Press on!

[TibiasDad]

Phil 3:12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (NIV)



My first sermon, and I use the word very loosely, was when I was 17 at a church youth rally. It was supposed to be based on Philippians 4:13, but in reality it was a hodgepodge of quotes and stories that I memorized...

Continue reading...

 

[GodsGrace]

Very nice!
Thanks for posting.

For others that may want to read your article:
What exactly is it for which we press onward?

 

[TibiasDad]

Very nice!
Thanks for posting.

For others that may want to read your article:
What exactly is it for which we press onward?

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

 

[GodsGrace]

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Paul mentioned something about the participation in Jesus' suffering.
I think it's in Corinthians...having trouble finding it...
It sounded, when I was reading it, that Paul was suffering for Christ as if he were helping to "complete" the work of Christ.

If you know the verse, could you comment?
(sorry)

 

[TibiasDad]

Paul mentioned something about the participation in Jesus' suffering.
I think it's in Corinthians...having trouble finding it...
It sounded, when I was reading it, that Paul was suffering for Christ as if he were helping to "complete" the work of Christ.

If you know the verse, could you comment?
(sorry)

Rom 8:17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

 

[GodsGrace]

Rom 8:17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Thanks TD...
That's not it.
If I can come up with the right verse,,,I'll post to you again.
There's a lot about suffering for Christ or with Christ...this was about helping to complete Jesus' sacrifice.
OR, I could be mistaken altogether!

 

[TibiasDad]

Thanks TD...
That's not it.
If I can come up with the right verse,,,I'll post to you again.
There's a lot about suffering for Christ or with Christ...this was about helping to complete Jesus' sacrifice.
OR, I could be mistaken altogether!

2 Cor 1:5For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.

 

[humble soul]

Interesting. I think this verse was used in the movie "chariots of Fire" in a slightly different vein. Probably my fave movie of all time.

 

[humble soul]

 

[Hospes]

Thanks TD...
That's not it.
If I can come up with the right verse,,,I'll post to you again.
There's a lot about suffering for Christ or with Christ...this was about helping to complete Jesus' sacrifice.
OR, I could be mistaken altogether!

Colossians 1:24–25 (ESV)
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,

Some translations use complete instead of "filling up".

 

[GodsGrace]

Colossians 1:24–25 (ESV)
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,

Some translations use complete instead of "filling up".

Thanks Hospes!
That's the one.

How would you and TibiasDad understand the following from the above verse - ( Colossians 1:24-25 )

I AM FILLING UP (COMPLETING) WHAT IS LACKING IN CHRIST'S AFFLICTIONS FOR THE SAKE OF HIS BODY...THE CHURCH...

It sounds like Paul feels he's completing some work of Jesus,,,but I know that can't be the answer.
Is he completing the work for the church?

 

[Hospes]

That's a

Thanks Hospes!
That's the one.

How would you and TibiasDad understand the following from the above verse - ( Colossians 1:24-25 )

I AM FILLING UP (COMPLETING) WHAT IS LACKING IN CHRIST'S AFFLICTIONS FOR THE SAKE OF HIS BODY...THE CHURCH...

It sounds like Paul feels he's completing some work of Jesus,,,but I know that can't be the answer.
Is he completing the work for the church?

That's a tough one! I shall go off and study on it. Thanks for the challenge!

 

[Hospes]

My dear Wondering. (You may irritate me to no end at times, but I still like you! Kind of like my bio sisters)

I am about to risk asking you to listen to something from a source you probably have a real strong disposition to not listen to. So brace yourself and do me the favor of at least considering it. It is a podcast that very directly addresses your question on Colossians 1:24. Even though it is by one of your nemeses - I say this ryley - I have vetted that in no part is Calvinism part of the addressing of the passage. So maybe what he has to say may actually prove useful in this one little slice of common ground you may have with him.

Do My Sufferings Complete Christ’s?

How did Paul “fill up what is lacking” in Christ’s afflictions? Didn’t the cross provide a sufficient payment for the sins of God’s people?

www.desiringgod.org

 

[GodsGrace]

My dear Wondering. (You may irritate me to no end at times, but I still like you! Kind of like my bio sisters)

I am about to risk asking you to listen to something from a source you probably have a real strong disposition to not listen to. So brace yourself and do me the favor of at least considering it. It is a podcast that very directly addresses your question on Colossians 1:24. Even though it is by one of your nemeses - I say this ryley - I have vetted that in no part is Calvinism part of the addressing of the passage. So maybe what he has to say may actually prove useful in this one little slice of common ground you may have with him.

Do My Sufferings Complete Christ’s?

