WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.000 Open up your Bibles, if you would please, to Colossians chapter 1. 00:00:06.780 --> 00:00:10.900 Colossians 1, if you're using the Pew Bible, it's on page 983. 00:00:12.519 --> 00:00:18.000 The last song we sang closed with our boast is Jesus Christ. 00:00:18.719 --> 00:00:20.100 Our boast is Jesus Christ. 00:00:20.100 --> 00:00:27.280 I think we can all agree that the things we talk about are normally the things that we're thinking about. 00:00:27.280 --> 00:00:31.859 The things we boast about are the things that we feel a sense of accomplishment. 00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:41.939 If you have done a major project or if you have a favorite sports team and that team won or that project is finished 00:00:41.939 --> 00:00:47.000 and you're happy about how that project turned out, you want to talk about those things. 00:00:47.000 --> 00:00:55.780 And so if your boast is Christ, I think what that means is you've also been thinking about Christ. 00:00:55.780 --> 00:00:58.620 Christ is what's important to you. 00:00:59.660 --> 00:01:02.640 It makes me think about what happens there in Acts chapter 2. 00:01:02.939 --> 00:01:09.820 Remember when the Pentecost happens and these individuals, these believers go out 00:01:09.820 --> 00:01:17.420 and the report that comes back is we keep hear them telling in our own language the mighty works of God. 00:01:17.420 --> 00:01:21.040 Their boast was Jesus Christ. 00:01:22.299 --> 00:01:24.659 And it's because that was what was in their heart. 00:01:24.760 --> 00:01:30.359 And so it just kind of spilled out of their conversation wherever they went in Jerusalem. 00:01:30.500 --> 00:01:34.099 They couldn't help but talk about the mighty works of God. 00:01:35.820 --> 00:01:38.000 Well, we have a ministry like that too. 00:01:38.960 --> 00:01:41.240 We've been called to that kind of ministry. 00:01:41.239 --> 00:01:48.819 And this morning, as we look at the Apostle Paul and as we kind of see him describe the ministry that he has 00:01:48.819 --> 00:01:52.379 and there's several dimensions of that ministry that we're going to look at this morning, 00:01:53.239 --> 00:01:57.299 my goal is that we'll see not just that this is the ministry of Christ 00:01:57.299 --> 00:02:02.039 but that the ministry that Paul has is the ministry that we've been called to as well. 00:02:02.040 --> 00:02:05.780 So if you're there in your Bibles in Colossians chapter 1, 00:02:06.580 --> 00:02:13.900 my goal is that the points of our outline this morning will kind of spring out of the text 00:02:13.900 --> 00:02:18.379 and you should be able to help me and help us as we work through this 00:02:18.379 --> 00:02:22.219 to know exactly where we're going based upon the words in the passage. 00:02:22.379 --> 00:02:25.259 Here's what it says, Colossians 1 beginning in verse 24. 00:02:25.379 --> 00:02:25.960 It says this, 00:02:26.960 --> 00:02:30.400 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake. 00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:35.200 And in my flesh I'm filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions 00:02:35.200 --> 00:02:37.560 for the sake of his body, that is the church, 00:02:38.400 --> 00:02:41.920 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God 00:02:41.920 --> 00:02:45.980 that was given to me for you to make the word of God fully known. 00:02:46.659 --> 00:02:52.560 The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 00:02:53.300 --> 00:02:56.860 So speaking about the ministry of Christ there in verse 24, 00:02:56.860 --> 00:03:00.700 there's an S word and we're going to work through S words this morning. 00:03:01.180 --> 00:03:03.900 There's an S word there in verse 24. 00:03:04.240 --> 00:03:06.480 I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake. 00:03:06.580 --> 00:03:08.620 So the what of our ministry? 00:03:09.740 --> 00:03:12.520 The suffering or the struggle of our ministry. 00:03:13.460 --> 00:03:14.300 That's where Paul begins. 00:03:14.380 --> 00:03:18.340 He wants this church to understand that there is a struggle in ministry. 00:03:18.820 --> 00:03:21.060 There is suffering that happens in ministry. 00:03:21.200 --> 00:03:23.960 There is labor that takes place in ministry. 00:03:23.960 --> 00:03:27.659 Ministry that we have been called to is not easy. 00:03:28.280 --> 00:03:31.580 That's why the Apostle Paul in writing this passage, 00:03:31.700 --> 00:03:32.500 in writing this letter, 00:03:32.920 --> 00:03:37.819 he wants to help this church know that yes, he is in prison, 00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:40.000 but there's a reason for that. 00:03:40.020 --> 00:03:43.939 It's because the ministry we've been called to is a ministry of suffering. 00:03:45.219 --> 00:03:48.800 And throughout this section of scripture that runs from verse 24 00:03:48.800 --> 00:03:52.480 and kind of overflows into the first couple of verses of chapter 2, 00:03:52.479 --> 00:03:55.159 that's where our spotlight is going to be, 00:03:55.280 --> 00:03:57.579 the suffering of the Apostle Paul. 00:03:57.840 --> 00:03:58.500 Notice this. 00:03:59.399 --> 00:04:01.060 The first part of verse 24, 00:04:01.780 --> 00:04:03.519 I rejoice in my suffering for you. 00:04:04.439 --> 00:04:05.699 In the second half of that verse, 00:04:05.799 --> 00:04:09.959 I'm filling up with this lacking in Christ afflictions for the sake of his body. 00:04:10.739 --> 00:04:12.339 Drop down to verse 29 and you see, 00:04:12.759 --> 00:04:13.679 for this I toil, 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:16.639 and that's another word for labor and for sweat 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:19.879 and for the hard work of Paul's ministry. 00:04:20.560 --> 00:04:21.519 At the end of verse 29, 00:04:21.599 --> 00:04:24.519 he talks about he's struggling with all of his energy. 00:04:25.319 --> 00:04:27.620 And then in verse 1 of chapter 2, 00:04:28.300 --> 00:04:31.060 for I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you. 00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:35.759 One of the predominant themes throughout this passage is, 00:04:36.339 --> 00:04:38.019 don't be mistaken. 00:04:38.800 --> 00:04:42.300 The ministry that we've been called to is a ministry of suffering. 00:04:42.879 --> 00:04:43.639 Make no mistake. 00:04:43.639 --> 00:04:46.319 And we see some components of this suffering. 00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:49.159 And these are kind of sub points that are not on the slides, 00:04:49.240 --> 00:04:52.000 so just work with me as we work through this. 00:04:52.099 --> 00:04:53.159 And I'm trying to do this quickly. 00:04:53.919 --> 00:04:57.019 We see that this suffering was a present ministry. 00:04:57.680 --> 00:04:59.860 Or a present suffering, excuse me. 00:05:00.680 --> 00:05:01.659 It was a present suffering. 00:05:01.879 --> 00:05:03.240 Throughout this passage, 00:05:03.519 --> 00:05:05.839 we're going to see all of these verses are in the context 00:05:05.839 --> 00:05:08.319 of what's happening at the current day. 00:05:09.279 --> 00:05:10.339 They're present. 00:05:10.599 --> 00:05:11.219 They're active. 00:05:11.220 --> 00:05:15.840 And some of these are even ongoing and continuous parts of his ministry. 00:05:16.000 --> 00:05:17.780 Struggle for this church. 00:05:18.440 --> 00:05:19.660 It was a present suffering. 00:05:19.780 --> 00:05:22.020 It was as if the Apostle Paul was right there, 00:05:22.280 --> 00:05:23.060 side by side. 00:05:23.180 --> 00:05:24.180 We're doing this together. 00:05:24.300 --> 00:05:24.960 You're not alone. 00:05:25.220 --> 00:05:26.640 I'm struggling with you. 00:05:27.720 --> 00:05:30.060 Second, it was an intense suffering. 00:05:30.960 --> 00:05:31.960 An intense suffering. 00:05:32.140 --> 00:05:33.140 The words that are used, 00:05:33.340 --> 00:05:35.660 there are four different Greek words that are used 00:05:35.660 --> 00:05:39.040 that are all meant to help describe the breadth 00:05:39.040 --> 00:05:41.060 and the dimension of the suffering 00:05:41.060 --> 00:05:43.260 that the Apostle Paul experienced for them. 00:05:44.060 --> 00:05:46.540 The first word for suffering in verse 24 00:05:46.540 --> 00:05:48.380 is the Greek word pathema. 00:05:49.420 --> 00:05:53.379 We can understand pathos is where this word derives from. 00:05:53.440 --> 00:05:57.100 It's simply to suffer or even to take an emotional toll. 00:05:57.100 --> 00:05:59.160 There was an emotional component, 00:05:59.600 --> 00:06:01.580 a burden that was placed in the Apostle Paul 00:06:01.580 --> 00:06:03.879 as he's seeking to labor for this church. 00:06:03.879 --> 00:06:07.540 The second half of verse 24 is the word affliction. 00:06:07.719 --> 00:06:09.459 It's the Greek word philipsis. 00:06:09.779 --> 00:06:12.899 Trouble, distress, oppression, tribulation. 00:06:13.040 --> 00:06:13.920 This wasn't easy. 00:06:15.259 --> 00:06:17.980 This required obstacles 00:06:17.980 --> 00:06:20.540 and working through the persecution 00:06:20.540 --> 00:06:23.219 that was oppressing the Apostle Paul. 00:06:24.259 --> 00:06:26.199 Verse 29, the word for toil 00:06:26.199 --> 00:06:29.519 is the Greek word tapas or kapas, excuse me. 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:32.939 It's labor or work to be tired or to be weary 00:06:32.939 --> 00:06:35.959 and it even also involves an emotional component. 00:06:37.100 --> 00:06:39.819 Emotionally fatigued and even discouraged at times. 00:06:41.100 --> 00:06:42.240 Paul invested himself. 00:06:42.959 --> 00:06:44.560 He labored to the point of exhaustion. 00:06:44.779 --> 00:06:46.680 He was willing to spend it all. 00:06:46.779 --> 00:06:48.660 He was willing to put it all out there. 00:06:48.899 --> 00:06:50.899 Not to reserve or hold anything back. 00:06:51.939 --> 00:06:52.939 Also in verse 29, 00:06:53.060 --> 00:06:56.079 this word for struggle is the word agonizomai. 00:06:56.699 --> 00:06:57.439 Can you hear it? 00:06:57.600 --> 00:07:00.240 Kind of buried within that Greek word, 00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:02.500 the word agony, agonizomai. 00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:03.639 That's suffering. 00:07:04.460 --> 00:07:06.939 It's also used and applied several times 00:07:06.939 --> 00:07:07.780 throughout the New Testament, 00:07:07.900 --> 00:07:09.480 even in Greek culture, 00:07:09.480 --> 00:07:11.759 to describe the Olympic struggle, 00:07:12.460 --> 00:07:15.540 to compete, to fight, to strive with intensity. 00:07:16.519 --> 00:07:18.360 The Apostle Paul would say in other plays, 00:07:18.439 --> 00:07:21.120 he talks about his ministry to the church of Philippi, 00:07:21.199 --> 00:07:23.319 that he is spending it all 00:07:23.319 --> 00:07:25.740 on the offering and sacrifice 00:07:25.740 --> 00:07:27.920 of the service of the faith. 00:07:28.480 --> 00:07:31.300 He's pouring himself out as a offering, 00:07:31.860 --> 00:07:34.839 drink offering on their service of their faith. 00:07:35.159 --> 00:07:37.779 He's expending it all to the very end, 00:07:38.579 --> 00:07:39.899 this struggle that he describes. 00:07:40.039 --> 00:07:42.120 And then in chapter 2, verse 1, 00:07:42.759 --> 00:07:44.379 he repeats this word agony. 00:07:45.719 --> 00:07:46.480 It was a struggle. 