Mature In Christ (2)
Notes
Transcript
Good Morning…Colossians 1:24-29
The book of Colossians is an incredibly powerful little book.
The Apostle Paul writes to the local church in Colossi
The church is likely being pressured or at least, susceptible to false teachings
about the person of Christ…
what is known as the Colossian Heresy…that sought to rob Christ of Divinity.
So in response the Apostle Paul pens this letter to be given to them.
Context of the passage - The Apostle Paul had just finished speaking of the Lordship of Christ…
And did so by speaking a Christo-Centric Hymn of the Kingship of Christ in v.15-20
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him…He is before all things…and in him all things hold together…He is the head of the Church! And the firstborn from among the dead….and is first place in everything…..
And further, has brought about reconciliation and redemption
through his life, death, and resurrection.
And we now bear a responsibility to continue in that faith,
by the power of His Spirit that is at work in us!
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This leads him to a grand conclusion about the gospel of Jesus Christ,
and specifically His ministry to which He has been called..
And our text today highlights to the mission and ministry of the Apostle PAUL
And within that in mind, it remind us to what it is we are called to…
What it is we are aiming toward…yes, as individuals, but also corporately as a body.
Col. 1:28b that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Encompasses mission, evangelism, discipleship, prayer, humble dependance on the Lord to move!
Acts 20:22-24
22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
It's living with the end in mind! That in this world, there are a ton of distractions
and things that could potentially knock us off course…
both in our thinking and (consequently) in our living.
And the aim of the Apostle Paul is I don’t want to miss the mark…anymore!!!
His past – He’d beenso off course…in his former life in Judaism…That He wants His life to count!
And I think, deep down…we all are as well!
That we want our life in this world, to count…
And for our faith and walk with Christ, and life within the local church to matter!
Sermon Summary: Proclaim Christ. Labor for maturity. Trust God.
24 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, 25 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, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 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. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
I. Our Suffering: Sure (v.24-25a)
II. Our Message: Fixed (v.25b-27)
III. Our Task: Daunting (v.28-29a)
IV. Our God: strong! (v.29b)
I. Our Suffering: Sure (v.24-25)
I. Our Suffering: Sure (v.24-25)
24 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, 25 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,
24 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, 25 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,
Paul says suffering is a means through which He rejoices!
Often the default posture is that when trouble or adversity comes in our life. We don’t like it!
We often equate it to a disapproval or consequence or mistakes that we have made.
My concern is that we have created a version of Christianity
that is void of any hardship or threat of Christian suffering.
Paul had a different mindset all-together…in that…suffering for the sake of Christ!
Was in His view….a gift!!!
And it was to be expected in following Jesus! RememberHis conversion story.
Act 9:16 – He is a chosen instrument…
and I will show him how much He must suffer for my name sake!
He is not seeking suffering or persecution —— but is ok with it,
because He knows it is serving a purpose….namely, that the gospel is spreading!
(Phil 1) – serving to advance the gospel!
Jesus told His Followers
Matthew 10:17-25(sending you out a lambs in the midst of wolves)
17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
Jesus would even say we are blessed
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
So it ought not come as a surprise Christian, that in living for Christ!
The message is NOT accepted. Pastors subject to criticism …The church may receives threat!
The message is hindered… are told that it’s not culturally sensitive or relevant.
Yet, what is true for the Apostle Paul, is that His suffering was truly for Christ…and only Christ!
and NOT for any other kingdom advancement!
And yet, when suffering came – He didn’t see the glass half empty!!
Instead, he saw the glass as half full!
The gospel was spreading. And He was filling up…what is lacking in Christ affliction…
joining Christ in his suffering….and finding union with Christ in His own affliction!
And that though he may suffer affliction,
it was acting as cover-fire for thegospel advancing in and around the world!
Understanding what’s happening…(suffering was a given)
Paul is seeing His affliction, sacrifice, as means of which of allowing the gospel to spread!
All throughout the book of Acts, when you study it…
there are 3 three elements with the growth
Prayer, Proclamation, and Persecution
(prayer of the church, proclamation of the gospel, persecution outside)
2,000 - Acts 2:41 Continued growth daily Acts 2:47 5,000 - Acts 4:4 More daily - Act 5:14
Throughout history - had to grow in a comfortable tension - that suffering was inevitable….
(and that God had a purpose through it!
And the truth is beloved….when you consider the history of Christianity…
the story of the history of our faith is filled with men and women
who were mark with suffering and affliction…
Paul recognized that this was a natural outworkingof his calling,
as an apostle. As a minister of the gospel….as a believerin Christ!!
24 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, 25 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,
We also, ought NOT be surprised, if and when it comes in our own
(beyond soft forms of persecution, and beyond to intense persecution, in which some of our brothers and sisters are living in right now in other parts of the world!)
10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
And so as the church, marches forward into the future, and into a hostile world.
With the message of Jesus Christ…We ought NOT be surprised when suffering comes!
Our suffering…in living for Christ! is sure, Christian!
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I. Our Message: Fixed (v.25b-27)
I. Our Message: Fixed (v.25b-27)
24 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, 25 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, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 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.
The clear message of the church…
that the church must proclaim is unequivocally and intentionally…
The gospel of Jesus Christ!
It is here as Paul says in v. 25 to MAKE THE WORD OF GOD FULLY KNOWN!
4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,
OUR MESSAGE - is the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ!
The news of Christ saving sinners!
That those DEAD in their trespasses and sin…hostile toward God revilers of God!
Deserving of full condemnation from God! …
in their own merit deserve not God’s love, but His wrath…Because of sin!
And God, the all righteous KING of the world…
to whom, we all must stand and give an account….will stand before him guilty!
And the GOOD NEWS…
is through the life (perfect life), death(sacrificial/substitutionary death),
and resurrection of Jesus Christ…
God in His grace, is reconciling the world to Himself through Christ!
And that through repentance in faith in Jesus….
those who should stand utterly condemn by God, through Christ,
have been born again,
given a new identity in Christ,
and receive the merit of Christ…
and Christ taking on your sin, …suffering and dying in your place…
receiving the wrath of God that you deserve! God Placing it totally on Jesus…
He became and acceptable sacrifice for you….
In this great exchange for your sin and condemnation …
and Christ righteousness and acceptance before God the father!
God in Christ taking your sin…
and you receive ALL of his benefit, through faith in Christ…
namely his perfection and righteousness!
AND all of it confirmed through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead,
He is the true king and Lord over the whole earth…
and the giving of His Holy Spirit, to lead us and Guide us into truth, and kingdom living!
Paul says, I’m minister or a steward of this message…
The word there is one of a tablehost…
I’m the one bringing the course meal to the table…
and merely serving its truth to you!
This message - from God….
It was given to me (he says)…and God has revealed it (to His saints)!!
And begins to discuss this mystery! (v.26)
He mentions this again in
4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Throughout the scripture and the unfolding of God’s plan throughout the world….
was in many ways a mystery…
Creation, Fall, God’s people established (through Abraham, Issac, and Jacob)….
Israel(promise to save God’s people)
Gospels and the time of Christ –
the disciples NOT fully understanding what is going on
(Military messiah, He’s got to die?,
what does this mean? – WHO is JESUS?
Israel isn’t rejoicing at His coming)
There are things that are unknown…
they are a mystery….and it was hidden
Further:
But what no one saw coming –
was an extension of God’s salvation to the Gentiles!
They were considered unclean and cut off from God’s promise…
and the fact that they (we too) could be included in…
was to be a complete shock to everyone!
And Paul says in to this Colossians (these Gentiles)
That the mystery - this secret that has been hidden is this….a phrase!
“Christ in you!….the hope of glory”
Paul intends to alert the Colossians to the reality again –
that gospel (good news) of Jesus has been extended to the Gentiles…you are included!
Christ offer of hope is for you!
But Further- Paul intends to awaken the Colossians to a great truth…
It’s the reality of God’s presence IN His people!
In other words - Christ did NOT merely come and die….
give instruction on how to live…and how you should live…
and say ok people…good luck
and I hope to see you on the other side of this thing!
NO! - think of it within the context of what Paul has said already in Colossians
********* Christ is supreme, He’s the head, He is 1st place in everything…He’s the power of creation, He is the image of the invisible God!…the person that created all things…and holding all this together…He’s the one that all the fullness of GOD, was please to dwell….yeah, this JESUS!! He is the king over all things…the one who saved you! **********
He’s living IN you now! (great!….woo hoo!)
And in His strength and power…We preach the message of Christ to all people!
And this gospel message, is a BIG gospel!! FOR BOTH JEWS AND GREEKS!!!
It the message of reconciliation of ALL THINGS in Christ!!
And we herald the good news of Jesus to all place and people!
It’s the faith handed down….
its been revealed!
God has made it known!
We are recipients of the message of God in what He has spoken
through His Son, and His word!
So we need not be entertained,
with prophetic voices or sidetracked
by their message of what they believe
will happen in the future…..and all of that silliness!
God has spoken!
His gospel is clear!
And His message to the world –
CHRIST FOR SALVATION!! CHRIST FOR SALVATION!!
OUR MESSAGE IS FIXED!
WE preach Jesus….
WE PREACH CHRIST FOR SALVATION
for all who repent and believe in HIM!
and by the Lord’s grace….
that should be our aim in live as well…
To proclaim Christ all of my days….and then LET ME DROP!!!
and may it be that what rings for the future that is to come ….
is the mystery of the good news of Jesus…CHRIST FOR SALVATION!
