Reflecting on Paul’s Ministry
Colossians 1:24-29 – 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.
Some questions to help you process the application of this passage:
Reminder: Paul’s Calling is from God
Do you understand that you’re saved because God pursued you? You didn’t find Him. He found you.
You weren’t looking for Him. You might have grown up in the church, but if you’re saved, it’s because He came after you, not because you went looking for Him.
1. Suffering - verse 24
Joy – Is your life characterized by joy? Not that all the circumstances are lollipops and kittens and rainbows. But are you genuinely joyful because you know that God sovereign and everything that’s happening in your life is for your good and His glory?
Suffering - Are you suffering in some way? You should be. There should be some sort of negativity coming at you because of Christ. If you’re truly living the way you are supposed to then, someone will be rubbed the wrong way.
2. Stewardship - verse 25
Are you properly focused?
Do you have the clear focus of purpose that Christ and Paul had? Are you working toward it?
Do you know what you should be focused on, or are these things just something that you consider on Sunday morning and have moved on by the time lunch is over=?
Christianity is 24/7/365 - not just Sunday morning,
Just because you’re not doing anything on the “really bad stuff” list during the week doesn’t mean your’e living for Him. You must be actively striving for His righteousness consistently (all the time). Matthew 6:33 says to seek first the righteousness of Christ.
3. Mystery - verses 26-27
Is the gospel a mystery to you? It has been revealed to His saints
Do you understand the Gospel? Are you growing in your understanding of it?
Are you growing in your ability to explain it?
Are you tired of hearing about it? Maybe you need to understand it better. Call me. I’d love to sit down with you and spend some time explaining it more fully
4. Proclamation - verse 28
Do you understand that proclaiming the Gospel isn’t optional?
Do you realize that if you’re not sharing it you’re being disobedient to the one who was born to die so that you might have life? Are you sharing it?
The passage says the goal of proclaiming Christ is to present everyone mature in Christ.
Are you growing in Sanctification? (1 Peter 1:13-16)
A netter way to ask: HOW are you growing in Sanctification
There is no neutral in your spiritual life. There’s forward and reverse. That’s it.
What are you doing toward your spiritual growth?
Who are you surrounding yourself with? People, books, magazines, TV shows ...
Your iPod is your friend - what does it say to you?
Who are you listening to? (again, not just people)
Jesus said you’re either for me or against me. There is no in between
And yes - that includes the people you spend time with.
You might be stuck at work, but you’re not at work 24/7/365
Who are you choosing to spend your choose-able time with?
Fellowship from House to House is an example of a fantastic way to do this. Are you taking advantage of opportunities to spend time with other believers? Are you being intentional about it?
5. Power - verse 29
Are you making maximum effort? (2 Peter 1:5-11, make every effort...)
Are you relying on Him and His Spirit to energize you, or are you just wandering through your day spiritually? There is certainly value to spontaneity, but it’s not meant to be the norm. The norm is being disciplined.
Striving hard, day after day, realizing that it’s all from Him. Every single breath.
What are you doing to grow in
• the knowledge of his will
• spiritual wisdom and understanding
• walking a worthy walk
• bearing spiritual fruit
• doing good works
• increasing in the knowledge of God
• spiritual strength
• knowing the Gospel?
My prayer is that as you make every effort toward knowing Christ, you would learn to rely on Him more fully. That He would become preeminent in your life.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Rob
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