00:07:47.100 --> 00:07:47.819 It was hard. 00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:49.180 It was intense. 00:07:49.360 --> 00:07:50.759 There was suffering involved. 00:07:50.759 --> 00:07:52.920 So it was a present suffering. 00:07:53.019 --> 00:07:54.360 It was an intense suffering. 00:07:54.519 --> 00:07:56.699 But third, it was an expected suffering. 00:07:57.879 --> 00:07:59.159 Most of us are pretty familiar 00:07:59.159 --> 00:08:00.420 with Paul's sufferings. 00:08:01.019 --> 00:08:04.180 We can probably describe the dimension 00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:05.860 and the breadth of the suffering 00:08:05.860 --> 00:08:06.939 that he experienced. 00:08:07.899 --> 00:08:09.099 2 Corinthians chapter 11 00:08:09.099 --> 00:08:10.439 kind of gives us a preview 00:08:10.439 --> 00:08:10.980 when it says, 00:08:11.259 --> 00:08:14.199 five times I received at the hands of the Jews 00:08:14.199 --> 00:08:15.860 the 40 lashes less one. 00:08:16.399 --> 00:08:18.279 Three times I was beaten with rods. 00:08:18.399 --> 00:08:19.259 Once I was stoned. 00:08:19.259 --> 00:08:20.879 Three times I was shipwrecked. 00:08:20.939 --> 00:08:23.060 A night and a day I was adrift at sea. 00:08:23.180 --> 00:08:24.459 On frequent journeys. 00:08:24.599 --> 00:08:25.659 In dangers from rivers. 00:08:25.819 --> 00:08:26.740 Dangers from robbers. 00:08:27.139 --> 00:08:28.240 Dangers from my own people. 00:08:28.420 --> 00:08:29.519 Dangers from Gentiles. 00:08:29.899 --> 00:08:30.699 Dangers in the city. 00:08:30.839 --> 00:08:31.599 Danger in the wilderness. 00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:32.519 Danger at sea. 00:08:32.919 --> 00:08:34.379 Danger from false teachers. 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:37.299 In toil and hardship. 00:08:38.100 --> 00:08:39.480 Through many a sleepless night. 00:08:39.559 --> 00:08:40.899 In hunger and thirst. 00:08:41.220 --> 00:08:42.220 Often without food. 00:08:42.319 --> 00:08:43.519 In cold and exposure. 00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:46.480 And apart from other things. 00:08:46.740 --> 00:08:49.159 There is the daily pressure on me. 00:08:49.159 --> 00:08:51.539 Of my anxiety for all the churches. 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:53.399 There was a spending. 00:08:54.079 --> 00:08:55.259 There was a suffering. 00:08:56.019 --> 00:08:57.000 There was a persecution. 00:08:57.199 --> 00:08:57.740 A hardship. 00:08:57.899 --> 00:08:58.579 A difficulty. 00:08:59.019 --> 00:09:00.759 That the apostle Paul experienced. 00:09:00.980 --> 00:09:04.100 And he helps to provide a summary of it here. 00:09:04.360 --> 00:09:06.299 His life in ministry was hard. 00:09:06.299 --> 00:09:09.479 And while we can understand. 00:09:09.839 --> 00:09:11.659 The difficulty of the ministry. 00:09:11.659 --> 00:09:12.399 That he experienced. 00:09:12.539 --> 00:09:14.579 It was also a promise. 00:09:14.579 --> 00:09:16.599 That Christ gave to his disciples. 00:09:17.339 --> 00:09:19.500 A promise of persecution. 00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:20.379 And suffering. 00:09:20.879 --> 00:09:22.399 Because for the sake of his name. 00:09:23.039 --> 00:09:24.099 John chapter 15. 00:09:24.179 --> 00:09:25.000 Verse 20 and 21. 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:25.599 Says this. 00:09:25.859 --> 00:09:27.919 Remember the word that I said to you. 00:09:28.439 --> 00:09:30.679 A servant is not greater than his master. 00:09:30.839 --> 00:09:32.459 If they persecuted me. 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:34.439 They will also persecute you. 00:09:34.440 --> 00:09:36.380 If they kept my word. 00:09:36.480 --> 00:09:37.540 They will keep your word. 00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:39.180 But all these things. 00:09:39.300 --> 00:09:40.300 They will do to you. 00:09:40.500 --> 00:09:42.980 On account of my name. 00:09:43.520 --> 00:09:44.960 Because they do not know him. 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:45.740 Who sent me. 00:09:47.020 --> 00:09:47.460 Disciples. 00:09:47.860 --> 00:09:48.880 You can anticipate. 00:09:49.560 --> 00:09:50.580 If you are a follower of me. 00:09:50.640 --> 00:09:51.760 If you bear my name. 00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:53.560 If you call yourself a Christian. 00:09:53.740 --> 00:09:56.680 If you are one who represents my message. 00:09:56.740 --> 00:09:58.000 And my word to others. 00:09:58.260 --> 00:09:59.840 You can bet that the world. 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:01.760 Who is hostile towards me. 00:10:01.880 --> 00:10:03.400 Will also be hostile towards you. 00:10:03.580 --> 00:10:04.340 Don't be disparate. 00:10:04.440 --> 00:10:05.200 Don't be surprised. 00:10:06.380 --> 00:10:08.020 And I think most of us are acquainted. 00:10:08.340 --> 00:10:10.500 With the promise that the apostle Paul gives to Timothy. 00:10:10.500 --> 00:10:11.640 About suffering. 00:10:12.220 --> 00:10:14.140 From 2nd Timothy chapter 3 verse 12. 00:10:14.440 --> 00:10:14.640 He says. 00:10:15.140 --> 00:10:15.240 Indeed. 00:10:15.680 --> 00:10:18.500 All who desire to live a godly life. 00:10:18.640 --> 00:10:19.780 In Christ Jesus. 00:10:20.160 --> 00:10:22.000 Will be persecuted. 00:10:23.440 --> 00:10:25.240 But for whatever reason. 00:10:25.960 --> 00:10:27.440 And I include myself in this. 00:10:27.680 --> 00:10:29.640 For whatever reason. 00:10:29.640 --> 00:10:31.240 When suffering happens. 00:10:31.240 --> 00:10:33.220 When hard things take place. 00:10:33.220 --> 00:10:35.659 When I face some opposition. 00:10:35.659 --> 00:10:38.080 Or people are not treating me the way. 00:10:38.159 --> 00:10:39.860 I think I deserve to be treated. 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:41.019 For some reason. 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:42.240 I'm surprised. 00:10:44.139 --> 00:10:45.539 But suffering has a purpose. 00:10:45.740 --> 00:10:46.600 And we can. 00:10:46.799 --> 00:10:48.419 We can appreciate the fact. 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:49.220 From the scripture. 00:10:49.720 --> 00:10:50.960 That suffering has a purpose. 00:10:51.019 --> 00:10:52.019 And I want to just briefly. 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:54.259 Walk through a couple of purposes. 00:10:54.259 --> 00:10:55.840 Reasons for your suffering. 00:10:55.840 --> 00:10:56.220 First. 00:10:56.419 --> 00:10:58.000 It identifies us with Jesus. 00:10:59.179 --> 00:11:01.679 We see that in Acts chapter 5 verse 41. 00:11:02.919 --> 00:11:03.259 It says. 00:11:04.019 --> 00:11:04.819 They were persecuted. 00:11:05.980 --> 00:11:06.379 And then. 00:11:06.679 --> 00:11:08.299 They left the presence of the council. 00:11:08.919 --> 00:11:09.399 Rejoicing. 00:11:09.799 --> 00:11:11.159 That they were counted worthy. 00:11:11.580 --> 00:11:13.980 To suffer dishonor for the name. 00:11:15.159 --> 00:11:16.080 So Christ had promised. 00:11:16.200 --> 00:11:17.279 If you bear my name. 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:18.279 You're going to suffer. 00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:19.340 Like I suffered. 00:11:19.980 --> 00:11:20.980 If they persecuted me. 00:11:21.019 --> 00:11:21.879 They're going to persecute you. 00:11:21.879 --> 00:11:23.360 And lo and behold. 00:11:24.039 --> 00:11:24.980 There they are. 00:11:25.059 --> 00:11:26.340 Speaking for Christ. 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:27.820 Representing Christ. 00:11:28.080 --> 00:11:29.340 Showing Christ in culture. 00:11:29.779 --> 00:11:30.100 And then. 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:30.779 As a result. 00:11:31.059 --> 00:11:32.320 Of that activity. 00:11:32.779 --> 00:11:33.620 Now they're persecuted. 00:11:33.879 --> 00:11:34.679 And what's their. 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:35.860 What's their response? 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:37.539 Their response is. 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:38.779 Not. 00:11:39.980 --> 00:11:40.820 This is. 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:42.419 This is so undeserved. 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:43.539 This is so unjust. 00:11:43.919 --> 00:11:45.559 What are we going to do about this? 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:46.379 Rather it was. 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:48.179 Thank the Lord. 00:11:49.299 --> 00:11:50.679 We get this confirmation. 00:11:50.679 --> 00:11:51.679 This validation. 00:11:51.879 --> 00:11:53.600 That we belong to Jesus. 00:11:54.019 --> 00:11:55.299 Because we're suffering. 00:11:55.559 --> 00:11:56.899 Just like Jesus did. 00:11:58.059 --> 00:11:59.600 It identifies us with him. 00:12:00.340 --> 00:12:00.720 Second. 00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:02.059 It proves the quality. 00:12:02.580 --> 00:12:03.279 Of our faith. 00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:04.360 It proves the quality. 00:12:04.820 --> 00:12:05.539 Of our faith. 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:07.019 And I just couldn't. 00:12:07.100 --> 00:12:07.899 I can't. 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:10.000 I got to show you this. 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:10.939 This picture here. 00:12:11.320 --> 00:12:11.480 You know. 00:12:11.539 --> 00:12:12.320 You guys have seen. 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:13.919 Built Ford Tough. 00:12:14.200 --> 00:12:14.480 Right. 00:12:15.059 --> 00:12:16.279 And when you think about. 00:12:16.419 --> 00:12:17.019 This commercial. 00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:18.120 You don't want to just see. 00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:19.200 The truck. 00:12:19.200 --> 00:12:20.820 Driving on a nice. 00:12:21.040 --> 00:12:22.100 Even road. 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:23.259 On the freeway. 00:12:23.340 --> 00:12:23.860 You want to know. 00:12:24.020 --> 00:12:25.660 If it's built Ford Tough. 00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:27.600 Then it can do Ford things. 00:12:27.980 --> 00:12:29.300 It can pull that load. 00:12:29.480 --> 00:12:30.860 Up steep inclines. 00:12:30.920 --> 00:12:32.440 It can do it out in the mountains. 00:12:32.560 --> 00:12:33.840 It can do out off road. 00:12:33.980 --> 00:12:34.860 Wherever you are. 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:36.120 If it's built Ford Tough. 00:12:36.180 --> 00:12:36.980 I want to see. 00:12:37.220 --> 00:12:38.460 Where the rubber meets the road. 00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:39.140 I want to see. 00:12:39.140 --> 00:12:40.040 That it can do. 00:12:40.040 --> 00:12:41.379 What it's said to do. 00:12:41.379 --> 00:12:46.080 Suffering does the same thing for us. 00:12:47.039 --> 00:12:50.179 Suffering has a validating component to it. 00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:52.879 We see that in 1 Peter chapter 1. 00:12:53.080 --> 00:12:54.240 Verses 6 to 7. 00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:54.720 Where it says. 00:12:55.220 --> 00:12:56.639 In this you greatly rejoice. 00:12:57.639 --> 00:12:58.120 Though now. 00:12:58.600 --> 00:12:59.179 For a while. 