Colossians 1:24-29 - Making Known the Riches of the Glory of the Mystery of Jesus Christ

Intro:

Good evening.

We’re going to finish up our study of Colossians chapter 1 tonight, looking at verses 24-29.

Our sermon title for tonight comes from verse 27, and that title is “Making Known the Riches of the Glory of the Mystery of Jesus Christ.”

Incidentally, when you think about it, that’s what I get to do for a living as a preacher:

I get to tell you about the RICHES of the GLORY of the MYSTERY of Jesus Christ!

It is a wonderful endeavor, and it is a distinct privilege to be able to stand in a pulpit and proclaim the glory of Jesus!

Let’s begin our study of Colossians 1:24-29.

The Text:

Colossians 1:24 NKJV

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,

This has to be one of those verses that makes you go, “Wow!”

Think about the depth of what Paul is saying here!

“I now rejoice in my SUFFERINGS for you (remember, Paul was writing this from a Roman prison), and FILL UP in my flesh what is LACKING IN THE AFFLICTIONS OF CHRIST, for the sake of His body, which is the church.”

This probably could be better translated.

This is not saying that Christ’s sufferings were insufficient or lacking.

2 Corinthians 5:21 says: “For He (God) made Him who knew no sin to be sin (the sin offering) for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

In other words, the suffering of Christ on His cross was sufficient for our salvation.

Col. 1:24, using an interlinear Bible to get the direct rendering of the Greek words, we get this (translated into English):

“Now I rejoice in the sufferings for you and I am filling up that which is lacking of the tribulations of Christ in the flesh of me for the body of Him which is the church.”

Again, “I am filling up that which is lacking of the tribulations of Christ IN THE FLESH OF ME.”

Or Paul could have said “of MY flesh.”

Thus, what Paul is saying is that there is still suffering to be had for HIS part for the sake of Christ and His church, and Paul REJOICED in that!

Mind boggling isn’t it?!

And yet, the example of our Lord Himself also is that of REJOICING in suffering - Hebrews 12:2 - “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the JOY that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Colossians 1:25 NKJV

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,

This is an extremely important reminder for me as a preacher, as a minister.

Notice that Paul, even though he was a “higher pay grade,” so to speak — He was an apostle of Christ!

Here he refers to himself as a MINISTER, a servant.

If you were ask me what you should call me:

“Brother Chase” is perfectly fine, or just “Chase” for that matter.

Of course, “Preacher,” and “Minister” is actually probably my favorite — Because a minister is a servant of Christ and His people.

Incidentally, not “pastor” because I’m not an elder.

Another important reminder in this verse - “according to the STEWARDSHIP from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the Word of God!”

Paul certainly made application for himself there, and I need to make application for myself to make sure that I always am a good steward of my ministry!

When Jesus says at the end of the parable of talents in Matthew 25:21 and 25:23 “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord,’” He was talking about STEWARDSHIP!

I must be a good steward of my talents in the Lord, as should all of us be!

I also think frequently about James 3:1 - “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” (So I must constantly do my due diligence to be faithful and true to the Word of God).

2 Timothy 4:2 - “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”

Colossians 1:26–27 NKJV

the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 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 has often been said that the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.

I like that!

There were some many prophecies of Christ and His kingdom (the church) in the O.T.!

And it was a MYSTERY to those in the O.T., but the mystery has been revealed to us in the N.T.!

What a tremendous privilege that is!

1 Peter 1:10–12 puts it this way: “Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven — things which angels desire to look into.”

Galatians 3:24–25 - “Therefore the law was our tutor (“schoolmaster,” KJV) to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor (or schoolmaster).”

Galatians 4:4–5 says - “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

By the way, you can’t help but notice how UNIFIED the message of Jesus Christ is, right? (We’ve noticed the SAME TEACHINGS of Christ and His Gospel in Galatians here, Colossians, Ephesians, Hebrews, etc.) — This is evidence for the INSPIRATION of the Scriptures — It is a totally unified message!

Notice verse 27, from which we get our sermon title tonight - “To them God willed to make known what are the RICHES of the GLORY of this MYSTERY among the Gentiles (“to the Jew first and also to the Greek, right? Rom. 1:16): which is Christ in you, THE HOPE OF GLORY.”

Colossians 1:28 NKJV

Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

“WARNING every man” — There’s a great sermon within a sermon right there! (look up the word “warn” or “warned’ or “warning” in the Bible and see what all it says!)

(I may do a sermon on that sometime).

Paul in Acts 20 said that he was “free from the blood of all men” — Why? Because he WARNED people of judgment to come!

“That we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

Will every man BE perfect (complete) in Christ Jesus? (No, but that’s the goal — to save as many as we can!)

Colossians 1:29 NKJV

To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

When you study the writings of Paul, when you look at his missionary journeys, when you look at the life of Paul before he converted, even — Do you get the impression that he was a lazy man?

Or do you get the impression that he was an extremely DILIGENT man?

I get the impression that he was an extremely DILIGENT man!

And so he LABORED, STRIVING according to God’s working which worked in him mightily (powerfully)!

Conclusion:

We, too, are to labor diligently for our Lord, working in His vineyard!

That brings us to the end of chapter 1!

Tonight we’ve looked at “Making Known the Riches of the Glory of the Mystery of Jesus Christ.”

Lord willing, next Sunday morning, we’ll begin chapter 2 looking at the importance of “being alert!”