Rejoice in the Midst of Suffering

1. At the time of the writing of the epistle to those of Colossae Paul was a prisoner in chains. Colossians 1:24a says, “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you.”

1) Because Paul insisted that the Gentiles should be received into the church without circumcision the Jews persecuted him and pressed the case against him with such bitterness that he was finally sent to Rome and was placed in prison for three years.

2) This was a reason that Paul could say to those of Colossae that the suffering was “for you.” However Paul’s suffering wasn’t just for those of Colossae.

2. Paul rejoiced in his sufferings because he realized he was benefiting multitudes of Gentile Christians by providing an example of joy and faithfulness that he hoped would challenge them to be faithful and suffer with joy.

1. Colossians 1:24a&b says, “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ.”

1) In the b part of verse 24 Paul, in saying that he was willing to “fill up in his flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ” is referring to his willingness to physically suffer as long as he was in his physical body.

2) Paul is teaching that his suffering and the suffering that others encounter in their fleshly body for the cause of Christ benefits the cause of Christ and it benefits the church of Christ.

2. When Paul refers to “what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ” Paul is not teaching that Christ needed to suffer more than He has already suffered.

1) Paul is teaching that the work of the church and the growth of the church must go on and as faithful Christians carry this work forward they are going to encounter affliction and sufferings.

2) As Christians faithfully encounter these afflictions they do so in a way that Christ would do if He were on earth in the flesh.

3) Christians that remain faithful like Paul in the midst of afflictions compliment and honor Christ for the afflictions that Christ encountered.

4) Paul is teaching that encountering afflictions for the cause of Christ and His church is not a penalty, but a blessing.

3. Turn to 1 Peter 2:19-24. 1 Peter 2:19-24 teaches that one is to be commended when they remain faithful, as Christ did, when we suffer for being a follower of Christ. 1 Peter 2:19-24 says, “19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 ” Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.”

4. Turn to Matthew 5:10-12. In Matthew 5:10-12 Jesus teaches that the happy person will be the one who remains faithful and honors Christ in the midst of their afflictions. Matthew 5:10-12 says, “10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Jesus is teaching that we can be happy and look forward to heaven when we learn to rejoice in the midst of suffering.

5. Do like Paul expresses himself in Colossians 1:24a&b, determine that, since Christ is not here on earth to encounter any afflictions, you will allow your fleshy self to encounter any afflictions necessary to make sure you carry on Christ’s work of reaching the lost and strengthening those that are already saved.

1. Colossians 1:24 says, “I [Paul] now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ for the sake of His [Christ’s] body, which is the church.”

2. The persecutions Christ bore were for the sake of the church (Christ’s spiritual body); the persecutions Paul bore were likewise for the sake of Christ’s body (the church).

1) The relationship between Christ and Christ’s church is illustrated by calling the church the body of Christ.

2) As the head and the body of a living person are to function together, so Christ and his church are to function together.

3) Both Christ and Christ’s church are important.

3. A large majority of people teach that Christ is important toward one’s salvation but, sadly, they also teach that the church is not important toward one’s salvation.

4. Turn to Ephesians 1:22&23. Ephesians 1:22&23 teach three reasons why that the church, as well as Christ, is important for man’s salvation. Ephesians 1:22&23 says, “22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

1) #1, The church is important toward one’s salvation, as well as Christ, because Christ spiritual body and the church are the same.

2) #2, the church is important toward one’s salvation, as well as Christ, because the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write that the church has Christ for its head! This is teaching that all the church thinks and does must come from its head, who is Christ.

3) #3, the church is important toward one’s salvation, as well as Christ, because the later part of Ephesians 1:23 teaches that the church has the responsibility of doing what Christ wants done to represent Him since he is not here on earth.

a. This is the meaning of the phrase, “the (referring to the church, is the) fullness of him [Christ] that fills all in all.”

b. In other words while Christ is in heaven the church is commanded to fully and completely do what Christ would do if He were here on earth.

5. There are many more passages in the New Testament that teach that the spiritual body of Christ is the church and that the church is important toward one’s salvation, but these passages should be adequate for now.

1. Colossians 1:25 says, “of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God.”

1) The word “stewardship” is translated “dispensation” in the OKJV.

2) Both of these words, in the context, refer to Paul’s responsibility as a minster to correctly and faithfully preach God’s word to the Gentiles.

2. Turn to Acts 26:15-18. Acts 26:15-18 contain instructions the Lord gave Paul about the Lord’s plans for Paul to teach and preach to the Gentile world. Acts 26:15-18 says, “15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'”

3. Turn back to Colossians 1:26&27. Colossians 1:26&27 explains that Paul’s message had been a mystery, that is his message had not been explained through the previous years, but now Paul would put forth a diligent effort in explaining the mystery as a missionary.

1) Don’t misunderstand, Peter went to the Gentile Cornelius, first, but Paul speeded up the process after he became a missionary.

2) The mystery explained, was simply that the Gentiles now had opportunity to be saved and be God’s children.

3) Salvation was no longer just for the Jews only. Since Christ’s death on the cross salvation was for people of all nations, if they would but obey the gospel.

4) Colossians 1:26&27 says, “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.”

4. Look closely at the last phrase in verse 27, “which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

1) Christ within man is the only way to receive the hope of glory, which refers to converted man receiving heaven.

2) How does Christ get in man and how do we get in Christ, who is the hope of glory, which is the hope of heaven? We will answer that in a few moments.

5. Look now at Colossians 1:28. Colossians 1:28 teaches that Paul’s goal or aim was to preach, warn and teach every person possible the wise teaching of Christ and try hard to bring them to spiritual perfection or spiritual maturity. Colossians 1:28 says, “Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

1) The Greek word that is translated by the English word “perfect”, as it is used in the New Testament is not referring to a Christian being sinless.

2) The word “perfect” refers to one who is spiritually mature and endeavoring to live faithful as best as one possibly can, in their living the Christian life.

6. Like Paul, each New Testament Christian should try to live and be as spiritually mature as possible and also have as their goal and aim to warn and teach all other people to do the same.

7. Look now at Colossians 1:29. Colossians 1:29 teaches that Paul and all Christians should understand that as they labor and strive to help everyone else that they possibly can, that God and Christ will be working with them. Colossians 1:29 says, “To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.”

1) Labor means toiling to the point of weariness and exhaustion. Striving is an athletic term from which has derived the word agonizing.

2) Paul was intense in his work for the cause of Christ. His work did not end when he converted someone; he continued to help him or her grow unto Christian maturity. As Paul worked and labored Christ and God provided Paul strength.

3) Turn to Philippians 4:13. Philippians 4:13, like Colossians 1:29 teaches that as Paul labored and strove to help others that He did not do it by himself; Christ aided Paul. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

4) Turn to Ephesians 1:19&20. In Ephesians 1:19&20 Paul, likewise teaches that God mightily works in a Christian and provides power equal to what God provided when He raised Christ from the dead. Ephesians 1:19&20 says, “19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.”