The Minister’s Role

Introduction

In the mid nineteenth century, Korea was closed to foreigners on pain of death. But Robert Thomas felt that even a closed border should not keep out the gospel. Once he tried to visit Korea without success. But a year later, he found an American who planned to take an exploratory voyage to Korea. He persuaded the explorers to allow him to accompany them on their dangerous voyage, Thomas brought aboard a cargo of Bibles and gospel tracts. Along the route, he left copies of the Bible with those brave enough to receive them and left extra copies where others might find them in private. After a visit to Pyongyang City, their ship was caught by low tides. Their ship was set ablaze, and the men were forced to swim to shore and face the hostile crowd. According to the stories Koreans later told, all of the men emerged from the water with weapons ready for battle except one who seemed very strange. Rather than bring weapons, this man thrust a pile of books into the hands of his attackers as they clubbed him down. Officials sent to all the places the intruders had been to collect and burn the Bibles he had left in his wake and at his death, but many copies were concealed by owners who read and treasured them. One of the first men who professed faith in Christ after missionaries were allowed to enter the country was the son of a man who had received one of these Bibles from Robert Thomas. This is not a unique story. Hundreds, even thousands of men and women have been willing to risk their lives to share the Word of God and the gospel it contains with people around the world. One of the first of these bold witnesses was the Apostle Paul. He suffered beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonment, abuse, and martyrdom to tell people about the Lord Jesus Christ, who died to save them. In today’s study of Colossians 2:1-5, you will see Paul explain why he was willing to suffer, and why any true Christian minister lives, suffers, and dies to win and encourage God’s people.

Observation

Pray

Before studying this passage, take some time to talk to its Author, God, who wants to give you wisdom through it if you will ask in humility and obedience.

Read Focus Verses

Today’s passage is the first five verses of Colossians chapter two. These verses give us a clear picture of the role a Christian leader and minister has. Look for the aspects of this ministry in Colossians 2:1-5

Keyword – I

Paul speaks of himself many times in this short passage. By marking these references Paul makes to himself, we will be reminded to pay attention to them each time we read or reference this passage.

Paul’s Ministry

Go through the passage and mark each time Paul refers to himself and his role in these believer’s lives.

I Want You to Know

What does Paul want these people to know about him in verse 1?

Another Church

Which other church does Paul mention by name in verse 1?

Present

According to verse 1, has Paul yet visited the Colossian church?

4 Things

What four things does Paul want for these churches in verse 2?

Treasures

What is hidden in Christ?

Reminder

In verse 4, why does Paul say that he reminded them that all wisdom and knowledge come from Christ?

Absent

Though Paul is absent, what does he say about his relationship to this church in verse 5?

Rejoicing

Why does Paul explain that he rejoices in the church at Colosse?

Interpretation

Conflict

Paul says he wants them to know the conflict he has for them. Look at the word to gain a fuller understanding of a minister’s role.

Their Work

In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Paul speaks not just of himself, but of all ministers of the gospel who labor in churches and their work on behalf of Christ’s church.

On Your Behalf

What are some practical ways a minister or Christian leader fights a warfare on behalf of God’s people?

Friends

Many of the Epistles were written to churches that Paul had started or visited. Why does he love this Colossian church he has never visited so much that he bears conflict for them?

Comfort

In verse 2 Paul desires that the hearts of these believers will be comforted. What must they do to be comforted?

Bonds of Love

Paul says in verse 2 that the thing which will knit the hearts of these believers together so that they will be united is love. See what he says about love in Colossians 3:14.

Assurance

The other way Paul desires for these believers to be comforted is that they might have full assurance of their faith. How does verse 2 say that they will gain that full assurance?

Knowledge

2 Peter 1:1-2 builds on the theme of blessings following a deeper knowledge and understanding of God and His Word.

Wisdom and Knowledge

Read the description of this wisdom and knowledge that are hidden in Christ in Romans 11:33-36.

Hid Treasure

How has God revealed to us these treasures of wisdom and knowledge? Where can you find them?

Deceived

Paul reminds us that wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ so that we will not be deceived when people try to teach us falsehood. In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 we are further warned that these deceivers can sometimes seem like they are teaching truth.

True vs. False

If false teachers can look and sound like true messengers from God, how can we tell the difference? Here is a brief summary of the ways the Bible teaches us to identify true and false teachers.

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Rejoicing

Even though Paul isn’t present with these believers, he can still rejoice that the believers are in order and steadfast in their faith. Standing strong in the faith is spoken of throughout the Bible as the mark of a true believer. See the encouragement in 1 Corinthians 15:58 to be steadfast.

Stand Fast

We see this exhortation repeated just a few verses later in 1 Corinthians 16:13.

No Greater Joy

Paul’s joy is summarized in 3 John 1:4.

Greatest Joy

What is the best way to bring joy to a godly leader and minister?

Summary

How would you summarize what this passage has said about the role a leader or minister has in a Christian’s life?

Application

Brothers and Sisters

What are some ways you could show the kind of love Paul expressed in this passage to believers you have not met?

Finding Treasure

How should your life and daily schedule change so that you might find the riches of knowing the Word of God so that you can find the hidden treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge in Jesus Christ?

Standing Fast

If you are a believer and Paul was to write a letter to you today, could he rejoice that you are standing fast in the faith? How does your answer challenge you to grow in your Christian life?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study has helped you better understand the role of Christian leaders and ministers in the Christian Life.

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