Sermons on Colossians 1:29

Colossians 1:29 Interpretation:

Stewardship of the Gospel: Embracing Reconciliation and Suffering (Gambrell Street Baptist Church) offers a notably detailed interpretation of Colossians 1:29, emphasizing the dual nature of Paul’s labor: strenuous personal effort and utter dependence on Christ’s empowering presence. The sermon draws out the Greek term for “striving” (agonizomai), likening it to athletic exertion and even “beating,” and highlights the metaphor of an athlete pushing to exhaustion. It uniquely frames Paul’s ministry as both a stewardship (using the Greek concept of a household servant or steward, oikonomos) and a mystery, contrasting the biblical “mystery” with the secretive, elitist knowledge of local mystery cults and Gnosticism. The preacher also uses the analogy of “standing in the gap” as a negotiator between God and a world resistant to repentance, and insists that the “energy” Paul draws on is not his own but the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which is essential to avoid burnout and to fulfill the ministry of reconciliation.

The Transformative Power of the Gospel in Christ (The Shepherd's Church, Cary, NC) interprets Colossians 1:29 as a call to active, sacrificial labor in the gospel, but with the crucial distinction that the energy and effectiveness of this work come from Christ’s own power at work within the believer. The sermon uses the analogy of a newspaper route to illustrate the necessity of actually delivering the gospel message, not just possessing it, and connects Paul’s “toil” and “struggle” to the ongoing, Spirit-empowered work of missions and ministry, especially in difficult or cross-cultural contexts. The preacher stresses that the gospel is not only worth dying for but also worth living and working for, and that all true gospel effort is energized by Christ, not by human strength alone.

Balancing Human Effort and Divine Intervention in Ministry (Fishkill Baptist Church) provides a succinct but insightful interpretation, focusing on the “100%/100%” dynamic of ministry: Paul’s “toil” and “struggle” are real and exhaustive, but the true power is “all his energy that powerfully works in me.” The sermon uses the analogy of the authorship of Scripture (fully God, fully man) to explain this cooperation, and warns against both self-reliance and passivity. The preacher also references the Greek for “struggling” (agonizomai), connecting it to athletic struggle, and insists that ministry is only fruitful when it is both diligent and dependent on Christ’s empowering presence.

Preaching Through Adversity: Lessons from Spurgeon's Life (Desiring God) references Colossians 1:29 in the context of Spurgeon’s indefatigable ministry, highlighting the phrase “there are two of us” (referring to Spurgeon’s citation of Colossians 1:29) to illustrate the mystery of strenuous human effort and simultaneous divine empowerment. The sermon uses Spurgeon’s life as a living analogy for Paul’s teaching, emphasizing that authentic, sacrificial ministry is only possible when one recognizes that Christ’s power is the true source of endurance and fruitfulness, especially through suffering and adversity.

Living by Faith: Embracing Future Grace (Desiring God) offers a distinctive interpretation of Colossians 1:29 by focusing on the Greek terms used in the verse, such as "toil" (kopi?) and "striving" (ag?nizomai), and then unpacking the phrase "according to his energy which he is energizing in me by power." The sermon emphasizes the present, moment-by-moment arrival of "future grace"—God’s ever-arriving, sustaining power for each new challenge. The preacher uses the analogy of not running your car on yesterday’s gas to illustrate that past grace is not sufficient for present obedience; instead, believers must trust in God’s fresh, incoming power for every act of service or obedience. This interpretation is further deepened by the assertion that faith is not just a one-time act but a continual, moment-by-moment welcoming of Christ as the supreme treasure and being satisfied in all that God promises to be for us in him. The sermon uniquely frames Colossians 1:29 as a call to live in the mystery of "living in the power of another so that the other gets the glory," making the Christian life a supernatural experience rather than a self-reliant effort.

