Colossians 1:23-29 [23](if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of) the gospel (that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven), and of which I, Paul, became a minister. [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, [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, [26] the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his 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. [28] Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. [29] For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. (ESV)
There is a force at work in the world today that is more powerful and more significant than any other in the history of the world. It is not the spread of democracy, nor is it any of the anti-democratic movements that are currently active and threatening. It is not capitalism, nor socialism. It is not civil rights, gay rights or feminism. It is certainly not atheistic secularism. The force that is more powerful and more significant than any other in the history of the world is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the gospel you who have come to faith in Jesus Christ have heard, understood and believed, which we have been learning from the apostle Paul is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world (1:6). Indeed it is reverberating in all creation under heaven (1:23).
We have been listening to Paul’s letter to the believers in Colossae in which he has been explaining and confirming this extraordinary understanding of the times in which they lived—which in all relevant respects is precisely the same as the world in which we live. The trouble (and it was the trouble then for those who first heard this letter just as much as it is for us today) is, it does not always look like that, does it? Indeed, let’s be frank. It rarely looks as though the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is the most powerful and significant force in the history of the world. (Woodhouse, J. (2011). Colossians and Philemon: So Walk in Him (pp. 77–78). Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian Focus.)
As a Christian believer it is more than likely that you have faced and will face many discouragements. It is not easy to see that the gospel you believe is really so powerful when you find few persuaded by it, or even interested in it. The society around us is moving further and further away from any positive recognition of the truth of this gospel.
In summarizing his ministry, the Apostle Paul is explaining the power nature of the gospel and how we can have a gospel centered service.. This service would apply to elder oversight, deacon ministry or one-to-one service that individual Christians would seek the welfare of another. In this explanation he highlights: 1) The Source of the ministry (Colossians 1:23c, 25a), 2) The Spirit of the ministry (Colossians 1:24a), 3) The Suffering of the ministry (Colossians 1:24b), 4) The Scope of the ministry (Colossians 1:25b), 5) The Subject of the ministry (Colossians 1:26–27), 6)The Style of the ministry(Colossians 1:28a), 7)The Sum of the ministry (Colossians 1:28b), and 8)The Strength of the ministry (Colossians 1:29).
For those who serve, they must know:
1) The Source of the Ministry (Colossians 1:23c, 25a)
Colossians 1:23c [23](if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of) the gospel (that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven), and of which I, Paul, became a minister. (ESV)
Colossians 1:25a [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), (ESV)
Paul introduced the content of the Colossians’ faith, namely the gospel, the saving truth of which he became/was made a minister (1:23) which we previously considered. In 1:25 he repeats the thought, saying again that he became/was made a minister of Christ’s church. The source of his ministry was God. Paul’s appointment made him a minister of the gospel (Eph. 3:7; Col. 1:23) a minister of God (2 Cor. 6:4); a minister of Christ (1 Cor. 4:1); and a minister of the New Covenant (2 Cor. 3:6) (Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson’s new illustrated Bible commentary (Col 1:25). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.).
• Success in any ministry endeavour must first find its source in God. If we undertake an endeavour on behalf of Safe Haven, a particular branch of ministry or at another’s request, we are doing this for a rather weak reason. But if we find our commission, compulsion, equipping and reason for service to directly please God Himself, then we will achieve exactly what God desires that we achieve.
New Testament readers first meet Paul under his Jewish name, Saul, at Stephen’s martyrdom (Acts 7:58).. Not content with a supporting role, he quickly became the leading persecutor of the church: (Acts 9:1–2). It was while engaged in his one-man crusade to wipe out the church that he had the experience which turned his world upside down: encountering the resurrected Christ. (Acts 26:12–18) Paul did not volunteer to become a minister of Jesus Christ; he was appointed one by the Lord Himself.
• All Christians have been called to serve God in one capacity or another. As God is sovereign in calling people to salvation, so is He in calling them to service. The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts, which are enablements for the service to which one is called, according to His sovereign will (1 Cor. 12:11). Like Paul, the believer’s responsibility is to be obedient to that calling (Acts 26:19). If you are sitting here don’t know your spiritual gifts and aren’t directly using them in a particular ministry area, then you are neglecting what God has given you. We are here to help you both discern your gifting and help you to serve others.
Because he was made a minister by sovereign call, Paul viewed his ministry as a stewardship from God. Stewardship translates oikonomia, a compound word made up of oikos (“house”) and nemo (“manage”). It means to manage a household as a steward of someone else’s possessions. The steward had oversight of the other servants and handled the business and financial affairs of the household. That freed the owner to travel and pursue other interests. Being a steward was thus a position of great trust and responsibility in the ancient world. Unlike many who have held high offices throughout the church’s history, Paul sought no glory for himself. He wanted to be regarded “in this manner, as [a servant] of Christ, and [a steward] of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy” (1 Cor. 4:1–2). He had a God-given task that he was obligated to fulfill (cf 1 Cor. 9:16–17; Gal. 2:7; Eph. 3:2, 7–8). Paul’s firm sense of the divine call in his life that he wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:16–17. said that he preached out of necessity and woe to him if he didn't. He said how he was entrusted with a stewardship. The true measurement of the effective servant is not intellectual acumen or glib eloquence, committed activism or sincere effort; it is whether the believer has been a faithful and wise steward of God’s calling, whatever tasks that may include (see Mt 24:45–51). (Wall, R. W. (1993). Colossians & Philemon (Col 1:25). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
Please turn to 1 Peter 4
Lest we think that the stewardship is only reserved for the Pastor-Teacher, we must understand that the entire church is the household of God (1 Tim. 3:15), and all believers have the responsibility to manage the ministries the Lord has given them. Contrary to much popular teaching today, our spiritual gifts are not intended for our own edification. They are given to help us minister to others. Paul told the Colossians that his stewardship was given to me for you/bestowed on me for your benefit. Peter echoed the same truth when he wrote:
1 Peter 4:7-11 [7] The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. [8] Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. [9] Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. [10]As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: [11]whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (ESV)
• Leaders have a special stewardship: “The overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward” (Titus 1:7). Every Christian will one day give account to Christ of his stewardship. May none of us be found poor stewards, like the lazy slave in the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:24–25).
Quote: The Nature of Stewardship
Charles Simmons said, “As to all we have and are, we are but stewards of the Most High God. On all our possessions—our time and talents and influence and property, He has written ‘occupy till I come.’ To obey His instruction and serve him faithfully is the true test of obedience and discipleship.” (Hobbs, H. H. (1990). My favorite illustrations (p. 111). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.)
Those who serve, must know:
2) The Spirit of the Ministry (Colossians 1:24a)
Colossians 1:24a [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), (ESV)
It is a joy to serve this gospel. Paul indicates a sense of the privilege. What better way to spend one’s life? How marvellous that I should be involved with this gospel! This is the joy of the gospel itself. Remember Col. 1:11: the joyful endurance and patience that every believer should know because of what God has done in Christ. Of course, it is a joy to be a servant of this gospel! The joy of serving the gospel is an expression of the joy of believing the gospel. I do hope that you know this joy. (Woodhouse, J. (2011). Colossians and Philemon: So Walk in Him (p. 80). Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian Focus.)
Illustration: The joy of the early church was a dramatic testimony to the world. The second-century apologist Aristides wrote to the Roman emperor Antonius Pius a description of Christians that said if any righteous person from among them passed from this world the Christians would rejoice and give thanks to God. When a child was born to Christian parents, they would praise God. If it died in infancy, according to Aristides, the parents thanked God even more because the child would be one who had passed through the world without (succumbing to) sin. (The Apology of Aristides, trans. Rendel Harris [London: Cambridge, 1893].)
• Circumstances, people, and worry are the thieves that are eager to steal the joy of the ministry. Humility, devotion to Christ, and trust in God protect the joy that is Christ’s legacy to every Christian (cf John 15:11; 17:13).
