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Home > Resources > Sermons > Colossians

What thoughts come to mind when you use the term Christian Ministry? Perhaps you immediately think of social ministries involving food programs, indigent care or health care. Or maybe you think of what is called a holistic ministry, that of developing the total person, with emphasis on the physical and emotional aspects of life. This becomes a springboard for recreational groups, self-help groups, substance abuse groups, entertainment-oriented groups, and more. No one would argue the importance of these areas in the broad spectrum of life.   

 

However, are any of these things the heart-and-soul of Christian ministry? It is true that you can do all of these other things without being a Christian. Civic and social organizations have engaged effectively in these areas without broaching the spiritual needs of people. It is not that these things are not legitimate needs nor even that they have no part in the church. Rather, the problem comes when the church focuses upon all sorts of physical, emotional, and social activities to the neglect of its heart-and-soul work. Nothing is to become a substitute for the heart of Christian ministry: proclaiming Christ and bringing believers into complete maturity.

 

There is much substitution in our day for the heart of Christian ministry. For example, one church advertised its Sunday evening "fall fellowship seminar" subjects: CPR, oil painting, prayer, cooking, home repair, teenagers and peer pressure, and devotional classics. That is quite a mixture, is it not!

 

The whole philosophy of Christian ministry among many runs away from what is taught in our text, looking more like ministry as a business proposition. For example, a pastor who is considered one of the top leaders in the country expressed the nature of his approach to ministry like this. "We seek to provide a corporate not a religious appearance. Nothing should be expected in the service. It should be a total surprise. There should be an expected buzz like before a football game or a rock concert. We seek to get to the emotions as the emotions are the window of the soul." These examples could be multiplied a thousand times over.

 

I do not want to be overly simplistic, but I do believe we can find the real heart of Christian ministry stated precisely in the two verses of our text. The current trend to look everywhere but Scripture for the direction of the church is spiraling out of control. We have sociologists, corporate executives, and marketing strategists telling the church what it is to be doing and how to do it. Instead, we must look to the eternal Word of God to shape our thinking and action in ministry.   

 

What is the heart of Christian ministry? Let us consider how our text opens to us the essence of Christian ministry.

 

I. The Focus of Christian Ministry

 

There are a lot of things which churches do. All of these are not necessarily bad nor evil. The problem comes when all of these things outside of the focus of Christian ministry begins to drive the church. Decisions affecting the church's direction are made on the basis of the level of recreational activity or social events, instead of the proclamation of Jesus Christ.

 

Maybe the atmosphere in first century Colossae was not a whole lot different than what we are seeing in our day. These believers faced distractions and substitutions in place of Christ. So Paul explains that when everything is said and done, here is the focus of Christian ministry: "We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ."

 

1. The proclamation

 

First he describes the content of his entire ministry. The Greek text is quite emphatic, "Him we proclaim!" The Him of this text is the person whom Paul had just unfolded before them, Jesus Christ the Lord. His statement comes on the heels of one of the grandest sections of Scripture in helping us understand Jesus Christ. After explaining Christ as the Creator and the Redeemer, Paul states, "Him we proclaim!" If you asked the Apostle what he wanted to be known for in ministry, it would not be that he logged more miles than the rest of the apostles. Nor would it be that he was the man who wrote more books than any of his contemporaries. He wanted to be known as a man who proclaimed Jesus Christ.

 

To the Corinthians he made the same assertion. "For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake" (II Cor. 4:5). To the Philippians, though imprisoned in Rome, Paul could write that his great delight and joy even in light of those who were less than noble in their efforts, "Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice" (Phil. 1:18). For Paul, Jesus Christ the Lord was the proclamation. He was not interested in embracing the latest fads sweeping through theological circles to plug into his preaching. He was never into the self-help strategies popular in our day. He did not seek to substitute psychology for sound theology concerning Christ. "Him we proclaim!"

 

The word which describes "proclaim" refers to an official proclamation. It was the sort of term used of someone speaking on behalf of the emperor. It meant that official business was being spoken. For Paul and the early church, they were passionate in proclaiming Jesus Christ, for they understood that they were "ambassadors for Christ's sake" before the world (II Cor. 5:19-20).    

 

The responsibility of the one delivering the proclamation was to accurately and clearly declare what the emperor had spoken. Indeed, that is precisely what we are called to do as well. To say that we proclaim Christ demands some explanation. For a Mormon might say the same thing but we know that he does not proclaim Christ according to the revelation of Scripture. Our proclamation is not simply about Christ, but "we proclaim Him." What does this entail?

