Colossians 1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
In looking at what Paul says about the minister, see verse 25. Paul said he was “made a minister.” His initial call came on the Damascus Road. He was called to take the gospel to the Gentiles–that’s us. When a man is called by God to preach the gospel, it is the greatest calling in the land. God put his trust in the man to preach the Word of God. That’s why it’s so tragic when a minister falls. He betrays the trust God put in him. That’s serious. Paul said in Timothy that the man of God is to be faithful. When people state the characteristics of a minister, they are far different from what God expects. Although many are good characteristics, above all he needs to be faithful to his calling. I’ve no doubt of my calling. I tried to run away from it. Let’s always remember that whatever God calls each of us to do, he will equip us to do it.
In looking at the mystery Paul spoke of, look in verses 26-27. At first you might think it’s hidden. Paul said while it had not been revealed in the Old Testament, it was revealed in the New. It was made known to the Gentiles, not just the Jews. Even after it was revealed, some in Judaism still said the Gentiles had to do certain things in addition to believing in Jesus. It took a special revelation to Peter in regard to a Gentile named Cornelius. Paul later had to state again that faith in Jesus Christ is all that’s required. Don’t add to the plan of salvation.
Verse 28 gives us the message: “warning every man.” Disaster is coming to this world. Warn people of the wrath of God to come. People have a lopsided view of God. Sure! He is a God of love and a God of comfort. People want to feel good. In Isaiah’s day the people wanted “smooth things.” The New Testament calls it “tickling ears.” People don’t want to hear and preachers don’t want to preach that God has another side, and it’s one of wrath. His judgment will fall on the land. We all need to be trimmed up a bit. In Genesis 19 God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. He was fed up with the sin of the city. In Genesis 6, Noah found grace in the sight of God and being fed up with the sin of the world, God brought the flood to the earth. God didn’t spare the fallen angels. He destroyed those wicked cities and the world. Will he turn around and let us make it through in our sin? He will not! We also need to warn people of the second coming of Jesus. He could come anytime. There is something better for the child of God. We also have to warn people that the Bible is the Word of God and it’s infallible. There are no mistakes in the Word.
As your pastor it is my responsibility to help you grow in the Lord. Are you growing? Are you maturing in your spiritual walk? Are you becoming more Christ-like?
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 