Colossians 1:24-2:5

            {Prayer}

            Tony Robbins, an American motivational speaker and ‘life coach’ who created a multifaceted business empire by preaching a gospel of self-improvement can make anywhere between $300,000 and $1 million per speaking engagement. That’s not bad for a sixty-minute speech. Even if you don’t get someone like Tony Robbins, the top motivational speaker in the United States can earn around $50,000 per speech.

            Let me put in a disclaimer right here. What follows from this point on will not be a $1 million speech, let alone a $50,000 speech. When I have spoken at different events, like graduations or anniversary parties, I get paid with a wonderfully prepared meal.

            To the point though, when you hear that someone can make $50,000 or $1 million for a sixty-minute motivational speech, don’t you find yourself thinking, “Man, someone must really believe in the value of motivation? Whoever is footing this bill must be convinced that fired up people within this business will prove to make the speaker’s fee a good investment.”

            When you stop and think about it, motivation plays a critical role in our success. Would you rather play on a high-energy team or a lethargic, lifeless team? Would you rather be in a highly charged work environment or a slow-motion atmosphere? And don’t we all hope that we stay motivated to grow in Christ and succeed in life?

            If anyone was motivated, it was Paul. Paul started churches all over the Mediterranean world. He wrote 13 out of the 27 books of the New Testament. Paul spoke in some of the most important cities of his day like Jerusalem, Athens, and Rome. But by the time Paul writes this letter to the Colossians, Paul’s an old man in prison and he’s losing his eyesight. Paul is very much so near the end of his life.

            But does Paul sit back and take it easy? Does he slow down? Does throw in the towel and give up? Not at all!

            Look again at what Paul writes in our second lesson today. His goal is “to present to you the word of God in its fullness” (1:25). He writes, “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom” (1:28). And then a little later, “I want you to know how much I am struggling for you” (2:1).

            So we need to ask the question today … what do you need motivation for? Is it getting tough at work? Is parenting or raising a new puppy eating your lunch? Are you just going through the motions in your marriage? Are you living a half-baked, half-hearted life? Are you feeling increasingly apathetic? Then here’s some good news for you … the gifts God gave Paul, they are the same gifts He gives to you!

            Paul says, “God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (1:27). “In you” also appears later in chapter 3 where Paul says, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly” (3:16). That is where the power is, it’s in God’s Word. Paul says to let it dwell, to live in you richly, not occasionally. Richly, not sporadically. Richly, not every now and then or when you feel like you need it. The Word of Christ is Christ’s power in you!

            An old prayer of the church said that we should inwardly digest God’s Word. The prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel were told by God to literally eat His Word. In Jeremiah 15, Jeremiah is complaining to God about how he is being treated, how his messages are falling on deaf ears, and how the people are acting like ravage animals instead of how the children of God should be acting. Jeremiah is then told by God to eat the scroll, to eat God’s words. As those words became a part of him, as they were digested, as they permeated throughout his body, joy and delight were brought back to his heart. Jeremiah’s faith was hanging on by a thread, and yet, with the Word of God in him, his faith was restored.

            Ezekiel at the scroll which contained God’s Word as well. The scroll contained words of lamenting, words of crying out to God, words of mourning and grief, and words of disaster. As he ate them, Ezekiel said they tasted like honey. Just like with Jeremiah, the words were digested and as they permeated through his body, Ezekiel was strengthened for the unpopular ministry that laid before him.

            God’s Word, dwelling in us richly, is the only solution for when we are weighed down with rejection, regret, and resentment. When we feel lethargic and lukewarm toward life … we need God’s Word. We need God’s Word to permeate throughout our bodies. I’m not saying to go home and eat your Bible, but we are called by Jesus to come to Him. Jesus says in Matthew 11, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Peter tells us to “cast all our anxieties on Christ, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Leave the things weighing you down at the foot of the cross and then say with Paul, “To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me” (Col. 1:29). That’s motivation, that’s Christ’s power in you. But there’s more.

            Christ’s purpose is for you as well. Paul says, “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:2-3).

            Paul, even in prison, has a purpose. Paul, even when everything looks bleak and hopeless, has a purpose. Paul, even when his life is coming to an end … this Paul is still pumped about Christ’s purpose. Paul wants to encourage people in the heart. He wants to unite them in love. He wants them to strive so that they completely understand Christ because all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Christ. That’s a powerful purpose! And it motivated Paul to endure floggings, imprisonments, arrests, betrayals, hardships, rejections, beatings, shipwrecks, and so much more!

            It’s easy, though, to feel discouraged about Christ’s purpose for our lives. Maybe we feel like Matt Steven. Matt Steven was a high school senior in 2009 and a basketball player for the St. Lawrence High School in Pennsylvania. Matt Steven was born premature and blind as both of his retinas were detached. He had his left eye removed in fifth grade, his right in sixth grade. He started out at a high school for blind kids, but so desperately wanted to be around other kids, normal kids. So his parents transferred him to St. Lawrence.

            Matt’s brother Joe was the basketball coach. At a charity basketball tournament, Coach Joe asked the other teams if Matt could shoot all the free throws. He was the team’s designated shooter. In the first game, Matt went 4-for-8.

            In the sectional finals, St. Lawrence is down by one point and there are just seconds left in the game. Matt is on the free throw line. The crowd is going wild. So far in the game, Matt is 0-for-6. Matt didn’t want to take the shots so he told his brother to let the guy who got fouled shoot them.

            Do you ever feel like that? God has a purpose for you, but right now you’re 0-for-6 and you feel defeated. You’re ready to quit, give up, and throw in the towel.

            Matt Steven stayed at the free throw line. And why? Because his brother believed in him. Joe tapped the rim with Matt’s cane. Matt shoots the first, banks it off the glass and in tied game. The fans were going crazy. If Matt makes the second shot, his team wins. The gym goes quiet; Joe taps the cane to the iron rim of the basket again. Matt shoots, banks it off the glass and the shot goes in.

            The Bible frequently encourages us to believe in Jesus. That’s important. But what’s even more important is to know that Jesus believes in you. And He is your older Brother. Talk about motivation! His love for you is anything but lackluster, lethargic, and lukewarm. Jesus’ love for you is a fierce, passionate love that is driven by nails, marked with scars, crowned with thrones. You may fail … but Jesus won’t. You may feel like giving up … but Jesus won’t, ever!

            As Paul sits in prison, writing to these Colossians, I’m sure he is tempted to settle for a lousy, two-bit, worthless word. And what would that word be? “Almost.” “Almost” run with “nearly,” “next time”, “if only,” and “just about.” “Almost” is honorable mention, runner up, and burnt cookies. “Almost” is the one that got away, the sale that nearly closed.

            “Did I ever tell you about the time I almost was Employee of the Year?” “I almost made the team.” I almost won the battle, almost climbed the mountain, almost found the treasure. I did it, well … almost.

            Aren’t you tired of “almost”? Make Ecclesiastes 9:10 the verse of your life, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” And how does that happen? With Christ’s power in you and Christ’s purpose for you. Amen.

            The peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord, now and forever. Amen.