00:12:59.500 --> 00:13:00.379 If necessary. 00:13:00.840 --> 00:13:02.980 You have been grieved by various trials. 00:13:03.419 --> 00:13:03.779 Why? 00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:06.840 So that the tested genuineness of your faith. 00:13:07.059 --> 00:13:08.879 More precious than gold that perishes. 00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:10.500 Though it is tested by fire. 00:13:10.500 --> 00:13:12.740 May be found to result in praise. 00:13:12.860 --> 00:13:13.399 In glory. 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:14.279 In honor. 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:16.200 At the revelation of Jesus Christ. 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:18.860 You see. 00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:19.559 Suffering. 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:22.179 Not only helps others. 00:13:22.820 --> 00:13:24.139 But it helps us to know. 00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:26.360 That the faith that we have is real. 00:13:26.919 --> 00:13:28.480 The faith that we have is authentic. 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:29.740 The faith that we have. 00:13:29.840 --> 00:13:31.419 Can carry us through. 00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:33.080 Through the power of God. 00:13:33.179 --> 00:13:34.519 Working in our lives. 00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:35.480 And when that happens. 00:13:36.379 --> 00:13:36.860 We can say. 00:13:37.019 --> 00:13:38.700 There's something significant. 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:40.440 About our faith. 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:42.360 It can stand the test of time. 00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:43.419 By God's grace. 00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:44.759 Working in our lives. 00:13:45.059 --> 00:13:45.279 Third. 00:13:46.179 --> 00:13:47.620 It enhances the picture. 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:48.799 Of our message. 00:13:50.039 --> 00:13:51.720 When people see suffering. 00:13:51.820 --> 00:13:53.039 And they see us enduring. 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:54.000 Suffering. 00:13:54.120 --> 00:13:55.259 It provides validation. 00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:56.620 Not just to our faith. 00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:58.240 But also to the message. 00:13:58.240 --> 00:13:58.919 That we send. 00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:00.600 Paul will say. 00:14:00.700 --> 00:14:01.500 In Philippians chapter 3. 00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:01.899 Verse 10. 00:14:01.960 --> 00:14:02.120 He says. 00:14:02.179 --> 00:14:03.159 That I might know him. 00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:05.259 In the power of his resurrection. 00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:06.539 And may share. 00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:08.340 His sufferings. 00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:09.939 Becoming like him. 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:10.539 In his death. 00:14:11.340 --> 00:14:12.379 Share his sufferings. 00:14:13.179 --> 00:14:13.879 There is a. 00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:15.220 A fellowshipping. 00:14:15.220 --> 00:14:15.939 That happens. 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:16.860 There is an intimacy. 00:14:16.860 --> 00:14:17.899 That takes place. 00:14:18.299 --> 00:14:19.500 When we share. 00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:20.279 In the sufferings. 00:14:20.279 --> 00:14:20.840 Of our savior. 00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:22.100 When we walk. 00:14:22.220 --> 00:14:23.019 In the steps. 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:23.819 Of our savior. 00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:25.879 I remember going back now. 00:14:25.939 --> 00:14:26.879 Several years now. 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:28.500 And there was a. 00:14:28.500 --> 00:14:29.919 A mentor of mine. 00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:31.939 Who was helping me. 00:14:32.039 --> 00:14:33.080 When I was experiencing. 00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:34.059 Some trouble. 00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:35.580 I felt like it was undeserved. 00:14:35.700 --> 00:14:35.919 And he. 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:37.220 He approached me. 00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:37.519 And said. 00:14:37.580 --> 00:14:37.919 Andrew. 00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:39.779 Are you a. 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:41.399 Are you a follower of Jesus? 00:14:42.559 --> 00:14:43.679 Do you love Jesus? 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:45.360 Those. 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:47.139 Who follow Jesus. 00:14:47.399 --> 00:14:48.919 Have to walk where Jesus walked. 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:51.100 You got to walk in the steps. 00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:51.720 Of your savior. 00:14:51.919 --> 00:14:52.720 If you want to enjoy. 00:14:53.159 --> 00:14:54.320 That power of resurrection. 00:14:54.700 --> 00:14:56.019 That work of God. 00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:56.720 In your life. 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:58.200 Requires that you die. 00:14:58.200 --> 00:14:58.879 To yourself. 00:14:59.340 --> 00:15:00.320 And you die. 00:15:00.439 --> 00:15:01.200 To your dreams. 00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:02.460 And you embrace. 00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:03.960 By faith. 00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:05.120 Jesus Christ. 00:15:05.299 --> 00:15:05.980 And you enjoy. 00:15:06.200 --> 00:15:07.379 That intimacy with him. 00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:08.519 And the power that comes. 00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:09.539 As a result. 00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:11.240 That strengthening work. 00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:11.820 Of God. 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:13.659 Paul will say. 00:15:13.939 --> 00:15:14.539 Here in. 00:15:14.679 --> 00:15:15.759 Coming back to our passage. 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:16.539 In Colossians. 00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:17.340 He says. 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:18.279 He says. 00:15:18.279 --> 00:15:19.320 In his flesh. 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:20.340 He's filling up. 00:15:20.659 --> 00:15:21.440 What is lacking. 00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:22.279 In Christ afflictions. 00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:24.220 For the sake of his body. 00:15:25.179 --> 00:15:26.039 He's filling up. 00:15:26.039 --> 00:15:26.879 What is lacking. 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:28.620 In Christ's afflictions. 00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:29.339 For his body. 00:15:29.419 --> 00:15:29.819 And you might say. 00:15:30.159 --> 00:15:31.599 Wait a second. 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:32.539 Filling up. 00:15:32.579 --> 00:15:33.219 What's lacking. 00:15:33.419 --> 00:15:34.779 Is there anything lacking. 00:15:34.779 --> 00:15:36.579 In what Christ did for us. 00:15:36.599 --> 00:15:37.120 On the cross. 00:15:37.319 --> 00:15:38.000 His death. 00:15:38.199 --> 00:15:38.860 His resurrection. 00:15:39.079 --> 00:15:40.399 Is there anything lacking. 00:15:40.399 --> 00:15:41.219 In that ministry. 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:43.579 And our response should be. 00:15:44.079 --> 00:15:45.319 Absolutely not. 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:47.139 There is nothing lacking. 00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:48.259 In his suffering. 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:49.419 So what in the world. 00:15:49.419 --> 00:15:50.679 Is Paul talking about. 00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:50.759 That. 00:15:51.959 --> 00:15:53.039 And I believe it's this. 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:55.239 I believe that the apostle Paul. 00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:56.259 Understands. 00:15:56.500 --> 00:15:58.199 That the ministry goal. 00:15:58.759 --> 00:15:59.679 Of Christ. 00:16:00.179 --> 00:16:01.500 Is a message to the world. 00:16:02.299 --> 00:16:03.579 And it's a ministry goal. 00:16:03.659 --> 00:16:04.159 That he set. 00:16:04.239 --> 00:16:05.259 Not only for Jerusalem. 00:16:05.359 --> 00:16:05.659 You remember. 00:16:05.939 --> 00:16:07.399 But also for Judea and Samaria. 00:16:07.639 --> 00:16:09.120 And the uttermost parts of the earth. 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:09.819 And here we are. 00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:11.439 Now 2,000 years. 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:12.819 After Christ was here. 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:14.339 And through the generations. 00:16:15.339 --> 00:16:16.419 That ministry. 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:17.399 Message. 00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:18.500 Of the gospel. 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:19.840 Demanded something. 00:16:21.559 --> 00:16:22.159 It demanded. 00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:22.799 Not only. 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:23.600 That a message. 00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:24.939 Would be sent. 00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:25.480 A message. 00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:26.439 Would be spoken. 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:28.559 But that Christ's life. 00:16:28.779 --> 00:16:29.279 Would also. 00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:30.220 Be seen. 00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:32.539 There is a visual. 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:33.559 Component. 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:34.659 To the gospel. 00:16:34.799 --> 00:16:35.500 That demonstrates. 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.879 That we are actually. 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:38.939 Walking in the steps of Christ. 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.120 Representing Jesus. 00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:41.639 Not only in our words. 00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:43.079 But also through our life. 00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:44.759 We give them. 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:45.799 As ambassadors. 00:16:46.079 --> 00:16:46.299 This. 00:16:46.299 --> 00:16:46.699 This. 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.099 Representation. 