Introduction:      The day that we were saved we were drafted into God's eternal army. We were enlisted, enabled, empowered, and equipped to stand on the front lines of the battlefield for the Lord. The question arises, "Am I a soldier of the Cross?" C. H. Spurgeon once said, "The Lord gets His best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction and sorrow!" Tertullian said, "The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church!" The truth of the matter is that the Christian life is not a frolic, but a fight. It is not just a time of spiritual welfare, but of spiritual warfare. We are in the fight of our lives as soldiers in the army of the Lord. This section of Colossians rallies the troops and seeks to encourage us to stay on the firing line as we fight the good fight of faith. We are challenged to be good soldiers of the cross by being reminded of three very important truths. 

I.          THE MINISTRY THAT IS DESIRED FOR THE SAINTS (VV.23-25)

Someone has well said, "You cannot be reconciled to God without being recruited for God!"

The preceding verses declare the truths of being reconciled to God through the death of the Cross. Since the death of Christ brought us out it now brings us up to stand on the battlefield. Two things are brought to light in order to fulfill this ministry. 

A.        We Are To Be Consistent In The Work Of God (vv.23-24)

There are two things which are involved in making us consistent Christians.

·         Being consistent involves service. 

We are admonished to, "continue in the faith..." The word "grounded" speaks of "being established." The word "settled" = to be "steadfast."  The idea of is one of consistency and perseverance. Simply put, we are to keep on keeping' on!  We are to stand, and keep on standing.  We are to strive, and keep on striving. We are to serve, and keep on serving. "Perseverance is the hallmark of the true saint." Our consistency not only involves service, but:

·         Being consistent involves suffering (v.24).

This is a prison epistle. Paul was suffering for the gospel's sake. Yet, he was honored to suffer for the cause of the Christ. Part of our consistency as Christians involves times of suffering. It is not a matter of "if" these times come; but, "when" these times come. God not only calls us to serve, but to suffer. (Illus: I think of the Apostles. Tradition tells us that Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross. James was thrown from the pinnacle of the Temple and finding him still alive, was beat to death with clubs. Peter was crucified upside down. Philip was severely whipped and scourged and then hanged by the neck against a pillar. Thomas was martyred by a lance being thrust through his body while kneeling in prayer. And, Paul, the author of this letter was beheaded.) The truth of the matter is that we know nothing of the suffering that these great men of God knew. They gave their lives in order for us to enjoy the truth of the gospel. While we may not be beheaded, or crucified for our faith, we will undoubtedly face times of suffering as we continue in our faith. These times may be manifested by physical suffering, emotional suffering, financial suffering, or spiritual suffering; but, they are necessary to enable us to be consistent in the work of God. Not only are we to be consistent in the work of God; but:

B.         We Are To Be Confident In The Will Of God (v.25)

We’re reminded here of God's will for the soldiers in His army…”to fulfill the word of God."

·         The will of God is seen in the word "dispensation." 

The word refers to "stewardship," and means, "the law of the house."  A steward was one who was given the responsibility of overseeing the possessions and affairs of those of the house. Being a steward was a position of great trust and responsibility. In the same sense God's will for us is that we be stewards of His house. We have been entrusted with great spiritual resources and we are to oversee, distribute, and manage these matters. 

·         God has a will and design for every person in this room. 

His will is that you take what He has entrusted unto you and use it to the best of your ability, and unto the utmost of His glory.  If you have been given the talent to sing, then you are a steward of that talent. And, God's will is that you manage, oversee and use that talent. If you have been gifted to teach, then you are a steward of that gift; you must use that gift. Whatever God has placed into your hand is to be used in your life. The truth of the matter is that…

·         If the work of God is to be accomplished then the will of God is to be achieved. 

That is, if we are to do the work necessary to further His work, then we must follow His will, and be faithful stewards. Not only does he speak of the ministry that is desired for the saints; but:

II.         THE MYSTERY THAT IS DISCLOSED TO THE SAINTS (VV.26-27) 

In the middle section of our text God's best-kept secret is disclosed. It is a glorious mystery that has been disclosed to us as His people. 

A.        It Is A Mystery Previously Concealed (v.26a)

The word "mystery" is quite an interesting word. The use of the word carries the sense of that "which was silent is now vocal." It was a truth that was undiscoverable except by revelation. In other words, it is something that could not be known until God made it known.

·         Throughout the scriptures there are 7 aspects of mystery mentioned:

(1) the mystery of the incarnation, (2) the mystery of the gospel, (3) the mystery of Christ and His church, (4) the mystery of the indwelling Christ, (5) the mystery of both Jews and Gentiles in one body, (6) the mystery of the rapture; and, (7) the mystery of kingdom of heaven.

