SERMON NOTES

CHRISTIAN SUFFERING: WHAT’S THE POINT?

Colossians 1:24-2:7

Paul's Ministry to the Church

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

2

1For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

Alive in Christ

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Christian Suffering: What’s the Point?

Paul rejoiced in his sufferings because…

Paul’s sufferings had a point:

To __________ God’s hidden mystery: Christ _____________. (1:24-26)
To __________ the riches of the hope of glory: Christ _______. (1:27-29)
To __________ for deeper understanding: Christ ___________. (2:1-3)
To __________ for uninterrupted allegiance: Christ _________. (2:4-5)

Paul rejoiced in his sufferings because…

He was part of something _____________________. (2:5b)

What will we do with our sufferings?

Works Cited: (1) N.T. Wright, Colossians and Philemon TNTC Commentary, (2) Peter O’Brian, Colossians , Philemon Word Biblical Commentary, (3) Phil Thomson article on the Gospel Coalition,What Does It Mean to ‘Fill Up What’s Lacking in Christ’s Afflictions’? Fill in the Blanks: (1) display, died for you, (2) proclaim, in you, (3) intercede, for you, (4) contend, alone (5) bigger than himself.