1. Christ in you
Colossians 1:

2. Paul is in prison yet he is still rejoicing, why?
CHRIST IN YOU
Paul’s suffering (24)
Paul is in prison yet he is still rejoicing, why?
He expects that God’s servants will suffer in this world
Suffering for being righteous
Suffering because he follows Jesus
Suffering for the sake of the gospel
The same kind of sufferings that Jesus endured
Suffering for the church, God’s Body on earth

3. God had called him on the road to Damascus
CHRIST IN YOU
Paul’s ministry (25)
God had called him on the road to Damascus
His ministry was to present God’s word
He was to serve the church through his teaching
He was to teach on the “mystery” that had been revealed by God in Jesus
Offering the gospel is a first step but the church needs to be built up through obedience to God’s Word
The Lord wants His babes in the faith to be nourished and nurtured

4. The church is the Body of Christ on earth
CHRIST IN YOU
What is the mystery? ( )
What had been hidden from the Gentiles throughout the age was now being revealed to those whom God was saving (the saints)
The apostles had the task to share the truth about the church and God’s intentions for it
The church is the Body of Christ on earth
All believers are part of this Body
Jesus is the head of the Body

5. Gentiles are welcome in the Body, not just Jews
CHRIST IN YOU
What is the mystery? ( )
Gentiles are welcome in the Body, not just Jews
In the Old Testament there were hints that God would welcome repentant Gentiles, now that truth has been fully revealed
God is forming one Body of Jews and Gentiles to be His people
Jesus is not only the head of the Body but He also fills it, He fills each believer (indwells)
This intimate relationship with God inspires us to believe that we will share in His glory

6. There is an urgency about sharing the truth of the gospel
CHRIST IN YOU
Sharing the truth ( )
Paul labours to ensure that as many as possible are taught the truth of what God has done
This teaching includes warnings – Jesus’ claim on people’s lives is a serious matter
The glorious truth has a flipside – the awful wrath of God upon those who are disobedient
There is an urgency about sharing the truth of the gospel
Just as a priest offered perfect sacrifices so Paul wants those who he has seen saved presented to God mature

7. There is an urgent need for the gospel to be proclaimed
CHRIST IN YOU
LESSONS FOR TODAY
There is an urgent need for the gospel to be proclaimed
The work of the gospel is not easy and never has been
The truth of the church as God’s Body on earth is vital
Believers are indwelt by Jesus through His Holy Spirit
We must work to become mature in faith enabled by Him