Sermons From Colossians - Paul As A Minister (1:24-29)

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                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS"

                      Paul As A Minister (1:24-29)

INTRODUCTION

1. At this point in his epistle, Paul provides some insight into how he
   viewed his work as a minister of the gospel of Christ - Col 1:24-29

2. This passage can be of value to both:
   a. Preachers of the gospel, in giving them insight as to how they
      view themselves and the work they are to perform
   b. All Christians...
      1) First, to give them a better understanding of the work of a
         minister and what to expect from them
      2) And second, since all Christians are to imitate the example of
         Paul (1Co 11:1), to learn those attitudes we should have
         toward our brethren whether we serve as "full-time" (i.e.,
         fully-supported) ministers or not

[With that in mind, we notice first of all that...]

I. PAUL TOOK GREAT JOY IN SUFFERING FOR HIS BRETHREN (24)

   A. PAUL HAD SUFFERED GREATLY THROUGHOUT HIS MINISTRY...
      1. As he outlined in his second epistle to the Corinthians - 2 Co
         11:23-29
      2. In this, he was not much different the rest of the apostles 
         - 1Co 4:9-13

   B. YET, IF THIS SUFFERING WAS FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST AND HIS
      BRETHREN, PAUL WAS GLAD!
      1. As he said, "I now rejoice in my sufferings for you" - Col 1:24
      2. He expressed the same thoughts to the Philippians - Php 2:17-18
      3. Remember, at the very time he wrote both of these epistles he
         was suffering as a prisoner at Rome in service to Christ and to
         them!

   C. WHY WAS PAUL SO JOYFULLY WILLING TO SUFFER?
      1. One reason is given in this passage:  "to fill up in my flesh
         what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of
         His body, which is the church."
         a. This is not to suggest that there was anything lacking in
            the atoning value of Christ's sacrifice! - cf. Col 2:14; He
            10:12,14
         b. The following quotation I have found helpful:  "We should
            bear in mind that although Christ by means of the
            afflictions which he endured rendered complete satisfaction
            to God, so that Paul is able to glory in nothing but the
            cross (Ga 6:14), the enemies of Christ were not satisfied!
            They hated Jesus with insatiable hatred, and wanted to add
            to his afflictions.  But since he is no longer physically
            present on earth, their arrows, which are meant especially
            for him, strike his followers.  It is in that sense that
            all true believers are in his stead supplying what, as the
            enemies see it, is lacking in the afflictions which Jesus
            endured.  Christ's afflictions overflow toward us."
            (Hendrickson, New Testament Commentary, Exposition of
            Colossians and Philemon, p. 87)
         c. Passages offered in support of this interpretation are Mt 
            10:25; Mk 13:13; Jn 15:18-21; Ac 9:4,5; 2Co 1:5,10; Ga
            6:17; Php 3:10; Re 12:13
      2. Paul gives another reason elsewhere he suffered joyfully for
         his brethren:  for the same reason parents joyfully suffer for
         their children! - 2Co 12:14-15
         a. Children are the parents' "pride and joy", and the parents
            will gladly sacrifice for their children!
         b. So Paul viewed his brethren - 1Th 2:19-20; Php 4:1

   D. DO WE IMITATE PAUL IN THIS REGARD?
      1. Not only are we willing to share in the afflictions of Christ,
         but are we willing to suffer gladly for our brethren?
      2. Do we consider our brethren as a source of great joy and pride?
      3. Are we willing to joyfully expend time, energy, even "blood,
         sweat and tears" in serving them? - cf. 1Jn 3:16
      4. Can we truthfully say "yes" if we...
         a. Won't make the effort to assemble with them every 
            opportunity that is available?
         b. Won't try to encourage them when they are weak in the faith,
            or admonish them when they stray from the faith?
         c. Aren't willing to love them, to patiently endure them, to
            quickly forgive them, even when they offend and sin against
            us?

[Let the example of Paul be our model, for in reality he was simply 
following the example of Christ (cf. 2Co 8:9).

Next, we notice that...]

