Christ in you Colossians 1 24 29 CHRIST

Christ in you Colossians 1: 24 - 29

CHRIST IN YOU Paul’s suffering (24) �Paul is in prison yet he is still rejoicing, why? �He expects that God’s servants will suffer in this world �Suffering for being righteous �Suffering because he follows Jesus �Suffering for the sake of the gospel �The same kind of sufferings that Jesus endured �Suffering for the church, God’s Body on earth

CHRIST IN YOU Paul’s ministry (25) �God had called him on the road to Damascus �His ministry was to present God’s word �He was to serve the church through his teaching �He was to teach on the “mystery” that had been revealed by God in Jesus �Offering the gospel is a first step but the church needs to be built up through obedience to God’s Word �The Lord wants His babes in the faith to be nourished and nurtured

CHRIST IN YOU What is the mystery? (26 - 27) �What had been hidden from the Gentiles throughout the age was now being revealed to those whom God was saving (the saints) �The apostles had the task to share the truth about the church and God’s intentions for it �The church is the Body of Christ on earth �All believers are part of this Body �Jesus is the head of the Body

CHRIST IN YOU What is the mystery? (26 - 27) �Gentiles are welcome in the Body, not just Jews �In the Old Testament there were hints that God would welcome repentant Gentiles, now that truth has been fully revealed �God is forming one Body of Jews and Gentiles to be His people �Jesus is not only the head of the Body but He also fills it, He fills each believer (indwells) �This intimate relationship with God inspires us to believe that we will share in His glory

CHRIST IN YOU Sharing the truth (28 - 29) �Paul labours to ensure that as many as possible are taught the truth of what God has done �This teaching includes warnings – Jesus’ claim on people’s lives is a serious matter �The glorious truth has a flipside – the awful wrath of God upon those who are disobedient �There is an urgency about sharing the truth of the gospel �Just as a priest offered perfect sacrifices so Paul wants those who he has seen saved presented to God mature

CHRIST IN YOU LESSONS FOR TODAY �There is an urgent need for the gospel to be proclaimed �The work of the gospel is not easy and never has been �The truth of the church as God’s Body on earth is vital �Believers are indwelt by Jesus through His Holy Spirit �We must work to become mature in faith enabled by Him