Sermons on Colossians 1:24

Colossians 1:24 Interpretation:

Stewardship of the Gospel: Embracing Reconciliation and Suffering (Gambrell Street Baptist Church) offers a detailed and unique interpretation of Colossians 1:24 by distinguishing between "secrets" and "mysteries," emphasizing that a biblical mystery is something hidden with the intention of being revealed. The sermon uses the analogy of military secrets and the "nuclear football" to illustrate the concept of stewardship and the responsibility of carrying a message of immense consequence. It also delves into the Greek term for "afflictions," noting that it refers to oppression and is never used for Christ's atoning suffering on the cross, thus clarifying that Paul's suffering is not redemptive but participatory—filling up what is "left over" in the ongoing afflictions of Christ's body, the church. The sermon further employs the metaphor of a "steward" as a household servant, responsible for the master's affairs in his absence, to frame Paul's role and, by extension, the church's role in continuing Christ's mission.

Rejoicing in Suffering: Embracing Joy Through Trials (Hyland Heights Baptist Church) interprets Colossians 1:24 by comparing Paul's suffering to the experience of sports fans enduring years of hardship for the joy of eventual victory, using the analogy of Eagles and Lions fans. The sermon frames suffering as a necessary and even joyful part of Christian ministry, not as a sign of failure or divine displeasure, but as a pathway to faithful ministry and deeper intimacy with Christ. It also uses the analogy of a king whose decree of freedom must be delivered by messengers who endure hardship, paralleling Paul's role in spreading the gospel. The Greek terms "diakonos" (servant) and "nouthateo" (admonish) are highlighted to emphasize the humility and costliness of ministry.

Joy and Suffering: Magnifying Christ in Our Lives (Ligonier Ministries) provides a distinctive interpretation by focusing on the paradoxical relationship between joy and suffering, arguing that joy in suffering magnifies Christ's worth to the world. The sermon uses the metaphor of magnification—comparing the way a camera or screen enlarges a small image to how a Christian's joy in suffering makes Christ "look big" to others. It also offers a nuanced explanation of "filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions," asserting that what is lacking is not atonement but the personal presentation of Christ's sufferings to others through the believer's own suffering, illustrated by the story of a missionary whose blistered feet convinced a village of his message's authenticity.

Embracing the Divine Call of Pastoral Ministry (Alistair Begg) interprets Colossians 1:24 as a foundational text for understanding the nature of pastoral ministry, emphasizing that the suffering and struggle described by Paul are intrinsic to the apostolic and pastoral calling. The sermon draws a parallel between the unique, unrepeatable role of the apostle and the ongoing responsibilities of pastors, highlighting the divine commission and the necessity of presenting the word of God in its fullness through persistent, often costly, labor.

Finding Joy in Suffering: Embracing Love and Growth (Become New) offers a unique psychological and relational interpretation of Colossians 1:24, focusing on the willful embrace of suffering for the sake of love. The sermon draws on the analogy of a mother choosing the heavier burden for her child and introduces the idea of “grateful wanting” of suffering, not for its own sake, but because it is a means to love others as Christ did. The preacher, referencing Father Edward Dowling, frames Paul’s statement as an invitation to find someone who will be helped by our suffering, thus transforming misery into a loving, voluntary act. This approach is distinct in its emphasis on the psychological “trick” of shifting from resigned acceptance to grateful, loving participation in suffering, paralleling Christ’s own “love affair with the cross.”

Rejoicing in Suffering: Fulfilling Christ's Afflictions (Desiring God) provides a detailed exegetical interpretation, focusing on the Greek linguistic parallels between Colossians 1:24 and Philippians 2:30. The sermon argues that “filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions” does not mean adding to Christ’s atoning work, but rather refers to the personal, bodily presentation of Christ’s love through the sufferings of his followers. The preacher uses the example of Epaphroditus, who risked his life to deliver the Philippians’ gift to Paul, to illustrate that what is “lacking” is the personal delivery or embodiment of Christ’s love to others. This interpretation is notable for its close attention to the original Greek terms (ana pl?ro? and hyster?ma) and for framing Christian suffering as a necessary, incarnational extension of Christ’s love to the world.

Embodying Christ's Love Through Personal Sacrifice (Desiring God) closely mirrors the previous Desiring God sermon but adds a further layer by explicitly defining the “filling up” as a “personal, bodily, costly presentation of Christ’s love or the effectiveness of his afflictions.” The preacher emphasizes that Paul becomes the “emissary” or embodiment of Christ’s love, so that the effectiveness of Christ’s afflictions is personally presented again and again to the church through the sufferings of his followers. This sermon’s unique contribution is its explicit definition of the “filling up” as the incarnational, repeated, and costly presentation of Christ’s love, and its application to world missions as the “incarnation of the love of Christ in the afflictions of his emissaries.”

Finding Joy in Suffering for Others' Growth (Desiring God) interprets Colossians 1:24 by focusing on the dynamic of suffering for the sake of others, especially those whom Paul has never met. The sermon highlights the paradoxical joy that comes from being “spent” for the spiritual growth and perseverance of others, drawing a distinction between suffering in general and suffering specifically for the benefit of others. The preacher’s unique angle is the emphasis on the vicarious, intercessory nature of Paul’s suffering, which is seen as a means of bringing others to faith and maturity, and the joy that arises from this self-giving love.

Embracing Sacrifice: The True Call of Discipleship (Desiring God) provides a detailed and vivid analogy, echoing the interpretation above but adding the metaphor that "the Cross of Christ is for propitiation, our cross is for propagation" (quoting Joseph Tson). The sermon emphasizes that the "lack" in Christ's afflictions is the absence of a present, suffering witness to the world—Christ's atoning work is complete, but its presentation to the nations is not. The suffering of believers is the means by which the message and reality of Christ's suffering is made visible and accessible to those who have not seen or heard. The sermon uses the analogy of "beautiful blistered feet"—the missionary's suffering feet become the visible sign of Christ's love, just as Paul's suffering body becomes the means by which Christ's afflictions are "filled up" for others.