Empowered by Christ: The Mystery of Unity (Desiring God) interprets Colossians 1:29 by drawing out the dual imagery of a manual laborer and an athlete/soldier, highlighting the Greek words for "toil" (kopi?) and "struggle" (ag?nizomai). The sermon uniquely stresses that Paul’s strenuous effort is not self-reliant but is performed "according to Christ’s working"—a paradoxical dynamic where Paul’s own exertion is simultaneously Christ’s power at work within him. The preacher uses the analogy of an athlete agonizing for victory and a laborer pushing through weariness, but insists that the real key is that the energy is not self-generated but divinely supplied. The sermon further distinguishes itself by outlining three practical steps for living out this dynamic: knowing the truth of God’s working, praying for God’s power, and exercising faith—each step being rooted in explicit biblical cross-references.

Wrestling in Prayer: A Spiritual Battle (Desiring God) provides a unique interpretive angle by connecting Colossians 1:29’s "struggling" (ag?nizomai) to the concept of wrestling in prayer, as seen in Colossians 4:12. The sermon draws out the metaphor of wrestling as both toil (like pushing a boulder) and as a spiritual battle, emphasizing that the struggle is not merely human effort but is empowered by Christ’s energy. The preacher uses the analogy of an athlete’s discipline and a soldier’s warfare, but also highlights the paradox that even the act of calling for help in prayer is itself enabled by God’s prior working. This interpretation is notable for its focus on the spiritual warfare aspect of Christian striving, framing prayer as a "wartime walkie-talkie" rather than a casual conversation.

Colossians 1:29 Theological Themes:

Stewardship of the Gospel: Embracing Reconciliation and Suffering (Gambrell Street Baptist Church) introduces the theme of “stewardship of mystery,” arguing that the “mystery” Paul refers to is not esoteric knowledge but the now-revealed gospel, especially the inclusion of the Gentiles and the indwelling of Christ in all believers. The sermon also develops the theme of “standing in the gap” as agents of reconciliation, insisting that suffering is an inherent part of this calling, and that the ongoing sufferings of believers “fill up” what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions—not in atonement, but in the historical outworking of redemption. The preacher further explores the idea that the power for this ministry is the Holy Spirit’s indwelling, which enables both perseverance and effectiveness.

The Transformative Power of the Gospel in Christ (The Shepherd's Church, Cary, NC) adds the theme that gospel ministry is not only about dying for Christ but also about living and working for him, with the energy for this work supplied by Christ himself. The sermon applies this to missions, cross-cultural ministry, and the ongoing spread of the gospel, emphasizing that the “struggle” is both individual and corporate, and that Christ’s power is sufficient for every need and every context.

Balancing Human Effort and Divine Intervention in Ministry (Fishkill Baptist Church) presents the distinctive theme of “100%/100% cooperation” in ministry, rejecting both self-reliance and fatalistic passivity. The preacher insists that all true ministry is a partnership: total human effort, total divine empowerment, with God receiving all the glory. This is illustrated by the analogy to the dual authorship of Scripture and the necessity of prayerful dependence.

Preaching Through Adversity: Lessons from Spurgeon's Life (Desiring God) introduces the theme of “two of us” in ministry, using Spurgeon’s life to illustrate the paradox of exhausting human labor and supernatural divine strength. The sermon applies this especially to ministry through suffering, arguing that only by recognizing Christ’s power at work within can a preacher or minister endure and remain fruitful through adversity.

Living by Faith: Embracing Future Grace (Desiring God) introduces the distinctive theological theme of "future grace"—the idea that God’s grace is not only a past event (forgiveness at conversion) but an ever-arriving, moment-by-moment power for obedience and sanctification. The sermon argues that faith is not merely intellectual assent or a past decision, but an ongoing, dynamic trust in God’s promises for the next moment, hour, or day. This theme is further developed by asserting that true faith necessarily produces works, not as a parallel track but as the very outworking of faith itself, and that these works serve as evidence of genuine faith at the final judgment. The preacher also explores the tension between justification by faith alone and the necessity of holiness for final salvation, resolving it by illustrating that works are evidentiary, not meritorious.

