Paul’s View of the Ministry Colossians 1:24-2:5

Billington Translation Now I rejoice in sufferings for you, and in my flesh I fill up the lack of Christ’s afflictions for His body, which is the church, Of which I became a minister according to the stewardship of God, having been given to me for you, to complete the Word of God,

Billington Translation The mystery having been hidden from the ages and generations, but now revealed to his saints, To whom God desired to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery in the nations, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Billington Translation Him we proclaim, instructing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, in order that we may present every man complete in Jesus Christ, For which we also labor, struggling according to His energy, working in me in power.

Billington Translation For I desire you to know how great a struggle I have for you and those in Laodicea, and as many as do not see my face in the flesh, That they may be encouraged in their hearts, uniting together in love, and to all riches of full assurance of understand-ing, to knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,

Billington Translation In who is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this, that no-one deceives you by persuasive speech, For even if I am absent from the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing and seeing your good order and the steadfast of your faith in Christ.

Outline A – Rejoicing in his suffering B – Ministering to make the word of God fully known C – Revealing the mystery of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” D - Struggling to proclaim Christ D – Struggling to encourage the church C – Revealing the “knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ” B′ – Ministering to make sure they aren’t deceived A′ – Rejoicing in their faith His suffering (1:24), toil, and struggle (1:29; 2:1) His commission as God’s servant (1:25, 28; 2:2, 4) The mystery he proclaims (1:26; 2:2)

Paul rejoices about suffering! Why? The Joy of Ministry Paul rejoices about suffering! Why? Suffering of any type teaches us to rely on God 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

The Joy of Ministry Suffering for the gospel assures us that we are following Jesus 1 Peter 2:21 “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow in his steps.” Suffering fulfills what is “lacking” What in the world does that mean!?!?!

The Joy of Ministry Matt 10:25 “If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.” Mark 13:13 “And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake.” John 15:18-19 “ “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

The Joy of Ministry Paul also rejoices over the faith of the church! 2 Corinthians 1:5 “For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings…” Galatians 6:17 “…for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” Php 3:10 “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings” Paul also rejoices over the faith of the church! “good order and steadfastness” (2:5)

The Responsibility of Ministry Paul is a servant (diakonos) Paul is a steward He has been given a responsibility “administrator of spiritual treasures” Paul is to preach “to fulfill the Word of God” Paul is to warn “I say this lest anyone should deceive..” Minister = diakonos Stewardship = plan, purpose, ministry = oikos = house steward

The Message for Ministry Preaching Christ! Preaching Christ “in you” Preaching hope in Christ 1 Peter 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you…”

The Message for Ministry Preaching Christ to the nations! Which is the mystery!

Gen 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Zech 9:9-10 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.”

Paul’s strength comes from Jesus The Agony of Ministry Paul’s concern agwn = place of assembly, place of contest, stadium, contest, conflict He is in an “intense struggle” His desire is to see the church united, encouraged, knowledgeable, and doctrinally sound Paul’s strength comes from Jesus Labor = kopiaw