Living the Gospel: Integrity, Imitation, and Sacrificial Love (Desiring God) interprets Colossians 1:24 as Paul embodying Christ's afflictions in his own suffering, so that others can see and imitate Christ through him. The unique angle here is the focus on imitation: Paul's willingness to suffer joyfully for others is not just a means of delivering the gospel, but a model for the church to follow. The sermon stresses that Paul's sacrificial love is a "personal incarnation" of Christ's love, and that the "lack" in Christ's afflictions is the absence of a living, suffering example for others to see and emulate.

Embracing Suffering: A Path to Joy and Purpose (Desiring God) reinforces the Greek linguistic connection between Colossians 1:24 and Philippians 2:30, but adds the metaphor of suffering as a "presentation" or "reenactment" of Christ's afflictions. The sermon uniquely frames suffering as a "purpose-driven death," where the missionary's or believer's suffering is not just a byproduct of faithfulness but a divinely designed strategy for making Christ's love visible and tangible to the unreached. The analogy of the "beautiful blistered feet" is used again, but with the added emphasis that suffering is God's chosen method for completing the Great Commission.

Connecting Through Personal Sharing in Christian Community (Desiring God) interprets Colossians 1:24 as teaching that what is lacking in Christ's afflictions is not atoning merit but the "personal flesh and blood embodiment" of those afflictions, presented to the church and the world. The sermon highlights that Paul's suffering allows the church to "see something of the love of Christ" in a concrete, embodied way, thus "completing" Christ's sufferings by offering them through his own body.

Embracing Suffering: The Path to True Ministry (Desiring God) offers a distinctive interpretation of Colossians 1:24 by emphasizing that Paul is not adding to the atoning work of Christ, but rather extending the presentation of Christ’s sufferings to others through his own bodily suffering. The sermon draws a direct parallel to Philippians 2:30, where Epaphroditus “fills up what is lacking” in the Philippians’ service to Paul, arguing that what is “lacking” is not merit but the personal, tangible delivery of Christ’s afflictions to those who have not yet experienced them. The analogy is that Christ’s sufferings are like a gift that must be hand-delivered, and Paul’s suffering is the means by which the gift arrives. The sermon uses the metaphor of “the Calvary road of suffering” and the “presentation” of Christ’s sufferings, making the point that the world sees the value of Christ not through prosperity but through the visible, costly suffering of his followers.

Joyful Suffering: Magnifying Christ Through Trials (SermonIndex.net) uniquely interprets Colossians 1:24 by focusing on the idea that what is “lacking” in Christ’s afflictions is the visible, embodied presentation of those sufferings to the world. The sermon uses the analogy of a missionary with “blistered feet” whose physical suffering becomes a living reenactment of Christ’s love, making the gospel tangible to those who have never seen it. The preacher also references the Greek linguistic parallel between Colossians 1:24 and Philippians 2:30, highlighting the technical similarity in the original language to support this interpretation. The sermon further illustrates this with the story of Epaphroditus, arguing that just as he completed what was lacking in the Philippians’ service by delivering their gift in person, so Paul completes what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions by embodying them for others.

Embracing Suffering: The Path to True Joy (SermonIndex.net) provides a similar but distinct interpretation, emphasizing that Paul’s suffering is a “visible reenactment” of Christ’s suffering, making the afflictions of Christ present and real to those who have not seen them. The sermon draws on the same Greek linguistic parallel between Colossians 1:24 and Philippians 2:30, but adds the metaphor of “the Calvary road” and the idea that suffering is a “strategy of God” for the completion of the Great Commission. The preacher uses the analogy of a missionary’s blistered feet as a living presentation of Christ’s afflictions, and argues that suffering is not just a byproduct of mission but an intentional means by which Christ’s love is made visible and credible.

Embracing the Cross: Power in Martyrdom and Suffering (SermonIndex.net) interprets Colossians 1:24 through the lens of the early church’s theology of martyrdom, arguing that the “lack” in Christ’s afflictions is the ongoing suffering required for the growth and witness of the church. The sermon uses the metaphor of the church as the “body of Christ” that continues to bear the cross in every generation, and suggests that every advance of the church is purchased by someone’s suffering. The preacher references the Greek term “martys” (witness/martyr) and the historical development of the word, arguing that the visible suffering of believers is the primary way the world sees and understands the gospel. The analogy of “no blood but our own” is used to highlight the uniquely Christian approach to mission and suffering.

Fasting: A Path to Deeper Spiritual Connection (Sunset Church) interprets Colossians 1:24 as a key to understanding the early church’s practice of fasting as a way to physically participate in the sufferings of Christ. The sermon draws a direct line between Paul’s statement about “filling up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions” and the embodied experience of hunger during fasting, suggesting that fasting is a tangible, bodily way to enter into Christ’s suffering. The preacher uses the analogy of “whole body hungering for God” (citing John Piper) and emphasizes that the Greek word for “body” (soma) in Romans 12:1 means the offering of one’s entire self, not just the heart or mind. This interpretation is notable for its focus on the physicality of Christian devotion, arguing that the early church’s rhythm of fasting and feasting was a weekly, embodied reenactment of the gospel—fasting as participation in Christ’s death and feasting as participation in his resurrection. The sermon also uses the metaphor of “tasting and seeing” the Lord’s goodness, both in fasting and in the Lord’s Supper, to reinforce the idea that Christian spirituality is deeply physical and not merely internal or abstract.

Colossians 1:24 Theological Themes:

Stewardship of the Gospel: Embracing Reconciliation and Suffering (Gambrell Street Baptist Church) introduces the theme of the "double mystery"—not only the incarnation and atonement of Christ but also the radical inclusion of the Gentiles in God's redemptive plan, which was offensive to many in Paul's context. The sermon also develops the idea that reconciliation is inherently costly and that believers are called to be "agents of reconciliation," standing in the gap between God and a resistant world, thus participating in Christ's ongoing afflictions for the sake of the church.