00:16:48.319 --> 00:16:48.539 This. 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.139 Image. 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:49.899 As it were. 00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:50.959 Of Christ. 00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:52.059 To the world. 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:53.339 As we are representing. 00:16:53.339 --> 00:16:53.979 His message. 00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:55.240 And his life. 00:16:56.719 --> 00:16:58.359 Paul would put on display. 00:16:58.559 --> 00:16:59.559 This message of Christ. 00:16:59.659 --> 00:17:00.279 But also. 00:17:00.699 --> 00:17:01.859 The life of Christ. 00:17:02.539 --> 00:17:03.939 The way Christ responds. 00:17:03.939 --> 00:17:04.599 To others. 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:06.680 Which included suffering. 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:08.359 Because Christ's life. 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.359 Demanded. 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:10.240 Suffering too. 00:17:11.139 --> 00:17:12.399 So Paul here is suffering. 00:17:12.399 --> 00:17:14.460 And we see this present suffering. 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:16.440 We see this intense suffering. 00:17:16.680 --> 00:17:18.279 We see this expected suffering. 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:18.799 And fourth. 00:17:18.900 --> 00:17:19.299 We see. 00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:21.240 It's a common suffering. 00:17:21.840 --> 00:17:22.140 By the way. 00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:23.000 We're all still in. 00:17:23.340 --> 00:17:23.920 Point number one. 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:24.319 Okay. 00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:24.559 So. 00:17:24.819 --> 00:17:25.640 Bear with me. 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:27.120 And this is important. 00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:28.980 And I think this explains. 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:30.640 Why the apostle Paul can say. 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:33.360 I rejoice in my suffering for you. 00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:33.819 And you might say. 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:34.960 Wait a second. 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:36.660 Rejoice in suffering. 00:17:36.860 --> 00:17:38.160 How is this possible? 00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:39.660 Paul. 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:40.700 Are you a masochist? 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:41.140 Do you just. 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:42.000 Just delight. 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:43.119 And hard things? 00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:44.220 What is your problem? 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:45.480 Are you out of your mind? 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:47.180 No. 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:47.559 Rather. 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:49.619 The apostle Paul understood. 00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:51.119 That. 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:52.940 Suffering is inevitable. 00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:53.680 In this world. 00:17:54.880 --> 00:17:56.240 The apostle Paul understood. 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:58.279 That suffering is universal. 00:17:58.740 --> 00:17:59.299 In this world. 00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:01.259 It's a common suffering. 00:18:01.380 --> 00:18:01.660 It's a. 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:02.579 It's a suffering. 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:03.480 That is inevitable. 00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:04.619 Because of something. 00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:06.119 It's because of the fall. 00:18:06.359 --> 00:18:07.839 It's because of the effects of sin. 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:08.799 It's because of. 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:09.859 The world that is. 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:10.500 Broken. 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:12.460 A world that is in disrepair. 00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:13.900 A world that is hostile. 00:18:13.900 --> 00:18:14.779 Towards God. 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:16.819 We live in this fallen world. 00:18:16.900 --> 00:18:17.799 Where people sin. 00:18:18.380 --> 00:18:19.579 Where violence happens. 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:21.539 Where moth and rust corrupt. 00:18:21.660 --> 00:18:22.799 Where thieves break through. 00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:23.480 And steal. 00:18:23.940 --> 00:18:25.440 And that's the world we live in. 00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:26.619 It's a world of suffering. 00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:29.900 We're subjected to forms of injustice. 00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:30.859 And oppression. 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:32.119 And hostility. 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:33.200 And aggression. 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.220 And danger. 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:36.660 Where people take advantage of one another. 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:38.039 It is a suffering. 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:39.519 Kind of world. 00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:42.339 Everything in this world. 00:18:42.339 --> 00:18:43.960 Is subjected to the fall. 00:18:45.299 --> 00:18:46.819 Subjected to the effects of sin. 00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:48.920 And that suffering. 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:50.039 Is common. 00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:51.019 It's universal. 00:18:51.339 --> 00:18:52.139 It's inevitable. 00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:53.879 It touches every person. 00:18:54.139 --> 00:18:54.960 Every animal. 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:55.940 Every plant. 00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:57.779 Everything in the earth. 00:18:57.839 --> 00:18:58.440 And in the heaven. 00:18:58.859 --> 00:18:59.799 Suffering will touch it. 00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:01.500 Because sin has touched it. 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:04.240 Here's a graphic. 00:19:04.379 --> 00:19:06.119 Of the most intense suffering. 00:19:06.119 --> 00:19:07.379 That's taking place around the world. 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:07.799 And I know. 00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:08.740 It's as small. 00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:09.460 It's hard to see. 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:10.299 But I think you can kind of. 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:11.379 Get the effect. 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:13.980 That those yellow dots. 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:15.759 That are across the globe. 00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:18.059 Represent significant suffering. 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:19.599 That is happening in those places. 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:22.599 There's too much to describe. 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:24.440 But let me just take a couple of snapshots. 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:25.759 First in Sudan. 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:28.000 There's a civil war that's happening there. 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:30.500 Between the Sudanese armed forces. 00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:32.099 And the rapid support forces. 00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:34.719 It's caused massive displacement. 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:36.539 A breakdown in infrastructure. 00:19:36.959 --> 00:19:38.159 Food insecurity. 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:40.039 And widespread violence. 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:43.639 So that over 40,000 people have died. 00:19:43.959 --> 00:19:46.899 And approximately 12 million people have been displaced. 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:48.919 In Gaza. 00:19:49.439 --> 00:19:51.759 We're familiar with the conflict happening there. 00:19:52.699 --> 00:19:55.599 The Israel-Hamas war has led to devastating destruction. 00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:57.740 Buildings and villages. 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:59.099 And people. 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:03.460 At least 65,000 Palestinians have been killed. 00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:06.460 And a number of Jews as well. 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:09.859 167,000 who have been injured. 00:20:10.440 --> 00:20:11.940 Hundreds of thousands displaced. 00:20:12.380 --> 00:20:14.299 Severe shortages of food and water. 00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:16.279 And you know that the food supply. 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:18.079 And the aid that's there. 00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:19.299 Is hard to come by. 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:21.759 Those in Yemen. 00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:23.440 There's a prolonged civil war. 00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:24.700 That's taken place there. 00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:25.980 Tens of millions. 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:27.099 Who are in need of aid. 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:30.360 Over 880 civilian casualties. 00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:32.880 Reported just this year alone. 00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:35.019 And 4.5 million. 00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:36.880 Internally who are displaced. 00:20:38.160 --> 00:20:41.000 19.5 million people require assistance. 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:43.339 Including food and water and health care. 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:44.539 And we could go on. 00:20:44.620 --> 00:20:45.180 And on. 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:45.819 And on. 00:20:46.099 --> 00:20:47.299 Place after place. 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:49.480 Regardless of where you live on this planet. 