Sharper Iron: The Cross Didn't Stop With the Ascension

Rev. Samuel Wirgau from Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harold and Trinity Lutheran Church in Iowa Park, Texas, studies Colossians 1:24-2:7. Today’s study covers comfort in the midst of suffering, the cross continuing past Ascenseion, the fully known mystery of Christ’s resurrection for you, and the Lord’s Supper as Christ in you.

Colossians 1:24-2:7

Paul’s Ministry to the Church

²⁴Now 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, ²⁵of 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, ²⁶the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. ²⁷To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. ²⁹For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

2 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, ²that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, ³in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. ⁵For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

Alive in Christ

⁶Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,⁷rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

English Standard Version (ESV)