Serve Christ With Purpose

Series - ‘Living for Christ every day’

‘Serving Christ with purpose’

Colossians 1:24-2:5

This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to

every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have

become a servant

Col 1:23b

Paul’s reaction to pressure

Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you

Col 1:24a NIV

I am glad when I suffer for you in my body,

for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for His body,

the church Col 1:24 NLT

The pressures Paul faced

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the

hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great

pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of

life ...

2 Cor 1:8

The pressures Paul faced

Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my

concern for all the churches

2 Cor 11:28

“Joy is the gigantic secret

of the Christian”

G K Chesterton

Paul’s purpose in serving Christ

I have become its servant by the commission God gave me

Col 1:25a

Present the whole truth of Scripture

to present to you the word of God in its fullness

Col 1:25b

Paul’s purpose in serving Christ

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and

training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every

good work

2 Tim 3:16-17

Proclaim Christ

the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now

disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this

mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we

proclaim … Col 1:27-28a

Paul’s purpose in serving Christ

The 1,000 wealthiest people in the UK are now

worth £547bn

Sunday Times Rich List 2015

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if

indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory

Rom 8:17

Bring believers to maturity

admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so

that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ

Col 1:28b

Paul’s purpose in serving Christ

Maturity isn’t automatic

You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be

teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the

basic things a beginner must learn about the Scriptures. You are like babies who drink only milk and

cannot eat solid food

Heb 5:12-13 NLT

Maturity is a process

grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

2 Pet 3:18

Maturity involves discipline

Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward

in both this life and the next

1 Tim 4:7-8 NLT

Maturity requires effort

To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so

powerfully works in me

Col 1:29I want you to know how hard I am

contending for you

Col 2:1a

Encourage

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united

in love

Col 1:2a

Paul’s purpose in serving Christ

Enlighten

so that they may have the full riches of complete

understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of

God, namely, Christ

Col 2:2

Paul’s purpose in serving Christ

J.I. Packer

“Whether being a servant is a

matter for shame or for pride

depends on whose one’s servant is”