Did you hear that, Christ is the only hope of our being amongst those to whom the riches of God’s glory will be revealed to at the due time when Messiah appointed. A true servant of God, we said last week, seeks to make the Word of God fully known and Christians fully mature. Paul claims that he has been commissioned for this task, and clearly he did his work well. But what did he base his work on? It was this great truth: that ‘Christ within and among you, the Hope of [realizing the] glory’. Paul refers to it as a mystery which though kept hidden for generations had now been made known. ‘The mystery … now disclosed’ refers, of course, to the fact that Christ indwells Gentiles as well as Jews and welcomes them into His Church on equal terms with Israelites –a revelation that first came through the apostle Paul see Ephesians 3:2-6, “2 Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace (His unmerited favor) that was entrusted to me [to dispense to you] for your benefit, 3 [And] that the mystery (secret) was made known to me and I was allowed to comprehend it by direct revelation, as I already briefly wrote you. 4 When you read this you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. 5 [This mystery] was never disclosed to human beings in past generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles (consecrated messengers) and prophets by the [Holy] Spirit. 6 [It is this:] that the Gentiles are now to be fellow heirs [with the Jews], members of the same body and joint partakers [sharing] in the same divine promise in Christ through [their acceptance of] the glad tidings (the Gospel).” This was a sign that a new era had begun, which will culminate in the second coming. But the question is, now that it has been told to the world people as a revealed knowledge, have the people accepted it and believe it in unity? Focus with me now on the phrase ‘Christ within and among you, the Hope of [realizing the] glory’. There are many who accept that Christ is for them, but they have no experience of Christ’s indwelling being in them. They may be ready to assert with the rest of us that we have an advocate with the Father, Lord Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, as seen in 1 John 2:1, saying “My little children, I write you these things so that you may not violate God’s law and sin. But if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate (One Who will intercede for us) with the Father—[it is] Jesus Christ [the all] righteous [upright, just, Who conforms to the Father’s will in every purpose, thought, and action]”, but in reality they and even us do not know Him as a power within them/us or do we? Paul is saying the secret of maturity is having Christ within –thinking, willing and feeling in the heart of His consenting servant. Once Christ is not indwelling you, majority of the things you think and do are bound to be error prone, no more no less! ‘Christ within and among you, the Hope of [realizing the] glory’. What a phrase. But is it only hope –a possibility? As we saw the other day, the word of hope in Scripture means a sure and certain expectation with no shadow of doubt. To have Christ near to us is not enough. He must be in us, subduing the deep selfishness of our nature, ridding us of our moral rottenness, helping us to transform our wrong character, attitude, behavioral pattern and life style, all summed up to constitute our moral rottenness. And as William Law said, ‘A Christ not in us … is a Christ not ours.’ Then if Christ is not our, what do we have?

Now let us read Colossians 1:24-29; 24 [Even] now I rejoice in [u]the midst of my sufferings on your behalf. And in my own person I am making up whatever is still lacking and remains to be completed [[v]on our part] of Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church. 25 In it I became a minister in accordance with the divine [w]stewardship which was entrusted to me for you [as its object and for your benefit], to make the Word of God fully known [among you]—26 The mystery of which was hidden for ages and generations [[x]from angels and men], but is now revealed to His holy people (the saints), 27 To whom God was pleased to make known how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ within and among you, the Hope of [realizing the] glory. 28 Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone in all wisdom ([y]comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God), that we may present every person mature (full-grown, fully initiated, complete, and perfect) in Christ (the Anointed One). 29 For this I labor [[z]unto weariness], striving with all the [aa]superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me.

