THE PATH OF PAUL

COLOSSIANS 1:24-29

Rick Jackson

Paul has just finished reminding the Colossians of what Jesus has done, is doing and is going to do for them [v. 20-23]. He is then led by the Holy Spirit to give a personal testimony of his task as a minister of Christ.

I. THE JOY OF SUFFERING [V. 24]

What a strange thought. That there should be joy while suffering and yet we find it in the Scriptures over and over again. Note-

-this is not suffering for the sake of suffering or for the wrong reason

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Acts 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

1 Peter 4:13-16 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

-note that suffering is for a limited time and place

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

II Cor. 1:7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation

-note that the suffering is NOT for to buy salvation in any way, but we are His hands, etc. We are the body of Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

2 Thessalonians 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

James 5:10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

1 Peter 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

II. THE JOB OF STEWARDSHIP [V. 25]

Paul's "job"

-was a job of service (minister, to serve, same word sometimes translated deacon)

-was a job of specific duties (dispensation, stewardship- Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles)

-was a job of Scriptural import

Acts 9:15-16 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.

III. THE JOINING OF SAINTS (JEWS & GENTILES) [V. 26-27]

-mystery-a hitherto unrevealed truth, now revealed [Rom. 1:16]

it was hinted at throughout the Bible-Ruth, Naaman, etc.

John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

-manifested- [Eph. 3:1-6]

-the hope of glory- to be like Jesus

1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

IV. THE JESUS OF OUR SERVICE [V. 28-29]

-He is person of our message

-He is the pattern of our maturity

-He is the power of our ministry