The Pilgrim Path---Colossians 1: 24 – 28

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, 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, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 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. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

…FOR THE SAKE OF THE BODY

The Apostle Paul was all about Jesus Christ. Would you doubt that reading any of his letters? Would you find that hard to believe as you read Luke’s testimony of him within the Book of Acts? How “far” would you say he went for Jesus when he was converted? Wouldn’t you say it was a “total transformation” in heart and life? Wouldn’t you be inclined to say of him that he experienced a radical renewal in his life---in terms of religious understanding? Oh, and how long did he remain this way? Best we can ascertain---until he, “finished the course”---and had his life ended by a Roman Emperor. But that was really the beginning of Life for him---because of his hope in the Glory of God in Christ Jesus our LORD!

My—My---what a testimony is this segment of Colossians chapter 1. Paul tells us that he is not ashamed or afraid to bear the sufferings that are necessary to advance the Gospel of the Savior. Those hardships and difficulties are not some “merit” for him---as if they added to the perfection of Jesus---but they do “mark” him as a devoted disciple of the Master. Marvelously, he reminds the Colossians believers (and us)---I rejoice to so fulfill my place as a servant of the LORD Jesus. And he does it for the sake of His Body: The Church! The Church of Jesus Christ is that organism through which God has chosen to reveal the glory of the mystery of His grace---the New Humanity---His People to the World! Paul told the Colossians that what he wanted of them was Christ “in them---the hope of glory” (v. 27). He wanted everyone warned and taught the things of God so that they might be “mature in Christ” (v. 28). Then he concludes: I toil and struggle for this---with all the divine enablement that the Living Savior Jesus may put at my disposal. All for His honor and glory. Wow!

Can you fathom how “high” a view of the church---the Body of Christ---the Apostle Paul possessed? To him it was no casual thing. No entity of little worth in the world. Therefore, Paul said,

“And he (Jesus Christ) is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 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.” Colossians 1: 17, 18

The Church belongs to the LORD Jesus Christ. It exists for His Glory.

How high a view of the Church---Do You possess?

Through the years, I have given married couples the opportunity to “renew” their wedding vows. Perhaps---you may need to renew your Church Membership Vows? My experience is that some people often “say” things before God and the people of God---they do not really reflect upon--- or take seriously. Now is a good time to think about the LORD Jesus Christ and His Church:

From the Book of Church Order / 57-5

1. Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope save in His sovereign mercy?
2. Do you believe in the LORD Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel?
3. Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ?
4. Do you promise to support the Church in its worship and work to the best of your ability?
5. Do you submit yourselves to the government and discipline of the Church, and promise to study its purity and peace?

From J. I. Packer: Church should be defined as the family community of those redeemed, called, and united to God---in other words, the church is defined in terms of the gospel, and its nature and life should be analyzed in entire correlation to the work of God in grace as the New Testament sets forth.

From John Duncan: When we all reach yonder country, we shall wonder what foolish children we have been.

HYMN

Yes, all I am and love most dearly

I offer now, O LORD, to you.

Oh, let me make my vows sincerely,

And what I say. Help me to do.

Let naught within me, naught I own,

Serve any will but yours alone.

And never let my purpose falter,

O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

But keep me faithful to your altar,

Till you shall call me from my post.

So unto you I live and die

And praise you ever more on high.

Johann J. Rambach, 1723 / Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1863

Rev. in Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978; alt. 1990

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason