Evening Sermon

March 9, 2008

Filling Up What Is Lacking in Christ

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In the last two sermons we have studied the whole idea that Jesus is God, fully and completely God. That Jesus is divine in his very essence, meaning that Jesus is and has whatever it is that makes God, God! The deity of Jesus means the God-ness of Jesus. And he is therefore worshipped as God. So we have studied,

v.15 "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell."

I have made frequent reference to the opening words of John's gospel,

John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made."

So there it is, the doctrine that causes so much offense and is such a stumbling block to those who are unbelievers. Jesus is God. Yet, in some ways, these verses tonight are the hardest in all the Bible to believe. But not because they speak of Jesus as God, but rather for those of us who believe that Jesus is God, how can we possibly say that there was something lacking in him? That's what so hard to believe, that Paul can dare to use these words, words which if they are taken out of context would be blasphemous. To say nothing of unimaginably proud and spiritually arrogant.

v.24 "I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ."

"I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in Christ?" Can you imagine saying such a thing? So what does Paul mean? That's our focus tonight.

Paul is expanding on his personal references in verse 23, when he speaks of becoming a minister of the gospel. We'll come back to that idea of the gospel ministry, but where Paul begins is the experience of suffering. Suffering in the ministry, though most explicitly, suffering for the gospel. So the first mention of his qualifications for the ministry here is his sufferings. He doesn't have the credibility problem he had at Corinth or the churches of Galatia, when he had to begin with defensive declarations of his authority and calling by God to the ministry. Here he moves right to the marks of that ministry he bears in his flesh. Afflictions.

A bit of that experience is described by the words of, 2 Cor. 4:7 "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-- 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you."

"Hard pressed on every side." "Persecuted...struck down." "Delivered to death for Jesus' sake."

2 Cor. 11:23 "Are they ministers of Christ?--I speak as a fool--I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness."

That's the life of the apostle! And what does he say about all that? v.24 "I now rejoice in my sufferings for you."

That, my friends, is the only foundation for a good and proper,

I. THEOLOGY OF SUFFERING. Theology means a doctrinal explanation, a biblical explanation. A Christian explanation for suffering.

Not a bland and empty promise of escaping suffering. Not a superficial denial of the existence of suffering. Not even a description of something merely to be endured by the Christian, and certainly not something that God promises to take away from the lives of his faithful people.

Rather a full-orbed, fully developed, biblically faithful and personally satisfying explanation of the place of suffering in the providence of God. And that is not a common nor ordinary topic for teaching and exposition in the popular and populous evangelical church of our day. This is not on the list of ten ways to make your church grow. The topic of a theology of suffering is not the topic of the seeker sensitive church, for all too often the church gives people the sense that a truly faithful Christian won't suffer! As if that is God's promise to us, in our affluent and prosperous age.

Unlike so many of us, who don't know how to face suffering ourselves or encourage others who are enduring it, Paul identifies suffering as,

A. A cause for rejoicing. v.24 "I now rejoice in my sufferings for you."

Now, there are many reasons for a positive embrace of sufferings, for God has many good purposes which are attached to those afflictions, especially the ones we endure for the sake of the gospel. Most clearly, our sanctification. Our growth in grace and godliness. So we read in,

James 1:2 "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

And similarly, 1 Peter 1:6 "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

So surely God uses suffering to build and strengthen your faith. But that's for another night. That's not our subject here. The cause for rejoicing here is something even greater, so great in fact that these words are in themselves astounding. "I ...fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ."

So what does he mean? Let me start by saying what he doesn't mean. That's not always the best way to define something, but in this case it is. And we know what Paul doesn't mean because of the teaching of the rest of the Scriptures. We know that Paul doesn't mean that Christ's work of redemption was somehow incomplete, that in the work he accomplished for our salvation something needs to be added.

That work Paul will describe in this same book, Col. 2:13 "And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it."

Most descriptively, we read in, Heb. 10:11 "And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified."

And the simplest declaration might be the easiest to understand. Jesus' own words, actually just one Greek word. John 19:30 "It is finished!"

The work of redemption was finished, it stands completed having been accomplished once and for all. Period. So Paul doesn't mean that he is adding anything to that work of Christ. Rather here, in his filling "up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ," he identifies,

B. An aspect of our union with Christ. A crucial aspect of that union. What is "lacking" in Christ's affliction is not anything to do with the effective working of his death upon the cross for the salvation of sinners, but rather the ongoing experiences of affliction that Christians will share with their savior. What is "lacking" in Christ's afflictions is the communion with Christ which Christians will have when they suffer with Christ!

A couple cross-references. Rom. 8:16 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."

We suffer with him. We join him in his sufferings. How glorious a communion that is!

Peter expresses it so well, 1 Peter 4:12 "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified."

That's a theology of suffering, that the blessing is to found in the Spirit of God resting upon you as you join with Christ in his suffering, that He might be glorified. And when that happens, your are filling up in your flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ.

And all with,

C. A glorious purpose. The end of, v.24 "...for the sake of His body, which is the church."

That's how this thought came about, as Paul has become very personal with his readers at Colosse. He was made a minister of the gospel, according to verse 23, and therefore rejoices in his suffering for the sake of the church. Such a willingness to lay aside his own glory and his own comfort, for the sake of the church. That's what's called a servant! Willing to lay down his life for the body of Christ even as Jesus himself did. That is the calling of ministry today, as well, and those who labor in the church, in any capacity, for their own benefit and glory have missed the whole point. Those who rule are those who serve, those who lay down their own lives for the body of Christ.

