“RIGHT LIVING THAT STEMS FROM RIGHT THINKING”
Colossians 1:20-29

I. INTRODUCTION:
A. The impact of Christ’s pre-eminence on Paul’s life:
1. Envisioning Christ’s pre-eminence: (See Acts 9)
2. Making ministry, my pre-eminent and joyful response:

B. The ministry of reconciliation, a privilege not a duty: vv. 20-23
1. The person behind the precept: (Mt. 28:19)
2. Four encouraging aspects of the ministry of reconciliation:
a. The plan: vv. 20-21
b. The means: vv. 20b, 22a
c. The aim: v. 22b
d. The evidence: v. 23

II. MINISTRY FROM THE PRE-EMINENT ONE’S PERSPECTIVE: vv. 24-29
A. The source of the ministry: vv. 13c, 25a
1. “Made a minister”:
2. “The stewardship”:
B. The spirit of the ministry: v. 24a

C. The joyful suffering of the ministry: v. 24b
1. Assurance: (Jn. 15:18; II Tim. 3:12; I Pet. 4:4)
2. Builds a relationship: (Phil. 3:10)

1. It fosters trust: (Mt. 13:21; II Cor. 12:10; Ps. 9:9; 27:5;
   46:1; 59:9; 62:2; 94:22; Pro. 3:5-6)
2. Brings future rewards: (Mt. 5:11-12; Rom. 8:17-18;
   II Cor. 4:17)
3. Brings others to Christ:
4. Frustrates Satan:

D. The subject of the ministry: vv. 26-27
1. “This mystery among the Gentiles”:
2. “Christ in you, the hope of glory”:

E. The style of the ministry: v. 28a
1. “Admonishing”:
2. “Teaching”:

F. The strength of the ministry: v. 29
1. “I Labor”:
2. “Striving according to His power”:

III. PRINCIPLES TO PERSONALLY APPLY:
(Together becoming “people of the Word” in principle AND in practice)

A. Focusing on ministry stems from focusing on the Pre-
eminent Christ.

B. Focusing on reconciliation unifies the local church
around Christ’s purpose.

C. Focusing on souls brings into tension what I want
versus what the Pre-eminent Christ wants.