Word by Mail

COL 05 – The Mystery - Col 1:24-29 Our title is a little “Play On Words”re: two things that are gaining a lot of attention right now In the world – there is a new Billion $$ seller - - “The Secret”Which is just a re-hash of New-Age – Power of the Mind –Get Rich Quick & Easy for $29.95 DVD & book ALSO - In the Emerging Church there is rapidly growing interestin a thing called “The Silence” The Silence is part of the “Contemplative Spirituality”
movement of the Emerging church & it places “reaching a Higher Spiritual Plane”OVER a Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ TODAY – we’re NOT going to look at “The Secret”we’re NOT going to look at “The Silence” We’re going to look at “The Mystery” right out of God’s Word & THE MYSTERY – from God’s Word blows away any other New & Improved Spirituality
that the World, or those in the Church, can throw at us God’s Word is the Real Thing& it contains the Greatest Revelations of all time & eternity All we have to do is look to God’s Word –Instead of the latest DVD/BOOK combo - on sale at Wal-Mart  We start today with Paul addressing the Trials & Tribulationsthat come with ministry to God’s people It’s good for us to discuss - “Afflictions” in the Ministry(just in case you ever come across any) Remember 2 things as we start;

1. Paul was suffering in prison when he wrote Colossians
2. Paul had never met the saints that he was suffering for

 Col 1:2424 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, In the previous Vs – Paul had encouraged the Colossians toContinue in the faith – grounded & steadfast - & not be moved . . . & then in V.24 – the GREEK implies;Even right now I rejoice in my sufferings for you  The “FOR YOU” means - on your account, for your benefit Paul is rejoicing because he considers it a priveledege to suffer on behalf of the saints - he’s never even met  That’s something we don’t really like to do, is it ?  Our culture teaches us just the opposite, doesn’t it ?to evaluate people & places by what THEY can do for us This has become true even in church“well, this church really isn’t ‘doing it’ for me,
I think I can get more enjoyment out of another church” & so we skip around looking for a group of saints that will “do something for us” but how often - do we hear ourselves saying “all right – I found some saints I can SUFFER for” Most often - as soon as we experience a little sufferingit must be time to find another church But Paul says in V.24; “I REJOICE in the midst of my suffering on your behalf”  & then – to try to explain WHY he’s rejoicing in the Midst
of his suffering for the church - he continues in V.24  Col 1:2424 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, . . . This is a Critical Statement - & easily misunderstood (let me be careful) “FILL UP” means - “I’m taking my turn, I’m doing my part”A.T. Robertson says – it’s like saying “It’s my turn to bat” & so Paul says – “I’m taking my turn” & then he says . . . IN MY FLESH Not a reference to his “Sinful Flesh” but a ref to “Real Live Physical Suffering” (He’s not spiritualizing) “I’m taking my turn, doing my part – in real live physical suffering For YOU – on your behalf” But then Paul makes – what seems to be a difficult statement;“I’m ‘filling up’ what is Lacking in the afflictions of Christ” Does this mean there was something LACKING
in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ – ABSOLUTELY NOT Does this mean there was something LACKING in Christ in any of His afflictions or sacrifice - ABSOLUTELY NOT The word “Lacking” means LIT “to come behind” or “that which follows” Paul’s saying “I rejoice in my suffering for you, because I’m taking my part, coming
