UNPACKING THE MYSTERIES Serving and Struggling Colossians 1:24-29

Colossians 1:21–29 21Once YOU WERE ALIENATED FROM GOD and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22But now HE HAS RECONCILED YOU by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23IF YOU CONTINUE IN YOUR FAITH, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.

23THIS IS THE GOSPEL that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Acts 9:15–16 15But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go Acts 9:15–16 15But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.

Colossians 1:24–29 24Now I rejoice / I am rejoicing in what was suffered for you … BY JESUS (and I FILL UP IN MY FLESH WHAT IS STILL LACKING IN REGARD TO CHRIST’S AFFLICTIONS) for the sake of his body, which is the church.

Acts 9:15–16 15But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go Acts 9:15–16 15But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

2 Corinthians 1:5 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

Acts 9:4–5 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.

Mark 13:13 13All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

John 15:18–21 18“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. … I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. … 21They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.

Philippians 3:10 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death

CHRIST FOLLOWERS ARE NEVER PROMISED IMMUNITY FROM HARDSHIP - OR EVEN SUFFERING

Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you … for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25I have become its (i.e. the church's) servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—

SERVING THE CHURCH MEANS TO BE BUILDING INTO OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES

25I have become its (i.e. the church's) servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints (to God's people).

26the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Christ in you, the hope of glory NLT: This is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

Revelation 3:20 20Here I am. I stand at the door and knock Revelation 3:20 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

John 14:17 The world cannot accept him (the Spirit of truth), because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

1 Corinthians 6:19 19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?

Galatians 4:6 6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”

Romans 5:5 God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

2 Corinthians 1:22 He set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. THAT'S THE HOPE OF GLORY

THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT IS TO BRING US TO CHRIST AND CHRIST TO US TO GIVE US THE HOPE OF GLORY

28We proclaim him, admonishing (warning) and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

WE NEED A NEW ATTITUDE TO HARDSHIP To rejoice in the face of hardship WE TOO NEED TO BECOME SERVANTS OF THE GOSPEL UNPACKING THIS MYSTERY FOR OTHERS

HOMEWORK: to WRITE … to PRAY … to LOOK …

Reminder: COLOSSIANS 1:21-23 YOUR STORY: How you were ALIENATED from God How you were RECONCILED to him How you have CONTINUED in your life with Christ in you Reminder: COLOSSIANS 1:21-23 THIS IS THE GOSPEL

HOMEWORK: to WRITE your story to PRAY for opportunity to LOOK an opening