27.09.09 - How To Build A Church

Colossians is a letter written by the missionary Paul to the church in the town of Colossae. This church appears to have been planted by Epaphras, a convert of Paul’s during Paul’s ministry in Ephesus. Paul himself had never been there. It was part of a rapid expansion of the gospel at that time. There were many new Christians and many new churches. Acts 19 says that for two years Paul held public discussions, training the converts in Ephesus and as a result they went out as missionaries and “all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.” In 1:6 of Colossians Paul says “the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world – just as it has been doing among you...”

Paul is excited about this rapid expansion. He is excited about the Colossians’ faith – and that mark of faith, their love for others. But he also has a concern. They are in danger of being deceived by false teachers. They are in danger of being pulled off course by false ideas. We will, God willing, look at that more next week. In today’s passage, Paul talks about his focus; his goal.

Throughout this letter Paul emphasises the centrality, the supremacy and the sufficiency of Jesus Christ. It is probable that the false teachers who were causing Paul so much concern, were saying that there was an extra secret, known only to a few, that would give people a fuller spiritual experience. Paul is emphatic that all you need is Jesus. Look for that focus on Jesus as we read this portion. READ Col 1:24-2:5.

1:24 – Christ suffers for the sake of the church, although Paul says that there is a lack, an inadequacy, in Christ’s afflictions and Paul’s affliction were making up what was lacking in Christ. Surely that cannot be right. Is Jesus not sufficient? Is there something lacking? Can Paul do what Jesus couldn’t?

Given Paul’s teaching in this letter that all you need is Jesus; that Jesus is sufficient; we can’t possibly believe that He is saying that Jesus’ hasn’t done enough. I think what he is saying is that Christ’s suffering is completely sufficient. We are saved completely and sustained now and have a confidence of eternity all because of Jesus. He is sufficient. However, the history of the church will be a story of suffering. Before he had been converted, Paul had inflicted that suffering. Now Paul was experiencing that suffering. The full quota of suffering for the sake of the church is not yet complete but Paul was playing his part in what would be required. So might you and I.

But let’s carry on just looking at the number of references to Jesus in these verses.

1:27 - God has revealed a mystery. That mystery is Christ. More than that; the mystery is Christ in you. If these false teachers are offering a fuller spiritual experience, Paul says that what God offers is Jesus in us. What greater experience could there be than that? Not only that, Christ in us is also the hope of glory – the guarantee of heaven.

1:28 – We proclaim Him. Paul’s message is Jesus – nothing more; nothing less – Jesus.

At the end of that same verse, he wants people to be mature in Christ.

1:29 – Paul says, “I contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” Paul was a man of amazing energy but he says that energy was the power of Christ. Jesus is the One who makes ministry possible. It is not us; it is Him.

2:2 – Here we have Paul’s personal goal. His goal was to encourage Christians in heart and unite them in love so that they might have the full riches of complete understanding. Notice again that others might be promising something more but Paul says this is the complete deal. His goal is that Christians might have that understanding so that they might know Christ. The goal is to know Christ.

We sometimes talk about people coming to know Christ when they are converted. And that is not wrong but notice here that Paul is talking about Christians coming to a maturity so that they know Christ. Maybe we could say that when we are converted we meet Christ but we don’t know Him. Knowing Him is what happens as we mature – as we gain greater understanding.

Even the great apostle Paul said, in
Philippians 3:10 I want to know Christ – yes, and to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings...

 2:3 - Notice also that Paul says that in Christ are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Nothing is lacking. You cannot add to Jesus. There is no secret additional knowledge. All knowledge and wisdom are in Him.

2:5 – Paul rejoices in the Colossians’ discipline and firm faith in Jesus.

Christ is God’s message which Paul proclaims. Christ dwells in all Christians. Christ empowers Christians for their ministry. Christ is the hope of glory. Jesus Christ is central, supreme and sufficient. For Paul it is Christ, Christ, Christ and you cannot go beyond Christ. What he wants for Christians is that we grow to know Christ – really know Him.

Let’s just reflect a little more on Paul’s stated goal and focus.