·         These are truths previously concealed to the Old Testament prophets and scribes.

These are truths that were not made known until God's appointed time. These are truths which God sovereignty chose to keep hidden until the fullness of time. However, this mystery is not only previously concealed; now:

B.         It Is A Mystery Presently Revealed (v.26b-27)

That which God once chose not to make known now has been made known unto us. The word "mystery" is used in an interesting way. The use of the word is not to indicate a secret revealed only to an elite group; but, truth revealed to all believers since the New Testament.

·         What is God's best kept secret?"  It is unveiled in verse 27.

Does it reveal Christ in history? Christ in theology? Christ in ethics? Christ in ideals? Christ in architecture? Christ in poetry? Or, Christ in liturgy? No, it reveals Christ in you, and Christ in me! He who once chose to live above us, among us, and with us, now has chosen to live in us! 

·         This mystery involves us Gentiles. 

This mystery is the great truth that Christ is not the national possession of the Jews. He belongs to the whole world. Every man may have Him, and know Him. He is for the Gentile as well as the Jew.

·         The mystery is that God, in Christ, would unite both Jew and Gentile. 

In Christ, both Jew and Gentile meet on common ground. He has broken down all barriers of race, nationality, position, color, and creed. Now, in Christ, being a Jew or Gentile is neither an asset nor a liability. We are all one in the blood of Jesus, thus, one in the body of Christ. This mystery is God's key to what He promised in the Old Testament, what Christ did in the gospels, what the early church did in the book of Acts, what Paul taught in the epistles, and what God will do as recorded in the book of Revelation.

·         It was once previously concealed, but now it is presently revealed. 

He came unto His own, and His own received Him not; but, thank God, the door was opened where we, too could come to God by Him.  Jesus no longer views us by race, but by redemption.  And, that my friend, is a wonder and mystery. 

III.       THE MESSAGE THAT IS DECLARED BY THE SAINTS (VV.28-29)

Every warrior needs ammunition. We do not step onto the battlefield empty-handed or unprepared. We have been armed with the good news of the gospel. Because of the great mystery that God has chosen to reveal to us, we now have an obligation to share and declare that mystery with the world and it involves two things.  First, is:

A.        The Message And It's Presentation (v.28a)

"warning" = to publicly declare a completed truth or happening. The word "teaching" = to 'admonish;' and, it speaks of encouraging counsel in view of sin and coming punishment. Both of these aspects are involved in presenting our message.  In 1 Cor. 1: 18, the point is amplified "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."

·         Preaching is Paramount

The fact of the matter is that the songbook can never take the place of THE book. Drama can never take the place of doctrine. Programs can never take the place of preaching, and spiritual entertainment can never take the place of spiritual enlightenment. (Illus: Fortune Magazine carried an editorial entitled, "The Failure of the Church."  The editor made a number of stinging comments about the church's failure in these days, and said, "We are asked to turn to the Church for our enlightenment, but when we do so, we find that the voice of the Church is not inspired. The voice of the church today, we find, is the echo of our own voices.") The tragedy is that the words of the editor hit the nail right on the head. We have been armed with the only ammunition that will defeat the enemy, and change the heart of man. Yet, we have failed to use it. We have ceased to preach the glorious truth of the gospel.

·         The greatest crime in the church, today…

is to know the truth, and yet fail to present it to others. We have the glorious news that Christ came into the world to save sinners; I believe you would agree that is worth sharing with others. While this message has a presentation, we also see:

B.         The Message And It's Application (v.28b-29)

The Gospel message is to be preached, proclaimed and presented by us as the soldiers of the cross. However, the purpose, or application of this message contains one main objective. It is mentioned in verse 28.

·         The word "perfect" is not speaking of living a sinless life, or sinless perfection. 

The word means, "to come of age." It speaks of being mature. It carries the idea of being grown up, and able to handle the complexities of life.

·         We must be instructed as to what God expects of us. 

We must be warned, taught and admonished. The goal of every preacher and every sermon ought to be to bring the saints into a closer, deeper relationship with Christ, give wisdom, and cause them to plant their roots and mature in the Christian faith. 

Conclusion:       (Illus: Over one hundred years ago the great missionary C. T. Studd of England was heir to his father's fortune. However, Studd also held a deep passion for Christ and for the souls of men. He wrestled with which direction to follow for his life; but, finally came to the place where he forsook position and wealth to serve God in China, India and the heart of Africa, where he died in 1931. His prayer journal was found after his passing, and on the page of the date of his decision was penned the words: "If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice is too great for to me to make for Him!'

I believe C. T. Studd grasped the truth of being a soldier of the cross. Are you that kind of soldier, willing to pay the price no matter what the cost?