Those who serve, must know:
3) The Suffering of the Ministry (Colossians 1:24b)
Colossians 1:24b [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, (ESV)
To emphasize that joy is independent of circumstances, Paul tells the Colossians that he rejoices in my sufferings for your sake. The plural “my sufferings”—that pertain to his present imprisonment (Col. 4:10, 18; Eph. 3:1; 4:1; Philem. 1, 9, 23) from which he wrote Colossians (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of Colossians and Philemon (Vol. 6, p. 86). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.). Paul could rejoice despite his imprisonment because he always viewed himself as a prisoner of Jesus Christ, not the Roman Empire (cf Philem. 1, 9, 23). Suffering brings believers closer to Christ (Phil. 3:10). It assures the believer that they belong to Christ (Jn. 15:18; Mt. 10:24; 1 Tim. 3:12; 1 Pt. 4:14). It also brings a future reward (Rom. 8:17-18; 2 Cor. 4:17). It can be used by God for the salvation of others. Church history is filled with accounts of those who came to Christ after watching other Christians endure suffering. Finally, suffering frustrates Satan. He wants suffering to harm us, but God brings good out of it (Gen. 50:20). Paul accepted suffering on behalf of others (?p?? ?µ??)—a reminder that the sufferings were not sought in anything like a masochistic spirit, but were accepted, indeed welcomed, as the unavoidable consequence of the all-important objective of preaching the gospel (Dunn, J. D. G. (1996). The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon: a commentary on the Greek text (p. 114). Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: William B. Eerdmans Publishing; Paternoster Press.)
The phrase: “In my flesh” here refers to Paul’s physical pain. But, in what sense were Paul’s sufferings filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions? The sense in which Christ’s afflictions are ‘lacking’ (hysterema) should be seen in this context. For there is a very obvious sense in which all things are not yet reconciled and at peace. Anyone can see that! The hostilities are not yet ended. We have yet to be presented blameless before him (1:22). The death of Christ was everything that was needed to achieve these things. These things will happen because of Christ’s death. But the effects of Christ’s death have not yet been fully realized. His afflictions are not ‘lacking’ in the sense of being ‘not enough’, but in the sense that they have not yet had their full effect.( Woodhouse, J. (2011). Colossians and Philemon: So Walk in Him (pp. 81–82). Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian Focus.)
Believers receive the persecution that is intended for Christ. Jesus, having ascended to heaven, was out of their reach. But because His enemies had not filled up all the injuries they wanted to inflict on Him, they turned their hatred on those who preached the gospel (Gal. 6:17; cf 2 Cor. 11:23–28). He not only suffered for Christ, but also for the sake of the church (2 Tim. 2:10). Those who wish to represent Christ and serve His church must be willing to suffer for His Name. That is what he meant when he said: “for the sake of his body, that is, the church)”. He is indicating that the physical pain he endures at the hands of Christ-hating persecutors is the result of what he does to benefit and build the church. It was not his personality that offended and brought hostile injury to him, but his ministry for the Body of Christ. He suffered the attacks of those he sought to reach with the gospel, and he suffered at the hands of the Jews who sought to stop the advance of the gospel. His suffering related to the Colossians in that his personal difficulties came because of his attempts to convince the Jews to accept the Gentile believers (Melick, R. R. (1991). Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (Vol. 32, p. 238). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.).
• What is your commitment to your brothers and sisters in Christ? Are you here for what you can get or what you can give? People today tend to depart a local fellowship when they don't get exactly what they want. Unfortunately, those wants are not even usually expressed to someone who can help them. Paul expressed such a deep commitment for his fellow brother and sisters that he was willing to face imprisonment and sufferings for their sake. You should not come to Safe Haven for what you receive but for what you can give. Ask: where do I have the greatest opportunity to grow in the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ. In that growth is loving others as Christ has loved you.
Illustration:
J. Oswald Sanders told the story of an indigenous missionary who walked barefoot from village to village preaching the gospel in India. His hardships were many. After a long day of many miles and much discouragement he came to a certain village and tried to speak the gospel but was driven out of town and rejected. So he went to the edge of the village dejected and lay down under a tree and slept from exhaustion. When he awoke, people were hovering over him, and the whole town was gathered around to hear him speak. The head man of the village explained that they came to look him over while he was sleeping. When they saw his blistered feet, they concluded that he must be a holy man, and that they had been evil to reject him. They were sorry and wanted to hear the message that he was willing to suffer so much to bring them. So the evangelist filled up the afflictions of Jesus with his beautiful blistered feet. (Piper, J. (2007). Sermons from John Piper (1990–1999). Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God.)
