Sermon Cloud

Colossians 1:28-29

Why should we become a member of a grow group? What should be our motivation to participate in one or even teach one? Two verses from the Book of Colossians provides us with answers to these considerations.

Paul's letter to the Church in Colosse was prompted by the emergence of gnosticism, which was infecting the body of believers there. The false teachers (gnostics) were spreading the idea that the person and work of Jesus Christ was not sufficient for salvation and spiritual growth. Such heresy included overt legalism originating from adherence to Jewish law, the pursuit of 'higher secret knowledge', and mystical visions. These things were being promoted to supplement God's grace and saving work on the cross.

Paul's admonition to the church in Colosse, and his message to believers for all times, is that the Lord Jesus Christ deserves supremacy in everything having to do with life in the church and He is all-sufficient for the spiritual growth of believers. This rebuke of gnosticism not only steered the church's focus back to the Lord, but it also served to convict and stir each member of the body to service and return to a focus on ministry to others through God's power working through them.

From Paul's example in these verses, we learn four essentials of a powerful and effectual ministry which are compatible to every believer since we are all called to minister for Christ in some capacity. Verses 28 and 29 demonstrate that we must not only be serving Christ, but we must serve our brothers and sisters in Christ as well. To be powerful, your ministry must be marked by these four essentials. We must

1. Deliver the right MESSAGE - one which is focused on Jesus Christ (v. 28a)
2. Use the right METHOD - one that wisely warns and teachers everyone (v. 28b)
3. Have the right MOTIVE - our ultimate aim should be spiritual maturity (v. 28c)
4. Possess the right MIGHT -  humbly relying on God's power (v. 29)

Paul recognized that God had not only saved Him, but had ordained him into ministry to reach the Gentiles in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 27 says it beautifully - "To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Jesus Christ lives in us in spirit and He came to live in us so that one day we can go to live with Him.

Finally, the answer to the question about grow groups can be summarized in the title of this morning's message. It is completeness in Christ. It is personal interaction and relationships that are so very effective in growing us to become complete in Christ. There is no greater context in which believers can help other believers to grow to become more like Christ!