Setting – Paul explains his purpose and responsibility of the gospel
Content – Paul was afflicted, but he accepted this affliction and accepted it as a continual part of Christ sufferings (v. 24 NASB), “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body” and he did this for the church (the church as a whole) “which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions”. Paul was put into this role ministry for the church by God (v. 25a NASB) “Of {this church} I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit” His purpose was to carry and share the gospel (v. 25b NASB), “that I might fully carry out the {preaching of} the word of God”. He also understood the mystery of God’s salvation, which was too include the Gentiles (v. 27 NASB), “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”
Paul’s mission was (v. 28 NASB), “proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ” which was his purpose (v. 29 NASB) “For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.”.
Application – What is your purpose? What do we want to accomplish in our life, our year or day? Is our life dedicated to giving honor to Christ in how we live? Do we ask God to help us fulfill His purpose in our life? We all have responsibilities in life, but do we make the effort to have Christ woven through these responsibilities? In our work, do we work as though Christ were with us throughout our day? In our school, do we live as if Christ was one of our friends that hung out with us? Do we drive our car as if Christ was in the passenger seat? Do we do life with Christ or does Christ show up only on Sundays?
If we understand the reality that we exist only because God willed it so, and understand that we are saved only because of Christ, then our life should reflect dedication to those that created and saved us.
Content – Paul was afflicted, but he accepted this affliction and accepted it as a continual part of Christ sufferings (v. 24 NASB), “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body” and he did this for the church (the church as a whole) “which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions”. Paul was put into this role ministry for the church by God (v. 25a NASB) “Of {this church} I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit” His purpose was to carry and share the gospel (v. 25b NASB), “that I might fully carry out the {preaching of} the word of God”. He also understood the mystery of God’s salvation, which was too include the Gentiles (v. 27 NASB), “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”
Paul’s mission was (v. 28 NASB), “proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ” which was his purpose (v. 29 NASB) “For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.”.
Application – What is your purpose? What do we want to accomplish in our life, our year or day? Is our life dedicated to giving honor to Christ in how we live? Do we ask God to help us fulfill His purpose in our life? We all have responsibilities in life, but do we make the effort to have Christ woven through these responsibilities? In our work, do we work as though Christ were with us throughout our day? In our school, do we live as if Christ was one of our friends that hung out with us? Do we drive our car as if Christ was in the passenger seat? Do we do life with Christ or does Christ show up only on Sundays?
If we understand the reality that we exist only because God willed it so, and understand that we are saved only because of Christ, then our life should reflect dedication to those that created and saved us.
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