Rejoicing in Suffering: Embracing Joy Through Trials (Hyland Heights Baptist Church) presents the theme that suffering is not an obstacle but a divinely appointed means for the advancement of the gospel and the maturation of believers. It adds the facet that suffering is a pathway to deeper intimacy with Christ, as believers experience and share in the hardships of Christ, and that suffering is a communal, not merely individual, experience that strengthens the church.

Joy and Suffering: Magnifying Christ in Our Lives (Ligonier Ministries) uniquely emphasizes that suffering is appointed by God as a means for believers to display the surpassing worth of Christ, especially when joy is maintained through loss. The sermon also introduces the idea that suffering enlarges the believer's capacity for joy in heaven and serves as a catalyst for boldness and generosity in others, as well as a means of presenting Christ's sufferings to the world in a tangible, embodied way.

Embracing the Divine Call of Pastoral Ministry (Alistair Begg) highlights the theme that true pastoral ministry is marked by divine calling, not personal ambition, and that the suffering and struggle inherent in ministry are evidence of God's commission. The sermon also stresses the necessity of presenting the full counsel of God and the long-term, historical perspective required for faithful ministry.

Finding Joy in Suffering: Embracing Love and Growth (Become New) introduces the theme of “grateful wanting” of suffering, rooted in love rather than mere resignation or stoicism. The sermon presents the idea that suffering, when embraced for the sake of another, becomes a means of participating in Christ’s redemptive love, echoing the “love affair with the cross.” This theme is distinct in its psychological and affective focus, suggesting that the will can choose to embrace suffering as an act of love, even when the emotions resist.

Rejoicing in Suffering: Fulfilling Christ's Afflictions (Desiring God) develops the theological theme that Christian suffering is not redemptive in the atoning sense, but is necessary for the personal, incarnational extension of Christ’s love to the world. The sermon frames missionary suffering as the means by which Christ’s afflictions are made present and tangible to those who have not yet experienced his love, thus making the church the ongoing embodiment of Christ’s sacrificial love.

Embodying Christ's Love Through Personal Sacrifice (Desiring God) adds the theme that world missions are, at their core, the “incarnation of the love of Christ in the afflictions of his emissaries.” This sermon uniquely stresses that the ongoing, bodily suffering of Christians is the way Christ’s love is repeatedly and personally presented to the world, making suffering a central, not peripheral, aspect of Christian witness.

Finding Joy in Suffering for Others' Growth (Desiring God) highlights the theme of vicarious suffering for the sake of others’ spiritual growth, emphasizing that the joy of the Christian is found in being “spent” for the faith and perseverance of others. This theme is distinct in its focus on the intercessory and communal dimensions of suffering, where the Christian’s afflictions are a means of building up the body of Christ.

Suffering as a Pathway to Gospel Mission (Desiring God) introduces the theme that suffering is not merely an unfortunate consequence of mission, but the very means by which the gospel is made real to others. The sermon develops the idea that the Great Commission will only be completed through suffering, as the visible cost paid by believers authenticates the message of Christ's suffering love to the world. This theme is deepened by the assertion that God has a predetermined number of martyrs, and that suffering is a divinely ordained strategy, not an accident.

Embracing Sacrifice: The True Call of Discipleship (Desiring God) adds the theme that the propagation of the gospel requires not just verbal proclamation but embodied, sacrificial love that mirrors Christ's own suffering. The sermon uniquely applies this to the American context, critiquing the "Disneyland" mentality of comfort and calling for a radical, risk-taking lifestyle that visibly demonstrates the supreme value of Christ over earthly pleasures. The suffering of believers is presented as the only way the world will see the "supreme glory of Christ" today.

Living the Gospel: Integrity, Imitation, and Sacrificial Love (Desiring God) introduces the theme of imitation as central to Paul's theology: the church is called not only to believe the gospel but to imitate the suffering, sacrificial love of its messengers. The unique facet here is the emphasis on the credibility and integrity of the messenger—Paul's willingness to suffer for others is itself a powerful apologetic for the truth of the gospel.

Embracing Suffering: A Path to Joy and Purpose (Desiring God) presents the theme that suffering is a "strategy" of God for the completion of the Great Commission, not merely a byproduct of faithfulness. The sermon also explores the paradoxical theme of "sorrowful yet always rejoicing," arguing that Christian suffering is always mingled with joy because it is purposeful and future-oriented, streaming joy from the future into present pain.

Connecting Through Personal Sharing in Christian Community (Desiring God) adds the theme that suffering for others is a means of encouragement and spiritual strengthening for the church. The unique angle is the focus on the communal and relational dimension: Paul's suffering is not just for his own sanctification or witness, but to produce glory and encouragement in the lives of others.

Embracing Suffering: The Path to True Ministry (Desiring God) introduces the theme that suffering is not merely a consequence of following Christ but is the divinely appointed means by which the gospel is made visible and credible to the world. The sermon argues that the prosperity gospel cannot display the glory of Christ; only suffering for his sake can do so, because it demonstrates that Christ is more valuable than comfort or possessions. The preacher also develops the idea that the missionary advance of the church has always been purchased through suffering, and that this is the “Calvary road” every believer is called to walk.

Joyful Suffering: Magnifying Christ Through Trials (SermonIndex.net) adds the theme that suffering enlarges the believer’s capacity for joy in God, both now and in eternity. The sermon argues that suffering is “appointed” by God not only for the sake of witness but also for the deepening of holiness, faith, and future joy. It also introduces the idea that suffering makes others bold in their faith, and that the joyful endurance of suffering is a powerful testimony that emboldens the church and advances the gospel.

