We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:28-29. There are a few places in the New Testament when the work of ministry is summarized with just a few words. This text in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Colosse is one of those places. It frames the work perfectly. Our goal is not merely the conversion of the lost although that is part of what is in view here, but that all be presented perfect in Christ. The means to bring this about is the proclamation of Christ which includes admonishing (warning) and teaching. This is to involve our strongest effort. Paul says he is struggling to this end. This work is to be empowered work. He says with all his energy which so powerfully works in me.
What is described here is the work of the ministry. It is what every Christian is to be involved in. Every church member is to be engaged in this great effort. Nothing is more important than this work. I’m not sure when I have been more excited about what God is doing in our church than now. And this is because of my sense that what Paul is describing here is really happening among us. It’s been happening for a while, but lately it has been growing in momentum. God is doing something great! I can see the evidences stacking up. Earlier this week I sat through a deacon prayer meeting and heard deacon after deacon share his need to evangelize and his burden for a family member or a work associate or friend. It seems like every time I turn around I here about some new group of church members who are gathering to read scripture together or a book and pray. I can’t keep up with it. In some ways I hope I never can. When I walk through the hallways after a meeting, people are clumped up in groups or pairs having gospel centered conversations. We are not yet where we need to be, but God has granted amazing progress. He deserves every bit of glory for it!
I am writing this article on Friday. On Monday the ministry staff will gather for a one day staff retreat. We will be talking and praying and studying about these very things. We want to be faithful to equip you to do this all important work. Thank you to this growing number who are being used of the Lord in ministry. I can hardly wait to see what God will do with these disciples and disciplers. These things are supposed to be normal church life. They are normal gospel fruit. Early in the letter in the first chapter he says, All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. 1:6 What joy is ours to see it bearing fruit among us as it should.