 

When we proclaim the revelation of God's Word concerning Christ, then we are actually extending the Person of Christ into a given situation. "We proclaim Him." Our proclamation sets Jesus Christ forth to others. All they might know of him is found in the words of our proclamation. So our words must find their basis in the Word of God.

 

Let me offer a very quick summary of our proclamation of Christ. First, we are seeking to explain who Christ is. To do so then we must talk about his eternality, that he is a member of the Godhead. We must speak of him as Creator. We must give attention to the glories of his Incarnation, that blessed time when "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). We must speak of his perfect life, his existence in two natures yet never a confusion of them in his one person. We must acknowledge that he is the sovereign Lord, who sustains the universe, and who came to earth to be the Redeemer of sinful men.   

This brings us to the second prong of our proclamation, what Christ has done. Why would God become a man and live on earth? The answer is our message. This is where we focus our thoughts upon Christ fulfilling all righteousness on behalf of the redeemed. We are to speak of his holy office as Priest, in which he mediated the way to God for us through his own flesh. To speak of Christ is to speak of his bloody death on the cross as a propitiation, satisfying God's righteous demands toward sinners, bearing the judgment of God on our behalf. He actually died and was actually buried. But he was raised by the glory of the Father, so that we too might walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4-5). He was seen by over 500 witnesses, then he ascended to the right hand of the Father as our conquering King, a position which he maintains as he intercedes for us. And our exalted Lord will one day return to culminate the work of creation and redemption and establish judgment.

How are we to do this?

 

2. The approach of proclamation

 

If the church is to be known for proclaiming Christ, then how do we present him to others? Paul explains that his proclamation involved, "admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom." The manner of the proclamation was "with all wisdom." This implies that the message declared was not encumbered by the philosophies of the day. Paul's interest was not to fit into the scheme of what the world was doing and somehow squeak a little bit of truth about Jesus into it. He utilized the wisdom given by God to be able to explain "the mystery which ha[d] been hidden from past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints" (1:26).

 

The two terms used for the proclamation offer the need for balance in our ministry of proclaiming Christ.

 

First he speaks of "admonishing every man." Admonition [Gr. nouthetountes] is a strong word that refers to setting the mind of someone into proper order. It involves correction through instruction and warning. The word literally means 'to place on the mind' so that we think of setting forth the grand truths of God's Word in such a way that a person must give thought to them. Admonishing someone means that you are confronting them with truth which calls them into accountability. You are warning of the consequences of turning away from truth. While the antagonists of Colossae used innuendoes and mystery language to dupe people into following, Paul was saying, 'We don't do that; we set the truth forth plainly and apply it to the minds of those who hear'. Admonition aims for the mind as the doorway to the soul.

 

"Admonishing" does not beat around the bush! Whether it is done from the pulpit, in the classroom, or in a one-on-one situation, truth is laid on the mind. It may be the matter of man's sinfulness which is at issue. When you admonish you do not hesitate to clarify the nature and consequence of sin. Or maybe it is personal salvation being discussed. The believer is to make it perfectly clear that the only way to God is through the way of the cross in Jesus Christ.

 

Admonishing others is not popular in our day because it does confront and it is dogmatic. Make no mistake, this is not an excuse to be ugly to someone in the name of admonishing them! But do admonish in the spirit of Christ. This is far from what was advertised by a church who sent a flyer to the "resident" at my address. The flyer told me, "Join us for the new series called "How to Succeed at the Speed of Life." This series will inspire and motivate you, but most of all, it will give you the tools you need to speed through your human race at a smart pace." My brethren, I do not believe that is what the church of Jesus Christ is to be about! We are to proclaim Jesus Christ, doing so through laying truth to the mind of those who listen.

 

The second term used is that familiar word teaching: "teaching every man." Teaching refers to the ongoing, systematic instruction in the doctrines of the Christian faith. The word is used throughout the New Testament referring to the teaching or instruction of our Lord and his apostles. The ultimate phase of the Great Commission involves "teaching them [disciples] to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:19-20). Teaching gets down to where we are in life and sets forth the truth of God's Word in its context historically, culturally, grammatically, and doctrinally. There must be a systematic nature about teaching, for it is to cover all the areas covered by the Word of God.

