PAUL'S MINISTRY
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Paul's Ministry
Colossians 1:23-29
23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. 25 Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, 27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. 29 For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.
a) Paul twice says, "I was made a minister" (Colossians 1:23, 25). We can better understand the true nature of the ministry by listening to what Paul says about his own ministry.
i) Paul’s Apostleship
@1. Paul calls himself "an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God". The word apostle means "one sent" and we have already examined the mission which Jesus gave his disciples. The mission and message of an apostle was the same mission and message given to every disciple. The choosing of the apostles for the ministry was special to be sure, and they were the vanguard of Christ's ministers. Their ministry, however, was the same ministry as any Christian’s, namely to proclaim the gospel, the word of Christ.
ii) Paul’s Struggle
@1. Paul's ministry was not characterized by luxury, but by hardship and struggle. He wore no fine robes, nor did he officiate in grand cathedrals. He speaks of his "sufferings for your sake" and "how great a struggle I have on your behalf" (Colossians 1:24, Colossians 2:1). He was dedicated in a sacrificial service to others. "Struggle" was the nature of Paul's ministry, and while his experiences may have been extreme, a true ministry will be characterized by service in suffering and struggle.
iii) Paul’s Joy
@1. Although Paul’s ministry caused him much suffering, he was not miserable in the ministry but joyous in it. His labor gave him much satisfaction and personal fulfillment. Paul makes this personal comment to the Colossians. "Even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ" (Colossians 2:5, cf Colossians 1:3-4). Paul could see that his struggle was achieving and contributing to something of great value. That's the way the true minister feels about his ministry. It hurts, but he doesn’t want to stop.
The End ...
1. Paul's MinistryColossians 1:23-29
23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. 25 Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, 27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. 29 For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.
a) Paul twice says, "I was made a minister" (Colossians 1:23, 25). We can better understand the true nature of the ministry by listening to what Paul says about his own ministry.
i) Paul’s Apostleship
@1. Paul calls himself "an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God". The word apostle means "one sent" and we have already examined the mission which Jesus gave his disciples. The mission and message of an apostle was the same mission and message given to every disciple. The choosing of the apostles for the ministry was special to be sure, and they were the vanguard of Christ's ministers. Their ministry, however, was the same ministry as any Christian’s, namely to proclaim the gospel, the word of Christ.
ii) Paul’s Struggle
@1. Paul's ministry was not characterized by luxury, but by hardship and struggle. He wore no fine robes, nor did he officiate in grand cathedrals. He speaks of his "sufferings for your sake" and "how great a struggle I have on your behalf" (Colossians 1:24, Colossians 2:1). He was dedicated in a sacrificial service to others. "Struggle" was the nature of Paul's ministry, and while his experiences may have been extreme, a true ministry will be characterized by service in suffering and struggle.
iii) Paul’s Joy
@1. Although Paul’s ministry caused him much suffering, he was not miserable in the ministry but joyous in it. His labor gave him much satisfaction and personal fulfillment. Paul makes this personal comment to the Colossians. "Even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ" (Colossians 2:5, cf Colossians 1:3-4). Paul could see that his struggle was achieving and contributing to something of great value. That's the way the true minister feels about his ministry. It hurts, but he doesn’t want to stop.
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