Apostle Paul is writing this letter to the Church at Colossae. The Church at Colossae was a very young Church, probably founded by Epaphras (1:7). Paul has never met these Church members, but has mentored and met their leaders as seen in Colossians 2:5. When Paul was writing, he has recently heard about them coming to faith. This Church was bombarded with cultural syncretism and find-sounding argument which was distorting them from the true Gospel. 2:4; 8, 22-23 Paul is writing to counter these false teachers and educate the Church to say that you/they trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. So, how does Paul begin? • He has told the Colossians what he is thanking God for when he thinks of them, v3-8 • He has told them what he is praying for when he thinks of them, v9-14 • Then Paul gives a 1st Century hymn on Christ, v15-20 • In Colossians 1:24-29, we have a rather dense summary of Paul’s own ministry. • He is turning to his own situation to explain who he is and what his work is all about. What was Paul’s work all about? Colossians 1:24-29, as seen above; • Paul’s Suffering. Paul suffering for the Church; 1:24 • Paul as a Servant. Paul, the servant of the Church; 1:25-26. • Paul Speaking God’s Mystery. Paul Entrusted With the Mystery God Revealed; 1:26 • Paul’s Proclamation. Paul’s Strenuously Proclaiming Christ; 1:28-29 Paul suffering for the Church. [Even] now I rejoice in [u]the midst of my sufferings on your behalf. And in my own person I am making up whatever is still lacking and remains to be completed [[v]on our part] of Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church. Paul rejoice in his sufferings: Paul says this suffering is an indication itself that this Gospel is powerful and is having its effect and is challenging the principalities and powers. With his imprisonment, Paul is able to identify with the Colossian Christians in their insecurity and suffering without fear. The Church was suffering through internal dissension and external pressure from Jewish and other cultures that were trying to infiltrate and adulterate it but Paul warned and advised the people to be steadfast. On the one hand there is a sense that actually Paul knows that suffering is going to come to all Christians in some form sooner or later, but right now this little Church in Colossae is too young for that, they would not be able to stand it. Paul says if I can draw the fire, if I can take the suffering on myself then maybe you will be spared a bit. Standing in the leadership many think is glamorous, but for Paul he is the first line in the attack. Paul decides to be the target in other to spare others to some extent, which is another way of laying down his life for others. How about you? ILLUSTRATION The image may be like a brave military leader who goes out into no man’s land ahead of the troops to draw the enemy far onto himself in order to allow his troops perhaps containing injured and wounded people to escape to safety. Paul says, “I am happy to sit here and take it if it means that you are going to have respite.” 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. Remember, Christ’s suffering on the cross was once-and-for-all atonement for sin never to be repeated. Christ made a full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Lord Jesus does not have to suffer over and over again in every generation. What He did was the turning point of history. Lord Jesus Himself in Mark 8 spoke about His own vocation to go to the cross to suffer and die and He said if anyone wants to come after Me, they must take up their cross and follow Me. Salvation which was won uniquely when Lord Jesus died on the cross is to be implemented, worked out in the world not through the Christians using the weapons of the world, but through the same ministry of suffering love. They won’t have to die for the sins of the world, Lord Jesus has already done that. But the way in which the gospel works in the world is through, as Lord Jesus Himself said the poor in spirit, the meek, the broken hearted, the wounded, the vulnerable, the mourners, the hungry for justice people. This is how the gospel goes to work and Paul says that is fine, this is as it were completing the Messianic affliction. God’s people may have to go through suffering through which the message of the death of Lord Jesus will become effective in the world. However, Paul sees his suffering on one hand an integral part of his identification with Christ and, on the other, on behalf of the Church. This is how it should be with all true Christians! APPLICATION In the midst of the suffering Paul was able to rejoice. This insight offers comfort to those facing trials today. While suffering is difficult, we can find solace in knowing that our pain can have a purpose. Just as Paul’s suffering was meaningful for the sake of the Church, our trials can bring forth perseverance, true character, and hope. In Christ, even in the darkest moments, there is a glimmer of joy, for God is working all things for our good. This is the assurance! Paul, the servant of the church; 1:25 24 [Even] now I rejoice in [u]the midst of my sufferings on your behalf. And in my own person I am making up whatever is still lacking and remains to be completed [[v]on our part] of Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church. 25 In it I became a minister in accordance with the divine [w]stewardship which was entrusted to me for you [as its object and for your benefit], to make the Word of God fully known [among you]— • Paul affirms that he is the servant of the Church. • He has been entrusted with the sacred word of God. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, “So then, let us [apostles] be looked upon as ministering servants of Christ and stewards (trustees) of the mysteries (the secret purposes) of God. 2 Moreover, it is [essentially] required of stewards that a man should be found faithful [proving himself worthy of trust].” • Paul is primarily a servant of Christ. • That makes Paul, a servant of the Church. • He has been entrusted with the Word of God. • Paul must prove faithful in proclaiming the Word. • Paul had to give an account of the position he held. Slogan of the Lausanne Movement of World Evangelization, “The whole Church bringing the whole Gospel to the whole World.” This should be the watch word for all true servants. Challenge: We need to be a whole (united Church). We need to speak the whole gospel. We need to do it together. The gospel should reach the whole world. The whole Church is called to proclaim the whole Gospel. Are they all doing it the right way is the one big question! The wholeness of the gospel was Paul’s concern. And it should also be our concern too! Paul warned the Galatians: in Galatians 1:9, “9 As we said before, so I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel different from or contrary to that which you received [from us], let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!” If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse. The problem in Colossae, is that some were preaching a partial gospel but adding to it their own culturally-contained gospel. Mixing up their cultures with the gospel and Paul said no you don’t do that way; the gospel stands out and must be preached exactly as it is! Our preaching and teaching should be on sound gospel that should bring revival and Church growth. Every revival has resulted in faithful teaching and preaching of God’s word. People cannot know Christ better without knowing the Scriptures better. Did you hear that! In 2 Timothy 3:14-17, we read, “14 But as for you, continue to hold to the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced, knowing from whom you learned [them], 15 And how from your childhood you have had a knowledge of and been acquainted with the sacred Writings, which are able to instruct you and give you the understanding for salvation which comes through faith in Christ Jesus [through the [a]leaning of the entire human personality on God in Christ Jesus in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness]. 16 Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), 17 So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.” This is it, but how many people know this exactly the way it should be known? The work of the Word here as always is what the Word does which is the word of creation and the word of new creation. He has spoken, it was done says the Psalmist about the original creation and then as we saw in Isaiah 55, the word goes out and like rain or snow comes down from above and is fruitful and things grow and new things happen that is exactly what Colossians is all about. Paul is the servant of the Church, commissioned to present the word of God in its fullness.