Embracing Suffering: The Path to True Joy (SermonIndex.net) brings a new facet by emphasizing that suffering is not an accident but a “strategy of God” for the completion of the Great Commission. The sermon also highlights the paradoxical joy that can coexist with sorrow in the Christian life (“sorrowful yet always rejoicing”), and argues that the call to the “Calvary road” is not a call to joylessness but to the deepest and longest satisfactions found in Christ.

Embracing the Cross: Power in Martyrdom and Suffering (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme of the “theology of martyrdom,” arguing that suffering and even death for Christ are not only expected but are the means by which the church grows and the gospel is authenticated. The sermon explores the idea that the visible suffering of believers is the “seed” of the church, and that the willingness to suffer and die is a mark of true discipleship. It also discusses the danger of comfort and prosperity as spiritual snares, and the necessity of endurance and perseverance in the face of suffering and offense.

Fasting: A Path to Deeper Spiritual Connection (Sunset Church) presents the distinct theological theme that fasting is not merely a spiritual discipline but a form of embodied worship that allows believers to physically participate in the sufferings of Christ, as referenced in Colossians 1:24. The sermon uniquely frames fasting as a way to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1), connecting the denial of food and the experience of hunger directly to the experience of Christ’s afflictions. This theme is further developed by arguing that the physicality of fasting helps Christians understand their own weakness and dependency, leveling all humanity and exposing the illusion of self-sufficiency. The preacher also introduces the idea that the rhythm of fasting and feasting in the early church was a weekly, bodily participation in the gospel narrative—fasting as a way to experience Christ’s death and feasting as a way to experience his resurrection—thus making the gospel a lived, physical reality rather than a purely intellectual or emotional one.

Colossians 1:24 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Stewardship of the Gospel: Embracing Reconciliation and Suffering (Gambrell Street Baptist Church) provides extensive historical context, explaining that Paul wrote Colossians from prison in Rome around 62 AD as a result of his mission to the Gentiles, which was deeply offensive to Jewish leaders. The sermon discusses the prevalence of "mystery cults" in Colossae, such as the cult of Cybele, and the early influence of Gnosticism, both of which prized secret knowledge. Paul’s use of "mystery" is contrasted with these cults, emphasizing that the gospel mystery is now openly revealed and universally accessible, not reserved for an elite few. The sermon also notes the cultural significance of stewards and household servants in the ancient world, drawing out the implications for Christian ministry.

Embracing the Divine Call of Pastoral Ministry (Alistair Begg) situates Paul's language of struggle and suffering within the broader apostolic tradition, noting the distinction between apostles and pastors but also the continuity in their divinely appointed mission. The sermon references the historical context of false teachers in Colossae and the broader Greco-Roman world, where impressive rhetoric and consumer expectations often clashed with the simplicity and costliness of apostolic ministry.

Laboring in Prayer: A Call to Revival (Resonate Life Church) provides extensive historical context about revival movements in the United States, particularly the Second Great Awakening, and the role of intercessory prayer in those revivals. The sermon details the cultural hostility faced by early revivalists, such as Charles Finney and Daniel Nash, including persecution, violence, and social ostracism. It also describes historical church practices, such as intercessors praying under or behind the stage during services, and the lack of heating in churches as a test of spiritual fervor. These insights ground the call to “laboring in prayer” and suffering for the church in the lived experience of past generations, illustrating how cultural norms and church structures once prioritized sacrificial prayer and suffering for revival.

Suffering as a Pathway to Gospel Mission (Desiring God) provides historical context by referencing the cultural and physical realities of missionary work in the ancient world, such as the journey of Epaphroditus from Philippi to Rome and the physical suffering endured by early Christian missionaries. The sermon also references the historical reality of martyrdom, both in the early church and in contemporary missions, highlighting the ongoing cost of discipleship across cultures and eras.

Embracing Sacrifice: The True Call of Discipleship (Desiring God) offers contextual insight into the missionary expansion of Christianity, noting that every breakthrough into unreached peoples has come through suffering. The sermon situates Paul's words within the broader narrative of Christian missions, emphasizing the historical pattern of suffering as the price of gospel advance.

Embracing Suffering: A Path to Joy and Purpose (Desiring God) provides detailed historical context about the physical realities of Roman-era punishment, such as the 39 lashes, and the lack of modern medical care, to help listeners grasp the severity of Paul's suffering. The sermon also references the historical practice of sending emissaries like Epaphroditus to deliver gifts and support, illuminating the social and logistical challenges of early Christian ministry.

Embracing Suffering: The Path to True Ministry (Desiring God) provides historical context by referencing the cultural realities of Paul’s time, such as the physical dangers and hardships faced by early missionaries, and the parallel between Paul’s suffering and the delivery of gifts in the ancient world. The sermon also references the history of Christian missions, noting that every advance into unreached peoples has been marked by suffering, loss, and even martyrdom, and that this pattern is rooted in the example of Christ and the apostles.

Embracing the Cross: Power in Martyrdom and Suffering (SermonIndex.net) offers extensive historical context by discussing the early church’s understanding of martyrdom, the development of the term “martyr” from “witness,” and the distinction between “martyrs” and “confessors” in the second and third centuries. The sermon quotes from Eusebius, Hippolytus, and Tertullian to illustrate how suffering and martyrdom were honored and seen as essential to the church’s identity and growth. It also references the Anabaptists, Waldensians, and persecuted churches in history, and discusses the cultural shift from persecution to comfort in later generations, warning of the spiritual dangers of prosperity.

Fasting: A Path to Deeper Spiritual Connection (Sunset Church) provides extensive historical context about the practice of fasting in both Jewish and early Christian communities. The sermon explains that fasting was a regular part of Jewish religious life, with Jews typically fasting twice a week from sunrise to sunset (Monday and Thursday), and that the early Christians continued this practice but shifted the days to Wednesday and Friday to commemorate events in Jesus’ life, particularly his crucifixion. The preacher also details the origins of Lent as a 40-day period of fasting (not just “giving something up”), designed to prepare believers for the death and resurrection of Jesus, culminating in a communal feast on Resurrection Sunday. The sermon notes that fasting was as central to early Christian identity as church attendance or Bible reading is today, and that the early church fathers universally taught on the importance of fasting as a means of drawing near to God and participating in Christ’s sufferings.

