Sermon Study Guide

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The Highest Calling “Colossians: Together for Christ” Colossians 1:24-29

May 27, 2018 BIG IDEA There is a calling that we all share in common. It is to make new Jesus-followers. We all have various jobs to do. We have different talents and spiritual gifts. We are at different life-stages. But the calling is there nonetheless. It is the highest calling.

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURE Context: Paul was intent on proclaiming the gospel. He desired that the believers in Colossae would find a wonderful blessing by following his example. They could rejoice, even in suffering. Colossians 1:24-29 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, 25 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, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 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. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

MAIN IDEA In this section we’ll see, through the example of the Apostle Paul, four ways that we can fulfill our calling: By rejoicing in suffering, by extending the sufferings of Christ, by embracing the calling on our lives, and by giving all of ourselves to the calling.

Ridgewood Church www.myrwc.org

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DISCUSSION & APPLICATION The Highest Calling is to Make Mature Disciples of Jesus Christ We can fulfill this calling in four ways:

1. We Fulfill Our Highest Calling by Rejoicing in Suffering Colossians 1:24 – 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. Paul is referencing the type of joy that is a deep-seated confidence that God is in control. It’s the kind of joy that Jesus had when he was facing the horror of the cross: Hebrews 12:2-3 – …looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. a. How does exhibiting this kind of joy help make new followers of Christ?

b. Are you having a hard time finding joy? Ask God to help you. True joy flows from your relationship with him.

2. We Fulfill Our Highest Calling by Extending the Sufferings of Christ Colossians 1:24b – …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. Paul’s statement: “I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body” means that our suffering makes the suffering of Christ real, and serves to bring the gospel to those that need to be saved. In a real sense, our suffering extends the suffering of Christ into the world that we live in. There is also an element of perseverance that non-believers witness, and that helps them to understand that Jesus is very real in our lives.

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a. In regards to salvation, there is nothing lacking in the work that Christ did on the cross to save us. But we can “present” his suffering to a hurting world. How do you do that? How does “rejoicing in suffering” fit into this equation?

b. Spend a few minutes praying. Ask God to give you joy and patience in your suffering. Pray for others that don’t yet know Jesus, and that they might see Jesus in you.

3. We Fulfill Our Highest Calling By Embracing It Colossians 1:25-28 – …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, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 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. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. Paul was made a minister by God himself as he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. So, he knew what God had called him to do. But we all have a calling too. We can’t escape it. If we think it is only for Paul, or only for pastors, we have then forgotten Jesus words, spoken in the Great Commission: Matthew 28:18-20 (Great Commission): And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” a. What are you willing to give to God in order to make new Jesus-followers? Can you examine your talents and spiritual gifts, and how they might fit together to help make the Great Commission a reality?

Ridgewood Church www.myrwc.org

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b. Why don’t more believers take the Great Commission seriously?

4. We Fulfill Our Highest Calling by Giving All of Ourselves Colossians 1:29 – For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. This mission isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s not for the casual Christian. It’s not for those that are willing to settle for a Christian lifestyle. It’s for hard-working, laser-focused believers that want to Make Jesus Known. a. Does this describe you?

There are wonderful rewards that go along with this calling: Life-Change Happens for the One that Proclaims When you engage yourself fully in the work of God, you will never be the same. It is impossible to be the same because you will flat out run into the power of Christ. Life-Change Happens for the One Who Receives Paul excitedly watched the lives of the Colossians change. He’d watched his own life change—from Christian-killer to the greatest evangelist of all time. Life-Change Happens for Our Community Our community needs Ridgewood to step up. We’ve got to embrace this calling. Don’t be lulled into thinking someone else has this covered, because they don’t. Life-Change Will Happen in Our Church When we, as a team, come together and seek to make new Jesus-followers as our number one thing, we will grow deeper, become unified, and the candles in our sanctuary that mark new believers will be everywhere!

Ridgewood Church www.myrwc.org

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b. Are you willing to step up and be a part of this great adventure? It is our highest calling!

PRAY Jesus, thank you for clarifying my calling. I seek to step up and make a difference. Please show me where I fit. People need you desperately. Please provide the power for me to embrace this amazing calling. Amen.

DIG DEEPER For further study this week: 

Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God – a study from Henry T. Blackaby, Richard Blackaby, and Claude V. King (B & H Publishing)

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Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God – a book from Timothy Keller (Random House)

NEXT WEEK’S BIG IDEA Learning how to become firmly established in the faith – Colossians 2:1-7

Ridgewood Church www.myrwc.org

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