24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. —Colossians 1:24-2:5
Intro: Last week we were challenged to examine how we have organized our life in light of Jesus’ preeminence. Paul moves into a personal testimony of how he has been changed by this revelation in his own life. In Acts 9 we read of Saul’s encounter of Jesus on the road to Damascus. He went from breathing threats and murder against the disciples to proclaiming Jesus is the Son of God only days later.
Big Idea: Encountering the
How has Christ
Three heart changes Paul displayed from Encountering the preeminence of Jesus
1. My Comfort to Joining in Christ’s suffering (1:24-27)
Embrace
- a. Paul rejoices in suffering for the sake of the Colossian believers. (v.24) His suffering mirrors Christ’s
- b. Paul is an assigned steward of God’s Word (v.25)
Am I God’s
- c. The mystery: Christ in us, the hope of glory. (v.26-27)
2. My Mission to God’s Mission (1:28-29)
- a. Paul is proclaiming a person, not a system. (v.28)
Live to
- b. Paul labors to present every believer mature in Christ. (v.28)
- c. Paul uses athletic language (v.29)
Your spiritual maturity will depend on how you expend your
- d. He teaches, warns, and admonishes, relying on Christ’s power. (v.29)
Prioritize
3. My concerns to Christ’s concern (2:1-5)
- a. Paul’s concern for the Colossians’ unity and knowledge of Christ. (v.1-2, Phil 2:19-21)
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. —Philippians 2:19-21
Be
- b. He wants them to be rooted, built up, and guarded against deception. (v.3-4)
- c. Thought absent, we can be with other saints in Spirit supporting them in the faith. (v.5)
Let Jesus’
Small Group Questions
What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.
What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?
How does Christ dwelling within us influence our response to trials?
How have you organized your life to prioritize spiritual maturity in being a disciple and making a disciple?
How is Jesus fueling your ministry? In what ways do you see yourself as a servant? How can you grow in this role?