Suffering for the Ministry of the Mystery

Colossians 1:24-29

Written by Paul

Written to believers in Colossae

Written from Rome

Written in 61 AD

Written because of the Colossian heresy

Written to show the supremacy of Christ

Qualified us for a share in the inheritance, v 12

Transferred us from “domain” of darkness to the Kingdom of His beloved Son, v 13

Christ is qualified to “reconcile” ALL things, vv 15-20

He will “present” us at the Judgment Seat of Christ, vv 21-23

Paul labors for the Gospel of this Age, vv 24-29

Rejoice in suffering for the Church, vv 24-25

The Mystery that was hidden, v 26

The Mystery revealed, v 27

Judgment awaits, so follow Paul’s example, vv 28-29

The spiritual life leads to suffering Rescued from the domain of darkness, i.e. the world

We used to be God’s enemy, v 21

“Now I rejoice in MY sufferings for you and filling up for you that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in MY flesh for His body, which is the church.” Paul rejoices to suffer for the Church

Christ’s atonement on the cross is complete

Christ suffers when we suffer, Acts 9:4-5, 15-16

He is doing his part for the Church

Afflictions – θλιψις (thlipsis) They build perseverance, Romans 5:3

They are our destiny, 1 Thessalonians 3:3

They help us to comfort others, 2 Corinthians 1:4

They cannot separate us from the love of Christ, Romans 8:35

Suffering matures us! (2 Cor 4:17, 1 Pt 4:12-13, Matt 5:10-12)

Never used to describe Christ’s suffering on the cross

Paul serves the Church He is a διακονος (diakonos), always used to mean

“servant”

Given the ministry from God, Acts 9

Minister for this stewardship - οἰκονομιαν(oikonomian) Dispensation – House rules

Given to Paul to fulfill the Word of God

Paul suffers for the Church to bring them the complete Word of God

Word of God for this dispensation was a mystery A μυστηριον (mysterion), not previously revealed

Mystery = Gentiles participating in the Kingdom Gentiles saved, Psalms 22 and 67

Dispensation of Grace/Church Age = Gentiles playing a role in the Kingdom

Rule and reign with Christ, Revelation 2:25-29

Mystery revealed to the Saints through His word

Rejoice in sufferings for the Church, v 24

For the Church he was made a minister to fulfill the Word of God, v 25

The Word was a mystery revealed to His saints, v 26

The mystery is Christ in Believers, our hope of glory, v 27

It was God’s will to reveal the mystery Not discovered through mystic practices

Discovered in His word, v 25 (2 Tim 3:16-17)

Christ in Believers is our hope of glory The only way to be “transferred,” v 13

Only in Christ do we have righteousness

Only in Christ do we have hope for the future

Our future is not “just” heaven, but the Kingdom

Rejoice in sufferings for the Church, v 24

For the Church he was made a minister to fulfill the Word of God, v 25

The Word was a mystery revealed to His saints, v 26

The mystery is Christ in Believers, our hope of glory, v 27

Him (Christ) we proclaim, admonishing and teaching…

Him we proclaim continually admonishing (present, part.) Admonishing - νουθετουντες (nouthetountes) –

counseling, instructing people from the word how to live.

Him we proclaim continually teaching (present, part.) The necessity of teaching and learning

In all “wisdom” – true wisdom from God, not human

Purpose of teaching “… so that we MIGHT present – παριστημι (paristeemi)

EVERY man COMPLETE in Christ

He “labors” – toils, works hard, works until weary

He is “agonizing” over them

Paul worked harder than ALL, 1 Cor 15:10. How? By Christ’s “energy” - ἐνεργειαν (energeian)

Christ’s “energy” “energizes” him

Abide in Christ, John 15:1-5 Note well, verse 2, He prunes us, θλιψις, so we are MATURE

Note well, verse 5, we can do NOTHING without HIM

Rejoice in suffering… it is making you mature, v 24

Maturity means we are influenced by the Word, vv 25-27

Be taught by the word so you will be presented complete, v 28

Follow Paul’s example. Be energized by Christ.

He is SUFFICIENT