This Week’s Reading
Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, 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. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom,so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
—Colossians 1:24-29
I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea,and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
—Colossians 2:1-5
Listen to the podcast
Caleb Clardy, founding pastor at Trinity Grace Church, teaching from Colossians 1:24-29; 2:1-5 on the nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, the third in our "In Christ by the Spirit for the City" series, speaking at Middle School 51 on October 20, 2019.
Themes to Consider
Vision - Passion - Suffering
Paul is giving them some lenses through which they can see his story and their story.
Paul sees his suffering as connected to Christ’s suffering
The Mystery | Christ in You the Hope of Glory
What is the mystery? God’s grace and redemption available to the whole world
Full maturity in Christ
What does Paul mean by contending?
Goal: encouraged in heart, united in love, full riches of complete understanding, to know Christ
Discussion Questions
What is something that you think is worth suffering for? Why?
How can something be lacking in Christ’s affliction if Jesus said ”It is finished” while on the Cross?
What do you think full maturity in Christ means? What does it look like?
Can you think of something in your life that was a “fine sounding argument” but then proved to be empty or false?
This Week’s Practices
We are challenging ourselves to engage two practices throughout the series as a whole and they are listed under Daily Spiritual Practice and Love in Action. Below those, we will also provide a couple other weekly practices that correspond to each passage as we move through the letter.
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1 / DAILY SPIRITUAL PRACTICE — ONGOING
Spend daily time in the Gospels; be with Jesus.
There are many ways that you might select a Gospel reading for the day. You could just pick one of the four Gospels and start making your way through a bit at a time. Or you could use a resource like the Daily Office Lectionary which always has a selection from the Gospels as a part of its daily readings. The main thing is simply to find a passage that is a manageable length for the time you have set aside.
Before you read, offer a short prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide you. You might pray that you would like to spend this time with Jesus and ask that the person of Christ would be revealed to you during your time.
Slowly read the passage from the Gospel, asking the Holy Spirit to direct your attention to Jesus. What do you see Jesus doing? What do you hear Jesus saying? What is the situation and circumstance that Jesus is in? Does Jesus act according to your expectations or in a different way? What is challenging? What is encouraging? What is confusing?
Once you have read, perhaps a few times if needed, sit in silence for a moment and see what the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Perhaps you have a question to reflect on later or in community. Perhaps you have an insight. Imagine Jesus being right there present to you.
You may want to end by jotting down something you sensed from the Spirit, or by worshipping Jesus, or by writing or saying a prayer.
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2 / LOVE IN ACTION — ONGOING
In our time and context it may feel challenging or embarrassing to speak openly about faith in Christ, but there are some powerful and important reasons to overcome those difficulties.
Jesus directs us to let the light of our life with God and His Kingdom shine. It is an integral part of how the relational Kingdom of God expands. We tell our story and we tell the story of Jesus. We are not proselytizing to grow the tribe of those who agree with us, but so that many others may experience the tremendous love of God that has changed our lives. It is one of the greatest joys of the Christians life to be involved in someone coming to faith in Christ because we were willing to share the Gospel with them.
We are challenging ourselves and our whole church to share the Gospel this fall. You may begin by opening up to a friend or coworker about your story and faith. You could begin by inviting a friend to Apha. You can make a list of people you would like to pray for and ask God for opportunities to speak with them about faith in a meaningful way.
You may also want to have a conversation with those in your group about the idea or experience of sharing your faith. What thoughts or feelings does it bring up for you? Do you feel like you would know some of what to say? Do you wish you had some specific help in the process. These are all things that are helpful to process in community.
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3 / suffering love — WEEKLY
Is there a way that you can do without in some practical way this week so that someone else can receive a blessing?
Perhaps you set aside some money that you would have used on yourself and give it away. Perhaps you rise earlier and makes some extra time or energy for someone else. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you and look for a way to personally do without in order to bless or give to someone else.
Recommended resources
PODCAST: The Still Small Voice
This Tim Keller sermon on “The Still Small Voice of God in Suffering” is available for free download from Gospel in Life.
LINK: Matthew 26:36–46
Read from the Gospel of Matthew to consider the suffering of Jesus. Paul connects his suffering to the suffering of Jesus.
PDF: Excerpt from John Ortberg’s Eternity is Now is Session
Read from this book about a radical rediscovery of what Jesus really taught about salvation, eternity, and getting to the good place.
PDF: Excerpt from Ronald Rolheiser’s The Shattered Lantern
Read some contemporary spiritual exercises from this book about rediscovering a felt presence of God.
QUOTE: N.T. Wright’s Evil and the Justice of God
N.T. Wright states, “The call of the gospel is for the church to implement the victory of God in the world through suffering love.”