 

Several years ago, someone had been attending our church but abruptly stopped. I telephoned them and in all honesty, the husband said this to explain why they were going to attend another church, "It seems that the emphasis at South Woods is on teaching and spiritual things. That's not what we are looking for." He could not have given us a grander encouragement! When it all boils down, what do we want to be known for in the community? I hope your passion is that we might be known for proclaiming Jesus Christ. Richard Lucas stated this clearly. People cannot know Christ better without knowing the Scriptures better. It is only through an expository ministry that the Word of God can be fully known: and it is only through the Word of God that Christ can be fully known. There is no short cut here for busy (?lazy) pastors or impatient (?undisciplined) believers. Such Bible teaching and Bible study is the crying need of the church today [BST, 70].

 

II. The Goal of Christian Ministry

 

What is the goal of proclaiming Jesus Christ in and through the ministry of the church? The purpose clause of this verse (28) explains, "so that we may present every man complete in Christ."

 

1. In the broad sweep

 

By now you have noticed a repetition of "every man" three times in this small verse. This strikes at the center of the false teachers who were seeking to deceive the Colossians. For they were aiming at one person here and another there, explaining that they had secret mysteries which could only be understood by the select few who were initiated into their circle.    

 

There was no elitism among Christians in Paul's thinking. The church was not to develop into a hierarchy with the few being in the know while all the others were treated as outsiders. The truth of Jesus Christ was to be proclaimed to all, so that all might grow into spiritually mature believers.

 

What a great encouragement we have in this statement! For it declares to us that there is no such thing as "second-class citizens" in the kingdom of God. While we may differ in gift, function, and even in God-given office in the church, when it comes to our status with Christ there is equality. All can and must grow into spiritual maturity.

 

2. In the narrow aim

 

It was as though Paul had some event in mind when he spoke so passionately of proclaiming Christ to the church through admonition and teaching: "so that we may present every man complete in Christ." It could have been that Paul had in mind the day of his own home-going to heaven, when he would stand before the Lord to give an account for his own calling and work. Or it could have been he had in mind the present reality of the Lord of the Church, watching, shepherding, interceding for the saints, with anticipation they would grow into mature believers. In all likelihood, the focus of Paul's proclamation was the great day that is still ahead, when we shall all be gathered around the throne in the eternal presence of our blessed Redeemer. Though there may be some truth in all three of these areas, it is in that day the apostle wants to be able to present to Christ the disciples for whom he labored in the ministry of the gospel.

 

What did he mean by "complete in Christ"? Does this imply some lack on the part of the work of Christ in our lives, so that we are completing what he did not finish? Absolutely not! Instead, it points to the ongoing work of sanctification in the believer. What starts at the moment we are regenerated is to continue until we stand before the throne of God. "Complete" means "full grown" or becoming "the whole man...who lives in the power of the cross and resurrection of Jesus" [TDNT, vol. VIII, 76ff].

 

Let us consider what this implies in light of genuine conversions. The Christian life is meant to be lived to its fullest. Every part of daily life is to find its grandest meaning in relationship to Jesus Christ. What we do as a student, as an employee, as a boss, as a marriage partner, as a parent, as a child, as a member of the community is to be done with the knowledge that we belong to Jesus Christ; we long to glorify him in all we do; we desire to live unto him.

 

There is plenty of room for the believer to grow. The word Paul used for "complete" or "mature" is also translated as 'perfect' in many places. The implication in our text though carries the idea of spiritual maturity. Its antonym is immaturity (Gr. napios). Do you mature automatically in life? Many of you know adults who have never grown up! Maturity did not come to them by osmosis. They have neglected the process and remain immature.

 

Christians are to delight in the process of growth. It does include struggles, failures, trials, tests, temptations. But it also includes obedience, joy, fellowship, knowledge, and study. As we discover more of what it means to know Christ, we grow as Christians. Notice again what Paul said in terms of bringing believers into spiritual maturity: "we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom." At the heart of our growth is the proclamation of God's Word through a variety of methods. We need the regular admonition in the Scriptures in which the truths of God's Word are laid upon our minds so that we have to wrestle with them, think upon them, and finally embrace them as our own. We need the regular teaching of God's Word to help us think through on the details, promises, instructions, warnings, and riches found in the Word. You will not mature without both admonition and teaching.