Col 1:28-29 28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

 His focus is bringing Christians to maturity. Notice all of the words that talk about hard work. Paul talks about suffering for the Colossian church; about being a servant of the church; about proclaiming Christ, admonishing and teaching. He says “I strenuously contend with all the energy of Christ... I want you to know how hard I am contending for you.” What is the focus of all this effort? That he might present everyone fully mature in Christ. God wants to transform us to be like Jesus and we are called to be part of that process so that we can present everyone fully mature in Christ. That is the goal. Then in 2:2 he says that his goal is to build people up so that they might know Christ. And, in part, his reason for bringing them to maturity was so that they would not be deceived.

Paul knew exactly what he was trying to achieve and everything was focused on doing that. He wanted a mature church that knew Christ.

In 1:25 Paul says that he is a servant of the church by the commission God gave him. There was a calling on his life to present the word of God; to proclaim Jesus; to admonish and teach, so as to build the church. Paul was called by God to be a church builder. Is it just Paul, or just a few people? Or is it all of us?

All of us are called to be church builders.

Ephesians 4;11-13 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 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.

 As the people of God are equipped for service the church is built up. It is interesting too that Paul then says, “14 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 people in their deceitful scheming.” It is the same thought as in Colossians. With maturity we are less susceptible to false teaching.

Eph 4:15-16 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

The body is built up – the church is built up – as each part does its work. Each part. All of us. Or back in the book of Colossians itself at 3:16 Paul expects that the individual Colossian Christians will be engaged in this same ministry expressed in the same terms of presenting Christ, teaching and admonishing. Their ministry is to be the same as his.

Col 3:16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

 We are all called by God into this ministry of building up the church. How can we do that?

1. Know the call of God on your life.
God is calling you to be part of this, but we are all different and we all have different roles within this. What is God calling you to do? This letter is written to Christians and this section focuses on maturity. But later in the letter, Paul will also talk about evangelism. Both are part of building up the church. What has God called you to do? It is vitally important that we all know what is God’s calling on my life.

2. Make that your focus
Be as focused as Paul was. He knew what his goal was. All his effort was focused on one thing.

3. Work hard and be willing to suffer
That is clearly what Paul models – focus and hard work. But we are to be empowered by Jesus. Paul’s energy came from Jesus. He probably never felt like a superhero with surplus energy but, as he served, he had enough for each occasion. Jesus will enable us in just the same way. If we are willing to do the work, He will give us the energy. You might remember that part of Paul’s prayer for the church in chapter 1 (that we looked at last week) was that these Christians might be strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that they might have endurance and patience.

4. Proclaim Jesus
The secret is Jesus. But Jesus isn’t a secret for a select few. Jesus is to be proclaimed widely. Don’t have another message. The message is Jesus. Jesus is everything. Just proclaim Him. Tell people about Him. Tell people more about Him. Bring people to a knowledge of Jesus. Paul’s message was Jesus.

5. Admonish and teach
Paul said His commission was to present the word of God in its fullness. The scriptures are about Jesus. As we share them and teach them, we proclaim Jesus. We are to minister the word of God into each others’ lives – both positively and negatively. We tend to shy away from admonishing, but, for example, in this letter, Paul warns the Colossians because he wants them to stand firm. The negative message is intended to produce a positive outcome. Both admonition and teaching are required for growth.

6. Use your God-given spiritual gifts
It is not explicit in this passage although contending with all the energy of Christ hints at supernatural empowering. In Ephesians the building up of the church is more closely linked with spiritual gifts – apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors and teachers. 1 Corinthians 12:7 says that gifts of the Spirit are given “for the common good” – so that we can build each other up.

7. Encourage
Note 2:5. In the midst of warning and concern that the Colossians might be deceived by fine-sounding arguments, Paul says, “I delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.” He is a bit scared they might be vulnerable because they are young Christians but he still comments on their discipline and firm faith.

This passage shows us Paul’s heart. He tells us what is his single-minded focus. He strove to present everyone fully mature in Christ. That is worth focusing all our energy on. Don’t give your life to some smaller goal. It is about presenting everyone mature in Christ. God wants everyone saved. Find out what God’s call on your life is. Focus on that. Work hard. Proclaim Jesus. Admonish and teach. Use your spiritual gifts. Encourage. If you want to do that but you need help or you need to be part of a team, let us know. One way or another, we’ll find a way to make it happen.