00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:50.220 There's suffering. 00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:52.099 There's suffering. 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:52.200 There's suffering. 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:59.259 Approximately 300 million people worldwide. 00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:00.700 Are in need of help. 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:03.460 Extreme poverty has touched. 00:21:03.640 --> 00:21:05.759 Over 808 million people. 00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:08.120 And extreme poverty is defined as those. 00:21:08.200 --> 00:21:11.200 Who live on less than $3 a day. 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:13.500 People can't afford. 00:21:13.860 --> 00:21:14.980 A healthy diet. 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:17.059 There's 2.8 billion people. 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:18.380 Who fit in that category. 00:21:18.380 --> 00:21:21.040 The question is not. 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:22.500 Will you suffer? 00:21:23.140 --> 00:21:24.000 The question is. 00:21:24.300 --> 00:21:26.580 Will you suffer for something. 00:21:26.580 --> 00:21:28.420 That means something. 00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:31.080 And that's what the apostle Paul is getting at. 00:21:31.220 --> 00:21:32.520 I rejoice in suffering. 00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:34.980 I rejoice in suffering. 00:21:35.160 --> 00:21:38.280 Because my suffering has a purpose. 00:21:38.820 --> 00:21:41.060 My suffering has a goal. 00:21:41.280 --> 00:21:43.280 My suffering has fruit. 00:21:43.280 --> 00:21:45.640 Just look at the fruit of the suffering. 00:21:45.640 --> 00:21:47.360 He's looking back on the church. 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:48.020 And he sees. 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.360 He's recorded in the first. 00:21:49.540 --> 00:21:51.000 Several verses of this. 00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:51.920 Of this letter. 00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:53.020 In chapter 1. 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:55.640 He talks about their faith in Christ Jesus. 00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:57.180 Their love for the saints. 00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:58.540 Their hope in heaven. 00:21:58.759 --> 00:22:00.700 He's talking about this word of God. 00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:02.540 That is increasing and bearing fruit. 00:22:02.800 --> 00:22:04.920 His suffering has been worth it. 00:22:07.300 --> 00:22:09.200 He's not celebrating the suffering. 00:22:09.200 --> 00:22:10.560 As an end in itself. 00:22:10.560 --> 00:22:13.720 But celebrating the results of that suffering. 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:15.400 As being meaningful. 00:22:15.640 --> 00:22:16.960 As being purposeful. 00:22:18.020 --> 00:22:21.100 So he talks about the suffering. 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:22.460 Or the struggle of his ministry. 00:22:22.580 --> 00:22:24.540 And now he transitions in verse 25. 00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:25.980 See if you can pick this out. 00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:27.320 Verse 25. 00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:28.800 Of which I became a minister. 00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:31.360 According to the stewardship from God. 00:22:31.420 --> 00:22:32.540 That was given to me for you. 00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:35.100 To make the word of God fully known. 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:38.000 The mystery hidden for ages and generations. 00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:40.100 But now revealed to his saints. 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:43.880 What is the S word for our ministry there? 00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:45.259 The what of our ministry? 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:46.860 Stewardship. 00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:47.940 You are so smart. 00:22:48.060 --> 00:22:48.540 Good job. 00:22:49.060 --> 00:22:50.700 The stewardship of our ministry. 00:22:51.780 --> 00:22:55.820 Paul begins this letter with his introduction. 00:22:56.060 --> 00:22:56.540 Paul. 00:22:56.800 --> 00:22:58.820 An apostle of Jesus Christ. 00:22:59.460 --> 00:23:00.860 An apostle of Jesus Christ. 00:23:01.020 --> 00:23:02.340 One who had been sent by God. 00:23:02.380 --> 00:23:04.200 One who had been set apart by God. 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:06.020 One who had been commissioned by God. 00:23:06.020 --> 00:23:08.340 For a very specific task. 00:23:08.339 --> 00:23:11.059 Now here we come to verse 25. 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:12.399 Of this chapter. 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:14.619 And we see now Paul describing himself. 00:23:14.619 --> 00:23:16.500 Not as one who is an authority. 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:19.759 Who's kind of come to bring the message of the gospel. 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:22.199 In this authoritative kind of way. 00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:25.279 But now we see he's describing himself as a minister. 00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:29.860 A minister according to the stewardship from God. 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:34.420 This word for minister or servant is the word diakonos. 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.740 That should sound familiar. 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:35.839 Here. 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:40.140 He sees himself in this role of a servant. 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:43.880 While he has the position of authority and leadership. 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:46.299 He is really a servant to the church. 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:48.259 And a servant to the Lord. 00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:51.759 And as one who is a servant. 00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:54.539 This word here that's used stewardship. 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:57.839 Is the Greek word that describes household management. 00:23:58.619 --> 00:23:59.500 Household management. 00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:03.460 Somebody who has the distinct responsibility. 00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:07.619 Of overseeing the areas of management of the house. 00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:09.859 And you can maybe imagine that. 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:12.539 Especially in the Luke 15 kind of house. 00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:15.240 Where the prodigal son and the father who's there. 00:24:15.420 --> 00:24:16.680 And his vast wealth. 00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:21.420 And the stewardship or the house managers that he had. 00:24:21.580 --> 00:24:24.120 Who were overseeing the buying and selling. 00:24:24.360 --> 00:24:26.480 And the maintenance of the grounds. 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:31.880 And the various parts of the bounty and the harvest. 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:35.700 That's what a household manager would be in charge of. 00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:38.360 And as a household manager of the church. 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:40.440 The apostle Paul wants us to understand. 00:24:40.680 --> 00:24:42.440 That there's accountability here. 00:24:43.080 --> 00:24:44.500 There's also honor here. 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:46.759 And as a steward. 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:49.619 It comes not only with privilege. 00:24:49.619 --> 00:24:51.099 But also with responsibility. 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:54.019 Membership has its privileges. 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:56.160 But it is an entrustment. 00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:58.559 We are acting as representatives. 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:01.380 And there are a number of things that we understand. 00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:03.539 As we are entrusted with. 00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:05.299 As those who are stewards of God. 00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:07.900 It's not a stewardship or a ministry. 00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:09.039 That we carry out. 00:25:09.359 --> 00:25:10.400 Without help. 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:13.920 First it's an entrustment of power. 00:25:15.300 --> 00:25:16.820 Colossians 1 verse 11. 00:25:17.120 --> 00:25:18.519 The apostle Paul is praying for this church. 00:25:18.840 --> 00:25:20.600 May you be strengthened with power. 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:23.540 According to his glorious might. 00:25:24.820 --> 00:25:26.700 He says something very similar. 00:25:26.880 --> 00:25:28.700 In to the church of Ephesus. 00:25:28.880 --> 00:25:30.300 He says in Ephesians 1 verse 19. 00:25:30.300 --> 00:25:31.680 That you might know. 00:25:32.080 --> 00:25:34.540 What is the exceeding greatness of his power. 00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:35.820 Towards us who believe. 00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:38.399 Ephesians chapter 6 verse 10. 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:40.019 Be strong in the Lord. 00:25:40.439 --> 00:25:42.500 And in the power of his might. 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:45.460 Why is it that the apostle Paul. 00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:48.259 Draws so much attention to power. 00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:50.000 Why is it that the apostle Paul. 00:25:50.119 --> 00:25:50.679 Is praying. 00:25:50.899 --> 00:25:52.220 That this church would have their eyes. 00:25:52.419 --> 00:25:53.220 Opened up. 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:55.159 And there's this growing awareness. 00:25:55.159 --> 00:25:56.399 Of the power of God. 00:25:56.659 --> 00:25:58.359 Why does he care so much. 00:25:58.359 --> 00:26:00.220 That the church is not oblivious. 00:26:00.359 --> 00:26:00.740 Or unaware. 00:26:01.299 --> 00:26:02.279 Of that power. 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:02.359 However. 00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:04.519 Well. 00:26:04.899 --> 00:26:06.119 I think it's because. 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.039 We need the same thing. 00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:09.119 We. 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:10.579 Struggle. 00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:11.740 Whether. 