Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions. Of [this church] I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the [preaching of] the word of God,  [that is,] the mystery which has been hidden from the [past] ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me (Colossians 1:24-29, NASB)

In the above passage, Paul is describing his ministry to the Colossians. He gives five descriptions that serve as a pattern for us as we seek to live our lives for the sake of the mystery.
For the sake of clarity and memorization, we will follow Paul's description in reverse order starting with verse 29. 

First, Paul describes the POWER that energized his labor: "For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me." (Col. 1:29) The word Paul used for striving is "agonizomai." Did you see the word agonize in there? The kind of agonizing Paul has in mind is like that of an athlete who compete with all his strength. Paul gave everything he had to serve the Colossians church, but he did labor in his own strenght. He was "striving according to His power." Paul didn't rely on his religious accomplishments, his Jewish heritage, or his ability to run a business (1 Cor. 4:12; Gal. 1:13-14; Phil. 3:4-6). Instead, he relied on the power of God work through him to as he ministered to the Colossians. 
Brothers and Sisters, we must rely on the word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit if we are going to accomplish anything worthy of the name of Jesus. 

Second, Paul describes the PURPOSE for which he labored: "We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ" (Col. 1:28). He wanted to every believer to come to full spiritual maturity.
Do you know what the Bible says about the believer's spiritual maturity? 1) Spiritual maturity doesn't happen instantly; it takes time and discipline (Phil. 3:12-16).         
2) Spiritual maturity is conformity to Jesus (1 John 2:6). 3) God is determined to bring you to spiritual maturity (Rom. 8:29).
Brothers and Sisters, do not lose heart in your spiritual development. You may not be where you want to be, but if you will daily submit yourself to the word of God and find a healthy church to serve with you will make spiritual progress. 

Third, Pau describes the message he PROCLAIMED: "so that I might fully carry out the [preaching of] the word of God,  [that is,] the mystery which has been hidden from the [past] ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (C0l. 1:25b-27). 
The mystery that Paul procaliamed is one that God, in his wisdom, kept hidden from the generations before Christ, but chose to reveal to those NT saints and to us. What is the mystery? Jesus extends the covenant blessings to Gentiles so that they can become children of God and citizens of His kingdom. This is truly good news! No one expected this. The Jews expected the Messiah to come, but they didn't expect him to indwell the Gentiles granting them the right to become children of God. The Colossians, who were Gentiles could be full particpants in the grace of God!
Brothers and Sisters, it is our responsibility and our privilege to proclaim this this mystery to our neighbors and to the nations. When we witness this mystery to our neighbors, coworkers, and family, we are extended the covenant promises of God that can be theirs through repentance and faith in Jesus. 

Fourth, Paul describes God's PLAN for his life: "Of this church I was made a minster accorkding to the steaership from God bestowed on me for your benefit" (Col. 1:25a). As a steward, Paul was committed to using all the resources God had given him for the benefit of the church. 
Brothers and Sisters, God has given you resources the you are to use in service to other believers who gather with your local church. "As each one has received a special gift, emply it in serving one another a good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10). Are you using your gifts, abilities, and resources for the benefit of God's church here in Atlanta and around the world?

Finally, Paul describes His PERSONAL suffering: "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions" (Col. 1:24). Paul found more joy in suffering for the sake of Jesus than possessing the comforts of this world. And he says that his suffering filled up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions. How were Christ's afflictions lacking? There is nothing lacking in Christ's redemptive suffering. His atoning sacrifice is sufficient to take away our sins and bring us into fellowship with God (Hebrews 10:11-18). What is lacking is that His personal suffering on behalf of sinners has not been preached to every tribe, tongue, and nation. When Paul says his sufferings are "filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions," he is saying that his personal suffering in the name of Christ points people to Christ's personal sufferings so that they might respond with faith in Jesus.  
Brothers and Sisters, we are called to suffer in the name of Jesus. Jesus promised that we would be hated by the world (John 15:19-20), treated as outcasts (John 16:1-3) and experience many tribulations (John 16:33). However, there is great joy in suffering for Christ because your suffering is a window to the suffering of Christ to those who persecute you. Remember also what Jesus said the church in Smyrna, "Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10)

WAYS YOU CAN USE THIS SERMON THIS WEEK
1) Evaluate your life. Are you living your life to make Jesus known or trying to hold on to the comforts of this life?
2) As a family, learn about and pray for the persecuted church. Here are some websites you can use:www.persecution.com, www.opendoorsusa.org, www.nikripken.com
3) Share the mystery of salvation with someone.