Don McClain 1 W. 65th St church of Christ / March 9, 2008

 Paul Rejoiced - That He Had Suffered For Christ & His Church – (24)  Paul Was Commissioned - By God To Reveal The Mystery Among The Gentiles – (25-27)  Paul Labored - To Fulfill His Mission – (28,29) Don McClain 2 W. 65th St church of Christ / March 9, 2008

Colossians 1:24-29 (NKJV) 24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, Don McClain 3 W. 65th St church of Christ / March 9, 2008

Colossians 1:24-29 (NKJV) 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Don McClain 4 W. 65th St church of Christ / March 9, 2008

Colossians 1:24-29 (NKJV) 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. Don McClain 5 W. 65th St church of Christ / March 9, 2008

 Paul was glad to suffer for the church – (Phili 2:17,18)  Paul’s suffering foretold by Jesus – (Acts 9:16)  Paul and the other apostles often suffered for the cause of Christ – (1 Cor 4:9-13; 2 Cor 11:23-29) 24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, Don McClain 6 W. 65th St church of Christ / March 9, 2008

24... and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, “These afflictions do not include Christ's vicarious sufferings, which are never denoted by θλ ί ψεις tribulations. That which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ signifies that portion of Christ's ministerial sufferings which was not endured by Him in person, but is endured in the suffering of Christians in all generations in carrying out Christ's work.” ( Compare 2 Corinthians 1:5, 7; Philippians 3:10 ). — Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament Don McClain 7 W. 65th St church of Christ / March 9, 2008

 Paul Was Commissioned by Jesus – (Acts 9:15,16; 22:14, 15; 26:16-18; Gal 1:11,12 )  Paul Viewed Himself As A Servant & Steward – (Rom 1:1; Phili 1:1; Titus 1:1; 1 Cor 4:1,2; 1 Pet 4:10)  He Was To Preach Fully The Gospel – (Rom 15:19; Acts 20:20,24-27) 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, Don McClain 8 W. 65th St church of Christ / March 9, 2008

26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.  The Revealed Mystery “ signifies simply a truth which was once hidden but now is revealed, a truth which without special revelation would have been unknown.” - (Lightfoot)  The Revelation of The Gospel – ( 1 Cor 2:7; Ep 3:1-5) Don McClain 9 W. 65th St church of Christ / March 9, 2008

27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  It Pleased God To Reveal His Riches & Glory In The Gospel – (2 Cor. 4:6)  Among The Gentiles – i.e., “Christ in the Gentiles” - full fellowship – (Acts 15:7-12)  Christ In You – Hope in Christ was fully available to the Gentiles - (Col 3:11; Eph 3:6-9) Don McClain 10 W. 65th St church of Christ / March 9, 2008

28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.  Paul’s Main Goal Was To Present Every Man Perfect In Christ – (Acts 20:20)  By Preaching Christ – (Acts 9:20; 17:3; 1 Cor 2:1-4)  By Warning Every Man - (Acts 20:31; 1 Cor 4:14; 2 Tim 4:2; 1 Thes 5:14)  By Teaching In All Wisdom - (Col 1:9-11; 1 Cor 2:6; Ep 5:15-17) Don McClain 11 W. 65th St church of Christ / March 9, 2008

29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.  Paul’s Main Goal Was To Present Every Man Perfect In Christ – (Acts 20:20)  He labored, i.e. – he worked hard to the point of being wearied – (1 Cor 15:10; 2 Cor 11:23)  Striving, i.e., he fought and struggled – ( 1 Cor 9:25-27)  Did not depend upon his own strength - (2 Co 12:9,10; Phili 4:13) Don McClain 12 W. 65th St church of Christ / March 9, 2008

 Paul Rejoiced - That He Had Suffered For Christ & His Church – (24)  Paul Was Commissioned - By God To Reveal The Mystery Among The Gentiles – (25-27)  Paul Labored - To Fulfill His Mission – (28,29) Don McClain 13 W. 65th St church of Christ / March 9, 2008

 Are We Willing To Suffer For The Cause of Christ and For His People? -  We Have Been Given The Great Commission – Are We Doing Our Best To Fulfill It?  Are We REALLY Laboring For The Lord – Striving To Teach & Edify Others? Don McClain 14 W. 65th St church of Christ / March 9, 2008

Don McClain 15 W. 65th St church of Christ / March 9, 2008