 

Growth unto spiritual maturity is the norm for the Christian. We are told that "He who began a good work in you will complete it [same root word as our text] until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6). The Lord who saved us works to mature us, ultimately bringing us into his presence. Spiritual maturity is preparation for heaven. Do not think that growth in grace and the work of maturity is some kind of spiritual busy-work in this life! It is the foreshadowing of what is ahead, when we shall truly be complete in Christ in every way!

 

Are you a believer? Then grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Avail yourself of the means God has given you to grow into spiritual maturity. Do not flop into an easy chair of spiritual inactivity. Press on into maturity!

 

III. The Means of Christian Ministry

 

Have you ever thought about the incredible weight Paul had about him with the care of the churches? When he outlined the trials he faced as a minister of the gospel, he added, "Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches" (II Cor. 11:28). The church in Galatia, infected with heretics. The church in Ephesus, surrounded by the immoral Diana cult. The church in Philippi, under persecution. The church in Corinth, swallowed up by internal trouble. The church at Thessalonica, confused by false teaching on the end times. The church at Colossae, troubled by antagonists. How did he do it? How did he go on day after day with no letting up on the pressure? The last verse of this chapter tells us how Paul was able to do the work of ministry, and indeed, how you and I are to follow his example in the work of ministry.

 

1. Physical exertion

 

The Greek text places an emphasis upon "this purpose." It was the work of proclamation in order to bring disciples into spiritual completeness that he identifies as "this purpose." What did he do? "For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power." One word describes what he did, the other how he did it. What did he do? "I labor." How did he labor? "Striving according to His power."

 

If you were talking about the hard work you did in a literature class, you might say, "I made copious notes of everything the teacher said in class." The word copious means something that is plentiful or abundant. The Greek word Paul uses to describe labor is the root of this word meaning plentiful. We might say that Paul was stating, 'For this purpose I labor plentifully'. It implies that you work to the point of exhaustion. It is multiplied labors, laboring even when weary and still doing more.

 

Some of you understand this term quite well as you have faced days in your occupation in which you have worked to the point of exhaustion. Paul says that he did this in spiritual matters, proclaiming Christ, laboring to bring believers into spiritual maturity.    

 

To help us understand it, he uses another expressive word. You are familiar with the word agony. The Greek word used for "striving" is the root for agony. We might say that the kind of work Paul did in such an abundant
but exhausting way was done agonizingly. It means that you continually exert effort, you make a full expenditure of your energies. In other words, you gave it all you had physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Christian ministry involves exhausting physical work. If you have worked hard in ministry and have been tired out, you are in the company of the Apostle Paul. But that is only half of it.

 

2. Spiritual energy

 

Yes, Christian ministry involves physical work. Laziness and ministry do not belong in the same paragraph! But though the believer is exerting all of his physical and emotional energies in the work, there is the power of Christ at work by the Spirit to enable you all the way. It seems that the way to divine power is not through laziness, but through engaging in the work God has given you. "For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me." There is a play on words in the Greek text. We might translate it like this to convey it, "striving according to His energy which powerfully energizes within me."

 

Paul had just explained the heart of this by stating, "Christ in you, the hope of glory." The living Christ indwelling you as a believer works powerfully in you, providing you energy for the work as you labor intensely. There is no hidden formula or secret mantra for this power. Faithfully labor in the work of ministry, depending upon Christ for whom you labor, and know the energy of his power at work in you.

 

Allow me to be personal for a moment. I cannot tell you how many times in Christian ministry I have looked at some task that demanded my labor and I've thought, I just cannot do it. Sometimes it is preparing a sermon. Sometimes it is counseling with someone in need. Sometimes it is explaining the gospel to a stubborn soul. Sometimes it is dealing with trouble and division. But in all those situations, I have found that as I apply myself to the work, looking to Christ, there is the energy to do the work.   

 

We are not called to a work for which Christ has abandoned us. With Christian ministry comes the power of Christ to accomplish what he has set before you.

 

Conclusion

 

Here is our challenge as a church. It is three-fold:

 

1. Proclaim Jesus Christ in his person and work, clearly and passionately.

2. Proclaim Christ with the aim of bringing disciples into complete maturity.

3. Work diligently, giving it all you have, with the conscious dependence upon our Lord to grant you the energy and power you need to do all he has set before you.

 

May we be this kind of church by His grace and for His glory!

3175 Germantown Rd. S. | Memphis, Tennessee | 38119 | (901)758-1213