The Kingdom Agenda

Introduction: Our preferences will often be the determining factor for the choices we make, big or small.

When we purchase houses, cars, move into apartments, choose a school, date, marry, choose a career path, and so many other things, generally, it comes down to our preferences. What we like and what we do not like is how most of us make our decisions and choices.

One thing we cannot base upon our preference is God’s agenda. What we like and dislike does not change how God operates. Our responsiblity as believers is to do what God says and live according to His plan in our lives.

As we begin in this book of Colossians we are challenged by Paul to live according to God’s will without reservation and hesitation.

Paul writes this epistle to a church in Colossae. This is not a Church he has planted. It is a church Paul has heard about from his friend Epraphas who is thought to also be imprisoned with Paul.

When Paul hears of this church he writes and does so with joy to encourage them to remain in Christ. There are some in this church, Paul writes, who have began to spread erroneous doctrines.

Paul, as he encourages the church, warns them to refrain from falling into the traps of false teachings and practices.

Today’s text vv. 1-2, is know as the greetings or salutations. In this greeting, Paul gives addresses the Church in Colossae and introduces himself as an Apostle who is under the authority of God. He also establishes that he is not writing the letter alone but with his brother in the ministry Timothy. Together these men encourage this church to remain faithful to Christ.

DT: It is the will of God that we are in Christ and are partners for the benefit of His kingdom.

Aim: We will distinguish God’s Will from our preferences placing God's will first and encourage others to become faithful believers.

Transition: Paul’s greeting demonstrates four examples of what God’s Kingdom Agenda requires. The first is to:

Be in the Will of God (v.1b)

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,”

Paul explains that it is because of God’s Will he is an apostle. Paul is not a self appointed apostle. He has been appointed by Christ according to God’s Will.

Paul also means that he is under the authority of the Lord. He does not operate according to his own personal agenda but according to God’s agenda. The Kingdom agenda, what’s best according to the Lord.

Had Paul maintained his own agenda, he perhaps would not be imprisoned writing this letter.

The Will of God supersedes our preferences

I am pretty certain Paul preferred not to be imprisoned. Paul recognized that God’s will is not predicated upon what he preferred. It is according to what God says. (He was a persecutor of the church)

The Will of God overrides our convenience

Being arrested was an inconvenience for Paul but he dealt with it.

Ridicule and dangerous roadways were inconveniences.

Being stoned and beat were inconveniences

Waiting to be sentenced to death was an inconvenience, for Paul.

Yet, Paul recognizes that suffering for the sake of Christ is much more beneficial and productive for the kingdom. He realized that it is kingdom work not Paul’s work.

The Will of God benefits the kingdom of God

See, that is how Paul is able to say, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,” because he realizes that God chose to use him for the benefit of the Kingdom. God gets glory when His will is done.

Application: There are those of us who have fallen prey to our own preferences and inconveniences that have caused us to hinder the progress of the church. We say things like I don’t like technology. See that’s a preference. The question is, does the use of technology advance the movement of the church. We must not look at the ministry from a personal perspective but from a kingdom perspective. God gets glory when we place His kingdom agenda above our own agenda.

Transition: The Kingdom Agenda secondly requires you and I to:

Be in Partnership with Others in Ministry (v.1c)

“and Timothy our brother,”

Paul is mentions Timothy in this salutation to establish that what is in the letter that they both are in agreement with. But also he exemplifies two brothers working together or the cause of Christ. They are partners. Even as scholars suspect that Timothy did not write any of the letter it shows Paul’s intentional act to display what it means to be a partner in Christ.

Colossians and Philemon The Salutation (1:1–2)

Timothy appears as the cosender in five other letters: 2 Corinthians, Philippians, and Philemon, and with Silvanus in 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

Partnership requires agreement

Kingdom work is not a one man show. It centers around one man Jesus Christ but it is not about anyone else. Paul knows this and includes Timothy in the salutation.

This was an outward display of these brothers having the same mind. The people who would receive this letter would witness that Paul was not alone in his work.

Timothy has been mentored by Paul and now he is side by side in agreement with Paul in Kingdom work

God cannot be glorified when leaders and believers are playing tug of war. They must agree to walk together and work peacefully so that the kingdom is advanced.

God honors kingdom partnership

Transition: Though Paul could write this letter by himself it was important for him to model partnership for the church. The church is not a one man show it is a group united to bring God glory.

Application: I know you feel like you work better by yourself and that may very well be the case, but let me challenge you to seek to be a partner in the kingdom. God honors and promotes partnership. Challenge yourself to partner and work with others in the kingdom.

Transition: Paul’s greeting further demonstrates we must . . .

Be In Christ (v.2a)

“To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.”

If we are not careful we would miss something Paul is pointing out.

Paul states that this letter is, “to the saints and faithful brothers IN CHRIST”. Paul is making it very clear that the hearers understand that the faithful he is talking about are those who have made Christ their King.

To be in Christ means that one has left all other factions and settled in his heart and mind that he is going to follow Jesus.

In Christ means you have nothing that replaces Him and that your heart is commited to Him.

Application: You have attempted to invest your time in other people and relationships. You’re struggling trying to make it work. Let me challenge you to focus on being in a relationship with Christ. Devote your time to Him. develop a relationship with Christ.

Transition: Lastly, Paul demonstrates that we must. . .

Be an Encourager (v.2b)

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father.”

Paul demonstrates how we can be encouragers to others. As you are well aware of Paul has his own problems he can consider during the time he writes this epistle. He is imprisoned, he is unable to travel, and faces the possibility of harsh punishment even death.

Paul’s resolve is to write this letter to encourage those in Colossae. Paul reminds them that God is the father who grants grace and peace.

You see it right there? “From our Father God” That’s good news!

That is a signal to where one must turn for grace and peace. “God our Father”

— not Oprah,

— not Tyler

— not the president

— not you

— not me

But “God our Father!”

Application: You have been dealing with some struggles but let me submit today, God has provided an opportunity to work in the Kingdom by encouraging other people who are in the church and who may be going through themselves.

See the grace and peace of God extends to each of us. Yes while you are going through God is still administering grace.

God, our father, requires us to be reminded of His Grace and to remind others of God’s limitless grace and peace for their lives.

Transition: When we live according to these principles we bring glory to God and we advance His agenda.

Conclusion:

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray in Matthew 6, there is a phrase he uses that should ever remind us of the significance of God’s agenda.

Matthew 6:10 ESV

10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Jesus made it clear in the garden of Gethsemane even as He faced crucifixion that God’s agenda must be priority.

Matthew 26:42 (ESV)

. . . “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”

Thank God for His Will.