The Ministry of Paul – Part 2 – Colossians 1:28-29

Eleventh message in a verse by verse series through the Epistle of Colossians. This lesson explores the preaching ministry of the Apostle Paul as outlined in verse 28-29. Sermon Outline: 1. The Theme of his preaching 2. The Method of his preaching 3. The Goal of his preaching 4. The Power behind his preaching

1. This section: Paul describes his ministry.
2. Key phrase: “…I Paul am made a minister…” (Vs. 23)
3. This lesson: The preaching ministry of the Apostle. There are 5 aspects to Paul’s preaching for us to consider…

The Theme of his Preaching (Vs. 28a)

1. ‘whom’ = reference to Christ in Vs. 27
2. ‘preach’ = to announce, proclaim and make known. To proclaim publically, report and publish.
3. Centrality of Christ in Paul’s preaching supported by other Scriptures
   1. 1 Cor. 1:23-24 “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”
   2. 1 Cor. 2:2 “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”
   3. 2 Cor 4:5 “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
4. Christ, the theme of Scripture: In Genesis He is the seed of the woman that will bruise the serpents head (Gen. 3:15); in Exodus He is the Passover Lamb, slain to cover the sins of the people (Ex. 12) and the rock smitten for our iniquities (17:6); in Leviticus he is pictured in the 5 offerings; in Numbers His death on the cross is pre-figured in the brazen serpent (Num. 21:9); in Deuteronomy, He is foretold as one who would be a prophet like Moses (Deut. 18:15), in Joshua He is typified in the cities of refuge (Josh. 20:2); in Judges He is seen as the righteous Judge before whom all creation will give an account; in Ruth He is our Kinsman-Redeemer having paid the price of our redemption with His own blood (Acts 20:28) and in the Books of 1 Samuel to 2 Chronicles, we are reminded that He is King of kings and Lord of lords (I. Timothy 6:15). Robert Boyd in his handbook on the Bible made the following statement: “There is a Golden Key that will unlock for you the mysteries of the Sacred Scriptures. It will open the vault of God’s exhaustless treasure of Truth. It will make the bells of gladness ring within your heart. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Golden Key. He makes the Bible an open Book.”
5. Illustration: John the Baptist’s preaching – “Behold the Lamb of God…” The primary task of the preacher is to point people to Christ.
6. Challenge: Let Christ be the focus of our entire ministry!

The Method of his Preaching (Vs. 28b)

1. Warning (Admonishment)
   1. Paul instructed Timothy to “Preach the Word…reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (II. Tim. 4:2)
   2. We are to warn men to “flee from the wrath to come” (Luke 3:7)
   3. Illustration: Christ preached more on hell than heaven
2. Teaching (Instruction)
   1. The audience: Every man
   2. The content: Wisdom
      1. Note: ‘all’ – opposite to message of Colossian heretics
      2. 1 Cor. 1:24 “…Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”
3. Note: To exalt Christ, the Living Word, we must exalt the Bible, the written Word.

The Goal of his Preaching (Vs. 28c)

1. Presentation
   1. The Divine Aspect: Christ will present us to Himself
      1. Jude 1:24 “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,”
      2. Ephesians 5:25-27 “…Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
   2. The Human Aspect: The responsibility of God’s men
      1. 2 Cor. 11:2 “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”
         1. ‘jealousy’ = zeal.
         2. “His jealousy is not because of self-love, but because of his love for them.” (Ironside)
         3. Illustration: A father’s zeal for his daughters purity
      2. Eph. 4:11-12 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
2. Perfection
   1. ‘perfect’ = to bring to the end, to mature
   2. Acts 16:5 “…the churches established in the faith…”
   3. Ephaphras’ example: 4:12
3. Challenge: The key to seeing the saints matured is to preach Christ faithfully.

The Power behind his Preaching (Vs. 29)

1. Paul’s Exertion
   1. ‘labour’ = work to the point of exhaustion. “Toil even to weariness” (Moule)
   2. ‘strive’ = athletic term. Means to agonize. “The strife and stress of the athletic arena” (Moule)
2. God’s Enabling
   1. ‘working’ = the power of God in operation; energy.
   2. ‘mightily’ = divine power; resurrection power.
   3. 1 Cor. 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

Conclusion

1. Is Christ the grand focus of our lives and ministry?
2. Are we concerned to see other believers established in the faith?
3. What power are we relying upon to do God’s work?

Sermon 11 of 28 in Colossians Series

Sermon Audio Id: 820162335273