Colossians 2:1-5 (NASB)

1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. 5 For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.

The Big Idea: A Pastor/Shepherd’s love for God’s people should reflect the love that our Good Shepherd Jesus has for His people.

Outline: 3 Characteristics of a Pastor’s love for the Church that should be encouraging to your faith in Christ (2:1-5)

I. His Care for the Church (2:1-3, 5)

II. His Concern for the Church (2:4)

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Colossians 1:24-29 (NASB)

²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. ²⁵ Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, ²⁶ that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, ²⁷ to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸ We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. ²⁹ For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.

The Big Idea: Christians are called to be ministers who sacrifice, suffer and serve with joy in order to make Christ known and to build one another up in Him.

Outline: Eight elements of Ministry that all Christians should understand, remember and model for the sake of Christ and His Church.

Last 4 Sundays (Pt. 1 – 4 ):

1) The Author of Ministry (1:23d; 25a)
2) The Agony of Ministry (1:24-25; 29; (and 2:1))
3) The Attitude of Ministry (1:24)

4) The Mandate of Ministry (1:25b)
5) The Message of Ministry (1:25b-27)

o The Mystery revealed [to you]
o The Mystery received [by you]
o The Mystery’s endless riches [for you]

6) The Proclamation of Ministry (1:28)

o The “Who” and “The Whom”

o The “How”

Today (Pt. 5):

7) The Purpose of Ministry (1:28b-29a)

8) The Power of Ministry (1:29)

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Colossians 1:24-29 (NASB)

²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. ²⁵ Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, ²⁶ that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, ²⁷ to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸ We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. ²⁹ For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.

The Big Idea: Christians are called to be ministers who sacrifice, suffer and serve with joy in order to make Christ known and to build one another up in Him.

Outline: Eight elements of Ministry that all Christians should understand, remember and model for the sake of Christ and His Church.

Last 3 Sundays (Pt. 1, 2 & 3 ):

1) The Author of Ministry (1:23d; 25a)
2) The Agony of Ministry (1:24-25; 29; (and 2:1))
3) The Attitude of Ministry (1:24)

4) The Mandate of Ministry (1:25b)
5) The Message of Ministry (1:25b-27)

o The Mystery revealed [to you]
o The Mystery received [by you]
o The Mystery’s endless riches [for you]

Today (Pt. 4):

6) The Proclamation of Ministry (1:28)

o The “Who” and “The Whom”

o The “How”

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Colossians 1:24-29 (NASB)

²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. ²⁵ Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, ²⁶ that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, ²⁷ to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸ We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. ²⁹ For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.

The Big Idea: Christians are called to be ministers who sacrifice, suffer and serve with joy in order to make Christ known and to build one another up in Him.

Outline: Eight elements of Ministry that all Christians should understand, remember and model for the sake of Christ and His Church.

Last 2 Sundays (Pt. 1 & 2):

1) The Author of Ministry (1:23d; 25a)
2) The Agony of Ministry (1:24-25; 29; (and 2:1))
3) The Attitude of Ministry (1:24)

4) The Mandate of Ministry (1:25b)
5) The Message of Ministry (1:25b-27)

o The Mystery revealed [to you]
o The Mystery received [by you]
o The Mystery’s endless riches [for you]

Today (Pt. 3):

6) The Proclamation of Ministry (1:28)

o The “Who” and “The Whom”

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Colossians 1:24-29 (NASB)

²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. ²⁵ Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, ²⁶ that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, ²⁷ to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸ We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. ²⁹ For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.

The Big Idea: Christians are called to be ministers who sacrifice, suffer and serve with joy in order to make Christ known and to build one another up in Him.

Outline: Eight elements of Ministry that all Christians should understand, remember and model for the sake of Christ and His Church.

Last Sunday:

      1. The Author of Ministry – vv. 1:23d; 25a
      2. The Agony of Ministry – vv. 1:24-25 (and 2:1)
      3. The Attitude of Ministry – v. 1:24

This Sunday:

      4. The Mandate of Ministry – v. 1:25b
      5. The Message of Ministry – vv. 1:25b-27)
         * The Mystery revealed (to you)
         * The Mystery received (by you)
         * The Mystery’s endless riches (for you)

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Colossians 1:24-29 (NASB)

²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. ²⁵ Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, ²⁶ that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, ²⁷ to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸ We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. ²⁹ For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.

The Big Idea: Christians are called to be ministers who sacrifice, suffer and serve with joy in order to make Christ known and to build one another up in Him.

Outline: Three elements of Ministry that all Christians should understand, remember and model for the sake of Christ and His Church.

1. The Author of Ministry – vv. 1:23d; 25a
2. The Agony of Ministry – vv. 1:24-25 (and 2:1)
3. The Attitude of Ministry – v. 1:24

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Colossians 1:23 (NASB)

²³ if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

Theme: Christians are called to persevere in believing the truths of Christ and the Gospel.

Outline: You can be assured of your standing before God, as long as the following evidences remain true:

1. If you continue in the faith – v. 1:23a

2. If you do not stray from the hope of the Gospel – v. 1:23b

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Colossians 1:21-22 (NASB)

²¹ And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, ²² yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.

Theme: Our sinfulness has made us such enemies against God that the drastic measure of Jesus being crucified needed to be taken for us to be reconciled.

Outline: Three realities to understand about your past, present and future life as a Christian, so that you will appreciate and apply the reconciling power of Christ and the Gospel now.

1. What you used to be: Enemies with God in every way. – v. 1:21

2. What you are now: Reconciled to God through the death of Christ. – v. 1:22a

3. What you will be: Presented holy before God. – v. 1:22b

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Colossians 1:19-20 (NASB)

¹⁹ For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, ²⁰ and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Theme: Two implications for you to be encouraged by and live out from your knowledge of Christ and the gospel.

1: Recall and Remember Who Jesus is: The Absolutely Supreme Sovereign who is fully God. – v. 1:19

2: See and Seek Jesus as the All-Sufficient Savior through whom God reconciles all things. – v. 1:20

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Colossians 1:15-18 (NASB)

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶ For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. ¹⁸ He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

Theme: Jesus Christ, God the Son, is supreme far above and beyond all things that exist in the entire universe.

Outline: Nine Truths about who Jesus is for you to know and embrace, so that you will see Him rightly and worship Him fully in your life.

Last Sunday, Review:

Truth #1 about who Jesus is – in relation to God the Father.

1. Jesus “is the image of the invisible God” – v. 1:15a

Truths #2-7 about Jesus – in relation to creation

2. Jesus “is the firstborn of all creation” – v. 1:15b
3. All things were created by (or in) Jesus – v. 1:16a
4. All things have been created through Jesus – v. 1:16b
5. All things have been created for Jesus – v. 1:16c

Today:

6. Jesus “is before all things” – v. 1:17a
7. All things are held together in Jesus – v. 1:17b

Truths #8-9 about who Jesus is – in relations to the church (the New Creation)

8. Jesus “is also head of the body, the church” – v. 1:18a
9. Jesus “is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead” – v. 1:18b

Conclusion: So that He Himself will have first place in everything.

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