Those who serve, must know:
4) The Scope of the Ministry (Colossians 1:25b)
Colossians 1:25b [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, (ESV)
Paul was driven to fulfill his ministry. He told the Ephesian elders, “I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). That ministry consisted primarily to make the word of God fully known/the preaching of the word of God, of “declaring… the whole purpose of God” (Acts 20:27). His economy of effort, his single-minded devotion, and clear, direct focus on the task God had given him enabled him to carry out his ministry fully. He set himself to do God’s will, nothing more or less, and stayed within that narrow prescription. He desired to preach the whole counsel of God to those to whom God called him, never shirking his duty or mitigating the divine message. The “filling up” (Gk. antanapleroo, v. 24) of Christ’s afflictions takes place as the proclamation of the word is made “fully known” (Gk. pleroo, v. 25). Paul suffers as he proclaims the gospel, and he declares that the basis of forgiveness of sins is Christ’s once-for-all suffering and sacrifice.(Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2295). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.)
Application:
Some in the Lord’s service think they have to personally win the entire world. As a result, they spread themselves so thin that they accomplish little. Paul was led by the Holy Spirit to make only three missionary journeys, all to the same general area. Yet few people in history have affected the world the way he did. Jesus never left Palestine, yet no one has come remotely close to having the impact on the world that He has. Jesus’ ministry was effective because He limited it to doing what God wanted. He limited His ministry to do God's will (Jn. 5:30), in God's timing (cf 2:4; 7:30; 8:20; 12:27; 13:1; 17:1), for God's objective (Mt. 15:24), to proclaim God's kingdom (Matt. 22:21), to God's people
• We can often be overwhelmed by the breadth of needs and not take action or we can spread ourselves too thin by trying to do too much. Those who desire truly effective ministries must learn the importance of limits. If we concentrate on the depth of ministries, God will take care of the breadth.
Those who serve, must know:
5) The Subject of the Ministry (Colossians 1:26–27)
Colossians 1:26-27 [26] the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his 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. (ESV)
The message Paul proclaimed in his ministry was “the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed/been manifested to His saints”. There are some things God reveals to no one. Deuteronomy 29:29 says, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God.” God reveals other things only to certain people. “The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him” (Ps. 25:14). “The mystery hidden for ages” here is represented by the term “ages” which are the vast successive periods marked by successive orders of beings and stages of creation. Things were hidden in the Old Testament but have now been revealed in the New. The New Testament calls them mysteries (musterion). Paul’s use of this word is not to indicate a secret teaching, rite, or ceremony revealed only to some elite initiates (As in the mystery religions), but truth revealed to all believers in the New Testament. This truth, that has now been revealed/manifested to His saints, is that which has been hidden for ages and generations, namely the Old Testament era and people. Now refers to the time of the writing of the New Testament. Such newly revealed truth includes the mystery of the incarnate God (Col. 2:2–3, 9); of Israel’s unbelief (Rom. 11:25); of lawlessness (2 Thess. 2:7; cf Rev. 17:5, 7); of the unity of Jew and Gentile in the church (Eph. 3:3–6); and of the rapture (1 Cor. 15:51). This mystery truth is available only for those who are saints—true believers (cf 1 Cor. 2:7–16) because the Holy Spirit, who resides within saints, enables understanding (cf Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; Eph. 2:22). (Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Col 1:26). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.)
The phrase in verse 27 to them/whom God chose/willed to make known clearly indicates that the mysteries are not discovered by the genius of man, but are revealed by the will and act of God. It is God’s purpose that His people know this truth. Of all the mysteries God has revealed in the New Testament, the most profound is Christ in you, the hope of glory. At the deepest level, therefore, the apostle conceived of his message not as a system or as a collection of rules and regulations, but as a living and glorious Person who is the fulfillment of the deepest hopes of humanity and the source of new life for all his people (Vaughan, C. (1981). Colossians. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through Philemon (Vol. 11, pp. 192–193). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.).