Colossians 1:24 Cross-References in the Bible:

Stewardship of the Gospel: Embracing Reconciliation and Suffering (Gambrell Street Baptist Church) references multiple passages: Acts 22:21-22 (Paul's commission to the Gentiles and resulting persecution), Ephesians 3 (the explicit statement of the mystery for the Gentiles), Galatians 2 (Paul's calling to the uncircumcised), 1 Corinthians (the foolishness of the cross and Paul's suffering), Romans 5 (reconciliation through Christ's death), Acts 9 (Paul's calling and predicted suffering), Philippians (fellowship of Christ's sufferings), 2 Corinthians 11 (Paul's catalog of sufferings), 1 Peter (inheritance of the saints), Galatians 3 (unity in Christ), and Ephesians 2 (breaking down the wall between Jews and Gentiles). Each reference is used to reinforce the themes of suffering, reconciliation, and the universality of the gospel.

Rejoicing in Suffering: Embracing Joy Through Trials (Hyland Heights Baptist Church) draws on Romans 5:3 (rejoicing in suffering), 2 Corinthians 12:10 (strength in weakness), James 1:2 (joy in trials), John 19:30 (Christ's finished work), Colossians 1:22 (complete reconciliation), Acts 9:4 (persecution of Christ in the church), Matthew 13:46 (parable of the pearl of great price), John 17:3 (eternal life as knowing God), Psalm 16:11 (fullness of joy in God's presence), Acts 7-8 (Stephen's martyrdom and the spread of the gospel), and Tertullian's summary that "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." These references are woven together to support the argument that suffering is integral to gospel advancement and spiritual maturity.

Joy and Suffering: Magnifying Christ in Our Lives (Ligonier Ministries) cites a wide array of passages: Philippians 1:20-21 (magnifying Christ in life and death), Philippians 1:29 (suffering granted as a gift), 1 Peter 4:19 (suffering according to God's will), Genesis 50:20 (God's intention in suffering), Matthew 5:10-12 (rejoicing in persecution), Romans 5:3 (rejoicing in suffering), James 1:2 (joy in trials), 1 Peter 4:13 (sharing Christ's sufferings), Hebrews 10:34 (joyful acceptance of loss), Acts 5:41 (rejoicing in dishonor), Hebrews 12:1-2 (Jesus' joy in suffering), 2 Corinthians 12:9 (boasting in weakness), Philippians 2:17 (joy in being poured out), Colossians 1:24 (rejoicing in suffering), 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 (joy in affliction), 2 Corinthians 8:1-2 (joy and generosity in affliction), Hebrews 12 (discipline for holiness), 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (suffering for deeper faith), 2 Corinthians 4:17 (suffering preparing for glory), Philippians 1:14 (suffering emboldening others), Acts 8:1 (persecution spreading the gospel), and 2 Corinthians 12:9 (Christ's power in weakness). Each passage is used to illustrate a specific purpose or effect of suffering in the Christian life.

Embracing the Divine Call of Pastoral Ministry (Alistair Begg) references Romans (faith comes by hearing), John 21 (Jesus' commission to Peter), Acts 20 (Paul's proclamation of the whole counsel of God), Jeremiah 23 (false prophets), and 1 Peter (shepherding the flock). These references are used to ground the pastoral calling and methodology in biblical precedent and to warn against self-appointed or consumer-driven ministry.

Rejoicing in Suffering: Fulfilling Christ's Afflictions (Desiring God) references several passages to support its interpretation: Romans 5 (rejoicing in suffering produces endurance, character, and hope), 2 Corinthians 4 (suffering prepares an eternal weight of glory), Philippians 2 (Paul’s life as a drink offering for others’ faith), Matthew 5 (Jesus’ teaching on rejoicing in persecution), Colossians 2 (the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement), Romans 8 (no condemnation in Christ), and Philippians 2:30 (Epaphroditus filling up what was lacking in the Philippians’ service). Each reference is used to build the case that Christian suffering is not atoning but is the means by which Christ’s love is personally delivered to others, especially through missionary work.

Embodying Christ's Love Through Personal Sacrifice (Desiring God) also references Colossians 2 (forgiveness and the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement), Romans 8:3 and 8:1 (the finality of Christ’s condemnation of sin), and several passages from Hebrews (the once-for-all nature of Christ’s sacrifice). The sermon then draws a direct parallel to Philippians 2:30 and 4:10-18 (Epaphroditus’ ministry), using these texts to argue that what is “lacking” is the personal, bodily presentation of Christ’s love, not any deficiency in his atoning work.

Finding Joy in Suffering for Others' Growth (Desiring God) references Colossians 2:1 (Paul’s struggle for those he has not met), Colossians 4:12 (Epaphras’ struggle in prayer), Colossians 4:18 (Paul’s chains), 2 Timothy 2:10 (enduring everything for the elect), Ephesians 3:13 (suffering for others’ glory), Philippians 2:17 (being poured out for others’ faith), 2 Corinthians 12:15 (being spent for others’ souls), 2 Corinthians 7:4 (overflowing with joy in affliction), and 1 Thessalonians 3:8-10 (joy in others’ perseverance). These references collectively support the theme that suffering for others is a means of their spiritual growth and a source of deep joy for the one who suffers.

Rejoicing in Suffering: Embracing Christ's Transformative Mystery (Desiring God) references multiple passages to support the theme of rejoicing in suffering: Romans 5:3 (suffering produces endurance, character, hope), 1 Peter 4 (sharing Christ's sufferings brings blessing and the Spirit's presence), James 1 (trials produce steadfastness), 2 Corinthians 4 (momentary affliction produces eternal glory), Matthew 5 (persecution brings heavenly reward), and Acts 5 (apostles rejoice in being shamed for Christ). Each passage is used to build a cumulative case for the Christian's ability to rejoice in suffering, not just as a personal virtue but as a participation in Christ's own sufferings.