behind Christ in His suffering for the church” Now – that is a very long way of saying what I could have said by just reading the NLT Col 1:24 – NLT (2004 Revision)24 I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. Paul is CLEARLY NOT referring to the Atoning Sacrifice of Christ in ANY way But he IS stating - there is a suffering for the church that comes behind (follows after) Christ - & you can be a part of it SO – if you are willing to suffer for the good of the churchthen you can PARTICIPATE in (follow after) the sufferings of Christ that continue for His body, the church  Now – let me bring this a little closer to home When you have to Sacrifice your SELF for the good of someone else in the body of Christ . . .  you are participating (in some way) in the sufferings of Christ - that continue for His body, the church Maybe that means:Losing a Saturday, or a good nights sleep to help a brother / sister Ministering on the phone instead of watching American IdolDoing something you’d really rather not doForgiveness – Longsuffering – Unconditional Love No - - You CAN NOT add to the Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus Christ but you CAN “Participate” in the sufferings that continue for His body By setting aside your SELF concerns & issues –& ministering to the ones that Christ Died for – Just like Paul did  Paul continues in Col 1:2525 of which [the church] I became a minister [servant] according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, to fulfill - Important – it means; give full-scope, fully-discharge,
proclaim the entire message of the word of God Paul says – God gave me the responsibility - to serve the body -by proclaiming to them the entire message of the word of God & we can become part of this same STEWARDSHIP from God, on behalf of the people Christ died for . . . To proclaim His word TO THEMAND to participate in the suffering of Christ ON THEIR BEHALF & you can begin to Join in this “Purpose of God” RIGHT NOW – RIGHT where you’re at ! Now – we have to move on to - THE MYSTERY In Colosse some claimed to have “SECRET” knowledge & only they could initiate you into this “secret” knowledge  & today – some claim to have “THE SECRET” knowledge& only those who send $29.95 can have “This Secret” But the Greatest Mystery of God has already been revealed & there is no greater mystery – no higher mystery & Remember – the DEF of “Mystery” in the N.T.is simply something “Previously Un-Revealed” by God & so Paul begins to address THE MYSTERY - in V.26  In V.25 Paul said he was given “A Stewardship” to “Proclaim the Entire Message of the Word of God” & in V.26 he calls God’s Message – A MYSTERY . . .Col 1:2626 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. Notice the DEF of a Mystery right in this Vs.the mystery has been hidden from (“before”) ages & generations
. . . but it now has been revealed to His saints The Mystery of God had been hidden from before the ages & generations . . . But now – this great mystery has been revealedmeaning it is no longer a mystery – it can be a Revelation Now – this is kind of a “Two-Part Mystery”The first part is for the Jews first - & then for us  It’s not really the MAIN mystery – not the BIGGEST partBut to a Jew – This is a VERY HUGE MYSTERY (& maybe to us) We see PART ONE of the mystery in the beginning of V.27  Col 1:27A27 To them [His saints v.26] God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: . . .  THAT is the 1st PART of the mystery that it is Not Only to the Jews – but also TO THE GENTILES That is as big a mystery as most Jews could ever comprehend Gentiles (who were called dogs) – are loved by God ??& the riches & the glory of God’s mystery APPLIES to THEM ? THAT – is a massive revelation to a Jew (God’s chosen people) But to us – it should make us say – LOOK, the riches & glory of the mystery of God is for EVERY PERSON  There is NO person beyond receiving the riches & glory of the mystery of God in Jesus Christ To a religious person – like a Jew (or religious person today)This is as big a mystery as there could be . . . YOU MEAN . . . God loves THEM ???(which is exactly how the jews responded in the 1st century) If we understood HOW FAR DOWN God’s people (the Jews)Looked upon the Gentile Dogs We would say – WOW, that means the Riches & Glory of the Mystery of God is for absolutely ANYONE ! That’s right – ANYONE no one is beyond receiving the mystery of God For God so loved the worldthat He gave His only begotten Son,that WHOEVER believes in Himshould NOT perish but HAVE everlasting life. That’s really good news to all the people - who our judgmental flesh