Illustration: 1141
If you ever notice truck commercials, there is a common theme. In them you see the towing ability of a truck. They always show the truck pulling something, like a boat, up a hill. Do you know the thing that is being pulled is doing nothing but going for a ride? You never see a boat hitched onto a truck struggling to climb a hill. The power for the tow is located under the hood of the truck. The power is built into the vehicle. All the boat has to do is be hooked onto the truck. The power for your Christian life is not in you. The power for your Christian life is Christ under the hood; it’s Christ in you, the hope of glory (Evans, T. (2009). Tony Evans’ book of illustrations: stories, quotes, and anecdotes from more than 30 years of preaching and public speaking (p. 49). Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers.).
Those who serve, must know:
6) The Style of the Ministry (Colossians 1:28a)
Colossians 1:28a [28] Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, (that we may present everyone mature in Christ). (ESV)
Paul’s summarized his message of Him we proclaim who had done so much for him. Notice that Paul does not preach a religion but a relationship; not a dogma but a Person, Jesus Christ (Criswell, W. A., Patterson, P., Clendenen, E. R., Akin, D. L., Chamberlin, M., Patterson, D. K., & Pogue, J. (Eds.). (1991). Believer’s Study Bible (electronic ed., Col 1:28). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.). Katangello (proclaim) means to publicly declare a completed truth or happening. It is a general term and is not restricted to formal preaching. Paul’s proclamation included two aspects, one negative, one positive. Paul’s primary thrust is proclaiming—even better expressed as announcing or broadcasting. (The tense here implies continuing action.) (Martin, E. D. (1993). Colossians, Philemon (p. 92). Scottdale, PA: Herald Press.)
Please turn to 2 Thessalonians 3
First, the negative work is that of: Warning/Admonishing is from noutheteo. It speaks of encouraging counsel in view of sin and coming punishment. It is the responsibility of church leaders. In Acts 20:31, Paul described his ministry at Ephesus: “Night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.” But it is also the responsibility of every believer. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians:
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 [14] If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. [15] Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. (ESV) (Cf. Rom. 15:14; Col. 3:16)
• If there is sin in the life of a believer, other believers have the responsibility to lovingly, gently admonish them to forsake that sin.
Secondly, the positive work is that of: Teaching which refers to imparting positive truth. It, too, is the responsibility of every believer (Col. 3:16), and is part of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:20). It is especially the responsibility of church leaders. “An overseer, then, must be… able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:2). Paul’s message was Christ. Clearly Paul conceived of the hope as Christians resting in a person. The gospel is not a system, hierarchy, or set of regulations. It is the person and work of Jesus, which is, indeed, the message (Melick, R. R. (1991). Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (Vol. 32, p. 242). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
Warning/Admonishing and teaching must be done with all wisdom. Wisdom refers to practical discernment—understanding the biblical principles for holy conduct. The consistent pattern of Paul’s ministry was to link teaching and admonishment and bring them together in the context of the general doctrinal truths of the Word. Doctrinal teaching was invariably followed by practical admonitions. That must also be the pattern for all ministries. The key for obtaining this wisdom lies at the center for all godly ministry. The biblical conception of wisdom is oriented around God as the source of all wisdom; a wise person is a godly person (Hos 14:9; Col 4:5; Rom 16:19). (Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Col 1:9). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.)
Finally, there is also a very important detail that can be linked here with the previous subject of the scope of ministry. Who exactly are the everyone mentioned here? Since Paul has not visited Colossae, “everyone” cannot be restricted to “every person in Colossae”. On the other hand, it cannot mean “every person in the universe” either. It is best taken in this context to mean “every person we encounter,” “every person God brings into the scope of our ministry.” (Moo, D. J. (2008). The letters to the Colossians and to Philemon (p. 160). Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.)
• It is so easy to become discouraged in ministry that we are not accomplishing enough. We can be driven crazy thinking that there is always another person to win to Christ. The result is a ministry of ever increasing breadth, and ever shallower depth. Unless we have a clear understanding of what our ultimate goal is in dealing with every person to whom we do encounter, we fall into this trap.
