Christian ministry Col 1:28-29

Introduction

Every Christian has a work to do for the Lord in one way or another. There is a well known saying ‘You are either a missionary or a mission field.’ Or C H Spurgeon put it more strongly ‘You are either a missionary or an imposter.’ Perhaps he’s put it a little stronger than I would but surely we can agree with the sentiment, if you have been redeemed by Jesus Christ you have an important part to play in telling others about him. I think you agree with that that’s why you are here this evening to support the gospel work that MAST is doing in local schools.

But the question is, if every Christian has some kind of ministry that the the Lord has for them. What does faithful Christian ministry look like? How are we to do this work?

In our passage we see how the apostle Paul describes his own ministry. In doing so we have a pattern that we too ought to be apply to our own service for the Lord.

I. Message

Him we preach

The Apostle Paul proclaimed Christ. The Lord Jesus was the theme of his message to the world.

This is the main message every Christian has to proclaim to the world.

What is it to preach Christ?

His person- Who he is

Colossians 1:19 “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,”

Eternal Son of God. God the Son, Second person of the Trinity. He became flesh. Took a true human nature. One person, two natures.

I’m sure Paul didn’t go around giving in-depth lectures in Christology but he communicated something of who Christ is when he preached the Gospel.

His work- What he has done

Colossians 1:20 “and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.”

The problem- Sin, separation from God, punishment

Christ is the remedy because...

God who became a man - He can bring God and man back together

Lived a perfect life- fulfilled all righteousness

Died on the cross as our substitute- Propitiation for our sins.

Rose from the dead- Defeated sin and death

Ever lives to intercede for his people-

Those who repent and believe have the perfect righteousness of Christ imputed to them. Christ atones for all their sins so they are forgiven. They receive eternal life and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

This all happens by faith and not by works.

Application

This was the message preached by Paul. This is the same message that Christians must preach today.

Praise God this is the same message that Chloe and Hannah are able to bring to the children in the schools they visit.

II. Method

Warning everyone-

Speaking about sin and its consequences- This should never be omitted. Nobody has ever come to the Saviour until they realised they needed saving. People don’t go to the doctors until they think they are sick. No one ever looks for a solution when they don’t think they have a problem.

Sin-

Judgement-

Teaching everyone-

Teaching unbelievers the Gospel.

Teaching believers the word of God.

Everyone-

This is repeated three times here for emphasis.

Paul has a concern for every single person. As does God.

In all wisdom- He never changed his message but he changed the way he presented it depending on who was before him.

Application

All faithful Christian ministry has these two components. Warning and teaching. The message must include both the negative and the positive.

What a privilege Chloe and Hannah have of being able to do this in different schools around the area. Whether in assemblies or Walk through the Bible.

There is a challenge for all of us as we seek to preach Christ to those we know and those we meet. Are we warning as well as teaching? Do we have this concern for everyone like Paul did. Better yet like the Lord Jesus did?

III. Motive

Everyone-

perfect in Christ Jesus-

Perfect-complete/fully mature.

Saved- Forgiven, justified, regenerate, possessing eternal life.

Mature Christians-

Present everyone brings to mind the final day.

Application

As we are here thinking about the work of MAST, You may be wondering is this possible when going into a school for a short time and never being able to see these children again?

With man this is impossible but with God all things are possible. There is a Christian lady I know who wasn’t from a Christian background and didn’t become a Christian until she was an adult with children. She became a Christian because one day her daughter came home from school asking if she can start going to church. They started going and as a result this lady got converted. The reason her daughter wanted to start going to church was because a Christian had come into their school and had taught them about the Lord Jesus Christ. This Christian lady after her conversion went to Bible college and also went into full-time Christian work. Much of their family are now Christians as well. It all started with a little girl hearing the gospel at primary school.

Conclusion

Paul tells us his message, his method and his motive. Here we have a pattern of faithful Christian ministry. But that’s not all. Look at how he finishes his point in v.29. This is a challenge for every believer but particularly those in gospel work like Chloe and Hannah. There is challenge and encouragement here.

How should we go about this work?

Challenge-

Labour, Striving

Paul gave himself to this work wholeheartedly

Encouragement-

Yet he did so not depending on his own strength. But,

According to his working which works in us mightily.