Christ is Our Witness

vs. 24 Paul does not complain but rejoices in the ministry he has been given. He is grateful even when it entails suffering. Why? How? He feels that he is in the very center of God’s will, and is assured about his salvation and his calling to preach.

WITNESS: “One who gives evidence; specifically one who testifies in a cause or a judicial tribunal. (you are an eyewitness)

*One who has personal knowledge of something.

CHRIST LIVING IN YOU IS YOUR PERSONAL WITNESS He gives you personal knowledge, evidence of Christ.

BIG IDEA: The Bigness of our Witness is found in the relevance of our evidence.

Why is Christianity becoming so irrelevant?

Why are so many Christians losing their faith?

The evidence is weighty and undeniable—Western Christian religion is crumbling, its authority and influence is fading, its adherents are disengaging. The erosion started slowly, but has picked up steam. Christianity as we know it is becoming irrelevant.

At the heart and core of Christ’s teaching is the need for change—deep, personal, relevant, transformation into a better person and society—and the path to it.

So, connect the dots: The turning away from Christianity is telling us that what its proponents are offering is not motivating people, not producing relevant change, not satisfactorily explaining life’s biggest questions.

Relevant Cost: Cost that are affected in a particular managerial decision

Irrelevant Cost: Cost that are not affected in a particular managerial decision.

Relevant Christianity is Christ lived out in the witness of the church. Irrelevant Christianity today is Christ not lived out in the witness of the church today.

What evidence is our Life Producing?

Our lives are not standing still we are either moving forward or going backwards.

The Irony of Rejoicing in Suffering

1. Christ power is made perfect in our weakness

It’s found in our Weakness

MY SUFFERING FOR YOU - THE AFFLICTION OF CHRIST

Colossians: Being Like Jesus Lesson 1: The Irony of Rejoicing in Suffering

When Paul talks about “what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions,” he is not suggesting that Christ’s suffering is not sufficient for salvation or reconciliation with God. Instead, he is suggesting that Christ’s mission to suffer for (and alongside) His people did not end with His death—it is carried forward by His apostles, like Paul.

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 ESV

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians

For What was Paul Suffering and Why?

*Paul was suffering to edify the body, the church.

*Paul found a great empowering in His suffering.

“When I am at my weakest Christ is strong.” WHY?

We learn to rely on Him more fully

We grow in our understanding of his purpose and plan

We identify more fully with the suffering of Christ

1 Peter 4:12–19 ESV

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

“Can you say legitimately that you rejoice in your sufferings? If not, what needs to change about your life to make that statement?”

*The early followers of Christ counted it a privilege and badge of honor to suffer for Christ.

Stewards not Rulers

What are you a steward of? What should you stop trying to control?

1 Corinthians 4:1 ESV

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

2. We are called to be Stewards of the Mystery of God

It’s found in how we steward the Mystery of God

Colossians 1:25-26

“how do you understand your primary duty and purpose in everyday life?”

HOW CAN YOU PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS?

HOW CAN YOU JOIN GOD IN REVEALING HIS MYSTERY TO OTHER PEOPLE?

Opening Up Colossians and Philemon The Mystery of Christ (vv. 26–27)

The gospel of Jesus Christ reveals the whole picture to all who will listen and believe. Here are four things about the mystery:

The mystery has two elements that climax in Christ himself.

1) The gentiles now included in the plan of God.

2) The mystery is actually a person who is Christ.

THE HOPE OF GLORY REFERS TO ETERNAL LIFE

Hope is always looking forward to the future resurrection and the fulfilment of God’s promises in the Scriptures.

THE MYSTERY: is what God has revealed about Christ and not simply what the church came to believe about him.

Road to Emmaus: how is the word of God and mystery of jesus revealed to the two men on the road. JESUS OPENED THEIR EYES, “Did not our hearts burn within us?”

“WHAT CAN YOU DO THROUGHOUT YOUR WEEK TO HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST?

Jesus Among Us

CHRIST MADE THE JEWS AND GENTILES EQUAL.

HOW DOES HAVING THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF CHRIST CHANGE YOUR LIFE EVERYDAY?

What do you need to change in your life to reflect jesus to others?

John 17:20–21 ESV

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

John 17:20-21

Empowerment

Colossians 1:28–29 ESV

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.

Why should we warn and teach everyone?

3. Christ as the source of our energy and power

It’s found in the source of our energy and power

“Where do most of us seek our energy and power in life? new diet, workout program, astrological signs, politics, education, job, family, marriage.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU SEEK IT IN CHRIST?

HOW CAN WE BE MORE PROACTIVE IN SEEKING CHRIST?

WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE ABOUT YOUR LIFE FOR CHRIST TO BECOME THE SOURCE OF YOUR ENERGY AND POWER?

