12-21-08-ss

I. Paul’s Labor for the Church.

24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered 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. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me 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 saints. 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.

28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

Colossians 2

1 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My purpose 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 orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

A. Paul’s Suffering

1. Paul says that he rejoices in his sufferings.

Question: Why would Paul rejoice in his sufferings?

Romans 8:16-18.

2. Paul seems to be saying that his sufferings complete what was lacking in Christ’s afflictions.

Question: Does this mean that Christ’s afflictions were somehow incomplete?

B. Paul’s Mission

1. He was commissioned by God to bring them the word of God.

Acts 9:15

Question: In what sense does this verse help to explain Paul’s statement, “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”?

2. Paul was to make known the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations.

Question: What is the “mystery” Paul speaks of?

Colossians 1:27

Colossians 2:2-3

Ephesians 3:1-6

3. Paul proclaims Christ.

a. Through Admonishing. (Which connects with repentance and refers to a person’s conduct and heart attitude.)

b. Through Teaching. (Which connects with faith and doctrine and refers to a person’s intellect.)

c. The goal of admonishing and teaching is to present everyone perfect in Christ.

d. This Paul accomplished in all wisdom and in His power.

I Corinthians 2:1-5

4. Paul’s Struggling.

Question: In what way was Paul struggling for these believers?

Question: For what purpose was Paul struggling?

Encouragement
United in Love
Have complete understanding
The mystery of God
The treasures of wisdom and knowledge

That they may not be deceived by false teaching
a. Paul’s delight was to see how they are living their lives and how firm their faith in Christ is.

C. Application

1. While Paul had been commissioned by God to bring the word of God to the Gentiles, we have been commissioned by God to be His witness and proclaim His word.

a. This we should do with the same vigor as Paul.

b. And by the same power, that being Christ.

2. We should also be involved in discipleship making.

a. By encouraging others.

b. By protecting others from false teaching.

c. By delighting in others growth and faith.

New International Version (NIV)