Everyone Is Invited

The Core Club of New York City promises the good life. You can eat the best meals, meet interesting people, and have access to boats, airplanes, and hard-to-get theater tickets. However, this Club experience is not open to everyone. To join this exclusive group, you need to pay a $50,000 initiation fee and a $15,000 annual fee.

Some of the false teachers in Colossae claimed that salvation was available only to an elite few, to those who had special knowledge. The apostle Paul takes a radically different view. He uses the word “all” or “every” four times in verse 28. He affirms that he is called to preach King Jesus to every person and strive to present everyone “fully mature in Christ” (v. 28). He does not mean that he will preach to everyone in the entire world, but that he is willing to preach to each person he comes across, regardless of background or status.

The proclamation of the gospel includes both “admonishing and teaching” (v. 28). That is, correcting wrong beliefs and practices and teaching the right ones. The goal for Paul was to present all these people “fully mature in Christ” (v. 28). These were believers whose whole lives, in an undivided way, were oriented toward Christ.

This task required work! Paul confessed that he must “strenuously contend” to achieve this goal. But he also knew that he did not rely simply on his own effort. He knew God had called him to this work. In reality, it was Christ working in and through him that powered his ministry. He could work hard because he knew his labor was not in vain. Christ would empower him to accomplish His will.

Pray with Us

One of the teams headed by Ken Heulitt, Investment Accounting, is on our prayer list today: Andrea Palmer-Reed, Daphne Hussey, Marilou Logan, and Tonya Reed. Their dedication and integrity of service bring glory to God and bless us at Moody.

BY Ryan Cook

Dr. Ryan Cook has taught at Moody Bible Institute since 2012. He earned his bachelor of arts in Bible and Theology from Moody and his master of arts in Old Testament from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He has worked in Christian education and served as a pastor in Michigan for seven years. During his time as a professor at Moody, he earned his doctorate from Asbury Theological Seminary. He now lives with his wife, Ashley, and their three children in the Chicagoland area.