Proclaiming the word God (to affect personality and behavioral change)

Hebrews 4:12 ESV

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Agonizing over the lost (Paul agonizes to the point of weariness and exhaustion, Paul struggles as an athlete)

2:1-5 “Paul writes to encourage, unite, and teach the Colossians.”

Misplaced Treasure

v. 2:1-3

Paul wants the Colossians and Laodiceans to know “how great a struggle” he has endured?

How does Paul’s struggle strengthen His message?

We often misplace our values by focusing on treasures that are not of God. How do you need to reprioritize your values to center them on Christ?

4. Christ is all of the treasure we will ever need

It’s found in where we place our treasure.

“People say, “I know I should devote more time to the church and God;” “ I know I let things get in the way of spending time in the word and serving those in need;” I know.... I know.... I know.....

SO WHAT?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO PLACE All Of YOUR TREASURES IN WHAT HE HAS TO OFFER?

We learn to major on the eternal not the external

Eternal things of the kingdom many times you do not see right away. It takes much time and is very labor intensive.

We learn to place our treasure in what He has to offer.

Firm Faith

5. We are called to continue to make progress

v. 2:4-5

It’s found in the firmness of your faith.

What does having “firm faith” have to do with our ability to achieve something, or with God’s ability to work through us?

IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE WE NEVER STAND STILL: WE EITHER GO FORWARD OR GRADUALLY SLIP BACKWARD.

“Let us go on to maturity is the call we must obey.

Think about what Paul says through 15-23 about Christ’s role in the world. Paul has firm faith through his suffering. How can you have faith like Paul? What can you do to become more faithful to Christ?

(v4) the need for progress: Satan is deceptive. He wants to lead believers astray, and to do this, he uses deceptive words. The Greek word here is the persuasive argument of a lawyer.

John 8:44 ESV

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Satan is a lier and leads believers into wrong paths, it is important that we exercise spiritual discernment, and that we continue to grow in our knowledge of spiritual truth.

v. 5

“Let me confess to you that pastors always feel responsible for the spiritual health of those in their care so they are always on guard against false teaching.”

What happens when we are not firm in our faith?

THE PERSUASIVE WORDS ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE OF CRAFTY USED CARE SALESMEN.”

They package and present useless products that appear to be worthwhile.

John Piper once wisely wrote, “Bad theology dishonors God and hurts people. Churches that sever the root of truth may flourish for a season, but they will wither eventually or turn into something besides a Christian church.”

THE MOST WIDE SPREAD AND DISTURBING FALSE DOCTRINES

Universalism - Hell is empty and everyone gets saved (Rob Bell) Nooma video’s church attended my 10,000 members mostly mellinneals.

Prosperity Gospel - closely tied to positive thinking and prophetic utterances. Over the years, however, the message being preached in some of the largest churches in the world has changed—indeed, a new gospel is being taught to many congregations today. This message has been ascribed many name, such as the “name it and claim it” gospel, the “blab it and grab it” gospel, the “health and wealth” gospel, the “prosperity gospel,” and “positive confession theology.”

Simply put, the “prosperity gospel” teaches that God wants believers to be physically healthy, materially wealthy, and personally happy. Teachers of the prosperity gospel encourage their followers to pray for and even demand material flourishing from God.

Abraham’s covenant gives us material entitlement, both physical healing and financial prosperity are provided for in the atonement, Christians give in order to gain, prayer is a tool to force God to grant prosperity.

THIS IS IRRELEVANT COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANITY

Order - steadfastness are military terms. this describes a solidly unified front against the enemy.

CHRISTIANS SHOULD MAKE PROGRESS IN DISCIPLINE AND OBEDIENCE JUST LIKE A GOOD SOLDIER.

What progress have you made lately that would lead to relevant evidence in your life?

We walk with Christ in Faith the same way we first received Christ. The gnostic teachers wanted to introduce new truths for Christian maturity.

THE BIGNESS OF OUR WITNESS IS FOUND IN THE RELEVANCE OF OUR EVIDENCE!

- Is Christ the ultimate perfected power in your weakness?

- Is Christ the ultimate mystery being displayed in your life?

- Is Christ the ultimate source of your energy and power?

- Is Christ the ultimate treasure of your life?

- Is Christ the ultimate firm foundation of your life?

NEXT STEPS

Remember that our lives never stand still we are either moving forward or slowly moving backwards. So how do we change directions once we are moving backwards? This is easier said than done!

1. Changed habits? (if church on Sunday is the only spiritual habit of your life)

2. Changed focus? (if you still see your life and possessions as your own)

THE MOST RELEVANT THING IN YOUR LIFE IS JESUS CHRIST