We've Laid The Foundation- Now What?

24 "I 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 body, which is the church, 25 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, 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. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily." Colossians 1:24-29

Verses 24, 25 & 26 are all one sentence and are full of truth (and tough to soak in all at once). So here we go- let's first unpack what Paul is talking in his long winded sentence. I find it wonderfully helpful to read Scripture out loud, especially for Paul's writings. Hearing the word spoken out loud and following along with the commas, semi colons and interjections, helps me to better follow the subjects of long sentences. So, if you are in a place you feel comfortable reading out loud, I encourage you to go back and read those verses to yourself.

  "I now rejoice in my sufferings for you,..." 

Paul is saying he can, and does, find joy in the in the middle of the sufferings he's enduring as he preaches the Gospel so that the Colossians (and by extension-us) are able to receive it.

"...and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ,..."

Paul is doing his part in spreading the Gospel, so that the afflictions Christ endured on the cross, are made known to as many people as Paul can reach. Jesus Christ came and died for all of God's children but not every Child of God has heard the Good News.

"...for the sake of His body, which is the church,..."

 Paul continues to teach and preach, so all those God has called to Himself can hear that call. He teaches and preaches the Good News so that the church (not a building, but a body of believers) can and continue to grow.

"of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you..."

God gave Paul the Good News of the Gospel and charged him to guard and carry the word of God to the Gentiles.

"...to fulfill the the word of God,..."

The spreading of the Gospel to the Gentiles (and all nations) is God's will.

"...the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations,..."

The mystery that was hidden, was Who the Messiah is,  the One Who would make that final and all sufficient sacrifice to cleanse the sins of God's people. 

"...but now has been revealed to His saints."

Praise God it's a mystery no longer! The mystery has been revealed. Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, is who the Jewish people here looking for; the Messiah. He is the high priest who gave the final sacrifice and was the sacrifice Himself!

Boiled down to its base subject, in these verses Paul proclaims that he finds joy in the bringing of the Good News to the Gentiles despite the suffering he endures.
 In order to keep this post short (relatively speaking), we will stop there this week and pick back up with the rest of the passage next week. But I'd like to leave you with these thoughts based on what we have looked at- Suffering will come as we speak the Good News. There is joy to be found in spreading the Gospel. Its God's plan for all to hear the Good News. If we believe Jesus Christ is who He says He is, then we like Paul, are commanded to take the Good News to those that have not yet heard or believed.

Father, give us the courage to follow after You, to look for ways we might make the Good News known around us. When we face push back or flat out persecution because we bring the Truth of  your Word, give us the strength to rejoice in the knowledge that we are doing as You commanded and that Your love is all that truly matters.  You are sufficient for me in my sufferings and in my times of ease.  Thank You Father for counting me one of Your children; give me the opportunity and words to say when it comes. In Jesus' Name; amen.