Study:  The Colossians Epistle

Text for Next Sunday Morning (June 12th): Colossians 2:1-5 (subject to change)
Text for This Sunday Morning (June 12th): Colossians 1:24-29

Introduction

In verses 24-29, Paul makes a shift somewhat from his focus on the supremacy of Jesus Christ to himself as a minister of Jesus Christ. Why? To further establish his authority and love for the church which together serve to further establish his credibility in opposing the Colossian Heresy. In doing so, we see six characteristics of a faithful servant of Jesus Christ.

There is little, if any, distinction between a "minister" and a "servant." All Christians are ministers. All Christians (even Pastor/Elders) are servants. So the terms "minister" and "servant" are synonymous. To be one is to be the other.

1. A Faithful Servant of Jesus Christ Joyfully Suffers for Christ's Church (v. 24)

A. Paul's Attitude in Suffering
In short, we should "rejoice" in our sufferings for Jesus Christ and His Church. What motivates us for this task? The very suffering of Jesus Christ!!
- Hebrews 12:1-4.

B. Paul's Reason for Suffering
Paul rejoiced in his suffering because he loved Christ's Church and knew that his suffering would spiritually profit others.
- 2 Corinthians 11:23-28

C. Paul's Nature of Suffering
The world (i.e., sinful man) hated and persecuted Christ (even murdered Him), and since He has ascended and is outside of the physical reach of those Christ-haters, they will hate and persecute us since we are his followers, disciples and ministers. As Hendriksen puts it, "... the arrows meant for Christ, strike His followers."
- Acts 9:4-5
- John 15:18-21

2. A Faithful Servant of Jesus Christ Recognizes His Accountability to God (v. 25a)

A. The Source of One's Ministry
Each Christian's ministry (i.e., spiritual gifts) has been appointed to him by God in a stewardship capacity. As such, we are "managers," "fiduciaries," or "trustees" of the ministry entrusted to us. As such, we are accountable to God for our faithfulness in discharging the ministry according to God's specifications, not man's. The results of our ministry we leave in God's sovereign hands.

When one realizes that all spiritual gifts are appointed to him by God according to His sovereignty, as opposed to self-made and/or man-generated, all pride is stripped away and replaced by humility. Self-glory is supplanted by God-honoring and Christ-exalting faithfulness.
- 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

B. The Beneficiary of One's Ministry
One's ministry is entrusted to him to benefit others, not to exalt himself.
- 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
- 1 Peter 4:10

3. A Faithful Servant of Jesus Christ Fully Declares the Word of God (vv. 25b-26)

A. The Word of God in General
Paul's primary ministry was to preach the entirety of God's Word to those God put before him.
- Acts 20:24-27

B. The Word of God More Specifically
Mystery- A truth that would have remained unknown had not God revealed it. Paul uses this word to refer to those things hidden in the OT which were now being revealed to NT believers (viz., the free admission of the Gentiles, on equal terms, to the privileges of the covenant).

4. A Faithful Servant of Jesus Christ Proclaims Christ in All His Glory (v. 27)

The centerpiece of this mystery? Jesus Christ in you (i.e., Gentiles). The OT predicted the coming of the Messiah. However, the idea that this Messiah would actually dwell within His redeemed church, predominantly Gentiles, had not been revealed.
- Ephesians 2:11-14
- Ephesians 3:1-6

5. A Faithful Servant of Jesus Christ is Christ-Centered in His Ministry (v. 28)

Paul's ultimate desire and goal in his ministry was not just to see people saved by Christ, but also to see believers become spiritually mature and complete in all the fullness of Jesus Christ. How?

A. Proclamation- Public proclamation (i.e., announcement) of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
B. Admonishment- Correction, exhortation, warning, rebuke.
C. Teaching- Instruction in absolute divine truth.

6. A Faithful Servant of Jesus Christ Works Hard; VERY Hard (v. 29)

Despite one's inherent gifts/abilities, no one should ever expect to have a true, faithful, fruitful ministry without VERY hard work!! Put differently, there is no room for laziness in ministry.... or even in a Christian's life altogether.

Labor- Refers to work which left one so weary, it was as if they had endured a beating! Refers to laboring to the point of literal exhaustion.

Striving- An even stronger word than "labor" above. We get our English word "agony" from this Greek word. It refers to agonizing in an athletic contest or fight.

Paul's drive is an example for all of us who profess to be Christians (i.e., disciples of Jesus Christ). However, it is not my man's might, but God's mighty power which works within us (i.e., His grace)!!
- 1 Corinthians 15:10
- 2 Corinthians 6:4-10

Your Brother in Christ,

Teacher: Darin Lawson