And that brings us to,

II. A THEOLOGY OF MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH. Suffering for Christ and ministry in the church are joined together here, as they are in the lives of so many of God's faithful servants.

What Paul stresses first and foremost is an obvious emphasis upon,

A. The oversight and arrangements of God. In other words, God set this all up. Speaking of the church as the body of Christ in verse 24, Paul writes, v.25

Paul was ordained to the ministry by the laying of the hands of men, the apostles. But that outward act was but the confirmation of a work that Acts 13 attributes to the Holy Spirit himself.

Acts 13:1 "Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus."

God did the calling. The Holy Spirit did the sending. That's how the ministry of the church was established. And that is how it is continued. So we read,

1 Tim. 4:12 "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership."

2 Tim. 1:6 "Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands."

Likewise, the warning of, 1 Tim. 5:22 "Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure."

So there is the clear sense of the work of God in his oversight and arrangements of the church, exercised by the ordination of men to the ministry of the gospel. And Paul himself writes to the elders of the church at Ephesus with these words,

Acts 20:28 "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood."

"The Holy Spirit has made you overseers." That's how Jesus exercises his rule in his body. The ministry is "a stewardship from God," according to verse 25. So God remains the one in authority, and the minister of the gospel is the steward, entrusted by God with the care and nurture of the church. What a purpose well defined and established.

B. The purpose of ministry. v.25 "which was given to me for you..."

"For you." That's the key. The ministry was given, Paul says, for the people of the church. Not for himself. Not for his benefit or advancement, but for theirs. Indeed, Paul obviously defines,

C. The goal of ministry. v.25 "...I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God."

To fulfill the word of God. Namely, that the word of God would be effective and powerful in their lives. And that effectiveness of the word is so well defined by Paul writing to Timothy.

2 Tim. 3:16 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

That's the goal of the ministry of Christ's church, "that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." That's the goal of preaching, that you might be thoroughly equipped for every good work. That's why Paul instructs Timothy,

2 Tim. 4:2 "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching."

Preach the word. Convince those who disagree. Rebuke those who are in error. Exhort them to faithfulness. Do so with patience and careful instruction. That they may be complete. That they may be zealous to do good works. That's what it means for Paul to say that this ministry "was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God."

Let me end with Paul's explanation of the content of that word, the content of the gospel of which he is a minister. It's a familiar definition, and one which you need to be very familiar with. It is called a mystery, according to verse 26.

III. THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL. This mystery is made to be equivalent to the word of God itself, and the very definition of a mystery is a message known only by revelation. The emphasis of this idea of mystery is not, however, on the aspects of unknowability, but rather upon the blessings of revelation. Thus a mystery is something that has been revealed, something made known by revelation.

And that's what Paul refers to,

A. The mystery revealed. v.26

The contrast there is between the Old Covenant and New Covenant, the things hidden under the Old Covenant are now made clear. What a great privilege we have as believers in the New Covenant. What has been hidden is now revealed. Specifically, that the gospel is for all the nations, and it is for us.

No longer is it necessary to enter the kingdom of God through the gate of Jewishness. No longer are the sacrificial offerings required, nor the Jewish ethnic laws. Now the kingdom is to all who believe in Christ, without distinction.

We read of this more fully in, Eph. 3:1 "For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles-- 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power."

And most importantly, notice how Paul decides to express this great mystery now revealed by God. v.27

So this is the riches of the glory of this mystery: Jesus. Therefore, the gospel is nothing less than,

B. The revelation of Jesus. But Paul puts it here in such a marvelous way, "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Surely, that is our only hope of glory! Jesus is our only hope of living with God in glory. Jesus is the only way in which we can enter the glory of God.

So what is your hope? Your only hope? It is surely not in yourself, nor in your own goodness. The only hope for sinful man is Jesus. As Paul says, "Christ in you."

You see, this is not just some obscure doctrine. The emphasis upon Jesus as the very essence of God, bearing in himself the fullness of God, that is no mere philosophical or religious point of debate. That is your only hope of eternal life. That is your only hope of having peace with God, your only hope of redemption or the forgiveness of your sins.

Only if Christ is in you! What a curious expression, but so very simple to understand. For a Christian is a person in whom Jesus lives! How much more deeply could your relationship with God possibly be expressed?

1 Cor. 3:16 "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"

Or in Jesus' own words, John 15:3 "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

Abide in me, Jesus says. And I in you! It doesn't get any more personal than that!

And so I preach Jesus to you, v.28-29

We'll look at those two verses in much more detail next Sunday night, but let me end this evening with this declaration of our only hope, our only hope of glory, which is Jesus himself. Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Two quick applications of all this, both from Scripture. First, for your encouragement and assurance of this hope.

Heb. 6:17 "Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."

And second, your confidence before the Lord,

Heb. 10:19 "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

Hold fast to that hope, beloved, the hope of glory which is yours in Christ. And with that hope made secure, draw near to your great God and savior with your zeal for love and good works.

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