Empowered by Christ: The Mystery of Unity (Desiring God) adds a nuanced theological theme by emphasizing the paradox of Christian effort: believers are called to exert themselves strenuously, yet their exertion is only fruitful when it is the outflow of Christ’s power within them. The sermon highlights the necessity of conscious dependence on God’s strength, arguing that only when believers serve in this way is God truly glorified, since self-reliant effort would result in self-glorification. This theme is made practical by outlining the necessity of knowledge, prayer, and faith as the means by which believers access divine power.

Wrestling in Prayer: A Spiritual Battle (Desiring God) brings a fresh facet by focusing on the spiritual warfare inherent in Christian striving, especially in prayer. The sermon develops the idea that wrestling in prayer is not just hard work but a battle against spiritual opposition, requiring both self-discipline and reliance on God’s empowering presence. The preacher’s metaphor of prayer as a "wartime walkie-talkie" underscores the urgency and embattled nature of true intercession, distinguishing it from more casual or sentimental views of prayer.

Colossians 1:29 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 the Jewish religious establishment. The sermon details the cultural background of “mystery cults” in Colossae, especially the cult of Cybele and the early Gnostic movements, and contrasts these with the open, revealed “mystery” of the gospel. The preacher also explains the role of a “steward” (oikonomos) in the Greco-Roman household, emphasizing the servant’s responsibility to manage the master’s affairs in his absence, and applies this to Paul’s self-understanding as a servant and steward of God’s revealed plan.

The Transformative Power of the Gospel in Christ (The Shepherd's Church, Cary, NC) offers historical insight into the Roman use of the term “gospel” (good news) as a proclamation of military victory, and applies this to the way the early Christians understood and spread the message of Christ’s victory. The sermon also references the cultural context of Colossae as a place marked by fear-based religion, appeasement of spiritual powers, and social division, and highlights the radical nature of the gospel’s reconciling power across ethnic and cultural boundaries, as seen in the multi-ethnic composition of the early church.

Empowered by Christ: The Mystery of Unity (Desiring God) provides historical context by explaining that Paul’s use of "toil" and "struggle" would have evoked images of manual laborers, athletes, and soldiers in the Greco-Roman world—figures known for their physical exertion, discipline, and self-denial. The sermon notes that Paul’s audience would have understood these metaphors as references to the kind of relentless, exhausting effort required in both daily work and competitive sports, but then subverts expectations by insisting that the true source of power is not human but divine. This contextual insight helps modern readers appreciate the radical nature of Paul’s claim that even the most strenuous Christian effort is ultimately the result of Christ’s energy at work within the believer.

Colossians 1:29 Cross-References in the Bible:

Stewardship of the Gospel: Embracing Reconciliation and Suffering (Gambrell Street Baptist Church) references a wide array of biblical passages to illuminate Colossians 1:29. Acts 22:21-22 is used to explain why Paul was imprisoned (his mission to the Gentiles); Romans 5 is cited to explain the nature of reconciliation; 1 Corinthians 1 and 4 are used to discuss the “foolishness” of the gospel and the suffering of apostles; 2 Corinthians 11 catalogs Paul’s sufferings; Acts 9:15-16 is referenced to show God’s plan for Paul’s suffering; Ephesians 3 and 4, Galatians 2, and 1 Timothy 2 are used to elaborate on Paul’s calling and the “mystery” of the gospel; Romans 16:25-26 and 1 Peter 1 are cited to discuss the revelation of the mystery; Galatians 3 is used to emphasize the unity of all believers; Ephesians 2 is referenced regarding the breaking down of the wall between Jews and Gentiles; 2 Corinthians 5 is cited for the ministry of reconciliation; Philippians 3 is referenced for the “fellowship of his sufferings”; and Colossians 1:9, 1:22, and 1:23 are used to tie together the themes of maturity, hope, and reconciliation.

