Sermon Video: The Mystery of God: Christ in You, Colossians 1:24-29

How can someone like the Apostle Paul "rejoice" in the suffering he endured?  Not because he enjoyed it, far from it, simply because he understood the purpose to which God utilized his dedication in the face of opposition.  The "mystery" of God, that had been foretold by the prophets, had at last been revealed during Paul's lifetime, namely the advent of the Messiah and his wondrous victory over sin and death through self-sacrifice.  The "glorious riches" of God's will were greater than that, however, for God intended all along that the message of hope that resulted from the work of Jesus be sent forth into the world, to call all nations to repent and create a new people from among them of those who would become disciples of Jesus.

Consider for a moment the import of these words: "the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."  Christ in his followers, is the hope of glory!  The dwelling of Christ within his people (through the Holy Spirit) here on earth is a foretaste of the glory of heaven to come.  How do we know, for sure, that God's promises of life beyond death with him are true?  We experience Christ in us now, molding and shaping us into maturity.

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