Suffering as a Pathway to Gospel Mission (Desiring God) cross-references Philippians 2:30 (Epaphroditus completing what was lacking in the Philippians' service), Acts 9:16 (Paul's call to suffer for Christ), and Revelation 6:11 (the completion of the number of martyrs). These passages are used to support the interpretation that suffering is the means by which Christ's afflictions are made present to others, and that God has a sovereign purpose and plan for the suffering of his people.

Embracing Sacrifice: The True Call of Discipleship (Desiring God) references Matthew 16:24, Matthew 10:21, John 16:1, 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Peter 4:12, Romans 8:16, Philippians 1:29, 2 Timothy 1:8, Acts 5:41, and 1 Corinthians 15:19, 32. These passages are used to establish the expectation of suffering for all who follow Christ, the necessity of endurance, and the futility of a Christianity that seeks only present benefits without resurrection hope. The sermon also references Philippians 2:30 as a parallel to Colossians 1:24, reinforcing the interpretation that suffering is the means of making Christ's love tangible.

Living the Gospel: Integrity, Imitation, and Sacrificial Love (Desiring God) cross-references Acts 17 (Paul's suffering and slander in Thessalonica), Acts 20 (Paul's example to the Ephesian elders), and Colossians 1:24, drawing connections between Paul's personal example, his willingness to suffer, and the call for others to imitate him. The sermon also references Hebrews 12:2 (Jesus enduring the cross for the joy set before him) to highlight the pattern of suffering followed by glory.

Embracing Suffering: A Path to Joy and Purpose (Desiring God) references 2 Corinthians 11 (Paul's catalog of sufferings), Philippians 2:27-30 (Epaphroditus completing what was lacking), and Hebrews 12:2 (Jesus enduring the cross for joy). These passages are used to illustrate the reality and purpose of suffering in the Christian life, and to support the interpretation of Colossians 1:24 as a call to embody Christ's afflictions for others.

Connecting Through Personal Sharing in Christian Community (Desiring God) references Ephesians 6:21-22 (Tychicus sent to share Paul's circumstances), 1 Corinthians 4 (Paul's example of suffering and exhortation to imitation), Ephesians 3:13 (Paul's suffering for the church's glory), and Colossians 1:24. These passages are used to show that Paul's suffering is meant to encourage, instruct, and strengthen the church by providing a living example of Christ's love.

Embracing Suffering: The Path to True Ministry (Desiring God) references Philippians 2:30 to draw a linguistic and conceptual parallel to Colossians 1:24, arguing that just as Epaphroditus “fills up what is lacking” in the Philippians’ service by delivering their gift in person, so Paul “fills up what is lacking” in Christ’s afflictions by embodying them for others. The sermon also references 1 Corinthians 15 (on the resurrection and the cost of discipleship) and various passages on suffering and mission.

Joyful Suffering: Magnifying Christ Through Trials (SermonIndex.net) provides a comprehensive set of cross-references, including Philippians 1:20-23 (on magnifying Christ in life and death), Philippians 2:17, Colossians 1:24, 2 Corinthians 4:17 (suffering preparing an eternal weight of glory), 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (boasting in weakness), 1 Peter 4:13, Hebrews 10:34, Acts 5:41, James 1:2, Matthew 5:10-12, Genesis 50:20, and others. Each reference is used to support the argument that suffering is appointed by God, is a means of magnifying Christ, and is a source of joy and boldness for the church.

Embracing Suffering: The Path to True Joy (SermonIndex.net) references Philippians 2:27-30 (Epaphroditus completing what was lacking in the Philippians’ service), 2 Corinthians 6:10 (“sorrowful yet always rejoicing”), and Hebrews 12 (discipline and holiness through suffering). The sermon also alludes to the Gospels (Jesus’ suffering and joy), and to various stories of biblical and modern martyrs.

Embracing the Cross: Power in Martyrdom and Suffering (SermonIndex.net) references Hebrews 11 (the “cloud of witnesses” and the suffering of the faithful), 2 Timothy 2:3 and 3:12 (enduring hardship as a soldier of Christ), Luke 17:1 (the inevitability of offense), Revelation 12:9-11 (overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of testimony), Romans 8:35-39 (nothing can separate us from the love of Christ), and Genesis 34 (Jacob’s suffering and God’s faithfulness). The sermon uses these references to illustrate the biblical pattern of suffering, endurance, and victory through Christ.

Fasting: A Path to Deeper Spiritual Connection (Sunset Church) references several biblical passages to support and expand on the meaning of Colossians 1:24. The sermon draws on Romans 12:1 (“present your bodies as a living sacrifice”) to argue that Christian worship is embodied and not merely internal, using the Greek word “soma” to emphasize the offering of the whole self. It also references Jesus’ 40-day fast at the beginning of his ministry (paralleling Moses’ fast on Sinai), the communal fast on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and various Old Testament figures (Moses, David, Samuel, Esther, the prophets) who fasted in response to crisis. The preacher cites Jonah 3, where the people of Nineveh fast in response to impending judgment, and Esther’s call for a three-day fast in the face of disaster. Additionally, the sermon references Jesus’ statement that “man does not live on bread alone” (quoted by Jesus during his fast), connecting the experience of physical hunger to a deeper spiritual dependence on God. The Lord’s Supper is also mentioned as a physical, tangible participation in Christ’s sacrifice, reinforcing the theme of embodied spirituality.

Colossians 1:24 Christian References outside the Bible:

Stewardship of the Gospel: Embracing Reconciliation and Suffering (Gambrell Street Baptist Church) explicitly references early church fathers and theologians, such as Tertullian, who is quoted as saying, "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church," to underscore the role of suffering in the spread of the gospel. The sermon also alludes to the influence of mystery cults and Gnostic thought in the early church, drawing on historical scholarship to contrast Paul's use of "mystery" with contemporary religious movements.

