Rooted in Sacrificial Ministry

"Rooted in Sacrificial Ministry" Colossians 1:24-2:5 February 13, 2021 Ryan Fregoso We are back in our sermon series in Colossians called "Rooted." Today, we will explore chapter 1, verse 24 through chapter 2, verse 5. Back in 2010, I experienced my first Tucson Gem and Mineral Show as a Restaurant Manager at a major resort here in town. We hosted a show and had hundreds of vendors from all over the world staying at the resort. I must have worked well over 100 hours that week, just pushing through each busy day. It was exhausting, but it had to be done. Some of you may have similar stories on pushing through something, even when it didn't seem possible. In our passage this morning, Paul will address how hard he worked in his ministry, even to the point of exhaustion. Let's go ahead and review this passage to see what we can learn from it. 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. 1 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, 2 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, 3 IN WHOM ARE HIDDEN ALL THE TREASURES OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE. 4 I SAY THIS IN ORDER THAT NO ONE MAY DELUDE YOU WITH PLAUSIBLE ARGUMENTS. 5 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. Here is the main idea that I want to unpack this morning: To be rooted in Christ, I must be willing to participate in sacrificial ministry. In most of your bibles, the heading to this section likely says something like: "Paul's Ministry to the Church." Frankly, that's not too bad, so let's run with it. This morning, we're going to see what is .... SACRIFICIAL MINISTRY ACCORDING TO PAUL 1. Paul ministered through suffering a. Paul suffered for the sake of the body, both locally (Colossae) and for the whole body of Christ. b. He then says that he was FILLING UP WHAT IS LACKING IN CHRIST'S AFFLICTIONS. i. Don't worry, if you heard that a moment ago and said, "wait, what?" ... you're not alone. ii. The phrasing that Paul uses here is difficult, but not unique. Paul uses the similar language in 2 Corinthians 1:5 and Philippians 3:10. What makes this passage difficult is the implication that Christ's afflictions were lacking. So, what does this mean? iii. Sometimes it's best to see a verse from a different point of view, or in the case of the English translations, another translation. The NLT reads verse 24 this way: I AM GLAD WHEN I SUFFER FOR YOU IN MY BODY, FOR I AM PARTICIPATING IN THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST THAT CONTINUE FOR HIS BODY, THE CHURCH. iv. The word "afflictions" that is used in the ESV is often used in the New Testament as "tribulations" and literally refers to an intense pressure or distress. You see, by no means is Paul stating that Christ's work was lacking or incomplete, rather that it continues through the proclamation of the Gospel. Paul is laboring at ensuring that this work continues, and sometimes this labor will include suffering. v. To say it another way, Paul suffered in order for the world to know Christ. Christ began the work, yet empowered us to continue the work. c. Not everyone is expected to suffer like Paul, but we all should be ready to. Next ... 2. Paul ministered by appointment a. Paul uses the term "steward" in verse 25. b. This term is often used to describe a manager of a household. c. So, Paul is using this to confirm the role of the Apostle in watching over the affairs of the household of God, the Church. d. You might be thinking, "well, Paul was an Apostle, so this doesn't apply to me." Well ... e. This passage, ladies and gentlemen, is about ministry. Now, before you push the mute button, be reminded that the Bible teaches that we are all ministers. Peter calls us the Royal Priesthood. A priest, from the Old Testament perspective had the right, the privilege, and the responsibility to go directly to God. They were able to speak to Him, worship Him, and have fellowship with Him. They also had the responsibility to represent Him before the people of God and to minister to others through service. So, if Peter is saying to us that we are all ministers because of the work of Jesus on the cross, then we too, have this access and this responsibility. f. I think it is also important to pull out two passages from the end of Christ's ministry, as it points to the ministry of the early church as well as for us, even today. i. First passage is found in Matthew 28:18-20: 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." ii. Next, let's look at Acts 1:8: 8 BUT YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS COME UPON YOU, AND YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES IN JERUSALEM AND IN ALL JUDEA AND SAMARIA, AND TO THE END OF THE EARTH. iii. You see, Jesus Himself empowered His followers to carry out the work that He begun while on earth, in preparation for His return. So, you see, we too need to participate in sacrificial ministry. We also see ... 