For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; Colossians 1:19
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. Colossians 1:20
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled Colossians 1:21
In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: Colossians 1:22
If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; Colossians 1:23
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: Colossians 1:24
..And so we see these profound words in verse twenty four. This is not easy to preach when you get stuff like this. This is deep – heavy – maturity. Babes can’t understand this but you aren’t babes any more. You shouldn’t be – your maturing and growing in the faith. This is about our identification to the Body of Christ. If we love Christ we love His Body, and I’m willing to be use in whatever way to fill up what is lacking in the Body that I represent. How many of us have an understanding of this in FGA. No it’s left to the Pastor! He’s the faithful one, he’s the one that keeps going and ministers every week. ‘ Sacrificial Service For Christ. ‘
Understanding The Body Of Christ
It’s more than that! My very prayers affect this Body. My giving ..attendance ..attitude toward this Body affects it. We don’t go away from this assembly criticising it – cutting it to pieces with our tongue. It’s such a bad witness when we do this – to others or family. We have to be so on our guard. Yes there may be things that at times go wrong. Things that God is exposing in the Body – that affects us all. But it’s to do with the Body. It’s to do with us – Christ who is head. It’s not to do with anybody else outside. And those who criticise this Body – they’re no longer with us any more. And we leave them to God’s mercy.
Fill Up What Is Lacking
No, I’m here to be used – to serve. I’m here to minister – to ‘ fill up what is lacking. ‘ If I love this Body and I love Christ and say I love Him then you cannot separate any of it and you love all those God has baptised into this. That is the point. When you start to experience this – to face this full on – you’ll start to have just an inkling of this verse twenty four and what the Apostle Paul is talking about. Well it’s interesting taking this a step further – we’re calling this teaching ‘ Sacrificial Service For Christ. ‘.. ..
Pastor Kim L. Page
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 1Peter 4:12
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1Peter 4:13
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Matthew 5:11
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5:12