Embracing the Divine Call of Pastoral Ministry (Alistair Begg) cites Derek Prime's book "Pastors and Teachers," quoting his advice that if one can avoid entering pastoral ministry, one should, as a test of true calling. The sermon also references John Ryle, a 19th-century bishop, who described his sense of being "shut up" to the ministry, and William Burns, a Scottish missionary, who wrote about the difficulty of balancing doctrines in preaching. These references are used to illustrate the weight and authenticity of pastoral calling and the challenges of faithful ministry.

Finding Joy in Suffering: Embracing Love and Growth (Become New) explicitly references Father Edward Dowling, a Jesuit priest influential in Alcoholics Anonymous, and his article “How to Enjoy Being Miserable.” Dowling’s insights on the two kinds of misery (self-chosen and God-chosen), the psychological approach to suffering, and the idea of “grateful wanting” are central to the sermon’s interpretation of Colossians 1:24. The sermon also mentions G.K. Chesterton’s phrase “Christ’s love affair with the cross,” using it to illustrate the paradoxical embrace of suffering out of love. These references provide a rich, non-biblical Christian context for understanding and applying the passage.

Laboring in Prayer: A Call to Revival (Resonate Life Church) references several historical Christian figures: Leonard Ravenhill (on the necessity of prayer and revival), Charles Finney (on the role of intercessory prayer in revival), Daniel Nash (as a model of laboring in prayer), Abel Clary (Finney’s prayer partner), Francis Asbury (circuit rider and revivalist), George Fox (founder of the Quakers), Jonathan Edwards (preacher of the First Great Awakening), Smith Wigglesworth (Pentecostal evangelist), Steve Hill (Brownsville Revival), D.L. Moody (evangelist), and Charles Spurgeon (on the power of prayer in ministry). The sermon uses these figures to illustrate the historical importance of suffering, prayer, and revival, and to challenge contemporary Christians to embrace similar sacrifices.

Suffering as a Pathway to Gospel Mission (Desiring God) explicitly references the commentary of Marvin Vincent on Philippians 2:30, quoting his explanation that what was lacking in the Philippians' service was the personal presentation of their offering, which Epaphroditus supplied. The sermon also references J. Oswald Sanders, recounting his story of an Indian evangelist whose suffering feet became a testimony to the reality of the gospel, and Steve Saint, who reflects on the martyrdom of his father Nate Saint and the divine strategy behind missionary suffering. The sermon also mentions Jim Elliot and the other missionaries killed in Ecuador, using their stories as modern examples of "filling up what is lacking" in Christ's afflictions.

Embracing Sacrifice: The True Call of Discipleship (Desiring God) cites Marvin Vincent's commentary on Philippians 2:30 to support the interpretation of Colossians 1:24, and quotes Joseph Tson ("the Cross of Christ is for propitiation, our cross is for propagation") to highlight the distinction between Christ's atoning suffering and the believer's missionary suffering. The sermon also references J. Oswald Sanders and Michael Card (relating the story of the Maasai evangelist Joseph), as well as Stanford Kelly (telling the story of Edmund in Haiti), to illustrate the principle of sacrificial suffering for the sake of the gospel.

Embracing Suffering: A Path to Joy and Purpose (Desiring God) references Marvin Vincent's commentary on Philippians 2:30, J. Oswald Sanders (his late-life productivity and story of the Indian evangelist), and Dietrich Bonhoeffer ("when Jesus bids a man follow him, he bids him come and die"). The sermon also mentions Graham Staines and his daughter Esther as examples of suffering for Christ, and Roy Hession's book "The Calvary Road" as a call to embrace suffering for the sake of the gospel.

Embracing Suffering: The Path to True Ministry (Desiring God) explicitly references commentator Marvin Vincent, quoting his explanation of Philippians 2:30 to support the interpretation of Colossians 1:24. Vincent argues that what was lacking in the Philippians’ service was the personal delivery of their gift, and that Epaphroditus supplied this lack by his ministry. The sermon also alludes to the history of Christian missions and the writings of various missionaries.

Joyful Suffering: Magnifying Christ Through Trials (SermonIndex.net) references William Barclay (critiquing his view that suffering is never God’s will), Carolina Sandell Berg (hymn writer), John Bunyan (his book “Seasonable Counsels” on suffering), Jonathan Edwards (on the enlargement of joy through suffering), David Brainerd (missionary biography), Elizabeth Elliot (on the martyrs in Ecuador), and J. Oswald Sanders (missionary statesman who wrote a book every year after age 70). Each reference is used to illustrate the reality and value of suffering in the Christian life.

Embracing Suffering: The Path to True Joy (SermonIndex.net) references Marvin Vincent (on Philippians 2:30), Dietrich Bonhoeffer (on the call to die), Roy Hession (author of “The Calvary Road”), Graham Staines (missionary martyr in India), and J. Oswald Sanders (missionary statesman). The sermon uses these references to illustrate the cost and joy of suffering for Christ, and to encourage perseverance and faithfulness.

Embracing the Cross: Power in Martyrdom and Suffering (SermonIndex.net) references Ignatius, Polycarp, Chrysostom (with direct quotes from his sermons on the cross and martyrdom), Eusebius (on the distinction between martyrs and confessors), Hippolytus (on the honor of confessors), Tertullian (on the character-building power of suffering), Van Braght (author of the Martyrs Mirror), and Susanna Wesley (her perseverance in faith). The sermon uses these historical figures to illustrate the theology of martyrdom and the enduring power of suffering in the church.

Fasting: A Path to Deeper Spiritual Connection (Sunset Church) explicitly references John Piper, quoting his description of fasting as a “whole body hungering for God.” The preacher also cites scholar Scott McKnight, who defines fasting as “a person’s whole body natural response to life’s sacred moments,” emphasizing the appropriateness of fasting as a response to both good and bad events. These references are used to support the sermon’s argument that fasting is a deeply physical, not just spiritual, practice and to reinforce the idea that bodily hunger can be a form of worship and longing for God.