“26 The mystery of which was hidden for ages and generations [[x]from angels and men], but is now revealed to His holy people (the saints),” • For Paul, Jesus Christ is a mystery. That one has to put up a lot of efforts to learn. • This mystery of the work of Christ in the midst of humans and other created things has been kept hidden for ages and generations. • In the OT, the message of salvation was for both the Jews and Gentiles slowly getting unfolded in the call of Abraham. All nations will be blessed through Abraham. • The Messiah of Israel is the Saviour of the world. • The Son of Man in Daniel (7:13-14) was to become the incarnate Son of God. • God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants was enveloped in a new covenant, first announced by Jeremiah (31:31-34) and fulfilled in Lord Jesus Christ and kept as the gospel of Christ. • God’s secret plan hidden through all ages of time was progressively revealed. • God revealed Himself in the sacrificial systems and laws of Moses. • God then in His dealings with Israel, in the Psalms and in the Wisdom literature. • In the times of Israel’s spiritual decline, God raised up His prophets to bring back Israel to living faith. • These acts of God found their fulfillment in the NT story of Lord Jesus Christ. This mystery was revealed to Paul himself. In Romans 16:25-26, we read, “25 Now to Him Who is able to strengthen you in the faith which is in accordance with my Gospel and the preaching of (concerning) Jesus Christ (the Messiah), according to the revelation (the unveiling) of the mystery of the plan of redemption which was kept in silence and secret for long ages, 26 But is now disclosed and through the prophetic Scriptures is made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, [to win them] to obedience to the faith,” It continued in Ephesians 3:2-3, saying, “2 Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace (His unmerited favor) that was entrusted to me [to dispense to you] for your benefit, 3 [And] that the mystery (secret) was made known to me and I was allowed to comprehend it by direct revelation, as I already briefly wrote you.” Ephesians 3:8-11, “8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints (God’s consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted and graciously entrusted: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable, and exhaustless) riches of Christ [wealth which no human being could have searched out], 9 Also to enlighten all men and make plain to them what is the plan [regarding the Gentiles and providing for the salvation of all men] of the mystery kept hidden through the ages and concealed until now in [the mind of] God Who created all things by Christ Jesus. 10 [The purpose is] that through the church the [c]complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere. 11 This is in accordance with the terms of the eternal and timeless purpose which He has realized and carried into effect in [the person of] Christ Jesus our Lord,” What is the mystery? Colossians 1:15, “15 [Now] He is the [a]exact likeness of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible]; He is the Firstborn of all creation.” Colossians 1:19-20, “19 For it has pleased [the Father] that all the divine fullness (the sum total of the divine perfection, powers, and attributes) should dwell in Him [p]permanently. 20 And God purposed that through ([q]by the service, the intervention of) Him [the Son] all things should be completely reconciled [r]back to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven, as through Him, [the Father] made peace by means of the blood of His cross.” Colossians 2:2-3, “2 [For my concern is] that their hearts may be [b]braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively [c]more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One). 3 In Him all the treasures of [divine] wisdom ([d]comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) and [all the riches of spiritual] knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden.” Other NT writers talk the same thing: John 1:14, “14 And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth.” Hebrews 1:3, “3 He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the [a]out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God’s] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high,” 1 John 5:20, “20 And we [have seen and] know [positively] that the Son of God has [actually] come to this world and has given us understanding and insight [progressively] to perceive (recognize) and come to know better and more clearly Him Who is true; and we are in Him Who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah). This [Man] is the true God and Life eternal.” • Lord Jesus Christ is the mystery. • Now the mystery is disclosed to the Lord’s people. It is not secret any longer. • For Paul, the proclamation of the Gospel is now making everybody know what it is that has been kept secret for ages, making everybody know about Lord Jesus. Colossians 1:26-27, “26 The mystery of which was hidden for ages and generations [[x]from angels and men], but is now revealed to His holy people (the saints), 27 To whom God was pleased to make known how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ within and among you, the Hope of [realizing the] glory.” • Paul has been personally commissioned by God to make the mystery known to the Church. • Paul recognizes that God has also called the saints in Colossae to make known this mystery to others. • Everyone in a Church has to be mission minded and witnessing Church. • Paul never lost an opportunity of sharing the gospel. The neighbouring Church at Laodicea was becoming lukewarm. Growing economic prosperity in Laodicea