Proclaiming Christ Colossians 1:24-29 (Emphasis on 28-29) June 29, 2014 A. Introduction! Christ is preeminent in: 1. Colossians 1:15-18 2. Colossians 1:19-23 3. Colossians 1:24-29! What form did proclaiming Christ (or preaching Christ) take in the ministry of the apostle Paul? 1:28 Admonishing (warning) and teaching A. Admonishing! What is the usual modern day meaning of the word admonish? To scold, reproach, rebuke or reprimand someone! How do we know that Paul had a different approach to admonishing when proclaiming Christ? II Cor. 2:4, 5:20; I Thess. 2:7-8,11! What ingredient is of major importance in New Testament admonishing? Colossians 3:16 B. Teaching! What kind of spirit characterized Paul s teaching? II Timothy 2:24-26! What should be the extent of the proclamation and teaching about Christ? 1:28, Matthew 28:19-20! What is the goal of proclaiming Christ, admonishing and teaching about Him? 1:28! What does it mean to be mature in Christ Jesus? 1:22 It means to be holy (cleansed from sin), blameless (without any fault), and beyond reproach (free from accusation).! When will the believer be presented perfect in Christ? 1:28, Eph. 4:12-13, Phil. 3:14, Col. 3:10 On the great day of Christ s return. Until then we press on toward the goal of conformity to Christ. C. Laboring! What did Paul always seek to maintain that would energize his laboring? 1:29; Eph. 1:19,3:7,20! What other ingredient was necessary for Paul to accomplish Kingdom work? 1:29, Phil. 2:13, Lk, 13:24! God s preservation of the saints always presupposes perseverance on the part of the saints. See Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:6,14; Galatians 6:9; Romans 2:7-8. John 8:30-32, James 1:12! How much good can be accomplished by all the laboring and striving of ministers? 1:29, John 6:69
Proclaiming Christ June 29, 2014
A. Introduction B. Admonishing C. Teaching D. Laboring
A. Introduction
Christ is Preeminent in: Creation - Colossians 1:15-18 Redemption - Colossians 1:19-23 The Church - Colossians 1:24-29
The proclamation of the Gospel is all about Christ.
Colossians 1:26-28 -... His saints, 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. And we proclaim Him...
Rule 1. The principal part of proclamation must be Christ.
Acts 15:36 - And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are."
B. Admonishing
Colossians 1:28 - And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom...
II Corinthians 10:5 - We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
II Corinthians 2:4 - For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not that you should be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.
I Thessalonians 2:7-8, 10-11 - But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having thus a fond affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children.
Colossians 3:16-17 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
C. Teaching
Matthew 28:19-20 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Rule 2. The process of proclamation must reflect Christ.
II Timothy 2:24-26 - And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
II Peter 3:15-16 - Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
Colossians 2:2-3 -... Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Both Paul s admonishing and his teaching are linked to the person and work of Christ.
Reference Paul s Admonition Connection to Christ Rom 15:2-3 Rom 15:7 II Cor 8:7-9 Please your neighbor Extend a hearty welcome to each other (Receive one another) Abound in the grace of giving to the needy For even Christ pleased not Himself just as Christ also welcomed (received) you. for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that through His poverty you might become rich.
Reference Paul s Admonition Connection to Christ Eph 5:2 Phil 2:3-8 Col 3:13 Walk in love Be humble and unselfish Forgive just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us. which (attitude) is also in Christ Jesus, who... emptied Himself... took on the form of a servant... humbled Himself and became obedient even to death; yes, death on a cross. just as Christ has forgiven you.
Rule 3. The plan for proclamation includes everyone.
Colossians 1:28 - Christ we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man...
II Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
I Peter 1:1 - Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,
II Peter 1:1 - Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
John 6:39 - And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of all that He has given me, but raise them up at the last day.
Rule 4. The final product of proclaiming is completeness in Christ.
Ephesians 4:12-13 - to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Colossians 1:22 - yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach
Ephesians 4:14-15 - Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
I John 3:2 -... We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him...
D. Laboring
Rule 5. The power driving the proclaimer must be Christ.
John 6:63 - It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.
Colossians 1:29 - And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power,
Review of the Rules for Proclaiming Christ 1. The principal part of proclamation must be Christ. 1:28 2. The plan for proclamation includes everyone. 1:28 3. The process of proclamation must reflect Christ. II Timothy 2:24-26 4. The final product of proclamation is completeness in Christ. 1:28 5. The power driving the proclaimer must be Christ. 1:29
B. Admonishing Gently C. Teaching Practically D. Laboring Energetically
Luke 13:23-29 -... And He [Christ] said to them, Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open for us,' and He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know you, where you are from,' then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.' But He will say, 'I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.' There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves cast out.