And the very King that stood as judge over you…
and had every right to condemn YOU!
CHRIST FOR SALVAITON!…
has reconciled you (CHRIST FOR SALVATION!)
And is, by His Spirit, LIVING IN YOU!!!...
You’re a new creature in Christ!
EXPERIENCING NOW the hope of Christ that is to come…
He is the guarantee of our coming and final SALVATION
and UNION with OUR LORD!
CHRIST FOR SALVATION!.....
OUR SUFFERING SURE …..Our Message is FIXED! (CHRIST FOR SALVATION!)
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II. Our Task: Daunting (v.28-29a)
II. Our Task: Daunting (v.28-29a)
27 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. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
All of this – HIM WE PROCLAIM!!! Is the verbal idea…
And the way in which we do this…both negative (WARNING) and positive (TEACHING)
We proclaim: we boldly announce this message (CHRIST FOR SALVATION)
Warning of the coming judgement of the Lord,
to whom we must all give and account!
Teaching and instructing the ways of Christ!
This is precisely the great commission!
And the calling of all believers within the local church!
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
That’s our labor in this world, is that of Christian discipleship and maturity!
That we seek to see growth and conforming to the person of Christ
and the knowledge of The Lord!
Parent’s - the aim of your mission as parents, isn’t just to wish your children the best…
It’s the instruction them, teach them, model to them what it looks like to follow Jesus!
It’s NOT even to defer Christian instruction to ministries within the church,
but for the church to come alongside you in training up your Child in the way of Christ!
But the front lines of Christian discipleship begins with you as parents, in the home!
IT’s that of Christian Maturity!
Husbands and Wives– your mission in the world isn’t to NOT merely aspire to the AMERICAN DREAM!
And to fantasize about your own happiness in this life…
and when your standards are NOT met,
you move on to someone else, who can maybe help you find satisfaction…
No – your marriage is a reflection of Christ and His Church …
and means and model through which you DISPLAY the love of Christ to a watching world….
Your marriage isn’t private, It’s a public display
(of UNION, of SERVICE, OF SACRIFICE, OR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT to one another)
ITS ABOUT CHRISTIAN MATURITY!
CHRISTIAN– YOUR job or occupation…
Isn’t just a means through which you earn a wageor coast to a retirement….
It is a reminder of the created order, that work is a gift from God…
and is difficult (because of the fall)…
and further an opportunity in EVERYTHING that you DO to display and work for the glory of God!
Church – we aren’t just a physical building that people come to…
and a few paid professionals are then hired to-do the work of ministry!
In fact, the New Testament communicates just the opposite. …
that is the body to do and perform the work of ministry.
Did you notice the language Paul uses here…It’s one of plurality!
HIM “WE” proclaim! ….that “WE” may present everyone mature in Christ!
This is calling for all of us as believers and as a church!
We aim to preach Christ!
And Mature believers in the right doctrine and right living!
In their growth in godliness and conformity to Christ….
The mark is that of maturity in Christ! And we present them….
It’s like the big reveal…
and the grand crescendo of a formal presentation.
To SAY HERE IT IS…..”their maturity in Christ!”
And this is simply NOT the posture of most Churches….It’s NOT that of mature!
Instead, is that of attraction, pragmatism, and if NOT careful that of carnality….
It’s not about truth (even proclamation)…
its just about getting people through the doors!
And if you pry deep enough in many churches (which isn’t very deep), it shows…
because people come through the doors,
and may feel entertain for a season and the walk out the back one…
and they hop around from church to church or stay home….”ah, it just wasn’t for me.”
Or do I really even need my bible this week?…has anyone encouraged me to read this thing?
Have I been challenged to live in light of this truth, God and His word, this week?
Have I considered and encountered my own sinfulness in interacting with others,
and had to die to self, repent of sin,
and bear the burdens of my brother or sister in Christ,
Been challenged to live on mission
and serve my neighbor and share Christ with the lost?
Am I am being challenged to grow in holiness, and in light of the gospel!
Accountable to my Lord and His people that I have covenanted together with
Am I being spurred on to maturity!!!! (IS THE LOCAL CHURCH)
I fear that most aren’t so concerned about what it
means to be the local church anymore…
Most are too busy with wondering
if we are attractive enough by the world’s standard
To get people to like them enough to come.
Brothers and Sisters – what is needed today,
is NOT a church that looks like the world,
That attempts to attract the world,
by the worlds means and according to the worlds’ standard!
Instead – What God desires for HIS CHURCH to be
(and by the way that should be enough, that God desires it)
What God desires – is a church marks by Christian distinctivenessfrom the world!
