SACRIFICIAL SERVICE FOR THE SAINTS
Colossians 1:24 – 2:5
24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, 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. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness-- 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To 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. 28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
1 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. Colossians 1:24-2:5 (NIV)
Paul’s goal was to teach with all wisdom through the power of the Holy Spirit the Word of God in its fullness. No picking and choosing palatable Scriptures for this guy – it was the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth! Paul was a suffering preacher. Indeed, he was suffering for preaching the Gospel when he wrote Colossians - writing the letter from prison. Because his suffering was for so good a cause, he was enabled to rejoice in it. Actually, all suffering, if we allow it, is for so good a cause. Think Romans 8:28:
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)
The sufferings of the believer are endurable because they suffer for the sake of Christ. He gives sufficient grace to meet each need and our pain always has eternal purpose.
“All” is this verse means all. These sufferings made Paul more conformable to Christ and he knew it. He writes that these sufferings filled up what was still lacking in his flesh regarding Christ’s afflictions – conforming him to Christ’s image - as wax fills the empty space of the seal when it receives the impression of a seal or as perfume fills the room – fullness in every way. Scripture tells us to rejoice when suffering for Christ’s sake:
5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 2 Corinthians 1:5 (NIV)
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 1 Peter 4:12-16
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Another reason for rejoicing is for the future glory that will be revealed in us:
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 (NIV)
Paul wrote about this in his own life in 2 Corinthians:
3 We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 (NIV)
Lastly, Christ continues to suffer when Christians suffer for Him. He asked Saul turned Paul on the Road to Damascus, “Why do you persecute me” when Saul was persecuting the believers:
3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He 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. Acts 9:3-5 (NIV)
Since the Church is Christ’s body, He is affected when it is affected. For the sake of Christ’s body, Paul willingly suffered and was even desirous to go further still:
10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)
Paul’s teachings included the whole of Scripture – admonishing and teaching with all wisdom. He was a firm believer in the Truth of Hebrews 4:12:
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV)
Read Overcoming Temptation – Youssef and the following verses stating by King David showing that the benefits of God are often obtained in this life by faithful perseverance in godliness:
21 "The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. 22 For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not done evil by turning from my God. 23 All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. 2 Samuel 22:21-23 (NIV)
25 The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight. 26 "To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, 27 to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. 28 You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low. 2 Samuel 22:25-28 (NIV)
36 You give me your shield of victory; you stoop down to make me great. 2 Samuel 22:36 (NIV)
Warning and teaching must go together. When we warn people of going amiss we must teach them how to do better – the right path as Scripture calls it. We must choose the fittest seasons and accommodate ourselves to the different capacities of those we have in our spheres. Pauls’ aim was to present everyone perfect (blameless) in Christ. Paul was a laborious preacher extending himself to do much good – the power of God working in and through him effectively. It was his heart’s desire to bring the Word of salvation to the Gentiles and even more so to the Jews as well as teaching them regarding sanctification – growing them up in Christ – slaying worldliness:
1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. Romans 10:1-3 (NIV)
For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:33 (NIV)
1 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly--mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 (NIV)
Paul preached the mystery of the Gospel (long hidden) but now disclosed to the saints. The mystery is the riches of God’s glory among the Gentiles – once afforded only to the Jews. Christ is the hope of glory for all. Paul was a God ordained servant of the precious truth of the Word of God in its fullness. The Colossian heresy boasted of a “fullness” of knowledge quite possibly only through their mystical experiences. Paul declared that the fullness of the mystery is found only in Christ. By “mystery” he meant something once concealed but now revealed. This contrasted to the Colossians heretic’s notions that a mystery was a secret teaching known only to an exclusive group and unknown to the masses. God had chosen to make known this mystery to the New Testament saints. He willed in His sovereign mercy to reveal His eternal purpose with all its glorious riches (divine effulgence or blazing splendor). Paul states in Ephesians:
18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 1:18-20 (NIV)
The amazing thing is that this was now revealed among the Gentiles, whereas previously God’s special revelation was to the Jews exclusively. Now, as Ephesians 2:12 states, those “without hope and without God in the world” have been given a glorious hope – which is Christ in you. Because of “the glorious riches”, believers are indwelt by Christ the hope of glory. They are thus “in Christ” and Christ in them.
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men) -- 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace. Ephesians 2:11-14 (NIV)
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:16-18 (NIV)
5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)
Because of Christ believers look forward to sharing in His glory:
4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:4 (NIV)
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:2 (NIV)
17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV)
Paul counseled and instructed with all wisdom in an effort to present everyone mature (complete) in Christ. He was not interested in them remaining spiritual babies but becoming spiritually mature. This is both for our good and God’s glory. The writer of Hebrews states:
11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:11-14 (NIV)
25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. 1 Corinthians 1:25 (NIV)
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Romans 11:33 (NIV)
In 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Paul prays for complete sanctification of believers:
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NIV)
Paul preached the “fullness” of the Gospel so that believers could have the fullness of life Jesus promised and Satan seeks to rip from us:
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)
To this end Paul expended all his God-given strength. Developing maturity in believers took great labor (or wearisome toil) and the wording also indicates struggling as an athlete in an arena. The power for this struggle came from Christ alone.
Chapter Two
The apostle had never been to Colossae yet he had such a tender care for those there as if they had been the only people of his charge. His labor of love was not limited to those he knew personally. He did not want them to be taken captive by fine sounding arguments (persuasive speech which uses plausible yet false arguments). Satan captures souls by beguiling them – always has, always will. If he came with a pitchfork we would flee – he presents enticingly to beguile. He deceives us and by this means he slays us. He could not ruin us if he could not cheat us and he could not cheat us but by our own folly.
13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
Read Youssef’s Filtering Messages
“No matter how many pleasures Satan offers you, his ultimate purpose is to ruin you. Your destruction is his highest priority.” Erwin Lutzer
Therefore it was Paul’s greatest longing that they know and walk in the Truth – for their own good and God’s glory. It is our safety net as well. Read Kevin DeYoung. His desire was that they be encouraged in heart and united in love. It was their spiritual welfare about which he was most concerned. He knew confidence and strength of conviction as well as a cohesive unity would yield a full understanding of the Truth. Take note: There is no full knowledge apart from moral commitment – we must act upon what we know to be true – you do not own it unless you do it. Complete understanding results from complete yielding. Knowledge is the understanding while wisdom is the application to life. Knowledge is prudent judgment and wisdom is prudent action. All the treasures of these are found in Christ. Paul knew for certain that the prosperity of the soul was the best prosperity. Great knowledge and strong faith (application of knowledge or acting on the faith) make the soul rich. The soul prospers when it is filled with the joy, peace and satisfaction which comes only from Christ. Jesus says:
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV)
The stronger our faith is, and the warmer our love, the greater will our comfort be. The treasures of wisdom are not hidden from us, but for us, in Christ. We must spend time in His Word drawing from the riches stored up for us and treasure which are hidden within and subsequently apply them to our lives.
“I am sorry for the men who do not read the Bible every day. I wonder why they deprive themselves of the strength and of the pleasure.” Woodrow Wilson
These are Beth’s personal notes, due to this fact sources are not often stated.