Illustration: There’s a well-worn story of a man who approached a laborer who was laying bricks and asked him, “What are you doing.” The laborer said, “Can’t you see I’m laying bricks?” The man then walked over to another bricklayer and asked, “What are you doing.” And the workman answered with pride, “I’m building a cathedral.”
Both were physically doing the same thing. But the first laborer was occupied with the present task, and the other was concerned with the ultimate goal. (Green, M. P. (Ed.). (1989). Illustrations for Biblical Preaching: Over 1500 sermon illustrations arranged by topic and indexed exhaustively (Revised edition of: The expositor’s illustration file). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.)
Making this goal clear, Paul summarizes with:
7) The Sum of the Ministry (Colossians 1:28b)
Colossians 1:28b [28] (Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom), that we may present everyone mature in Christ. (ESV)
To be mature/complete is to be like Christ. Although all Christians should strive for that lofty end, no one on earth has arrived there yet (cf Phil. 3:12). Every believer, however, will one day attain it. “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is” (1 John 3:2). Christians move toward maturity by feeding on God’s Word: “16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16–17). The means to achieve ‘perfection’ (maturity), therefore, is through preaching the Word of God ‘to affect personality and behavioural change’ (John 17:17). F
Please turn to Ephesians 4
The Colossian heretics believed perfection was only for the elite, but Paul expressed that clearly that it is the aim for all believers. The goal of ministry is not to chase the fads or jump on every new religious bandwagon. The goal is spiritual maturity. By reminding believers of this simple truth, Paul hopes to help us avoid the enticing sounds that might lead us away from maturity and into deception (Anders, M. (1999). Galatians-Colossians (Vol. 8, pp. 285–286). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.).
Describing how Christ gives the leadership of the local church toward this end, Paul said:
Ephesians 4:11-13 [11]And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, [12]to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13]until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, (ESV)
• Our aim is not merely to win people to Christ, but to bring them to spiritual maturity. They will then be able to reproduce their faith in others. In 2 Timothy 2:2 Paul charged Timothy, “2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (ESV)
Illustration: Ingratitude denotes spiritual immaturity. Infants do not always appreciate what parents do for them. They have short memories. Their concern is not what you did for me yesterday, but what are you doing for me today. The past is meaningless and so is the future. They live for the present. Those who are mature are deeply appreciative of those who labored in the past. They recognize those who labor during the present and provide for those who will be laboring in the future. (Contact, quoted in Homemade, Dec., 1984 as found in Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.)
Finally, those who serve, must know:
8) The Strength of the Ministry (Colossians 1:29)
Colossians 1:29 [29] For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. (ESV)
Kopiao (toil/labor) means to work to the point of exhaustion (cf. 2 Cor. 11:23-28). Struggling/Striving is from agonizomai, which refers to competing in an athletic event. Our English word agonize is derived from it. Success in serving the Lord, like success in sports, demands maximum effort. (A. T. Robertson, A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research. 4th edition..)
Lest anyone misunderstand him, Paul concludes how this work is possible when he says that he strives with all his energy/according to His power that he powerfully/ mightily works within me. All his toil and hard labor would have been useless apart from God’s power in his life. To the Corinthians he wrote, “By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me” (1 Cor. 15:10). God gave Paul the strength to work hard at his ministry. Galatians 2:20 really sums up the two components in this human divine action: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.” God’s working or energy is working and energizing in his person (?? ?µ??, R. 587) in power (Lenski, R. C. H. (1937). The interpretation of St. Paul’s Epistles to the Colossians, to the Thessalonians, to Timothy, to Titus and to Philemon (p. 82). Columbus, OH: Lutheran Book Concern.).
These eight aspects of Paul’s ministry should characterize every believer. All Christians must serve Christ in some capacity. Paul’s message to all in this passage is, “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things” (Phil. 4:9). Divine empowering made possible Paul’s great devotion to his mission. Work and grace go hand in hand (cf. 1:11; 2:12 and cf. Eph 1:19; 3:7, 16, 20; and 6:10) (Ash, A. L. (1994). Philippians, Colossians & Philemon (Col 1:29). Joplin, MO: College Press.).
(Format Note: Outline & some base commentary from MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1992). Colossians (pp. 66–81). Chicago: Moody Press.)