Set APART, HOLY unto God! …
.Humility in follow God and loving their neighbor!
Who are serious about following Jesus,
and living in light of His word!
And no, they don’t have it all figured out,
but they are striving for personal growth, and godliness
God has spoken…
and His aim for us, all of us…
to gather together,
scatters and go into all place
proclaiming the gospel….
and grow in maturity and conformity to Christ!
THAT WE MIGHT PRESENT EVERYONE MATURE IN CHRIST!
And my prayer and vision for Grace Life –
is NOT one of pragmatism, but PRESENTATION- maturity!
that we may PRESENT EVERYONE MATURE IN CHRIST!
SO DAUNTING and CHALLENGING…and HARD….IT IS!!
OUR SUFFERING – SURE...
OUR MESSAGE – FIXED……OUR TASKS –DAUNTING…but our God is strong!
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III. Our God: Strong! (v.29)
III. Our God: Strong! (v.29)
28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
Paul says - I TOIL!!! I WORK
I worked harder than any of them!
Yet it was the Lord working through me…
And I’ll tell you the honest truth…
that discipleship and evangelism, church growth, salvation…
you fill it in how ever you want to….but it’s all a work of the Lord.
Paul planted, Apollos water, but the Lord brings the increase.
And I’ll simply share philosophy of ministry that I live by…
Preach THE word (to feed the sheep),
Exalt Christ (to draw all men to Himself),
Point His people to Mission (that God has given),
and Trust the Lord (to do the work)
And here the Apostle Paul knows the honest truth….
He is to work hard, with all His might…
labor and to toil to the degree that God has called him,
but to NOT depend on His own strength,
and to instead trust the Lord.
1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
And we may be zealous to do the Lord’s work
and accomplish His mission of disciple-making, and gospel proclamation,
but we would be FOOLISH if we thought it depended on us!!
The work of regeneration, sanctification, and changing of affection,
taking a person from death to life – BEING BORN AGAIN!
Bringing repentance, and faith….a true heart transformation…
and giving power to live in accordance to Christ…
That it something totally and completely beyond us…THE LORD MUST DO IT!
AND WE ARE TOTALLY DEPENDENT UPON HIM TO DO IT!
And you want to know how God intends His church
to march into the future of 2026 and beyond…
It’s NOT by going back to a former way of life (or a particular way of things we are used to)
Nor do we have to reinvent the wheel!
The Wheel’s not broken!! The message isn’t broken…
but’s its often forgotten
And exchanged for lesser messages, and cheap substitutes
Beloved the WAY – in which to go, is the WAY of the Cross!
That’s the path forward! …. It’s looking to the TRUTH….the truth of Christ!
That’s where we find LIFE….
that’s where the church find’s life,
but also, where a lost and dying world can find HOPE and LIFE as well!
And it’s GETTING BACK to the OLD familiar STORY of Christ and Christ alone!!
reclaiming old truths and discovering once again (truly)
what it is that God has called us to…
1. That we would be willing to embrace suffering if it comes
(we don’t count our lives precious or of any value, but that only we may finish our course)
2. That we seek to rediscover what GOD has said in his word!
HIS MESSAGE…HE HAS SPOKEN! HE HAS REVEALED HIMSELF
…and so we conform our lives and our church to HIM!
3. HIS MISSION IS CLEAR…
he’s called us to go make disciples!
And we do that with conviction, zeal…we proclaim the gospelboldly!
We reach out! GO ON MISSION and He’s command us…
WE STIRVE AND WE LARBOR with everything within us….
not to ENTERTAIN, but toward maturity!
4. AND THEN WE TRUST THE LORD TO BEAR FRUIT!
AND TO WORK THROUGH US and in us!!
UNLESS THE LORD BUILDS THE HOUSE…
those who labor, labor in vain!
INVITATION –
1. Come and repent of your sin and be reconciled to Christ
2. Come and to pray
a. For Grace Life Church
b. For us to be willing to do whatever it takes to see this gospel go forward and present everyone mature in Christ
c. For us to commit ourselves and the Lord’s Local Church (GraceLife) to conform our lives in submission to His Son and His Word!
d. For us to PROCLAIM CHRIST FOR SALVATION! and take discipleship and Christian Maturity seriously as our aim –…not to attempt to attract the world by the world’s standard, but to PRESENT EVERY PERSON MATURE IN CHRIST! (to LABOR AND WORK TO THAT END)
e. THAT GOD WOULD DO IT!
i. If you don’t move, LORD, we labor in vain!
ii. We can’t do it…We need you to go before us.
3. SAVE THE PEOPLE! SAVE THE PEOPLE! DO IT GOD!
Sermon Summary: Proclaim Christ. Labor for maturity. Trust God.
