Zooming back out ... Colossians 1.22-29

Zooming back out … Colossians 1.22-29

Greetings!

Today, we are zooming back out, and looking at context as well-in verses 22-29.  Our beloved Paul writes from prison to the believers in Colosse:

“But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.” Friends, please note with me the “if” at the start of verse 23.  You and I are the reason Christ died … so that when we stand before the Father, at the close of our earthly lives, God will see us as redeemed and holy.  Hence the reason it is paramount that we remain faithful to Jesus Christ. 

“Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you,” …Paul suffered mocking, floggings, multiple imprisonments, stoning, hunger, and loneliness, all for preaching the gospel.  And he says here ‘he rejoices in it!’   He continues, “and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.” 

And then Paul says something about himself, which has application to you and to me: “I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness” . . .

You and I have been given this same commission.  Indeed, we have been commissioned to share the love of Jesus, the Good News of the Gospel with those around us.  Why, don’t you remember some of Jesus’ last words—just before he ascended into Heaven—“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses…” Acts 1.8

“I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness--the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”   Picture Paul with me:  If he were a lone actor being shown on the set in his dank and dirty prison cell, telling his audience, even reminding himself, and reaffirming to the God he loves his call, his very reason for living … at this point, the lights would dim, and we the audience would spring to our feet with thunderous applause and shouts! 

Such brave commitment, such passion that moves Paul, one rarely witnesses in a lifetime, but when he or she does take it in, it evokes a visceral response . . . and may I submit to you, that it calls for some introspection?  I ask myself, ‘how committed am I to what God commissioned me to do—simply telling others what I have know and have experienced of Jesus, and his love?’  And how about you, do you ever take a risk and tell someone ‘there is a God who loves you more than you can ever think or imagine’?  

When Jesus said, ‘be my witnesses’, he was talking to some small group of his followers on a hilltop, and Paul was not even there.   Jesus was also talking to you and me, saying something like, ‘come on, just tell them how I’ve loved you.’

Take a risk,