Colossians: Commissioned and Committed

This is the third sermon in a series of messages through the New Testament book of Colossians. This message is based on Col. 1:24 - 2:5 and looks at the Apostle Paul's descriptions of his commitment to the ministry that was commissioned by God. The video recording of the worship service in which this sermon was given can be viewed by clicking here.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

(sermonillustrations.com) Adoniram Judson sweated out Burma's heat for 18 years without a furlough, six years without a convert. Enduring torture and imprisonment, he admitted that he never saw a ship sail without wanting to jump on board and go home. When his wife's health broke and he put her on a homebound vessel in the knowledge he would not see her for two full years, he confided to his diary: "If we could find some quiet resting place on earth where we could spend the rest of our days in peace. . ." But he steadied himself with this remarkable postscript: "Life is short. Millions of Burmese are perishing. I am almost the only person on earth who has attained their language to communicate salvation..." Regions Beyond, Vol. 37, No. 1, p. 2.

Judson illustrates for us in more recent history what being under a commission from God and committed to the task really looks like. There are scores and scores of other fine examples of such dedication to the kingdom of God and the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

This morning we are continuing to look into the letter that Paul wrote to the church in Colossae and in the passage before us today we are learning about Paul’s commission from God and his commitment to that commission in relation to the people of Colossae as well as the other people in that general region.

I.          A Divine Commission

Colossians 1:25 (NKJV)  … I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,

“minister” – deacon; servant, attendant, from obsolete GK word “to run errands.”

“the stewardship” – KJV, “dispensation;” NIV, “commission.” From “administration of a household or estate.”

The Apostle is reminding his readers (whom he has not met yet), that he has become a servant FOR God because he has been commissioned BY God. Damascus Road, etc. (God to Ananias, “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake” Acts 9:16).

A. He was commissioned for ministry to the church.

v. 25 – “of which I became a minister…”

The word, “which” refers back to the word “church” in the previous verse.

vv. 24 – 25 “… for the sake of his body, the church, ²⁵of which I became a minister… for you…”

Also, v. 25, “… according to the stewardship (commission) from God which was given to me for you…”

Paul feels a keen sense of responsibility to the church of Jesus. Those whom he previously persecuted, but now for several years has been faithfully devoting his time and energy to promote and serve. 

We’re living in a day when people feel less and less compelled to be a part of the church and to be involved in its growth.

B. He was commissioned to fulfill the word of God.

v. 25, “… to fulfill the word of God,”

(Lenski New Testament Commentary) The Word of God" is something to be transmitted and thus to fulfill it is to give it what it wants, what it is for, namely to transmit it to those for whom it is intended.

·         The word of God he was commissioned to “fulfill” (proclaim, teach, spread), was a “mystery.”

Colossians 1:26-27 (NKJV) ²⁶ the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. ²⁷ To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

For the false teachers (Gnostics), mystery meant that only the “spiritual elite” could understand because they have superior knowledge.

The mystery which was hidden for so long but now has been revealed is two-fold:

1) The Gentiles are to be included (and always were to be included) in God’s plan of redemption.

2) The mystical union between God and man – “Christ in you.”

This intimate union is a foretaste of coming glory.

“Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!”

·         The fulfillment of the word of God included both warning and instruction.

Colossians 1:28 (NKJV)  Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

The goal is to help as many as possible to reach spiritual maturity and become what God intended them to be.

(Lenski New Testament Commentary) To present every man as such does not here refer to the Parousia but to the present time: each and every believer is to stand forth so that all may see him as one who is spiritually complete and mature….

II.        A Determined Commitment

A. Commitment to the commission requires deliberate effort.

Colossians 1:29 (NKJV)  To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

Various commentary authors say that Paul uses words relating to two different kinds of effort.

“labor” – a word that refers to work, vocation, etc.

“striving” – a word that refers to athletic training and practice.

Paul seems to be saying, “I am putting all the effort into this ministry that a worker puts into his work or an athlete puts into his sport.” He specifically states that he does this so that he might accomplish the goal described in v. 28.

B. Commitment to the commission brings his focus on his readers.

Colossians 2:1 (NKJV)  For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,

(Lenski) In v. 28 of ch. 1, Paul’s emphasis is on bringing every man into spiritual maturity. Now he is applying the same thought to his readers and to those in the neighboring city of Laodicea.

“conflict” – NASB “struggle;” Strong’s Concordance – the word comes from a root word that indicates a “place of assembly” and by implication, the contest that is held there.

·         He desires to lead them to “perfection” also. (see 1:28)

Colossians 2:2-3 (NKJV) ²  that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, ³  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

This will involve them gaining knowledge and understanding of God’s mystery.

·       Gaining the right kind of knowledge, protects against false philosophies.

Colossians 2:4 (NKJV)  Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.

If believers do not dig into the Word, and make every effort to hear the Word of God accurately proclaimed, they are vulnerable to all kinds of false ideas and philosophies.

You may remember that I referred to verse 4 during the series of messages I preached last year on the topic of having a Christian/ biblical worldview. There are all kinds of false ideas being promoted in churches today by pastors who apparently want to be considered “intelligent” and “up with the times.”

Big-name preachers and leaders are caving to the agendas of ungodly philosophies. (LGBT; Critical Race; etc.)

One example… (share article about a Dad in Canada sentenced to prison because he wouldn't stop referring to his daughter as a girl and using feminine pronouns for her.)

Conclusion:

This message today was primarily all about the Apostle Paul’s personal calling and commission from God, and about the effort he had exerted to accomplish that calling. But, Paul is letting his readers know that the reason for it all is really two-fold:

He wants them to truly experience genuine intimacy with Christ and the spiritual maturity that goes with such a relationship.

His passion and burning desire is for the gospel to reach all people everywhere, and he wants them to be a vital part of that mission.

I do not doubt that he desires for them to share in the commission, which was given by Christ Himself to all disciples. So, as we close today, I trust that each of us will be as committed in knowing and experiencing all that God intended for us to enjoy through the unique intimacy with Christ, and that we will make every effort to see that other people receive the same opportunity.