1. The Sufferings of Christ: Colossians 1:24-260 Colossians 1:24-26 by Bob DeWaay Gospel of Grace Fellowship October 26, 2014

2. The Sufferings of Christ: Colossians 1:24-261  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 Colossians 1:24a (HCSB) Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you,

3. The Sufferings of Christ: Colossians 1:24-262  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 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.

4. The Sufferings of Christ: Colossians 1:24-263  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 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,

5. The Sufferings of Christ: Colossians 1:24-264  “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 Colossians 1:26 (HCSB) the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints.

6. The Sufferings of Christ: Colossians 1:24-265  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

7. The Sufferings of Christ: Colossians 1:24-266 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

8. The Sufferings of Christ: Colossians 1:24-267 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

9. The Sufferings of Christ: Colossians 1:24-268 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,

10. The Sufferings of Christ: Colossians 1:24-269 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.