Struggling With All His Energy

Dr. Timothy Lane | April 30, 2023

Colossians 1:24-2:5 (ESV)

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

Sermon Summary

In this section of Colossians, Paul opens up about the nature of ministry; it's many challenges and joys. Paul also makes clear that anyone and everyone who desires, can enter into the mystery of union with Christ because it has been completely revealed in Jesus. It is not for a select few but for all who come with simple, humble repentance and faith.


In this section of Colossians, Paul opens up about the nature of ministry; it's many challenges and joys. Paul also makes clear that anyone and everyone who desires, can enter into the mystery of union with Christ because it has been completely revealed in Jesus. It is not for a select few but for all who come with simple, humble repentance and faith.

Discussion Questions

  1. Were you surprised at how candid Paul is about the nature of ministry? What was the impact of the words he chose to use in verses 1:24, 1:29, and 2:1? Were you encouraged or discouraged?
  2. Throughout the letter, Paul warns against "Gospel Replacements" that the false teachers were offering. Which ones that were listed in the sermon are you most prone to adopt in your daily life? Formalism, Legalism, Mysticism, Activism, Biblicism, Psychology-ism, Social-ism?
  3. Have you ever thought about the all encompassing, comprehensive grace of the Gospel in terms of "Past Grace", "Present Grace", and "Future Grace"? Which one do you most need to be reminded of in your life?
  4. If you are a skeptic, what questions emerged in the sermon that caused you to want to know more? Was there anything that you wished the speaker had addressed more fully?
  5. What about today's sermon would you like to ruminate on/meditate on over the next week so that it becomes a more explicit aspect of your Christian life? Why?

Resources Consulted

  • For more on suffering, I recommend Tim Keller's book Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering.
  • For more on Gospel Replacements, I recommend How People Change or Unstuck: A Nine-Step Journey to Lasting Change.
  • For more on the nature of ministry, I recommend The Crucifixion of Ministry: Surrendering Our Ambitions to the Service of Christ by Andrew Purves.