What Are We Growing? | Colossians 1:29-2:5

We're now going to turn to the passage in the scriptures that's going to be preached this morning.

So turn in your Bibles, if you will, to Colossians.

We're going to actually start reading in Colossians chapter 1, verse 21, I think.

Verse 20, yeah, verse 21.

So we're going to get a running start at that passage that's going to be preached this morning.

So Colossians chapter 1, verse 21.

And then we will read down to chapter 2, verse 5.

Hear God's holy word.

Colossians chapter 1 verse 21.

And you who were once alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.

if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

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, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God, that was given me for you, to make the word of God fully known.

The mystery hidden for ages and generations, but now revealed to his saints.

To 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.

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that powerfully works in me.

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those in Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance and understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of the wisdom and knowledge.

I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments, for though I am absent in the body, yet I am with you in the spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith.

Thanks be to God for the reading of his word.