Colossians 1:24–29 (ESV) - 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, 25of 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, 26the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27To 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. 28Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Colossians 1:24 (ESV) - Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,

2 Corinthians 11:24–29 (ESV) - Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?

If I’m not suffering like Paul, am I really following Jesus?

…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,

Philippians 3:10 (ESV) - that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

In our obedience, we identify with the suffering of Jesus until His return.

And the Holy Spirit empowers us to do so…
John 16:7 (ESV) - Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

Colossians 1:25-26 (ESV) - 25of 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, 26the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.

John 1:1, 14 (ESV) - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…14And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Matthew 24:4–5 (ESV) - And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.

To make the word of God fully known is a mission every follower of Jesus has been given!

2 Corinthians 5:17–21 (ESV) - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Do you view your life as a stewardship of that mission?

Romans 12:5–6 (ESV) - …so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:

1 Corinthians 12:7, 11 (ESV) – To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good…11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

A spiritual gift is an ability granted to a believer by the Holy Spirit and is empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The purpose of a spiritual gift is to enable the believer to serve others and build up the body of Christ for the glory of Christ.

Discerning your spiritual gift(s):
1. Read Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14, and Ephesians 4. Then pray, ask God to show you.

2. Become engaged in serving.

3. Ask others what they see.

4. Take a Spiritual Gifts Inventory.

Colossians 1:27 (ESV) - 27To 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.

Romans 8:10 (ESV) - But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Ephesians 1:13–14 (ESV) - In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 3:16 (ESV) - …that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Colossians 1:28 (ESV) - 28Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

The mystery of maturity in Christ is not about telling you what to do, it’s about telling you who to love – this is relationship not law.

Colossians 1:29 (ESV) - For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Romans 5:3–4 (ESV) - Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

Discussion Questions
1. Take turns expressing what you believe is your spiritual gift and even affirming in one another what you see. Read Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 and Ephesians 4:11-16 for a “list”.

(Read Colossians 1:24-29 before answering the remaining questions)

2. Is Paul’s response to his suffering in Colossians 1:24 your typical response to suffering? What do you think empowered Paul to be able to rejoice in prison?

3. How does the hope of Christ’s return bring you hope in times of suffering? What other truths of Scripture have helped you in times of suffering?

4. What’s the goal for those Paul leads and where does Paul find strength to make the goal a reality?

5. Who do you know who best represents a mature follower of Christ and what about them shows they are mature? (read 1 Corinthians 11:1 – who is living like Christ and worthy to follow?)

6. Describe one way you believe you have matured in Christ since you began following Him.