The Ministry of Ministry Revealed

The Ministry of Ministry Revealed

Colossians 1:24-2:5

Pastor Miles

1/25/2015

Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord's people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. 

(‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭24-29‬ NIV)

I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. 

(‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭1-5‬ NIV)

1. The Minister: Servant of Christ.

Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭24-25‬ NIV)

Paul is suffering for the sake of the Gospel, that Christ may be made known.

He rejoices in that.

To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭29‬ NIV)

I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. (‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬ NIV)

I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. (‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬ NIV)

Paul is fighting hard for the church so they wouldn't be deceived.

2. The Message: Christ in You.

I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭25‬ NIV)

the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord's people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery... (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭26-27a‬ NIV)

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim... (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭27-28‬a NIV)

The indwelling Christ is the hope of glory.

Glory = weightiness, having substance, lasting

Our (lasting) glory is Christ in us.

The life of Christ in us, flowing through us, to those around us (Life Flow)

3. The Mission: Maturity in Christ

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭28‬ NIV)

We can only become mature in Christ by knowing Him.

By knowing Him we become more committed to Him.

This goal of maturity is for everyone.

Are we proclaiming Christ so that all may become mature in Him?

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭2-3‬ NIV)

How well do we know Christ?

The more we know Him, the more we Trust Him, love Him, and obey Him.

In Him are all the treasures of life.

The Supremacy of Christ

The Supremacy of Christ

Colossians 1:15-23

Pastor Mile

1/18/2015

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭15-23‬ NIV)

1. He is the image of the invisible God.

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬ NIV)

Jesus perfectly revealed the true nature of God.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬ NIV)

2. He is the first born over all creation.

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬ NIV)

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭16-17‬ NIV)

Everything derives all authority from Him.

Christ is the mediator of all things that exist.

3. He is the head of the church.

And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬ NIV)

4. He has reconciled all things.

and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬ NIV)

5. He has reconciled us to God.

We have been rescued and redeemed.

Every person is in need of reconciliation.

But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬ NIV)

We are now blameless in Jesus Christ because He has reconciled us back to God.

We have been justified (made righteous) through His death on the cross.

if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭23‬ NIV)

We need to be reminded everyday of the truth of the gospel.

We need to trust in the sufficiency of Christ.

Lionel

Introduction to Colossians

Introduction to Colossians

January 4, 2015

Pastor Miles

1. Background 

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To God's holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭1-2‬ NIV)

I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. (‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬ NIV)

You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ NIV)

Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) (‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭7-10‬ NIV)

Colossians 4

10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

17 Tell Archippus:"See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord."

18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

2. Overview 

3. Highlights 

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭13-14‬ NIV)

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬ NIV)

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. (‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭9-10‬ NIV)

the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord's people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭26-27‬ NIV)

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. (‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭28‬ NIV)

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, (‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬ NIV)

Warnings:

These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. (‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬ NIV)

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. (‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ NIV)

Instructions:

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭15-16‬ NIV)

Conclusion:

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ NIV)