The Goal of Faithful Ministry

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Paul's Ministry to the Church

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Colossians 1:24-29 ESV

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV - 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

2 Timothy 4:2-4 ESV - 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Colossians 1:28 ESV - 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ

1. The Person of Our Proclamation

1 Corinthians 2:2 ESV - 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Colossians 1:15-20 ESV - 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

2. The Pattern of Our Proclamation

Colossians 1:28 ESV - 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom

1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV - 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

Acts 20:31 ESV - 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.

Colossians 3:16 ESV - 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

3. The Purpose of Our Proclamation

Colossians 1:28 ESV - 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

Ephesians 4:12-13 ESV - 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

4. The Power of Proclamation

Colossians 1:29 ESV - 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.