Colossians 1:24 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Stewardship of the Gospel: Embracing Reconciliation and Suffering (Gambrell Street Baptist Church) uses the detailed analogy of military secrets, specifically the "nuclear football" and the protocols for releasing nuclear weapons, to illustrate the concept of stewardship and the gravity of carrying a message with world-altering consequences. The sermon also recounts a personal story of top-secret documents being blown toward enemy territory, highlighting the importance of faithful stewardship and the potential consequences of failure.

Rejoicing in Suffering: Embracing Joy Through Trials (Hyland Heights Baptist Church) employs the analogy of sports fandom, specifically the long-suffering of Eagles and Lions fans, to illustrate the concept that enduring hardship makes eventual joy more profound. The sermon also uses the example of a firefighter running into a burning building, not for the sake of suffering itself but for the value of saving lives, to parallel the Christian's willingness to suffer for the sake of the gospel. Additionally, the sermon references the "Netflix mentality" and fast-food drive-thru culture to critique modern expectations of instant results and comfort in ministry.

Joy and Suffering: Magnifying Christ in Our Lives (Ligonier Ministries) uses the metaphor of magnification, comparing the way a camera or screen enlarges a small image to how a Christian's joy in suffering makes Christ "look big" to others. The sermon also tells the story of a missionary in India whose blistered feet convinced a village of the authenticity of his message, illustrating the idea that suffering embodies and presents Christ's afflictions to others. The analogy of charcoal coals losing their heat when separated from the pile is used to illustrate the necessity of Christian community. The sermon also references the American context of prosperity and comfort, challenging the church to embrace suffering as a means of advancing the gospel.

Finding Joy in Suffering: Embracing Love and Growth (Become New) uses several detailed secular illustrations to illuminate Colossians 1:24. The sermon recounts the story of Father Edward Dowling, who suffered from arthritis and an eating disorder, and his relationship with Bill W., the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. The preacher describes Dowling’s personal struggles, including his eating habits (e.g., eating a quarter pound of butter and a box of crackers in one sitting), to humanize the experience of suffering and the need for spiritual growth. The sermon also uses the analogy of a mother choosing to take the heavier end of a trunk or shivering on a winter night to give her child a warm blanket, illustrating the voluntary embrace of suffering for the sake of love. Additionally, the story of a mother who lost her adult child to suicide and insisted on being the one to care for the body is used to exemplify the “grateful wanting” of suffering out of love. These illustrations serve to make the theological concepts of Colossians 1:24 accessible and emotionally resonant for a contemporary audience.

Suffering as a Pathway to Gospel Mission (Desiring God) uses the story of an Indian evangelist who, after being rejected and beaten in a village, is later accepted because the villagers see his "bloody feet" and recognize the authenticity of his message. The suffering endured by the evangelist becomes the visible evidence of his sincerity and the reality of the gospel, illustrating how suffering "fills up what is lacking" in Christ's afflictions. The sermon also references the real-life story of the missionary martyrs in Ecuador (Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, et al.) and Steve Saint's reflection on the divine purpose behind their deaths, as well as the ongoing reality of Christian martyrdom worldwide.

Embracing Sacrifice: The True Call of Discipleship (Desiring God) provides several detailed secular illustrations: the story of the Indian evangelist with blistered feet (as above), the Maasai warrior Joseph who is repeatedly beaten and left for dead by his village for preaching the gospel, but whose perseverance leads to the conversion of the entire village, and the story of Edmund in Haiti, who sells his only horse to give a sacrificial offering to the church but is too poor to attend the festival because he has no shirt. Each story is used to illustrate the principle that sacrificial suffering makes the gospel visible and credible to others.

Embracing Suffering: A Path to Joy and Purpose (Desiring God) recounts the story of the Indian evangelist with blistered feet, as told by J. Oswald Sanders, to illustrate how suffering becomes the visible sign of Christ's love to those who have not heard the gospel. The sermon also references the story of Graham Staines' widow and daughter in India, who respond to his martyrdom with forgiveness and continued commitment to their mission, demonstrating the power of suffering to bear witness to Christ. The illustration of Jay Oswald Sanders writing a book a year after age 70 is used to challenge the American ideal of retirement and comfort, calling for a lifetime of sacrificial service.

Embracing Suffering: The Path to True Ministry (Desiring God) uses the analogy of “breaking free from the Disneyland of America” and the “computer toy” (updated to “smartphone”) to illustrate the contrast between worldly satisfaction and the satisfaction found in Christ through suffering. The preacher argues that the world will not see the value of Christ if Christians appear to be most satisfied by their gadgets and comforts, rather than by Christ himself.

Embracing Suffering: The Path to True Joy (SermonIndex.net) includes a detailed story of a missionary in India who, after being rejected and driven out of a village, is later welcomed because the villagers see his blistered feet and recognize his willingness to suffer for them. This story is used as a vivid secular illustration of Colossians 1:24, showing how physical suffering can make the gospel credible and compelling to those who witness it. The sermon also references the experience of J. Oswald Sanders, who wrote a book every year after age 70 instead of retiring, as a countercultural example of lifelong service.

Embracing the Cross: Power in Martyrdom and Suffering (SermonIndex.net) uses several secular and historical illustrations, including the analogy of soldiers with a “military secret” who cannot be killed, to illustrate the empowering effect of the theology of martyrdom. The preacher also tells the story of Anakin of Rotterdam, who wrote a letter to her children before being executed, and references the Martyrs Mirror and the “wall of martyrs” at Wheaton College as examples of the enduring legacy of Christian suffering. The sermon also uses the analogy of running with heavy army gear (from the preacher’s wife’s experience in basic training) to illustrate the need to “lay aside every weight” in the Christian life.