The Transformative Power of the Gospel in Christ (The Shepherd's Church, Cary, NC) references Romans 10 (“how shall they hear without a preacher?”) to emphasize the necessity of proclaiming the gospel, and John 20 (“many other things Jesus did…”) to highlight the inexhaustible riches of Christ’s work. The sermon also alludes to Colossians 1:15-20 (the supremacy of Christ), Colossians 2 (warnings against false teaching), and Ephesians 2 (reconciliation and peace through the cross).

Balancing Human Effort and Divine Intervention in Ministry (Fishkill Baptist Church) references Colossians 1:29 directly, and then uses Acts 9:32-43 (Peter’s ministry), Luke 5 (healing of the paralytic), Luke 8 (raising of Jairus’s daughter), Acts 1:8 (the Great Commission), and Luke 24 (the resurrection) to illustrate the principle of cooperative ministry and the necessity of divine empowerment. The sermon also references the “WWJD” (What Would Jesus Do?) concept and the importance of knowing Christ’s character through Scripture.

Preaching Through Adversity: Lessons from Spurgeon's Life (Desiring God) references Colossians 1:29 as Spurgeon’s motto for ministry (“there are two of us”), and connects it to 1 Corinthians 15:10 (“by the grace of God I am what I am”) to emphasize the necessity of divine grace in sustaining authentic ministry through adversity.

Living by Faith: Embracing Future Grace (Desiring God) references a wide array of biblical passages to support and expand on Colossians 1:29. Hebrews 11:1 and the story of Abraham are used to illustrate faith’s future orientation; 1 Peter 4:11 is cited to show that serving in God’s strength brings God glory; Matthew 5 and 2 Corinthians 4:17 are used to connect suffering, reward, and faith in future grace; James 2:17, Galatians 6:8-9, 1 John 2:4, and 1 John 3:14 are referenced to argue that works are necessary evidence of true faith; Romans 3:28 and 5:1 are cited to clarify justification by faith alone; 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 2 Thessalonians 1:11, Acts 26:18, and Galatians 5:6 are used to show that faith is the agent of sanctification; 1 Corinthians 15:10, 2 Corinthians 9:8, and 2 Corinthians 12:9 are used to illustrate the ongoing, empowering nature of grace; and Philippians 4:19, Hebrews 13:5-6, and Romans 8:32 are given as examples of promises to trust for future grace.

Empowered by Christ: The Mystery of Unity (Desiring God) groups several cross-references to reinforce the message of Colossians 1:29. 1 Corinthians 15:10 is used to show that Paul’s labor is actually the grace of God at work; Philippians 2:12-13 is cited to illustrate the paradox of working out salvation because God is working in the believer; Colossians 4:12 is referenced to show that struggling in prayer is another form of this divine-human synergy; Galatians 3:5 is used to argue that God’s working is accessed by faith; and 1 Peter 4:11 is cited to emphasize that serving in God’s strength brings God glory.

Empowered Living: Serving in God's Strength (Desiring God) references Colossians 1:29 alongside 1 Peter 4:11, Romans 8:13, Philippians 2:12-13, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 1:20, Isaiah 41:10, Philippians 4:19, Hebrews 13:5-6, and Romans 8:32. These passages are used to build a practical theology of serving and living by God’s strength, with a particular emphasis on trusting specific promises for each new challenge.

Wrestling in Prayer: A Spiritual Battle (Desiring God) references Colossians 4:12, Colossians 1:28-29, 1 Timothy 6:12, 1 Corinthians 9:25, John 18:36, and Ephesians 6:12. These passages are used to draw out the various dimensions of "wrestling"—as toil, athletic discipline, and spiritual warfare—culminating in the assertion that prayer is a battle against spiritual opposition, not just a human effort.

