The Work of Ministry Colossians 1:24-2:5

When it comes to ministry, we have certain preconceived ideas of what it is or what it will look like. Often one of suffering is not quickly on the top of it. Why? Can it be because it’s uncomfortable? Could it be because it isn’t flashy or cool? Paul is going to talk about how ministry is hard work, and often it is filled with hard things or suffering. He is in prison after all...

We are going to see 3 aspects of ministry this morning that are common in every aspect of life.

Read Colossians 1:24–2:5 “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.”

The first aspects of ministry is that we are

1. Knowing the Object of Ministry vs. 24-26

We can never go beyond what we do not know. If we want to see things succeed, then we must put the work into it. Which means we are going to have to grow in our knowledge of who Jesus is because He is the object of our ministry.

v. 24 Seems odd to rejoice in suffering, but it wasn’t suffering that Paul was specifically doing. Paul wasn’t a masochist (someone who enjoys pain). But what the goal of the suffering. The growth of His personal walk and ultimately the growth of the church through his knowledge and ministry.

v. 25 Paul wasn’t under an delusion of what his specific ministry was going to look like. Jesus Himself told him, Acts 9:15–16 “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.””

We likewise must not be surprised when we emulate the object of ministry to face similar difficulties.

2 Timothy 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”

Sometimes I can be guilty of this, I’d rather not speak something because it will be uncomfortable or because of the challenge that may arise from it.

v. 26 Whenever you see mystery spoken of in the Bible, it speaks more to things that are hidden or unknown until the time of revealing rather than a code to unveil. Now we understand the mystery that Paul spoke about because God made it very clear. What was that mystery? That the Gentiles would be welcomed into the family of God through the work of the cross.

The second aspects of ministry is that we are

2. Proclaiming the Object of Ministry vs. 27-29

v. 27 We have a great privilege to be the spoke people for God. We get to proclaim how awesome Christ is and share our hope with people.

v. 28 It is more than just sharing about Christ to unbelievers, but it is sharing and helping each other grow in Christ. The work of sanctification and edification in the life of believers as the Holy Spirit works through difficulties and other areas of our lives.

v. 29 It can be very challenging. The job of a minister or Christian is work. It is a high calling to invest in the life of people. Paul gives a clear picture, that at the end of the day it is Christ’s power in us that works through us. As Christ transforms me, it then flows it should work itself outward to those around me.

The third aspects of ministry is that we are

3. Defending the Object of Ministry 2:1-5

v. 1 Paul had an awareness that not only with the Colossae church but the aspect of his ministry impacted people that he’d never know. But his heart yearned for them to mature and know Christ.

v. 2 In order for the ministry of the church to be effective, we must be centered on Knowing Christ and Going for Christ. Some times that requires us to defend Christ especially when false teaching can arise within the church or around it. Which Paul speaks about in v. 4.

v. 3 Do you consider the value or Christ? Paul says he is the treasure, the riches of wisdom. Like the hidden treasure of Indiana Jones or National Treasure where people put all on the line to find the prize.

v. 4-5 Knowing Christ and His Word is so important because there are people out there who try to distract and lead us away from Him. Paul says this is plausible, or persuasive speech. Not some crazy person that we can dismiss but someone who is crafty, sprinkling in enough truth but lacing poison in with the meal.

Paul was encouraged and wanted the people of the Colossian church to be encouraged to press on to know Christ and continue the good work that was being done and reported by Epaphras.

Next Steps:

Let’s remember what it takes Know Christ, Grow in Christ, and Go for Christ. As Paul said we must know Him and there are times we defend the truth of who He is.

Pray for ways this week that we as a church body can be knitting ourselves together in love towards Christlikeness.