How did Paul “fill up what is lacking” in Christ’s afflictions? Didn’t the cross provide a sufficient payment for the sins of God’s people?

www.desiringgod.org

Well Hospes,
Surprise, surprise, I happen to like John Piper.
I'm REALLY sorry he agrees with the reformed, but many of these guys
are very good at exegesis in other matters.

Will get back to you.

P.S. Why do I irritate you?
I'm sooooo sweet!

 

[Hospes]

Surprise, surprise, I happen to like John Piper.

I am truly gobsmacked!! Thought for sure you'd be clutching your pearls at my suggestion.

 

[TibiasDad]

Thanks Hospes!
That's the one.

How would you and TibiasDad understand the following from the above verse - ( Colossians 1:24-25 )

I AM FILLING UP (COMPLETING) WHAT IS LACKING IN CHRIST'S AFFLICTIONS FOR THE SAKE OF HIS BODY...THE CHURCH...

It sounds like Paul feels he's completing some work of Jesus,,,but I know that can't be the answer.
Is he completing the work for the church?

Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. Col 1:24

Paul is simply saying that he is willing to and putting himself in a position to suffer for the sake of the gospel and the church. It says nothing about any insufficiency in what Christ has done for which Paul must suffer to complete.

Doug

 

[GodsGrace]

My dear Wondering. (You may irritate me to no end at times, but I still like you! Kind of like my bio sisters)

I am about to risk asking you to listen to something from a source you probably have a real strong disposition to not listen to. So brace yourself and do me the favor of at least considering it. It is a podcast that very directly addresses your question on Colossians 1:24. Even though it is by one of your nemeses - I say this ryley - I have vetted that in no part is Calvinism part of the addressing of the passage. So maybe what he has to say may actually prove useful in this one little slice of common ground you may have with him.

Do My Sufferings Complete Christ’s?

How did Paul “fill up what is lacking” in Christ’s afflictions? Didn’t the cross provide a sufficient payment for the sins of God’s people?

www.desiringgod.org

Hi Hospes and TibiasDad

I watched the short video on YouTube of Piper and I also watched the whole hour that came after it
with Macarthur.

I agree with TibiasDad and you that, of course, Jesus sacrifice was complete.
And yes, I did think even before watching the videos that it had to do with Paul's ministry.
As a matter of fact, Macarthur said exactly this and he explained how he respects Paul and
fashioned his ministry after Paul's.

So, as I understand it, Colossians 1:24 is saying this:
Paul is in prison in Rome and is writing to the Colossians.
He tells them that they are to remain firm in their faith, not moved from
the hope held out in the gospel -- the gospel that has been proclaimed
to every creature under heaven and the gospel to which Paul has become a servant.

Paul is happy for whatever sufferings he has had for the Colossian church....which were many, including
his imprisonment (I've seen the prison) . Jesus died on the cross and suffered as an atonement,
and now Paul is suffering because he is preaching the good news....for Christ's Body, which is the Church.
IOW,,,it is Paul's share of suffering for the church (both church and Church).

Thanks to both of you.

 

[Hospes]

Hi Hospes and TibiasDad

I watched the short video on YouTube of Piper and I also watched the whole hour that came after it
with Macarthur.

I agree with TibiasDad and you that, of course, Jesus sacrifice was complete.
And yes, I did think even before watching the videos that it had to do with Paul's ministry.
As a matter of fact, Macarthur said exactly this and he explained how he respects Paul and
fashioned his ministry after Paul's.

So, as I understand it, Colossians 1:24 is saying this:
Paul is in prison in Rome and is writing to the Colossians.
He tells them that they are to remain firm in their faith, not moved from
the hope held out in the gospel -- the gospel that has been proclaimed
to every creature under heaven and the gospel to which Paul has become a servant.

Paul is happy for whatever sufferings he has had for the Colossian church....which were many, including
his imprisonment (I've seen the prison) . Jesus died on the cross and suffered as an atonement,
and now Paul is suffering because he is preaching the good news....for Christ's Body, which is the Church.
IOW,,,it is Paul's share of suffering for the church (both church and Church).

Thanks to both of you.

Piper and MacArthur! I am still gobsmacked! There is more to you than I have given you credit.

In all seriousness, I apologize for my lack of recognition.

 

[GodsGrace]

Piper and MacArthur! I am still gobsmacked! There is more to you than I have given you credit.

In all seriousness, I apologize for my lack of recognition.

Not much to recognize Hospes.
But I've learned a new word along the way
gobsmacked!

Oh. And I think Sproul is a great teacher.
But I don't agree with him about Augustine, whom he very much respects.

 

[TibiasDad]

Thanks to both of you

You're very welcome!


Doug