Colossians 1:24, “suffering for the Kingdom” [Listen]

Is it possible that Jesus’ sufferings are not enough? Is our deep commitment essential?

We all have a priority of commitment, don’t we? What we pursue in life is really important. If money is my number one priority, everything else is seen through a green lens with dollar bills on it – and there will be consequences of that. If my self-worth and priority is found in work, everything else will fall in line behind that – and there will be consequences. If my family is before God rather than God being the one to drive the way I engage my family – there will be consequences. If someone considers their health to be of no value, do you think at some point their health will suffer for it? If someone considers their family to be of no value, do you think at some point there will be consequences for that?

Today I’d like to talk about our priorities as it relates to God’s vision…

Colossians 1:24 (NIV)
Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you (Jesus’ suffering), and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.

This is absolutely amazing. Does this say that the afflictions of Jesus are not enough? Can that be?

There is a profound reality in God’s plan for those he rescues. We are to become Jesus to those who need the gospel.rescued in order that we may be salt and light.

We should be moving toward the image of Jesus in our lives/character

Romans 8:28-29 (NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Galatians 4:19 (NIV)
My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you…

John 1:12-13 (NIV)
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. NEW DNA

God’s plan in those who follow Jesus is that they become like Jesus – his complete victory over sin is becoming reality in our lives, his burden for the lost is becoming our burden, his purpose is our purpose. As we trust Jesus more fully we feel our grip loosen on the things of this world and we cling more tightly to Jesus himself because we see reality for what it is – relationship with God. – Q. Do you want to be like Jesus? It is sometimes easy to want salvation – it may be a different thing to want to be like Jesus.

As we become more like Jesus we embrace the work of Jesus – the mission. Lifting God high in this world so that many will see.

2 Corinthians 5:19-20 (NIV)
…God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us…

John 17:18 (NIV)
As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

So, when you have a group of sanctified (set aside) people who are longing to be like Jesus and do the work of Jesus what do you get – deep commitment.

So now, is the suffering of Jesus for us enough (Col 1:24)? The suffering of Jesus is absolutely enough to completely save those who embrace him as their Savior.

Hebrews 10:10-12 (NIV)
And by [Jesus'] will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.

However, when Scripture says that we are to be like him – it is truer than we might know. We are called to live lives that are deeply connected to God’s purpose – For God, for each other, and for those around us. This is how Paul put it:

Philippians 3:7-11 (NIV)
But whatever was to my profit [selfishly] I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider (count) everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost (not just “considered” loss) all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know (gr. know by experience) Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Paul wants to look at life from the cross – like Jesus did.

Paul is also open about instructing others to follow his priorities.

Philippians 3:17 (NIV)
Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.

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Matthew 16:25-26 (NIV)
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Philippians 2:4-7 (NIV)
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

The need for us to embrace God’s vision for our lives is critically important – and it is a daunting task. How can “I” do this? God has designed the local fellowship to be primary support for the gospel. It is in the local body that our gifts are exercised so we can worship God uniquely, support each other lovingly, and show those around us how Jesus “looks” in community. In the local fellowship we can show God more clearly, pray for each other openly, and invite others to examine God’s forgiveness.

You are designed to be a VERY important piece in God’s work here – and you don’t have to do it alone…