How Much Are You Willing to Suffer for the Salvation of Others?

How Much Are You Willing to Suffer for the Salvation of Others?

24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you,

and

fill (complete in place of) up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ,

for the sake of His body,

which is the church,

25 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,

26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations,

but now has been revealed to His saints.

27 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.

28 Him we preach,

warning every man

and teaching every man in all wisdom,

that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

29 To this end I also labor,

striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

M.O.I. – Christian Evangelism

C.I.T. – Paul wanted the Colossians to know why he continued to preach the Gospel, even though he suffered for it.

Thesis – God’s message is worthy to be preached and shared today.

Proposition – I want the hearers to live a lifestyle of personal evangelism as a result of the message in this passage.

Probing Question – What does this passage teach us that would encourage us to be engaged in personal evangelism?

Unifying Word – Reasons

I.  Being engaged in personal evangelism enables us to fulfill Christ’s mission.  Vs 24

II.  Being engaged in personal evangelism entitles us to share the greatest mystery ever known.  Vs 25-27

III.  Being engaged in personal evangelism encourages us to press on because the eternal destiny of others is at stake.  Vs. 28, 29