Believers long to present Christ to others so we can present them to Christ.
Colossians 1:27-29
Kerry Doyal, Allegheny District Superintendent
We are easily distracted. Admittedly, some more than others – squirrel! We live in days of multiplying diversions and deepening divisions. It is easy to get off message and mission. Our passage today helps us refocus on our central source and message of hope. Jesus, God’s sovereign Son, and sole means of redemption and adoption, is our life and mission. He is to be what we are all about.
“God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 I labor for this, striving with his strength that works powerfully in me.” (Col. 1:27-29 – CSB)
Confined in Rome (60 AD), Paul reaches out to a church being threatened with doctrinal drift and spiritual distraction. Epaphras visited Paul to share his concerns for the church in Colossae. Paul writes them, pointing them back to the Lord Christ Jesus. He reminds us of our central commitment – Messiah Jesus. Finding life and hope in Him, we strive to proclaim Him to others.
WE PRESENT CHRIST TO OTHERS SO WE CAN PRESENT THEM TO CHRIST.
A full presentation of Him, in His fullness, which leads to Fullness, Maturity in Him
1. We are All about HIM; Christ, our hope of glory
a. Seeking to know Him better to live worthy of Him (1:9-14)
b. Him: God’s Sovereign Son, His exact image, firstborn, over all… (15-23)
c. Him: God’s Made-known secret; the Savior, our Source of Life (24-27)
2. We Proclaim Him, with Wisdom
a. Willing to suffer as servants of this glorious message of hope (24-27)
b. Warning them – “Get right”
c. Teaching them – “Grow up”
d. With Knowledge and Insight into message, method (cf. Col 4:2-6)
3. We’re Purposeful: To Present Mature Disciples to Him
a. “proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become
b. an offering acceptable to God” (Romans 15:16 - NIV)
c. Not just “getting’ souls saved” – make disciples! (Matt. 28:18-20)
d. Help them grow up in all things (cf. Gal. 4:19; Eph. 4:1-6)
4. We Persevere in this Mission, with His Power
Agonizing, toiling, dependent on Him (John 15:1-5; 1Cor. 15:10)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS.
Ø Do you know Him? He is God’s source of hope for us (1:26, 27)
Ø Are you growing in knowledge of Him? Pray Col. 1:9-14
Study Col. 1:15-20; write out who He is, what He’s done
Ø Do you live to make Him known? With your:
Life - fruit of Spirit, deeds (Gal. 5:19-22; Matt. 5:13-16)
Lips – truth of Spirit from the Word (Col. 3:16-17; 4:5, 6)
Ø What flows most frequently from you? What drips over your lips?
Politics, pandemic, playthings… (Luke 6:45; Col. 3:14-16)
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