''Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?''

John Farley
Pastor-Teacher
Sunday,
October 14, 2018

 

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

Col 1:24-2:3

Paul suffered in laying down his life for the brethren in order to preach the mystery of Christ.

He is our head, and we are His body. He is in us, and we are in Him.

Our afflictions are Christ’s afflictions.

Act 9:1-6

Col 1:24

When Paul writes “for your sake”, this means that Paul suffered on their account -

- especially on account of the Gentiles in the church.

This does not refer to any lack when it comes to Christ’s sufferings during His first advent.

And especially not in His unique, once for all time, sufferings on the cross to redeem us.

Christ’s personal sufferings are over, but His sufferings in His people continue.

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

They are lacking with regard to the body. The saints will endure more suffering before the full measure is reached.

The Lord ordained a certain amount of suffering that Paul would undertake on account of the church -

- and at this point he hadn’t endured it all yet either.

Act 9:10-16

2Co 1:3-7

Don’t forget that Paul wrote Colossians while languishing in a Roman prison.

Col 4:2-4

He is suffering because he is fulfilling the ministry which Christ gave him.

As we strive to fulfill our ministry, we will suffer also.

When you go through it, keep your head high, and rely on the promises of God.

2Co 1:5
2Co 4:15-18

1Pe 5:6-11

 

 


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