Colossians 1:29 Christian References outside the Bible:

Preaching Through Adversity: Lessons from Spurgeon's Life (Desiring God) explicitly references Charles Spurgeon, quoting his statement “there are two of us” (in reference to Colossians 1:29) to illustrate the mystery of human effort and divine empowerment in ministry. The sermon also references Spurgeon’s views on Calvinism, soul-winning, doctrinal fidelity, and sacrificial labor, and uses his life as a living example of Paul’s teaching in Colossians 1:29. The preacher also cites Spurgeon’s son, Charles, and Lord Shaftesbury, as well as John Piper’s own reflections on Spurgeon’s legacy.

Empowered Living: Serving in God's Strength (Desiring God) explicitly references J.I. Packer’s book "Keep in Step with the Spirit," quoting Packer’s four-step process for serving in God’s strength: observing tasks, praying for help, working with expectation of help, and thanking God for help given. The sermon also mentions the preacher’s own acronym "APTAT" (Admit, Pray, Trust, Act, Thank) and notes that Packer’s approach closely mirrors this method, with the main difference being the emphasis on trusting a specific promise. The preacher further references his own book "Living by Faith in Future Grace" as an extended treatment of the "Trust" step, arguing that this is often the missing element in Christian living. The sermon also labels this approach as "Augustinian sanctification," connecting it to the broader Christian tradition.

Colossians 1:29 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Stewardship of the Gospel: Embracing Reconciliation and Suffering (Gambrell Street Baptist Church) uses several detailed secular analogies to illustrate the concept of “mystery” and stewardship. The preacher recounts his own experience with top secret military clearances and the “nuclear football” carried by officers accompanying the U.S. president, using these as analogies for the stewardship of a powerful, world-altering secret. He also tells a story about top secret documents being blown toward enemy territory, highlighting the seriousness and risk involved in handling secrets, and then contrasts this with the biblical “mystery” that is meant to be revealed and shared, not hidden. These analogies serve to make the concept of stewardship and the revelation of the gospel vivid and memorable.

The Transformative Power of the Gospel in Christ (The Shepherd's Church, Cary, NC) uses the analogy of a newspaper route to illustrate the necessity of actually delivering the gospel message, not just possessing it. The preacher describes his own experience as a teenager running a paper route, including the fear of encountering a coyote, and uses this to emphasize that news (the gospel) must be actively delivered to have any effect. He also references the way sports fans spread news of a victory, comparing this to the early Christian proclamation of the gospel as “good news” of Christ’s victory.

Balancing Human Effort and Divine Intervention in Ministry (Fishkill Baptist Church) references the “WWJD” (What Would Jesus Do?) bracelet trend and humorously proposes a more complicated alternative (“How do you know what Jesus would do unless you know what he did?”) to stress the importance of knowing Christ’s character through Scripture. The sermon also references the Watergate scandal and Chuck Colson’s reflections on it, using Colson’s argument that the inability of powerful men to keep a secret under pressure supports the credibility of the apostles’ testimony to the resurrection, since they maintained their witness under threat of death.

Living by Faith: Embracing Future Grace (Desiring God) uses the analogy of not running your car on yesterday’s gas to illustrate the necessity of relying on God’s ever-arriving, present grace rather than past experiences of grace. The preacher also references the story of two prostitutes before King Solomon (from 1 Kings 3) as an illustration of how works serve as evidence of true identity, not as the basis for acceptance—though this is a biblical rather than secular example. Additionally, the preacher humorously mentions drinking orange juice to the glory of God and references Bob Dylan’s song "You Gotta Serve Somebody" to underscore the universality of service, though these are brief and not deeply developed as analogies for Colossians 1:29.

Wrestling in Prayer: A Spiritual Battle (Desiring God) employs the metaphor of prayer as a "wartime walkie-talkie," likening focused, embattled prayer to a soldier calling for air support in the midst of battle. The preacher describes prayer as "embattled" and compares it to sending in for "fire cover" during heavy enemy fire, emphasizing the urgency and warfare context of true intercessory prayer. This vivid analogy is used to help listeners grasp the intensity and spiritual opposition involved in wrestling in prayer, distinguishing it from more casual or sentimental views of prayer.