The Sufferings of Christ: Colossians 1:24-26 1

Filling Up the Sufferings of Christ

Colossians 1:24-26

by Bob DeWaayGospel of Grace Fellowship

October 26, 2014

The Sufferings of Christ: Colossians 1:24-26 2

Sufferings are part of being committed to the gospel

All Christians participate in these sufferings and afflictions – 1Peter 4:13

Future glory is greater than present suffering – Romans 8:18

The Afflictions of Christ and His Church

Colossians 1:24a (HCSB)Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you,

The Sufferings of Christ: Colossians 1:24-26 3

There is a quantity and limit to the afflictions of the last days – Rev. 6:10, 11

Paul had been promised suffering – Acts 9:15, 16 “huper” is found twice in verse 24 and means “on

behalf of” We are part of the fulfillment of “Christ’s afflictions

through the gospel – Heb. 11:39, 40

Paul Contributes to Eschatological Suffering

Colossians 1:24b (HCSB)and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for His body, that is, the church.

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Paul’s stewardship of God’s word is a serious matter that he never took lightly

Paul labored to make the truth of God known “complete” means literally “to fill up” – Rom.

15:19

Paul Serves the Word of God in All Its Fullness

Colossians 1:25 (NET) I became a servant of the church according to the stewardship from God—given to me for you—in order to complete the word of God,

The Sufferings of Christ: Colossians 1:24-26 5

“Mystery” in the NT is something that would not be know had God not chosen to reveal it

The truth of the gospel is now publicly revealed, but people’s hardened hearts hide it from their own minds

The “sanctified ones” love the gospel and receive it

The Mystery Made Manifest

Colossians 1:26 (HCSB)the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints.

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It is given to all Christians to suffer because of the gospel

We are to serve God’s purposes in this present age

We must pray for boldness in the gospel We must not underestimate the power of the

gospel

Implications and Applications

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The Gospel and Afflictions

Acts 14:21-22 (NASB)After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned… strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.’ “must” is dei – divine necessity Afflictions are part of being a disciple of Jesus Christ We too are filling up eschatological suffering

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To Serve God’s Purposes

Acts 20:27 (NASB)For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. David served God’s purposes – Acts 13:36 God’s purpose is a mystery now revealed in

Christ – Ephesians 1:9

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1Thessalonians 2:2 (NASB)but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.

Ephesians 6:19 (NASB)and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,

We Must Pray for Boldness in the Gospel

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Romans 1:16 (NASB)For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Acts 20:24 (NASB) But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.

Do Not Underestimate the Power of the Gospel