Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Keeping Christ preeminent in all things sounds like something we should readily agree to and practice as Christians.

And we do…to some degree

Transition

Keeping Christ preeminent in all things means ALL things, as Paul illustrates as he describes his ministry.

Paul’s Joy in Suffering, 24a

I Now…rejoice

Christ’s lordship & preeminence was never a question in Paul’s life

The questions, from before the beginning was how much was Paul going to kick against the goads?

Spiritual growth, and the discipline of commitment and compliance, is a process.

Paul’s Cause for Suffering, 24b

Paul is making the point that a Christian will endure the sufferings that Christ would be enduring if He were still in the world

There is a truth that has been uncomfortable in every age: Christians will suffer, and at the hands of, this world.

Paul’s Plan in Suffering, 25-29

Despite, or because of, his suffering, Paul was still following the plan.

To faithfully serve God and His House

To faithfully reveal God’s open secret (this possibly for the gnostics in the audience)

The Gentiles are included in the plan of salvation & redemption

Christ (the anointed one) now lives in believers (in the person of the Holy Spirit) Jn 14.17 “17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”

The word translated has the idea of knowledge withheld, not knowledge undiscovered

Even “withheld” this mystery was not wholly undiscoverable, but that which is hard to see cannot be found by those who do not look.

Conclusion

Paul did not just assume suffering would come as a Christ follower and endure it, he embraced it.

Rather than finding it debilitating, he allowed it to be motivating and continued in the service he had been given.

Application

How do we respond to suffering?

Do we curl up in a ball of self-protection?

Do we fight against those who would cause our suffering?

Do we become indifferent about the Gospel’s power to change even the lives of those who cause our suffering?

Do we become emboldened and motivated to carry out the mission we have been given?

If we keep Christ preeminent in all things, including our suffering, then our suffering can be motivation to move forward rather than backward.