II. PAUL CONSIDERED HIMSELF A SERVANT AND A STEWARD (25-27)

   A. HIS VIEW OF HIMSELF WAS REALLY QUITE A HUMBLE ONE...
      1. The word "minister" is diakonos {dee-ak'-on-os}, and means
         "one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master; a
         servant, attendant, minister"
      2. This is exactly how Paul viewed himself and other preachers 
         - 1Co 3:5-7
      3. How different from views held today by some preachers and their
         brethren, who exalt preachers above their brethren!
      4. In particular, Paul considered himself a servant...
         a. Of the church - Col 1:24-25
         b. Of Jesus Christ - Php 1:1
         c. Of the gospel - Ep 3:6-7

   B. AS A SERVANT, HE CONSIDERED HIMSELF A "STEWARD"...
      1. He had received a "stewardship" (KJV, dispensation) from God
         a. The word used is oikonomia {oy-kon-om-ee'-ah}
         b. It means "the management of a household or of household
            affairs; specifically,the management, oversight,
            administration, of other's property"
      2. He had been entrusted with the gospel of Jesus Christ!
         a. Which is called in this passage a "mystery", for it had been
            hidden for ages
         b. But has now been revealed to His saints (Col 1:26), indeed
            to all nations (Ro 16:25-26)!
         c. What is this "mystery"?  To paraphrase Paul:  "It is Christ
            in you (the Gentiles), the hope of glory" - Col 1:27
      3. Paul considered it his duty as a "steward" to faithfully share
         that gospel to the nations  - cf. Ep 3:8-9; 1Co 4:2

   C. HOW ABOUT US?
      1. Do we consider ourselves "servants"?  We should! - cf. Mk 
         10:42-45
      2. Do we serve one another?  We should! - Ga 5:13
      3. Do we consider ourselves "stewards" of the gospel?
         a. That we have been entrusted with the riches of the gospel?
         b. That to be faithful we must share them with others?

[Whether or not WE view ourselves this way, it is how GOD views us, and 
we will be judged by how we have served as stewards (cf. Mt 25:14-30).

The third and final point we can glean from our text is that...]

III. PAUL HAD PRIMARILY ONE GOAL IN LIFE (28-29)

   A. WHICH WAS:  TO PRESENT EVERY MAN PERFECT IN CHRIST!
      1. He was not out just to preach, just to make converts
      2. He wanted to make mature disciples, who had become complete in
         Christ

   B. TO ACCOMPLISH HIS GOAL, HE USED EVERY APPROPRIATE MEANS...
      1. He preached Jesus Christ!
         a. He proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ
         b. His life, His teachings, His death, His resurrection
         -- Only by so presenting Christ to the man, can a preacher hope
            to present the man to Christ as complete and mature - cf. 
            2Co 3:18
      2. He warned when necessary!
         a. His preaching was both positive and negative!
         b. Yes, there is a place for "negative preaching"
            1) Cf. The Ten Commandments; also, the "reproof" and
               "correction" mentioned in 2Ti 3:16
            2) Negative preaching serves as "restraining rails" on the
               strait and narrow path to life!
         c. Of course, it must be properly balanced with positive
            preaching
            1) Otherwise, we will simply bounce around and get hung up
               on the "restraining rails", never making progress in our
               journey
            2) Positive preaching will assure that we keep progressing
               on the right track!
      3. He "taught" as well as "preached"!
         a. He did not limit himself to the public forum
         b. He taught with private instruction as well - Ac 20:20
         c. To present every man "perfect in Christ Jesus", there is
            often a need for personal instruction that one does not find
            in the public assemblies of the church
         d. Of course, wisdom helps to determine when - Col 1:28
      4. He expended effort and emotion!
         a. He "labored" toward this one goal of his
         b. He "agonized" in doing so (the Greek word is agonizomai
            {ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee}, to endeavor with strenuous zeal,
            strive)
      5. He depended upon God in his labors!
         a. He realized that without God he was nothing, and could do
            nothing worth lasting - 1Co 15:10
         b. So he always looked to God for help in accomplishing his
            goal - 2Th 3:1; Col 4:3-4

CONCLUSION

1. In concluding this lesson, again I seek to make application by
   asking:
   a. Are we imitators of Paul?
   b. Are we concerned about whether or not our brethren and others are
      being presented "perfect in Christ"?
   c. Are we willing to expend the effort and the emotion necessary to
      reach this end?

2. If we will...
   a. View our ourselves as Paul viewed himself, as servants and
      stewards
   b. Consider our suffering for our brethren a great privilege and
      source of joy
   ...then I am convinced that we gladly devote ourselves to the same
      goal Paul had!

3. Let's think on these things, and consider what we can be doing to
   "present every man perfect in Christ Jesus"!

For those who have not been obedient to the gospel of Christ, perfection
in Christ begins with that first step of faith...
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