3. Paul ministered to all people a. Paul is reminding the Gentile believers in Colossae that they too are included in the work of Jesus on the cross. i. This includes you and me as well. ii. Our past does not exclude us from the miracle of salvation through Christ Jesus. b. You see, this mystery that is spoken about in verses 26-27, which again is not unique to Colossians, but the term is used elsewhere, most notably in Ephesians 3. c. This mystery can be understood in two ways. i. First, the mystery that Paul addresses here are aspects of God's plan that were not revealed in the Old Testament, namely the church. ii. Second, it also refers to the grafting in of the Gentiles among the promise to the Jews as God's called nation and people (see Romans 11). d. You see, Paul brought the Gospel to the Gentiles. e. Are you willing to bring the gospel to your neighbor or co-worker? You know the one that doesn't agree with you? Next ... 4. Paul ministered to proclaim Christ a. He did this in two ways ... b. First, through warning. i. R.C. Sproul, a popular minister, speaker and teacher told a story of a time that he was speaking at a seminary chapel service. After he was done, and walking through the campus, he was stopped by a student. That student excitedly asked him, "do you know what you are saved from?" Sproul, likely more excitedly, responded, "Yes! From God!" 1. Sproul was making the point that we all are going to face judgement one day. For non-Christian's this judgement will include eternal punishment. For Christians, we will be judged on what we have done with the gift of salvation He has given to us. 2. This is not to say that the work of Christ on the cross is not sufficient, as He bore the sins of His people when He died for us. Our salvation is secure in Christ. ii. All people must be warned of the consequences of not following Jesus. c. We can also proclaim Christ through teaching. i. Notice how, once again, Paul is bringing us back to the idea that we must make the Word of God primary in our lives. ii. You see, Paul's suffering was for preaching the Word of God, for teaching the truth in wisdom. iii. Paul knew that preaching the truth may lead to his imprisonment, but he did not let that stop him from doing so. iv. Paul's additional purpose was to facilitate the maturing of the saints. 1. This is primary purpose of all ministry. Ephesians chapter 4 specifically points out that the purpose of church leadership is to equip the saints for ministry. v. I love the Titus 2 model of ministry. Paul encourages Titus to have the younger men and women learn from the older men and women. vi. This formula assumes a spiritually mature group of men and women building into others. Are you building into the lives of others? We also see that ... 5. Paul ministered hard. a. Better stated, Paul labored hard. b. Verse 29 is remarkable. One paraphrase of this verse says this: "I am consistently laboring to the point of exhaustion, engaging in a contest in which I am controlled by His energy which operates in me in power" c. Wow! That is convicting, is it not? d. Back in October, we had a workday on a Saturday, then on Sunday after the service, we had our annual meeting, then a church picnic. I remember being exhausted by the end of the weekend. But I'm pretty sure that's not what Paul is talking about here. e. You see, ministry does not just happen "at church," it happens everywhere. In your home. On Monday. In traffic. Everywhere. Anytime. Okay, maybe not in traffic. f. That word "struggle" implies a fight. It implies contending for a prize. g. Are we fighting for souls? Are we fighting on behalf of the Savior? h. Are we relying on the Holy Spirit, like we see Paul doing here? i. I bet it is difficult for some of you to see yourself as a "minister." As we've said here before, it doesn't mean you need to have a degree, it simply means that you put yourself out there for the good of the Body. Almost there ... next, we see that ... 