Colossians: The Supremacy of Jesus Christ! (Chapter 1:24-29)

Hello Friends!

Welcome back! This week we’ll continue to work our way through the powerful book written by the Apostle Paul to the Colossians as we consider the PERSON and WORK of “Jesus Christ” as decreed throughout this excellent Epistle – “The Supremacy of Jesus Christ!”

This week we will begin our reading of verses 24-29 in chapter 1 as we consider our Reconciliation IN Jesus Christ…

Colossians: The Supremacy of Jesus Christ! (Chapter 1:24-29)

CONTEXTUAL COMMENTS: As we have been learning thus far in our study through the “epistle” to the “Colossian” congregation, the Apostle Paul is writing to them because they are undergoing some pressing problems. The “Church” is being confronted with “certain men” who are teaching “false doctrine” concerning the PERSON and WORKS of the “Lord Jesus Christ” and His DIETY as God incarnate. These menacing men were DENYING that “Jesus Christ” has the “power” to “save” a “lost” soul from “damnation” and that He was just one of MANY “spirits” and that He alone could NOT “reconcile” lost humanity back into “fellowship” with God – Heinous heresy!

And needless to say, it was VERY important for the INTERGRITY of the “Gospel” message that the Apostle Paul write this excellent “letter” to address this INTENSE issue – Head On!

Service FOR Jesus Christ!

In our previous study, the Apostle Paul expounded on the FACT that he “became” a "minister" of the “Gospel” message – the Greek word deakinos of which we get our English work “deacon” meaning "servant"– regarding this TRUTH concerning “Jesus Christ” as God:

if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister – Colossians 1:23

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: Frequently within Paul's letters, he discusses his “ministry” and “mission” for the Lord while defending his own CREDIBILITY as an “Apostle of Jesus Christ” as well as his appointed RIGHT to “speak” on God’s behalf. Unlike the self-appointed phony “false apostles” of his day, Paul was PERSONALLY granted the God-given AUTHORITY and was “called” & “ordained” as the “last” of the APOSTLES by “Jesus Christ” Himself in the “proclamation” of God’s Word to the “Gentiles” abroad:

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do… But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake – Acts 9:6 & 15-16

Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God – Romans 15:15

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry… Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity – 1 Timothy 1:12 & 2:7

Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles – 2 Timothy 1:11

Therefore, the term "minister" expounds upon the Apostles Paul's thoughts for this NEXT serious section of scripture. And here in these passages Paul pauses to describe his marvelous “ministry” and “stewardship” in “proclaiming” the “Lord Jesus Christ” as God:

I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 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 – Colossians 1:24-25

QUIZZING QUESTION: What should be our ATTITUDE in which we serve “God” and other people? In a word – REJOICE!

There is great JOY in the “ministry” of “Jesus Christ” within His “church” body. HOW? It is a “gift” of God’s great GRACE bestowed “upon” His own! However, it is also quite often easy to get discouraged with our circumstances and Paul himself certainly was at times. Albeit, the spiritual “peace” of Paul’s personal JOY was found in the midst of his “sufferings” within his marvelous “ministry” opportunities. And this REALITY had NOTHING to do with his cir­cumstances. WHY? Because although the Apostle Paul had indeed “filled up” in his “flesh” that which was “lacking in the afflictions of Christ” he also learned to “rejoice” as he ENJOYED a righteous RELATIONSHIP with the LIVING God of which had transcended far beyond ALL his critical circumstances – Paul rejoiced IN them!

POINGNANT POINT: Whenever God “called” His choice “servants” to “fulfill” His perfect “will” by way of His perfect “word” He always brought them face to face with the REALITY of their own unworthiness apart from Him. And the Lord wants EVERYONE whom He “calls” into any “ministry” endeavor to make this initial recognition that “we” are indeed – Useless APART from God!

Here Paul also states that this “stewardship” is “according” to GOD’s directed DIVINE design. It is GOD’s plan, GOD’s Church, GOD’s Gospel, GOD’s message, GOD’s truth and GOD’s Word. Therefore, Paul says he is in the “ministry” solely because GOD has “given” it to him – Service FOR Jesus Christ!

The Mystery OF Jesus Christ IN us!

There are some “things” that ONLY God “knows” and are therefore “hidden” away IN Him. And there are some “things” that He REVEALS to certain people. WHO? Only to “His saints” of whom truly “believe” on Him. Thus, Paul will now address the “mystery” message of the “ministry” to the “Gentiles” of which was WITHHELD for many “ages” and “generations” throughout the OLD TESTAMENT era:

the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 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 – Colossians 1:26-27

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: That which was once HIDDEN is now REVEALED by God. And this particular “mystery” is the NEW TESTAMENT revelation of “Jesus Christ” incarnate: The ONLY creator “God” becoming “man” IN “human” flesh – The sacred secret!

