STRIVING FOR WHAT?
BIBLE PASSAGE: COLOSSIANS 1:21-29
Picture taken from Google
Lesson Prepared by: Krisha of
Solomon’s Wisdom FB page
Lesson
ideas taken from: tony evan/sermons
JUNE 27, 2021
MEMORY VERSE
Whereunto I also labour, striving according to
his working, which worketh in me mightily.
COLOSSIANS 1:29
INTRODUCTION:
Let’s ask ourselves, why am I here? (wait for response if
possible) Survey said that Sunday School is one of the most neglected church
services. Most Christians don’t see its significance. That’s why I’m thankful
to the Lord for all who are here right now. Like I always say, I know the
struggles of coming here early but you know what, this ministry will test your
endurance. How far your strength will last. Sometimes, it’s a struggle because
you are not used to it. If you come here just to be seen, you won’t stay or
you’ll be inconsistent. If you come here for God, you’ll stay. For that, I want
to recognize our attendees in our first quarter (January – March). This is not
a reward; this is only for recognition (call one by one).
Paul’s goal which is mentioned in Colossians 1:24, “… and fill up that which is behind of the
afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:” In other words,
to continue what were the things needed for the church whom Christ had started.
Let’s look at the line of this verse, “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you.” His sufferings
for them made him rejoice and not mourning. He rejoiced for the continuance of
the ministry of the church.
Why was Paul doing all these things? In verse 28
says, “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching
every man in all wisdom; that we may present
every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” He preached, taught and warned every man with all
wisdom that he may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. When you say
“perfect” means “complete, mature or grown up.” Let’s take note of this, “He
strived in order for us to be perfect in Christ Jesus.”
PAUL WAS STRIVING FOR WHAT?
LESSON OUTLINE:
1. TO PREPARE US ON THAT SPECIAL DAY
(COLOSSIANS 1:28)
“Whom we
preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in
Christ Jesus:”
When our life is over, and the earth is gone. You
and I (We) will stand before the Lord complete in Christ. In verse 22 says, “In the body of his flesh through death, to
present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:” When it occurs? - Judgement Seat of Christ. When that
time comes, we’ll stand as spiritual failure or spiritual success. A victor or
a victim? It’s the job of the church to make sure you’ll get the trophy. That’s
why there are ministries available in the church for us to fit in. The church
is there to guide us fulfilling our goal. It’s good to be heard, “well done my
good and faithful servant,” right?
Paul’s job is to prepare the Christians on that day
complete, mature, or grown up; we’ll reach a mature age. Therefore, we’re not
saved to stay babies. Do you believe that our chronological age doesn’t mean
equal to your spiritual age? Yes! In Hebrews 5:11-14,
11Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing
ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that
one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and
are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of
righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those
who by reason of use have their senses
exercised to discern both good and evil.
Bible scholars studied that the Christians
mentioned by Paul here were 30 years of being Christians but still, they were “milk
Christians” which supposed to be “meat Christians.” Milk Christians can know
lot of stories in the Bible but to them, they are merely stories; there are no
impact to them. Meat Christians doesn’t mean they memorize many in the Bible,
but they practice what the Bible says – discerning good and evil. When problems come, milk Christians go to
their friends, social media or anyone. Meat Christians go to God in prayer and
discern what is the right thing to do based on God’s Word. Even milk Christians
can hear three times a week of sermon, twelve times in a month and 144 sermons
in a year, they don’t practice what the Bible says. Meat Christians make
themselves ready for the Word of God and open their understanding to what God
wants to say and command to be done.
1 Corinthians 9:25-26 say, “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all
things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore
so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
In tagalog:
Lahat ng manlalarong
nagsasanay ay nagpipigil sa sarili sa lahat ng bagay upang makamit ang putong
na panandalian lamang, ngunit ang putong na hinahangad natin ay panghabang
panahon. Kaya ako’y tumatakbo patungo sa isang tiyak na hangganan, at hindi ako
sumusuntok sa hangin.
Are
we serving aimlessly? Does our service show that we are preparing on that day?
2. CHRIST IS IN ME (COLOSSIANS 1:27)
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Let’s read verse 27. In this verse we’ve read the
word “mystery.” Mystery means not taught in Old Testament but clarifies,
explains or reveal in New Testament. “CHRIST
IS IN YOU,” the hope of glory. Christ did not only come to save us; he also
came to indwell us. Is that amazing
and very encouraging?
A pastor said, “If you’re satisfied that you’re
going to heaven one day, you will not stand before God complete.” That’s not
only the reason He came. He didn’t come
merely to take you to heaven; he also came to bring heaven to you - the HOPE OF
GLORY. In order to do that, He took up
residence in you/us. Let’s see this scenario this way. You’ll going to meet
SOMEBODY in the future who you also have with you in the present and HE’S IN YOU. I would like to quote a
pastor said, “Your change comes from the inside out not the outside in.” CHRIST
IN YOU! Jesus doesn’t want to just be in your life; he wants to be your life.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:16, “For which
cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is
renewed day by day.” This
Christ in me is providing freshness and newness as we get older.
In verse 28, Paul mentioned preaching, teaching and
warning every man WITH WISDOM. Where can you find these three categories, is it
in the church? That’s why CHURCH is really important. Church helps you mature
in Christ. The only way you’ll know you’re maturing is you’re changing. If
you’re not changing, you’re not maturing.
Why strive? Because Christ is in you. That’s what He
wants – to fulfill your spiritual goal on earth.
CONLUSION:
A
missionary couple returned after many years of faithful service in Africa. It
so happened there was a very important diplomat also on the same ship. When the
ship arrived, this couple stood back and watched as the band played and the
people had gathered and there was great applause, with a huge banner that read
WELCOME HOME! As the diplomat walked down the gangplank and was whisked off in
a lovely limousine, this dear fellow put his arm around his wife, and he walked
off with her. “Honey,” he said, “it just doesn’t seem right after all of these
years that we would have this kind of treatment and here this fellow gets
welcomed home that way.” She put her arms around her husband and said to him, “But, honey, we’re not home yet.”
When
you get discouraged and are tempted to wonder if it really pays to serve the
Lord, remind yourself that we get home (heaven), it will be worth it all.
Let
this song reminds us….
1. The service of
Jesus true pleasure affords,
In Him there is joy without an alloy;
’Tis Heaven to trust Him and rest on His words;
It pays to serve Jesus each day.
o Refrain:
It pays to serve Jesus, it pays every day,
It pays every step of the way,
Though the pathway to glory may sometimes be drear,
You’ll be happy each step of the way.
2. It pays to
serve Jesus whate’er may betide,
It pays to be true whate’er you may do;
’Tis riches of mercy in Him to abide;
It pays to serve Jesus each day.
3. Though
sometimes the shadows may hang o’er the way,
And sorrows may come to beckon us home,
Our precious Redeemer each toil will repay;
It pays to serve Jesus each day.
Alloy - to spoil something
or reduce it
in value:
