COLOSSIANS 1:24-29 - PAUL'S PRIMARY PURPOSE: PROCLAIMING CHRIST

COLOSSIANS 1:24-29

PAUL’S PRIMARY PURPOSE:

PROCLAIMING CHRIST

Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

Paul considered it a privilege to suffer for the sake of Jesus and His gospel. He actually experienced joy while being imprisoned for sharing the good news. Imagine that! Amazing! His joy came from the flow of the Holy Spirit through him as he ministered to the Gentiles, leading them to Jesus and discipling them through correspondence. Paul was not saying that Christ’s sufferings were not sufficient to pay the price of our sin. Jesus’ death on the cross did not ring up as “insufficient funds” with the Father. Jesus paid it all. Paul is indicating that those who seek to serve Jesus will suffer, especially ministers of the gospel of grace. Yet, their joy cannot be quenched.

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (CJB) But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it will be evident that such overwhelming power comes from God and not from us. 8 We have all kinds of troubles, but we are not crushed; we are perplexed, yet not in despair; 9 persecuted, yet not abandoned; knocked down, yet not destroyed. 10 We always carry in our bodies the dying of Yeshua, so that the life of Yeshua may be manifested in our bodies too. 11 For we who are alive are always being handed over to death for Yeshua’s sake, so that Yeshua’s life also might be manifested in our mortal bodies. 12 Thus death is at work in us but life in you.

John MacArthur Study Bible:

4:12 Paul faced death every day, yet he was willing to pay that price if it meant salvation for those to whom he preached (cf. Phil. 2:17; Col. 1:24; 2 Tim. 2:10).

Jesus explained to His disciples that if He was persecuted, they would be as well.

John 15:20 (NASB) Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

John 16:33 (AMPC)   I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

Jesus did not say we “might” have trouble but that we “will.” Just what I wanted to hear, NOT. He does promise that He will be there with us in the midst of our sufferings. Our troubles bring glory to God when they are the result of obedience to Him. We have victory because of Jesus and through His Holy Spirit.

Colossians 1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

God was Paul’s employer and had assigned him to a particular group as pastor and overseer, primarily the gentiles. His job description was not by his choice, but by God’s design alone. Paul did preach to Jews, but his main calling was to spread the gospel to the gentiles, the news that they too could be redeemed by Jesus’ death on the cross. The gospel is for everyone who trusts in Jesus and His teachings.

Colossians 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

We like verses 26-27 in the Voice translation:

Colossians 1:26-27 (VOICE) the mystery of the ages! What was hidden for ages, generations and generations, is now being revealed to His holy ones. 27 He decided to make known to them His blessing to the nations; the glorious riches of this mystery is the indwelling of the Anointed in you! The very hope of glory.

God has revealed the mystery to those He has chosen, those who believe that Jesus is the Messiah sent by the Father to redeem them. And what is this mystery? The mystery is that the Lord makes His home in us, the Holy Spirit comes to live in each believer.

John 14:16-17 (KJV) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Christ is in us via the vehicle of the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Paul’s determination was to preach the simple truths of the Gospel message, Jesus and His accomplishment on the cross and His resurrection from the dead.

1 Corinthians 2:2 (AMP) for I made the decision to know nothing [that is, to forego philosophical or theological discussions regarding inconsequential things and opinions while] among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified [and the meaning of His redemptive, substitutionary death and His resurrection].

Paul spread the good news and trusted that Jesus would apply it to the lives of the hearers. Paul taught doctrine, taught Christians how to live in his writings. However, his primary life’s purpose was proclaiming Christ and Him crucified.

Colossians 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Paul was an “energizer bunny” because Christ was his perpetual, holy infusion of strength and power. The characters in The Lord of the Rings were sustained by Lembas bread. Paul had no need of that because he was filled with the Bread of Life.

Challenge: We are all commanded to proclaim Jesus, to share the gospel with others. No, we do not all have the gift of evangelism; but we can all tell our friends and family the good news of what Jesus has done for us. Make it a point to share the Gospel with someone this week!