6. Paul ministered in love a. Paul had a strong desire for churches to succeed. This success was not based on budget, or how many services the churches ran, or how many weekly attendees they get, but on the maturation of the saints. b. Part of his role as pastor and shepherd was to encourage the saints. c. A Christian who is discouraged is easily led astray. d. A Christian who is encouraged is fit for anything that comes their way. e. What a great lesson we have here for anyone who is in a position of leadership. Maybe you are a manager of people. Maybe you are the head of your home. Maybe you are a parent or grandparent. i. Encouraging others in the name of Christ produces confidence in the Savior. Confidence, not only in their faith, but also in all circumstances, just as we see with Paul. f. His primary vehicle for this was love. g. Paul warns us in 1 Corinthians 13 that ministry without love is nothing but loud noise. h. Paul also says here that love unifies the body. i. Are your actions driven by love? j. Do you love your neighbor enough to share Jesus? k. Do you love your brother or sister enough to spare some time to serve them? l. Do you love your church community enough to give? To participate in ministry? Finally ... 7. Paul ministered in truth. a. Look at verse 4 again: I SAY THIS IN ORDER THAT NO ONE MAY DELUDE YOU WITH PLAUSIBLE ARGUMENTS b. That phrasing is used to keep people on track. He is warning them that even though someone may present a good argument, we cannot allow that to persuade us from the truth. i. It is important to remember that this letter was written to a group of Christians who were hearing a lot of different voices. ii. Voices that were telling them to add a little of this and a little of that to Jesus, to make them complete. iii. Paul is reminding them, as we've seen over the past couple of weeks here that they have heard the truth, and that he has worked tirelessly to ensure the truth was made available to them. iv. I can't help but draw back - yet again - to one of the points from the first sermon a couple of weeks ago ... that the Word of God must be primary in our lives. We must listen carefully to the Word of God and apply that to what we hear. v. If you are still in the workforce, or a student, you hear many voices too (darn those HR trainings!). It is important to understand the Truth, so you can effectively discern what you are hearing. This morning we saw that to be rooted in Christ, I must be willing to participate in sacrificial ministry. Paul has proved to be a great example of this, hasn't he? But think about others in ministry. J Vernon Magee retired from preaching and taught through the whole Bible through his radio ministry for decades following his death. RC Sproul was doing his final lectures with an oxygen tank because of his COPD up until his death. John MacArthur has been preaching at his pulpit for over 40 years. That is sacrificial ministry, ministry to the point of exhaustion, but understanding the mission. So, what does that look like for you and I? HOW TO BE A SACRIFICIAL MINISTER ... to do this, we must: 1. Be part of a community. a. To some, that might mean staying for the roundtable, or joining us on Monday mornings or Wednesday afternoons. b. To others, that might mean opening up to each another about your needs, so we all can minister to each another. c. To others, that might mean making a commitment to serving within the local body. We also need to ... 2. Get out of your comfort zone. a. I worked for nearly 20 years in the hotel business. b. That environment and industry is one of those that really stretches your comfort zone. c. I can recall working the front desk but taking an hour or two to set up a conference room for a meeting. d. I can recall being a restaurant manager and helping serve food at a large banquet. e. I can recall being an HR Leader and driving guests to and from their casitas back up to the result for their conference. f. In that environment, everyone's primary goal is to take care of the guest, even if it wasn't "your job." g. I wonder why more churches don't operate like this? Next, we need to ... 3. Stop making excuses. a. We're all busy. b. We're all tired. c. But we cannot make excuses and find reasons not to serve or minister to one another. d. If Paul has been arguing in this section of his letter that we all must be willing to minister, sacrificially, then we can no longer stand by and watch a brother and sister in need. e. In my Newsletter last week, I urged everyone to let Pat and I know how we can meet your needs. To let us know how we can pray for you. f. Today, I ask you to take that even a step further. How can we - as a local body - pour into the lives of others? Inside and outside of this body? How can we - as a local body - minister to the needs of our neighbors, or communities? g. Verse 29 says that Paul struggled with the energy provided to him by the Holy Spirit. See, it wasn't his strength that kept him going, it was the power of the Spirit. h. What's one step we all can take this week to be a sacrificial minister of God? Let's pray. 2