The Passion of the Preacher

​Colossians 1:29 ~ “For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.”
 
As we looked upon the need for Christian preaching yesterday, it seems of necessity to follow up with the Apostle Paul and understand the passion of Christian preachers. There are many halfhearted proclaimers who determine to try and slide through the work with little effort and only a modicum of preparation. Some perform their duty with their eye upon a worldly prize, hoping to try and gain for themselves some measure of personal success or fame. These ones will dispense all manner of talk, shifting from one man-centered topic to another as they try to build a standing in society. Paul would describe them as peddlers, “For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:17). And our LORD Jesus would characterize them as “hirelings.” Consider John 10:13, “He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” These hirelings will not suffer through hardship for the sake of the church.
 
We read in Proverbs 14:23, “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” And this is the first thing we must see from the apostle—and strive to find within ourselves—is the willingness to labor at the work. Paul said of himself, “For this I toil.” To understand this word “toil” you must see it as labor that leaves you exhausted. It is the striving that brings you to a place where you have spent all your effort and energy. This is the true pursuit of the preacher. Paul’s “this” referenced back to his determined work to bring all believers to maturity in Christ—that was his toilsome labor which he endeavored to finish. But it goes for all of God’s servants that there must be a pursuit that drives your life in Christ. Paul picks up a similar thought when he says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23). So, dear Christian, what is your “this?” What is it that has so gripped you in Christ that you must labor unto exhaustion until your time on this earth is complete? Paul described it in his own life as a “pouring out.” He says in Philippians 2:17, “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”
 
What we find next in our text today is the passion of the preacher. Paul states that he toiled, “struggling with all his energy.” There was no great lack of passion on the part of the Apostle Paul. The grace of the LORD Jesus that Paul experienced was so transformative in his life that he spent the rest of his days pushing the gospel as far as he could reach. He testified to this in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” The term “struggling” in our text today conveys the idea of agonizing as if in an athletic competition. No one runs half-hearted if they have any desire to win the race, and no Christian goes into the work of Christ with a lackadaisical approach to the task. Our LORD Jesus tells us, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Beloved, the way is hard. It takes a certain determination to continue in Christ. But you must see this truth: it is the LORD who energizes. It is “his [God’s] energy” that Paul relied upon. We are a weak and frail people who cannot lift one pebble of the mighty will of God. But let God energize you and you will find that you have the means to move mountains as you passionately pursue His will.
 
Which brings us to the final thought for today: there is power in the preacher. But, my friends, this is not the power of the servant of God, but power from God for the servant to work. Paul declared, “that he powerfully works within me.” We are limited creatures at best, incapable of accomplishing the commands of the King of kings. But, let me ask you this, do you desire to serve the LORD? Is there that flame of passion in you to fulfill the will of God through your life? Then, beloved, you must function in His power that works within you. Jesus promised such power in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” But to work in His power you must submit yourself in obedience to His Word. If you have your own agenda, you will have to do it in your own might.
 
So, let us strive, my friends, to be found faithful till the end.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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