The doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.
• Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding;
• Its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.
• Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe,
• Practice it to be holy.
• It contains light to direct you,
• Food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
• It is the traveller’s map, the pilgrim’s staff,
• The pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character.
• Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.
• Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end.
• It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.
• Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully.
• It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.
• Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary,
• To the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ;
• Yes, to glory itself, for eternity.”
(4). Ministry Involves Exhortation and Education (chapter 1 verses 28-29).
“He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”
• While ministry primarily involves the proclamation of the word,
• There also has to be an element of exhortation and education.
• Notice v. 28b: “that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”
• That is the ultimate goal of Christian ministry,
• To help make people mature followers of Christ.
Ill:
• When the new parents went with their baby to get him examined by the doctor;
• The doctor told them, "You have a cute baby."
• The father replied, "I bet you say that to all new parents."
• The doctor responded “No, just to those whose babies really are good-looking."
• The father then asked: "So what do you say to the others?"
• The doctor said, "I look them in the eye and say, He looks just like you."
• TRANSITION:
• God wants the world to look at his people and say; “They look just like you!”
• For that to happen we need to grow up in our faith;
• And not just grow old;
• Too many grey-haired babies in our fellowships.
The apostle teaches that will happen as Christian ministers:
• Warn and teach (or exhort and educate) his people.
• Through the power and enabling of the Holy Spirit.
• I need my sermon to go beyond the ear and eye gate,
• To go deeper, to reach your hearts and mind.
• I (like all preachers) need to do it “with all wisdom.”
• And true wisdom, comes from God,
• Notice also verse 29 informs us
• Not only does the necessary wisdom to exhort and educate come from God,
• But also the power to accomplish it.
Ill:
• The lady took her 5-year-old daughter shopping with her.
• The little girl watched her mother try on one outfit after another,
• And each time the little girl said, "Mommy, you look beautiful."
• Finally a woman in the next changing cubicle called out,
• "Please can I borrow your daughter for a moment?"
• TRANSITION: We all need affirmation, we all need encouragement;
• And part of my job as a preacher is to feed you, to inform you;
• But also to encourage you,
(5). Ministry Involves Genuine Care for God’s People (chapter 2 verses 1-5).
“I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.”
The apostle Paul’s concern for these Christians is seen in three ways:
• FIRST: the apostle Paul wants them to be ‘encouraged in heart’ (vs 2a).
• SECOND: he wants them to be ‘united in love’ (vs 2b).
• THIRD: He wants them to know what they have in Christ (vs 2c-3).
“so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Ill:
• When I lived in the Midlands,
• There was a story in the papers about an old Anglican Church.
• In the village of Bredwardine in the west of Herefordshire
• They had on the altar of their Church an old cross;
• But no-one ever paid it much attention;
• It was old and corroded and been neglected for hundreds of years.
• One of their faithful members died:
• And in her will she left some money for the cross to be cleaned up and restored.
• When it returned from the jewellers they discovered it to be worth a fortune;
• It was solid silver and studded with emeralds.
• Sadly, that cross no longer sits on the altar;
• But it is kept in a safe and only brought out for special occasions.
• TRANSITION: The people of that Church did not realise what they had.
• They had a great treasurer that went unnoticed and unappreciated.
• The apostle Paul wants these Christians at Colossae.
• To realise the value of Jesus Christ.
• So the apostle Paul quite deliberately;
• Fills them up with great truths about Jesus Christ.
Now:
• These first three truths:
• ONE: the apostle Paul wants them to be ‘encouraged in heart’ (vs 2a).
• TWO: He wants them to be ‘united in love’ (vs 2b).
• THREE: He wants them to know what they have in Christ (vs 2c-3).
• Will help them to fight off concern #FOUR:
• “I say this in order that no one may delude you with persuasive arguments.”
Ill:
• Delude means to deceive the mind or judgement into believing something false.
• It means to trick, to mislead, to scam.
• There were false teachers and con artists around in the first century;
• And we still have them today;
• Sadly, Christian TV stations seems to be full of them!
Question: So how do we fight off discouragement and deception?
Answer: Found in verses 2-3.
• FIRST: Be ‘united in love’ (vs 2b).
• Regular fellowship and involvement with God’s people.
• THREE: He wants them to know what they have in Christ (vs 2c-3).
• Good teaching & theology – know who Christ is and what you have in Christ!
In Conclusion:
• Ministry will involve suffering as you boldly stand for the truth.
• Especially if we become proactive in our faith!
• It is a sense of duty:
• In which we are a servant to the needs of those in God places in your care.
• It involves preaching the word;
• No lasting change can come without the word of God.
• Ministry requires you to exhort and to educate,
• We need to touch the hearts and inform minds of God’s people.
• Ministry requires you to have a genuine love and compassion for the Lord’s people;
• Because without love, all our efforts are in vain.
