The Ministry of Suffering
Series: Remember My Chains
November 19, 2023
Frank Foreman
Colossians 1:24-26, Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the Word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints. The Sunday immediately preceding Thanksgiving is usually reserved for a message on giving thanks for the blessings we enjoy. Of course, we all know that because of God's incredible grace and mercy, every day is a day to give thanks. ---------- We don't often consider the subject of suffering as a typical reason for thanksgiving yet we do see the Apostles rejoicing at the opportunity to suffer for the name of Jesus, James said we should consider it the purest form of joy to face difficulties, and this week's message highlights that Paul started out this passage rejoicing for having the opportunity to suffer for the sake of his brothers and sisters in Christ. ---------- Think about this thought as you prepare for the message on Sunday: what if your greatest opportunities for ministry and impact came because of potential suffering and pain? Let's consider this together as we give thanks to the one who made the greatest impact on our lives by suffering and dying in our place... for our sin... to provide a means for our salvation!
Episode Notes
Big Idea: Your greatest ministry comes from your deepest pain.
1. Use suffering to become like Jesus.
(Journal) Colossians 1:24-26, Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the Word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints.
John 19:30, When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished,” and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
2. In suffering focus on Jesus.
(Journal) Colossians 1:27, To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Job 1:20-21, Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
3. When suffering turn to Jesus.
(Journal) Colossians 1:28-29, Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me.
Psalm 119:105, Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
(Journal) Colossians 2:1-5, For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
Next Step: Your suffering has cost you much…
Don’t waste it… Invest it.
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