00:26:12.079 --> 00:26:13.599 Whatever dimension of ministry. 00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:14.839 That you're involved in. 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:16.619 Whether it's a ministry at home. 00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:18.099 Or a ministry in your community. 00:26:18.379 --> 00:26:20.099 Or whether it's a ministry here at church. 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:21.519 Whatever that ministry is. 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:23.680 How many times. 00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:25.639 Do we feel like that ministry. 00:26:25.779 --> 00:26:26.740 Belongs to us. 00:26:29.160 --> 00:26:29.960 Confession time. 00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:30.680 Just last night. 00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:31.220 As I was. 00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:32.360 Every Saturday. 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:32.980 I try to just. 00:26:33.100 --> 00:26:34.259 Just come here to the church. 00:26:34.320 --> 00:26:34.660 And pray. 00:26:35.580 --> 00:26:37.180 And the struggle in my heart. 00:26:37.360 --> 00:26:38.120 Is often. 00:26:38.560 --> 00:26:38.920 Lord. 00:26:39.160 --> 00:26:41.180 I feel like I'm not doing. 00:26:41.340 --> 00:26:42.360 What I should be doing. 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:44.279 I feel so. 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:45.640 Ineffective. 00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:46.420 In ministry. 00:26:47.580 --> 00:26:49.140 And as I'm praying. 00:26:49.140 --> 00:26:49.799 Through this. 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:50.840 This prayer. 00:26:50.840 --> 00:26:51.720 I'm realizing. 00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:53.279 That my problem. 00:26:53.820 --> 00:26:54.860 Is that I'm trying. 00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:56.120 To carry this. 00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:57.240 Burden myself. 00:26:58.200 --> 00:26:58.720 It's not. 00:26:58.980 --> 00:26:59.700 My ministry. 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:01.039 It's his ministry. 00:27:01.240 --> 00:27:02.740 It's not done with my power. 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:04.120 It's done with his power. 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.860 And that's our problem. 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:09.100 We believe that ministry. 00:27:09.100 --> 00:27:10.000 Belongs to us. 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:11.019 And we believe that ministry. 00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:11.920 Is up to us. 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:13.080 That's not true. 00:27:13.799 --> 00:27:14.640 It's not true. 00:27:16.140 --> 00:27:17.960 I love what Phillips Brooks says. 00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:19.160 This is one of my favorite quotes. 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:19.720 Of all time. 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:20.779 It says. 00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:22.319 Do not pray for easy lives. 00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:23.360 Pray to be stronger men. 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:25.840 Do not pray for tasks. 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:27.480 Equal to your powers. 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:29.259 Pray for powers. 00:27:29.860 --> 00:27:31.200 Equal to the task. 00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:32.900 The task. 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:34.620 Sometimes seems. 00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:35.779 Insurmountable. 00:27:36.400 --> 00:27:38.480 But you have an insurmountable God. 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:40.299 Who provides you. 00:27:40.860 --> 00:27:41.339 Unstoppable. 00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:42.980 Unrelenting power. 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:45.319 Plug into the supply. 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.940 Draw from that power. 00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:51.660 We also know about an entrustment of spiritual gifts. 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:56.340 That God has not given us a ministry to do without entrusting us with gifts. 00:27:56.600 --> 00:27:58.120 The Holy Spirit gives to us. 00:27:59.160 --> 00:28:01.480 We could talk about the life mission that we've been called to. 00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:02.519 That great commission. 00:28:02.860 --> 00:28:05.820 We could talk about the presence of God that's with us. 00:28:06.100 --> 00:28:06.400 Lo. 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.700 I am with you always. 00:28:08.160 --> 00:28:09.400 Even to the end of the age. 00:28:09.900 --> 00:28:11.200 All of that entrustment. 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:16.340 All of that stewardship has been invested and permitted to us. 00:28:16.400 --> 00:28:18.640 And helping us to do what God has called us to do. 00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:24.360 But the way we access God's power is through prayer. 00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:27.140 We access God's power through prayer. 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:32.100 And so that's why for the month of October we're going to invite you to participate with us in prayer. 00:28:34.860 --> 00:28:35.880 Participate with us in prayer. 00:28:35.880 --> 00:28:38.060 I want to encourage each of you. 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:39.780 There's a study guide out there. 00:28:40.040 --> 00:28:45.400 And we've worked hard to make this useful for your families. 00:28:45.900 --> 00:28:47.600 There's something called a family corner. 00:28:48.060 --> 00:28:54.580 And it has really age appropriate questions that moms and dads can use for their children. 00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:57.220 Young children and even older children. 00:28:57.560 --> 00:29:02.660 To begin conversations with your kids about the text for that day. 00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:04.640 And I found it already. 00:29:04.820 --> 00:29:05.620 It's helpful. 00:29:05.619 --> 00:29:06.500 Been helpful for me. 00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:08.959 And I'm sure it will be a great resource for you. 00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:11.519 There are a lot of times where I'm like, what am I going to do? 00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:15.619 How do I help lead my family in the word of God? 00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:18.339 And even as a pastor I struggle with that at times. 00:29:18.719 --> 00:29:20.059 And this may be a benefit to you. 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:24.539 But also in the very back of your study guides. 00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:29.919 You'll see this section that has this banner as a header. 00:29:30.759 --> 00:29:32.799 And there are several things I want to encourage you to do. 00:29:33.339 --> 00:29:35.339 First is find your watch care. 00:29:35.619 --> 00:29:36.659 Find your watch care. 00:29:36.739 --> 00:29:38.819 And so we have, I've got a table in the back. 00:29:38.879 --> 00:29:40.219 The back couple of pages. 00:29:40.619 --> 00:29:42.339 And I put every family there. 00:29:42.419 --> 00:29:44.659 Not every name of every family member. 00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:48.639 But the husband and wife of that family unit. 00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:49.019 Okay? 00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:50.839 Find your watch care. 00:29:51.079 --> 00:29:54.400 And then once you find them, then do number two. 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:57.519 And that is pray for your watch care every week. 00:29:58.700 --> 00:30:04.319 I think it's going to be overwhelming to try to pray for everybody in the church through the next three months. 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:06.720 But I know you can pray for your watch care. 00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:08.480 Pray for them. 00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:09.639 Get to know them. 00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:10.740 Interact with them. 00:30:10.839 --> 00:30:12.900 Ask them questions about what's going on. 00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:14.460 Pray for specific things. 00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:15.960 Pray for them. 00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:17.500 Love them in that way. 00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:20.120 Third, use the prayer prompts. 00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:22.640 We put some prayer prompts in here as well. 00:30:22.860 --> 00:30:23.700 And here's an example. 00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:28.960 So in next week, I think it is, we're going to be covering chapter 2, verses 4 and 8. 00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:35.160 Verse 4 says, I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 00:30:35.680 --> 00:30:41.500 Verse 8 says, see to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty the seat according to the human tradition, 00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:44.559 according to the elemental spirits of the world and not according to Christ. 00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:46.180 And so the prayer prompt is this. 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:48.740 Pray for discernment against deception. 00:30:49.840 --> 00:30:50.860 What do those verses say? 00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:55.400 How can I apply those verses to my own heart and to my watch care in prayer? 00:30:55.400 --> 00:31:04.240 And then a sample prayer, Lord, help me recognize and resist persuasive words and empty philosophies that are not rooted in Christ. 00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:08.140 Guard my heart and mind from being taken captive by lies. 00:31:08.640 --> 00:31:09.900 Just some help, some prompts. 00:31:10.360 --> 00:31:12.000 And of course, you can pray however you decide. 00:31:12.340 --> 00:31:17.740 But using the word of God to pray God's word for God's people, there's nothing more powerful than that. 00:31:18.620 --> 00:31:19.960 Next, consider fasting. 00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:24.579 And I would encourage you to pick a day of the week, whatever that day is. 00:31:25.120 --> 00:31:33.220 Choose not to eat breakfast or lunch and instead pray during those segments of time for your family, for this church, 00:31:33.600 --> 00:31:38.019 and for your watch care and whatever else God lays on your heart. 00:31:38.779 --> 00:31:42.539 Next is, we want to provide you some prayer card ideas. 00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:51.779 So I'm trusting and hoping that by next Sunday, I'm going to have kind of a credit card that's going to have a list of 14 different things that you can pray. 00:31:52.200 --> 00:31:55.099 And they'll just provide a help to you. 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:56.379 You can put it in your pocket. 00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:57.220 You can put it in your wallet. 00:31:57.339 --> 00:31:58.099 You can pull it out. 00:31:58.559 --> 00:32:02.000 And that you'll be able to have some reminders. 00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:07.839 Next is, remember the acts, adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication. 00:32:08.299 --> 00:32:09.740 Next is to pray as a group. 00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:16.960 And I want to encourage, we used to have before the service, a group of individuals that would pray for the service. 00:32:17.120 --> 00:32:22.460 And I want to try to reinstitute that for the month of October. 00:32:22.819 --> 00:32:27.500 Those of you who are interested, who get here early, you have a place to go. 00:32:27.579 --> 00:32:29.180 We'll put some prayer prompts on the table. 00:32:29.500 --> 00:32:31.500 You can either pray by yourself, those prayer prompts. 00:32:31.559 --> 00:32:32.859 You can pray with others who come. 00:32:33.680 --> 00:32:35.279 But do this as a group. 00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:39.819 And the McEverkins on Wednesday nights have a prayer meeting at their house. 00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:43.079 I imagine you're invited as space allows. 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:44.279 And they would love to have you there. 00:32:45.180 --> 00:32:50.379 And finally, to join a telegram channel called the Powerhouse for Prayer. 00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:53.079 And Pastor David puts this resource out. 00:32:53.139 --> 00:32:54.339 It's an incredible resource. 00:32:54.799 --> 00:32:57.680 Also works through passages of scripture to know how to pray. 00:32:58.220 --> 00:33:01.319 And also how to pray for the body effectively. 00:33:01.319 --> 00:33:03.460 Why is that important? 00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:07.000 And I just want to bring us back to the text for a moment. 00:33:07.159 --> 00:33:09.159 Colossians chapter 1 verse 29. 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:10.460 Look at this. 00:33:10.559 --> 00:33:10.779 He says, 00:33:10.960 --> 00:33:11.599 For I toil. 00:33:12.039 --> 00:33:12.379 Excuse me. 00:33:12.460 --> 00:33:13.679 For this I toil. 00:33:14.399 --> 00:33:19.200 Struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. 00:33:20.139 --> 00:33:24.779 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and those in Laodicea. 00:33:25.159 --> 00:33:28.720 And for all who have not seen me face to face. 00:33:28.720 --> 00:33:33.559 This is a present active struggling. 00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:36.079 A continuous struggling. 00:33:36.299 --> 00:33:39.019 How is the Apostle Paul struggling for this church? 00:33:39.140 --> 00:33:40.480 He's not even with the church. 00:33:41.380 --> 00:33:42.180 He's in Rome. 00:33:42.360 --> 00:33:43.980 He's thousands of miles away. 00:33:44.180 --> 00:33:45.460 How is he struggling for them? 00:33:45.660 --> 00:33:46.200 I'll tell you how. 00:33:46.839 --> 00:33:47.680 He's praying for them. 00:33:48.720 --> 00:33:49.500 He's praying for them. 00:33:50.180 --> 00:33:53.559 We kind of get our clue from Colossians chapter 4 verse 12. 00:33:54.640 --> 00:33:56.200 And Colossians 4 verse 12 says this. 00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:56.500 He says, 00:33:56.559 --> 00:34:03.840 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you always struggling. 00:34:04.080 --> 00:34:04.759 That's our word. 00:34:05.420 --> 00:34:12.280 Struggling on behalf in his prayers that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 00:34:12.280 --> 00:34:23.519 So if you've been frustrated about not having something to do from our messages, no application, then guess what? 00:34:23.640 --> 00:34:24.920 Here's some application. 00:34:25.660 --> 00:34:34.080 And I want to encourage everybody who is a member of Maranatha, everyone who is a regular attender at Maranatha, every one of you students, you can do this. 00:34:34.140 --> 00:34:37.860 It's great to begin to build these habits of prayer. 00:34:37.860 --> 00:34:41.720 And I trust that those prayer prompts will be a benefit to you. 00:34:42.420 --> 00:34:42.700 Okay. 00:34:43.820 --> 00:34:45.500 We've talked about the struggle of prayer. 00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:52.320 We've talked about the stewardship of prayer. 00:34:52.320 --> 00:34:56.740 And now we have to wrap up these last few quickly. 00:34:57.580 --> 00:34:59.580 Next is the scope of our ministry. 00:34:59.860 --> 00:35:01.380 The scope of our ministry. 00:35:01.539 --> 00:35:02.140 Notice this. 00:35:03.980 --> 00:35:05.320 Beginning in verse 27, it says, 00:35:05.320 --> 00:35:33.360 And he works through this and describes what that ministry looks like. 00:35:33.360 --> 00:35:35.760 What are the components of those ministries? 00:35:35.960 --> 00:35:36.620 Do you see them? 00:35:38.800 --> 00:35:48.760 That ministry of proclamation first includes warning, then includes teaching, and then includes presenting. 00:35:50.480 --> 00:35:53.380 Each of these things that the Apostle Paul draws attention to. 00:35:54.180 --> 00:35:56.860 This word for warning is the word for admonition. 00:35:57.680 --> 00:35:59.079 It's the word to instruct. 00:35:59.079 --> 00:36:04.880 It's also used throughout the scripture to describe this teaching kind of ministry. 00:36:06.079 --> 00:36:07.719 Proper behavior and belief. 00:36:08.119 --> 00:36:09.159 Admonition and rebuke. 00:36:09.319 --> 00:36:12.960 And you get the sense that the Apostle Paul, he's starting at ground zero. 00:36:13.079 --> 00:36:15.980 These are kind of the infant stage, as it were. 00:36:16.239 --> 00:36:18.319 He wants to warn those who are in the church. 00:36:18.579 --> 00:36:24.559 He wants to help them at the very beginning of their infancy in Christ to know what God has called them to do. 00:36:24.619 --> 00:36:26.239 Those basic principles. 00:36:26.239 --> 00:36:32.000 And then this teaching part, which is the normal word for teaching in the New Testament, 00:36:32.359 --> 00:36:36.819 which describes this element of instruction that is taking place. 00:36:37.359 --> 00:36:43.739 So as they kind of move out of the beginning stages, the infancy stages of their salvation, 00:36:43.859 --> 00:36:46.119 they're kind of moving into adolescence. 00:36:46.239 --> 00:36:52.099 And so the Apostle Paul is teaching them and helping them in the adolescent stage of their spiritual walk. 00:36:52.099 --> 00:36:55.139 And then he wants to take it all the way to the end. 00:36:55.380 --> 00:36:57.759 He wants to take it to the point of maturity. 00:36:57.940 --> 00:37:00.119 The point of presenting them to Christ. 00:37:00.319 --> 00:37:06.299 He wants to take them from start to finish in the Christian life and help them to have everything that they need. 00:37:06.360 --> 00:37:10.599 So he can finally present them to Christ in a way that they are complete. 00:37:11.420 --> 00:37:12.719 They are mature. 00:37:13.319 --> 00:37:14.440 They're ready. 00:37:15.579 --> 00:37:19.099 He's doing this to present them before Christ. 00:37:19.099 --> 00:37:22.900 And notice the comprehensiveness of his audience. 00:37:23.039 --> 00:37:27.420 And I love how the NIV will translate this. 00:37:27.519 --> 00:37:34.559 It says, warning every man, teaching every man, and presenting every man perfect in Christ. 00:37:35.199 --> 00:37:40.679 Kind of reinforces the significance of Paul has everybody in the church in mind. 00:37:41.659 --> 00:37:43.860 The Apostle Paul wants to take it from start to finish. 00:37:43.860 --> 00:37:52.280 His interest is to get them going in their spiritual walk and take them to the finish line. 00:37:52.780 --> 00:37:56.220 And you might think, Paul, that is so unrealistic. 00:37:57.360 --> 00:37:59.360 You've got to have a better strategy, Paul. 00:37:59.660 --> 00:38:01.940 How in the world are you going to be able to pull this off? 00:38:02.099 --> 00:38:04.420 There is no way you can do this. 00:38:04.680 --> 00:38:06.280 And Paul will say, well, guess what? 00:38:06.400 --> 00:38:07.780 I'm not doing it in my strength. 00:38:08.340 --> 00:38:10.559 And that's our next point. 00:38:10.559 --> 00:38:12.920 The strength of our ministry. 00:38:14.159 --> 00:38:15.440 How does he do this? 00:38:15.500 --> 00:38:16.920 In verse 29, he describes it. 00:38:17.500 --> 00:38:18.279 For this I toil. 00:38:19.320 --> 00:38:22.219 Struggling with all whose energy? 00:38:23.000 --> 00:38:24.019 His energy. 00:38:24.799 --> 00:38:25.500 Christ's energy. 00:38:26.519 --> 00:38:30.199 That he powerfully works within me. 00:38:31.840 --> 00:38:34.440 Maybe you're familiar or have said this. 00:38:34.440 --> 00:38:37.139 You've seen it or said it. 00:38:37.619 --> 00:38:39.760 That you have a child. 00:38:39.940 --> 00:38:41.179 You see running around. 00:38:41.280 --> 00:38:42.320 He has all this energy. 00:38:42.619 --> 00:38:46.480 And you say, I just want to be able to tap into a little bit of that energy. 00:38:46.659 --> 00:38:47.980 Ever thought that? 00:38:48.079 --> 00:38:48.579 Said that? 00:38:49.079 --> 00:38:51.220 And you younger people, I understand. 00:38:51.760 --> 00:38:52.659 It probably doesn't apply. 00:38:52.820 --> 00:38:55.840 But for us older people, we kind of, that's how we feel. 00:38:56.119 --> 00:38:56.700 We just wish. 00:38:56.880 --> 00:38:57.659 Just a little bit. 00:38:57.720 --> 00:38:59.760 Just tap into a little bit of that energy. 00:39:00.119 --> 00:39:01.980 And we can maybe last the day. 00:39:01.980 --> 00:39:05.019 But guess what? 00:39:05.679 --> 00:39:07.059 We have something better than that. 00:39:08.000 --> 00:39:09.559 We have something greater than that. 00:39:10.179 --> 00:39:13.940 We have the energy of untappable power from God. 00:39:14.780 --> 00:39:18.440 I'm reminded of what Paul says in Ephesians chapter 3. 00:39:18.559 --> 00:39:18.800 He says, 00:39:19.260 --> 00:39:24.300 Now to him who is able to do far more exceedingly than we could ever think. 00:39:24.400 --> 00:39:24.699 How? 00:39:25.300 --> 00:39:28.940 According to the power at work within us. 00:39:29.800 --> 00:39:30.539 That kind of power. 00:39:30.539 --> 00:39:32.079 His power. 00:39:32.300 --> 00:39:33.059 Spirit power. 00:39:33.440 --> 00:39:36.659 Working in the heart and life of every true believer. 00:39:36.820 --> 00:39:39.199 So we can tap into the source of power. 00:39:39.519 --> 00:39:43.420 We can draw strength from that eternal, infinite well. 00:39:43.639 --> 00:39:48.099 And we can draw it down and apply it to the work that God has called us to do. 00:39:48.340 --> 00:39:51.239 And we can enjoy that strengthening power. 00:39:51.440 --> 00:39:53.860 It doesn't mean we don't ever get tired, by the way. 00:39:53.860 --> 00:39:58.900 But it does mean that by God's grace, as we tap into the power, we'll never give up. 00:39:59.840 --> 00:40:01.260 That's what the apostle Paul says. 00:40:01.320 --> 00:40:02.860 I think it's in Galatians chapter 6. 