had lured the Church into self-sufficiency. Their missionary vision had declined. What the Colossian Church facing a similar danger? Are we facing a similar situation? Christ within and among you, the Hope of [realizing the] glory. • The Glory of God is God’s personal presence. • God’s glory was revealed in the wilderness journey as a cloud in the Exodus. • God’s glory filled the temple as witnessed by Isaiah; Isa. 6:1-9. • In NT God’s glory was seen in Christ’s birth, life & ministry, transfiguration, cross, & resurrection. • The glory of God is in us with Christ residing in us by His Spirit showing in all area. • Well that is the image of God’s glory in us is not just for us. • God’s glory is with us individually. God’s glory is with us as a community, Church. • In the 2nd coming, God’s glory will come back and flood the whole creation with His glorious presence. That is the ultimate hope for the whole world. Paul sees this little Church in Colossae, a few households; maybe not particularly socially significant, most of them not well off, many of them not educated at all. Paul sees them as a family of Lord Jesus followers with the Christ in their midst, the glory of God in their midst. That as Lord Jesus is dwelling there as the king as the Messiah in their midst, this is the sign and the foretaste of the fact that one day God will flood the whole of creation with His glory, with His love, with His justice and His joy.

Paul’s Strenuously Proclaiming Christ; 1:28-29: Paul says it is Jesus who we are proclaiming. 28 Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone in all wisdom ([y]comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God), that we may present every person mature (full-grown, fully initiated, complete, and perfect) in Christ (the Anointed One). Paul concludes his personal testimony to the Church by declaring: 28 Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone in all wisdom ([y]comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God), that we may present every person mature (full-grown, fully initiated, complete, and perfect) in Christ (the Anointed One). The ‘we’ includes Epaphras and Timothy. Paul Proclaims Lord Jesus: Paul’s Proclaiming Christ is twofold: Warning & Teaching • Warning implies exhortation & correction. • Teaching implies imparting practical and theoretical knowledge. Paul warns everyone for the dander/danger of rejecting Christ, bringing what is happening in the context and diluting the gospel, bringing in culture and diluting the gospel. Dander means flakes of skin in an animal's fur or hair or to be or to become angry by rejecting Christ. Paul is not against culture, Paul is not against modernization, but if these things influence the Church and we reject the Lordship of Christ, it is a big problem for Paul. So Paul proclaimed Christ, warning and teaching them. Everyone! – Yes the whole gospel of Christ was for everyone. Paul’s proclamation was to present everyone fully mature in Christ, 1:28b; Paul’s aim is to present the believers “full-grown” under the direction and in the power of Christ’s cross and resurrection. Maturity is both individual and corporate (Church). Only when we are mature that Christ in us will become visible on earth. Present everybody fully mature in Christ. That does not happen overnight, it takes pastoral work, it takes teaching, proclaiming, instructing, presenting, working, struggling and suffering. Teaching of the OT Scripture. Stories of Lord Jesus. Teaching from the letters. As they are taught they become fully mature in Christ. Teaching everyone with all wisdom: Wisdom now enabling people to become wise just as the book of Proverbs, now that wisdom is found in the life of Lord Jesus. Paul says he is working hard for this to happen: Colossians 1:29, “29 For this I labor [[z]unto weariness], striving with all the [aa]superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me.” Paul recognizes that the Church matures or people mature with when two things happen: Human toil or struggle of a good minister and the supernatural power of God to make that happen. Every child of God goes through struggle. Every minister of God goes through struggle. Struggles like discouragements, tensions, unjust accusations, failure to see results, money, temptations etc. Just as Christ was constantly under attack from Satan and demonic powers, ministers of God, believers go through similar struggle. At this time Paul rejoices that it is Christ that powerfully works in his life, energizing, enabling him to accomplish his task to which he has been called. And so it is expected of every true child of God in God’s call! The resurrection power of Christ gives us strength. There is the paradox just as in Christ God and humans come together. Heaven and earth come together. So in the work of the gospel Paul says actually it is me, it is God at work within me. He says it in 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 as well when he talks about being one of the least of all the apostles because he persecuted the Church of God and then he says nevertheless, I worked harder than all of them but it was not me it was God’s grace working in me. That is the sure sign it seems to me of a genuine Christian work. That yes you have to put your back into it. You have to work hard at it, but when all is settled down you look back and realize anything you achieved was simply the result of God working through you. So Paul has now put the Colossians on the map of what he said in Chapter 1:15-20. He has now put himself on the map and God and how God works is truly displayed to the whole world. Let’s reflect on the word of God we just heard and try live it out practically in all our daily life!