would say are BEYOND receiving The Mystery of God BUT WAIT – That’s not even the REAL Mystery – That’s only the 1st part – the real mystery is still to come  & now - the REAL Mystery should absolutely blow our mindswe see it in the middle of V.27 Let’s re-read Col 1:2727 To them [saints] 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. HOLD ON – We have GOT to hear this The Real Mystery of God All the Riches & the Glory of the Greatest Mystery of God The incredible Mystery of God that CAN apply to every person . . . The MYSTERY OF GOD is that Jesus Christ Lives In You Yeah – that’s it – Jesus Christ in you, the hope of Glory THAT is the greatest life changing mystery That God could EVER reveal to us Jesus Christ Living in you, the hope of Glory The Greatest Mystery - & Miracle – of God Now – here’s the problem ;Maybe we’ve heard thatMaybe we’ve become a bit “accustomed” to that . . . & maybe – by our actions – we’re saying;“oh yeah, I know, Jesus lives in my heart, what else you got for me?” ARE YOU KIDDING ?? The Creator of Heaven & Earth – The Center of Heaven’s Focus –The Almighty God LIVES IN YOU - - & you want something else ?The reason there is ALWAYS some new DVD to buy,Some new approach to try – some new program to apply Is we’ve been trained by a culture of “THE NEW YEAR MODEL” Oh . . . that’s last year’s model . . . yeah, that was cool last year,But I’m looking to see what they’re bringing out THIS YEAR  If you bring that “NEW YEAR MODEL” attitude into your relationship with Jesus Christ  you will be easy PREY for the enemy’s schemes to draw you
away from the truth, into some New & Improved way to God & it’s NOT just our “New Year Model” culture in 2007
this is EXACTLY what the Gnostics were doing in Colosse THE MYSTERY of God – which blows away every other so-called mystery that man could ever come up with . . . Is that - Jesus Christ actually LIVES within the Believer Christ in you, the hope of glory Jesus Christ lives within the hearts & lives of believers & His presence WITHIN US - is our guarantee of living forever w/ Him If Jesus Christ lives forever& He lives in you as a believer  Then - Christ in you, is your hope of glory & remember – Biblical HOPE is NOT wishful thinking This HOPE is “A confident Expectation based on Solid Certianty” THE MYSTERY of God Is Jesus Christ Living IN YOU – & Jesus Christ Living IN YOU - is your HOPE of your Glory  & so – we don’t preach a Process – Program – IdeologyWe preach A PERSON – We preach Christ ! Col 1:2828 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. HIM we Preach – The Person of Jesus ChristBecause it’s a Personal God who lives within you& it’s a Personal God Who is your hope of Glory - - (Him we preach) & Look how many times “Every Man” is used – THREE TIMESWarning ___ Teaching ____ That we may Present ____ We are called to Warn & Teach every manThat we may Present Every Man PERFECT in Christ Jesus The word “Perfect” – Means MATURE, COMPLETE  Our calling is to make Mature – Complete Believers
Not Fickle Followers of every Fancy Formula that Flows thru our “New Year Model” Culture REPEAT COL 1:28  & Notice – we are to present Every Man Complete IN CHRIST ! He lives in us – & we are complete in HimHe lives in us – & we are complete in Him - (what more do you want)  Is it an easy calling – NOCan we do it on our own – NOHas God given us the Power to do it - YES Col 1:2929 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. “LABOR” = To grow weary thru Training (athlete in training)“STRIVING” = To contend or struggle (ref to the event itself)“WORKING” = energeia – Used only of Supernatural Power“MIGHTILY” = dunamis’ = Dynamite & so Paul says;To this end – I grow weary thru training So I can take part in the race – relying on HIS supernatural power that works in me like DYNAMITE We’ve Got To - Hold On – LaborWe’ve Got To - Contend – StruggleWe’ve Got To - Rely on His Supernatural PowerWe’ve Got To – Look for Dynamite “Life Change”  THE MYSTERY – is Jesus Christ Living in you – the hope of Glory DON’T BE A;Fickle Follower - of every Fancy Formula that Flows thru our “New Year Model” Culture Receive Jesus ChristAllow Him to Live in YouGrow Mature in Him& Hold On To the Confidence of your Glory forever !