For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ – Ephesians 3:1-9

Although the “Jews” may have “understood” the “Messiah” related to the “nation” of “Israel,” they never really “understood” the RELATIONSHIP of an INDWELLING God and “Messiah” given to the “Gentiles” within the “Church” Age. However, the “disciples” of “Jesus Christ” would soon “come” to “know” this REALITY on a PERSONAL level…

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you – John 14:17

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him – John 14:23

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people – 2 Corinthians 6:16

These “saints” of whom “love” the Lord and “keep” His “words” are the very ones GOD had “willed” to “make known” the “riches” of His “glory” in SALVATION and have therefore COMMITTED themselves to Him. They are the “partakers” of His “promise” found within the NEW TESTAMENT in whom the “Holy Spirit” dwells during this “age” of “grace” and primarily “revealed” unto the “Gentiles” abroad – Those IN Jesus Christ!

And WHAT is the primary MISSION for our “ministry” of MYSTERY that is “revealed” in “Jesus Christ” our Lord? Paul continues by answering with this poignant proposal:

Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus – Colossians 1:28

Here Paul says we “preach” our message! The Greek word for “preach” is Cotangetto and literally means “to proclaim” or “declare” a COMPLETE truth. We must not only LIVE the “Gospel” truth, we must also SPEAK the “Gospel” truth – PREACH IT!

Today we place a premium on a living EXAMPLE and that is indeed quite important. However, no one is going to FOLLOW us into the “Kingdom of God” unless sooner or later we also “confess” by OPENING our “mouth” for the Lord…

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation – Romans 10:9-10

Therefore, Paul says we “preach” the “Gospel” by simply SPEAKING the truth. And this approach to our PROCLAMATION has TWO components:

ONE: Negative = WARNING!

TWO: Positive = TEACHING!

And our “preaching” has as an important GOAL in mind – WHAT?

And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed – 2 Thessalonians 3:14

The FIRST component is to WARN each other. HOW? If there is “sin” and “false doctrine” present or consequences due to “disobedience” or spiritual “laziness” contrary to the “will” of God, we must WARN others just as we would our natural children. WHY? Because – We LOVE them!

The SECOND component is TEACHING true “doctrine” of God. HOW? By GENTALLY yet FIRMLY making God’s “wisdom” and “perfection” in “Jesus Christ” a REALITY on a PERSONAL level unto “every man” whom is “being saved” by Him. WHY? Because – God LOVES us!

Therefore, the “Christian” responsibility ALL of “us” have towards “each other” in “Jesus Christ” our “Lord” and “Savior” for HIS Name’s sake is to – WARN and TEACH!

Finally, Paul describes the difficult LABOR involved with “working” for such an amazing “ministry” opportunity IN and THROUGH our Lord Jesus Christ:

To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily – Colossians 1:29

Unlike the floundering “false apostles” living out their “best-lives-now” within the early embryonic years of the “church,” this was NOT so for the Apostle Paul. Rather, he was “laboring” in an AGONIZING struggle of “striving” for true “ministry” service – HOW?

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness – 2 Corinthians 11:23-27

And “besides” all of that, Paul gives us further insight pertaining to the “things” within his “care” concerning the “churches” entrusted to him BY Jesus Christ:

Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches – 2 Corinthians 11:28

Paul fought against fornication among the Thessalonian congregation. He fought against some more fornication along with fanaticism and fights among the Corinthian congregation. He fought against legalism among the Galatian congregation and now here he fought against heresy among the Colossian congregation. HOW? It is ONLY fought through the – Mystery OF Jesus Christ IN us!

REAL REFLECTIONS: Beloved, our “work” for the Lord Jesus Christ is a “labor” of “love” FOR Him and IN Him. Therefore, if you're looking for a divine resource regarding your loving “labor” of LIVING. If you're looking for a divine sympathy for your “striving” through FAILURE. If you're looking for divine understanding to succeed in your WORKS and if you're looking for hope to “overcome” the FUTURE…

Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? – 1 John 5:5

God through “Jesus Christ” wants to “work” IN you “mightily” as you also “work” diligently FOR Him. Just as He has PROMISED us all in His wonderful Word – What an EXCITING adventure!

In closing:

The Lord Himself makes “ministers” who are “called” to “serve” Him! He's done it throughout the Old Testament and New Testament and we can “read” all the spectacular stories of the “prophets” and “apostles” of God. And there are NO silly self‑styled or self‑appointed quasi “prophets” or “apostles” to be found. WHY? Because they are only – CALLED of God!

God has indeed “called” us to a TREMENDOUS responsibility. That's why no matter who YOU are as a “Christian,” the “grace of God” has “given” you certain “gifts” to “minister” unto other “believers” in “Jesus Christ” our Lord! And because you POSSESS a “gift” of the “Holy Spirit” you have something that belongs TO God. Beloved, “we” have been APPOINTED by the “manifold grace of God” to be a “good steward” toward “one another” in need:

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God – 1 Peter 4:10

Therefore, the SOURCE of ALL “ministry” is GOD Himself – Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!

With this information as a foundation for your personal studies, please read through verses 24-29 in the first chapter of the excellent book to the Colossians.

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – Come quickly Lord Jesus!

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

Lighthouse Publications <><