00:40:02.940 --> 00:40:03.099 It says, 00:40:03.519 --> 00:40:05.360 Don't grow weary in doing good. 00:40:05.880 --> 00:40:09.240 Because we are going to reap if we do not lose heart. 00:40:10.440 --> 00:40:11.200 Don't grow weary. 00:40:12.079 --> 00:40:12.900 Tap into power. 00:40:13.200 --> 00:40:13.900 Use his energy. 00:40:13.900 --> 00:40:16.500 And I think it's easy for us to think. 00:40:17.440 --> 00:40:27.380 That the kind of power that is available to us here in this passage is going to be power that makes us do really amazing, big kind of things. 00:40:27.800 --> 00:40:30.660 That's kind of what we think about when we think about that kind of power. 00:40:31.000 --> 00:40:33.539 But I want to kind of draw it down for us for a moment. 00:40:33.539 --> 00:40:40.259 Maybe the power that God has given to us is for the moment. 00:40:40.719 --> 00:40:47.559 The kind of power that's required for a mom or a dad just to keep being faithful in their ministry to their family. 00:40:48.559 --> 00:40:52.059 Maybe it's the kind of power that's required in the workplace. 00:40:52.599 --> 00:40:55.079 And you're gritting it out because things are really hard. 00:40:55.360 --> 00:40:56.639 And there's a lot of opposition. 00:40:56.800 --> 00:40:57.679 There's a lot of conflict. 00:40:57.800 --> 00:41:00.440 There's a lot of people who are making life really hard for you. 00:41:00.440 --> 00:41:02.619 And it's really easy to want to cut corners. 00:41:02.800 --> 00:41:05.679 And it's going to be really easy for you to want to run away. 00:41:06.119 --> 00:41:09.780 But you decide that by God's power you're going to press in. 00:41:09.940 --> 00:41:11.579 And you're going to keep representing him. 00:41:11.720 --> 00:41:13.380 And you're not going to run from trouble. 00:41:13.519 --> 00:41:17.380 You're going to keep your nose down and represent Christ faithfully. 00:41:17.539 --> 00:41:19.579 And that's the kind of power I'm talking about. 00:41:20.360 --> 00:41:22.880 The kind of power that's required moment by moment. 00:41:23.619 --> 00:41:27.760 The everyday one step in front of the other kind of power. 00:41:27.760 --> 00:41:30.200 To do God's work. 00:41:30.340 --> 00:41:32.660 The things that he's called you to in the here and now. 00:41:32.780 --> 00:41:33.720 Moment by moment. 00:41:34.740 --> 00:41:36.140 God gives us power for that. 00:41:36.660 --> 00:41:40.160 So when you've ever felt like you just want to throw up your hands and give up. 00:41:40.760 --> 00:41:42.060 If you've ever been there. 00:41:42.920 --> 00:41:45.320 Understand that as you obey God. 00:41:45.760 --> 00:41:48.000 You can draw strength from God's help. 00:41:48.180 --> 00:41:48.980 From God's power. 00:41:49.540 --> 00:41:51.940 To continue to carry out the work that he's called you to do. 00:41:52.600 --> 00:41:52.980 Finally. 00:41:53.860 --> 00:41:55.660 We've talked about the struggle of our ministry. 00:41:55.659 --> 00:41:57.699 The stewardship of our ministry. 00:41:57.920 --> 00:41:59.159 The scope of our ministry. 00:41:59.519 --> 00:42:01.079 The strength of our ministry. 00:42:01.299 --> 00:42:01.779 And finally. 00:42:02.119 --> 00:42:03.679 The center of our ministry. 00:42:04.139 --> 00:42:05.539 I was going to put that in S. 00:42:06.019 --> 00:42:08.079 But I knew that you guys would have a problem with that. 00:42:08.679 --> 00:42:10.639 The center of our ministry. 00:42:12.559 --> 00:42:15.339 And Paul says that a couple of times here in our passage. 00:42:15.519 --> 00:42:17.679 And I'm just going to want to touch on it briefly. 00:42:17.920 --> 00:42:20.500 Because we're going to be able to come back to this over and over again. 00:42:20.500 --> 00:42:25.199 It is like the theme that runs its way through the entire letter of Colossians. 00:42:25.320 --> 00:42:25.820 Notice this. 00:42:26.179 --> 00:42:28.840 Going back to verse 27. 00:42:29.780 --> 00:42:30.159 He says, 00:42:30.320 --> 00:42:36.840 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery. 00:42:37.179 --> 00:42:40.360 Which is Christ in you. 00:42:41.239 --> 00:42:42.139 Christ in you. 00:42:42.840 --> 00:42:44.119 The hope of glory. 00:42:44.619 --> 00:42:45.900 That's the center. 00:42:45.900 --> 00:42:47.920 And maybe there's someone here today. 00:42:48.380 --> 00:42:49.139 Right now. 00:42:49.240 --> 00:42:51.059 That does not have Jesus Christ. 00:42:51.960 --> 00:42:54.940 You've never come to a place where you've recognized that you're a sinner. 00:42:55.740 --> 00:42:59.579 You recognize that because of your sin you're separated from God. 00:43:00.480 --> 00:43:02.660 But God has made a way for us. 00:43:02.920 --> 00:43:04.740 Even though we deserve to be punished. 00:43:04.920 --> 00:43:08.160 Even though we deserve the consequences of our sin. 00:43:08.280 --> 00:43:09.599 Which leads to death. 00:43:09.740 --> 00:43:11.220 Not just physical death. 00:43:11.360 --> 00:43:12.940 But separation from God forever. 00:43:12.940 --> 00:43:16.500 God sent his son Jesus to take the price on the cross. 00:43:16.619 --> 00:43:18.340 To die in our place. 00:43:18.460 --> 00:43:20.220 So that we could ask for forgiveness. 00:43:20.579 --> 00:43:22.220 We could believe in salvation. 00:43:22.519 --> 00:43:24.820 We can enjoy the benefits of that forgiveness. 00:43:25.059 --> 00:43:26.740 And restored peace with God. 00:43:27.340 --> 00:43:28.360 Through faith in him. 00:43:29.320 --> 00:43:30.960 That's how he becomes the center. 00:43:32.320 --> 00:43:32.980 And then also. 00:43:33.400 --> 00:43:34.940 Notice in verse 29. 00:43:37.860 --> 00:43:38.420 Actually. 00:43:39.280 --> 00:43:40.159 Chapter 2. 00:43:40.780 --> 00:43:42.159 Verse 2. 00:43:42.159 --> 00:43:42.659 It says. 00:43:42.940 --> 00:43:44.019 That their hearts. 00:43:44.619 --> 00:43:45.840 May be encouraged. 00:43:46.179 --> 00:43:47.980 Being knit together in love. 00:43:48.460 --> 00:43:50.079 To reach all the riches. 00:43:50.280 --> 00:43:51.400 Of full assurance. 00:43:51.599 --> 00:43:52.720 Of understanding. 00:43:52.940 --> 00:43:55.099 And the knowledge of God's mystery. 00:43:55.420 --> 00:43:56.619 Which is. 00:43:57.599 --> 00:43:58.200 Christ. 00:43:59.659 --> 00:44:01.360 They wanted all this knowledge. 00:44:01.460 --> 00:44:02.639 They wanted all this understanding. 00:44:02.760 --> 00:44:05.820 They wanted to fill up their own minds. 00:44:05.820 --> 00:44:07.420 With this inventory. 00:44:07.800 --> 00:44:10.059 Of mental stuff. 00:44:10.059 --> 00:44:12.900 And the apostle Paul saying. 00:44:13.099 --> 00:44:14.719 You can have all the wisdom. 00:44:14.719 --> 00:44:15.820 That you would ever want. 00:44:15.880 --> 00:44:16.480 But it's not. 00:44:16.599 --> 00:44:17.759 In a system. 00:44:17.900 --> 00:44:18.460 It's not. 00:44:18.460 --> 00:44:19.460 In a philosophy. 00:44:19.460 --> 00:44:20.179 It's not. 00:44:20.299 --> 00:44:21.320 In a set of doctrines. 00:44:21.519 --> 00:44:22.000 It's. 00:44:22.460 --> 00:44:22.619 In. 00:44:23.099 --> 00:44:23.619 Jesus. 00:44:23.619 --> 00:44:26.079 He's the end point. 00:44:26.079 --> 00:44:26.859 He's the center. 00:44:26.859 --> 00:44:27.460 He's everything. 00:44:28.819 --> 00:44:29.759 And because. 00:44:29.759 --> 00:44:31.119 Of being in Christ. 00:44:31.119 --> 00:44:31.440 Then. 00:44:31.639 --> 00:44:32.980 This church could begin to enjoy. 00:44:33.099 --> 00:44:34.199 The benefits of that. 00:44:34.400 --> 00:44:35.099 That we find. 00:44:35.239 --> 00:44:36.239 At the beginning of verse 2. 00:44:36.699 --> 00:44:37.759 They could have hearts. 00:44:37.759 --> 00:44:38.559 That are encouraged. 00:44:39.139 --> 00:44:40.039 They could have. 00:44:40.400 --> 00:44:41.400 A unified. 00:44:41.400 --> 00:44:42.539 A body. 00:44:42.639 --> 00:44:43.519 That was knit together. 00:44:43.519 --> 00:44:44.099 In love. 00:44:44.619 --> 00:44:45.639 And they could enjoy. 00:44:45.639 --> 00:44:46.760 The benefits of this. 00:44:47.180 --> 00:44:47.660 Assurance. 00:44:47.760 --> 00:44:48.400 Of faith. 00:44:48.639 --> 00:44:49.420 And understanding. 00:44:49.559 --> 00:44:49.720 They could. 00:44:49.900 --> 00:44:50.579 They could enjoy. 00:44:50.579 --> 00:44:50.820 That. 00:44:51.059 --> 00:44:51.619 That assurance. 00:44:51.619 --> 00:44:52.599 Of salvation. 00:44:53.079 --> 00:44:54.000 Because of Christ. 00:44:54.860 --> 00:44:56.180 All these benefits. 00:44:56.740 --> 00:44:57.539 By putting Christ. 00:44:57.720 --> 00:44:58.240 At the center. 00:45:01.039 --> 00:45:01.980 I'm looking forward. 00:45:02.119 --> 00:45:02.340 This. 00:45:03.059 --> 00:45:03.700 This month. 00:45:04.460 --> 00:45:05.039 To how Christ. 00:45:05.139 --> 00:45:05.240 Will. 00:45:05.400 --> 00:45:06.000 Will continue. 00:45:06.440 --> 00:45:07.700 To do that work for us. 00:45:08.280 --> 00:45:09.559 As we commit ourselves. 00:45:10.059 --> 00:45:10.539 To prayer. 00:45:10.539 --> 00:45:11.880 As we consider. 00:45:12.699 --> 00:45:14.079 As we commit ourselves. 00:45:14.820 --> 00:45:15.099 To. 00:45:16.019 --> 00:45:16.420 Understanding. 00:45:16.880 --> 00:45:17.360 His word. 00:45:18.019 --> 00:45:18.659 And as we seek. 00:45:18.739 --> 00:45:19.179 To apply. 00:45:19.380 --> 00:45:19.800 That word. 00:45:20.259 --> 00:45:20.759 To our lives. 00:45:21.619 --> 00:45:22.420 Would you join me. 00:45:23.000 --> 00:45:23.460 In that. 00:45:23.719 --> 00:45:24.079 Venture. 00:45:24.659 --> 00:45:25.099 Let me pray. 00:45:26.639 --> 00:45:27.099 God. 00:45:27.179 --> 00:45:27.940 Thank you for the example. 00:45:28.019 --> 00:45:28.739 Of the apostle Paul. 00:45:29.980 --> 00:45:31.119 Thank you for the reminders. 00:45:31.119 --> 00:45:31.719 This morning. 00:45:32.279 --> 00:45:33.059 Of the ministry. 00:45:33.159 --> 00:45:33.980 That we've been called to. 00:45:34.719 --> 00:45:36.199 That it's not an easy ministry. 00:45:37.219 --> 00:45:38.219 But it's a ministry. 00:45:38.320 --> 00:45:38.980 That has purpose. 00:45:39.759 --> 00:45:40.519 And it's a ministry. 00:45:40.519 --> 00:45:41.780 That's empowered by God. 00:45:42.059 --> 00:45:43.659 To accomplish that purpose. 00:45:44.280 --> 00:45:45.440 So that we can be. 00:45:45.739 --> 00:45:46.139 Steadfast. 00:45:46.300 --> 00:45:46.780 In a movable. 00:45:47.400 --> 00:45:48.159 Always abounding. 00:45:48.259 --> 00:45:48.920 In the work of the Lord. 00:45:49.300 --> 00:45:50.360 Knowing that our labor. 00:45:50.759 --> 00:45:51.380 In the Lord. 00:45:51.699 --> 00:45:52.840 Is never in vain. 00:45:53.019 --> 00:45:53.840 Lord help us. 00:45:54.539 --> 00:45:55.159 Help us. 00:45:55.619 --> 00:45:56.920 To have those kinds of lives. 00:45:56.920 --> 00:45:58.179 That are applying ourselves. 00:45:58.699 --> 00:45:59.860 To the labors. 00:46:00.039 --> 00:46:00.619 And ministries. 00:46:00.739 --> 00:46:01.659 You put in front of us. 00:46:02.099 --> 00:46:03.400 So we can look back. 00:46:03.480 --> 00:46:03.900 On our life. 00:46:04.000 --> 00:46:04.539 Without regret. 00:46:05.219 --> 00:46:06.000 In Jesus name. 00:46:06.139 --> 00:46:06.360 Amen. 00:46:06.900 --> 00:46:07.519 God bless you. 00:46:07.719 --> 00:46:08.320 Have a great week. 00:46:10.519 --> 00:46:12.179 God bless you. 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:12.179 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:42.159 Thank you.