Check out these resources gathered by our Resource Team!

Books:

The Gift of Pain: Why We Hurt and What We Can Do About It

Pain is not something that most of us would count as a blessing; however, renowned surgeon Dr. Paul Brand and award-winning writer Philip Yancey shed fresh light on the purpose of our pain.

Articles:

https://Got Questions Ministries - What is lacking in Christ’s afflictions?

What does the Apostle Paul mean when he said that something in Christ’s afflictions was still lacking?

The Gospel Coalition - What Does It Mean to ‘Fill Up What’s Lacking in Christ’s Afflictions’?

“Paul is saying he’s carrying out his God-given Gentile mission. And in carrying out that mission, he’s making the message fully known geographically, taking it to the ends of his known world and establishing a gospel beachhead across the Empire.”

https://Desiring God - Filling Up What is Lacking in Christ’s Afflictions

Pastor John Piper looks at suffering for the cause of Christ

https://Reformation 21 - Rejoice in the Midst of Suffering ,for%20your%20sake...%22

Every individual throughout the history of humanity has known suffering and Christians are not exempt from this experience. The suffering Christians are called to endure can even be greater than that which the unbeliever endures in this world.

https://Desiring God - Why we can rejoice in suffering

It isn’t strange for people who have lived long enough to suffer.

https://Ligonier Ministries - Filling up Christ’s Afflictions

Questions about the sufficiency of Christ due to false teaching that emphasized asceticism and angel worship prompted Paul to write to the Colossians (Col. 2:16–23). Additionally, there were doubts about the ministry of the apostle himself, as his defense of Epaphras implies that aspersions were cast on the gospel delivered in Colossae via his faithful co-worker (1:3–8). As in Corinth (2 Cor. 10:1–12:10), it seems the teachers of error put forward Paul’s sufferings as proof that his preaching was useless in advancing God’s kingdom, thereby attacking his ministry. We conclude as much from today’s passage, wherein Paul refers to his suffering as Jesus’ emissary.

Videos:

Louie Giglio: The Book of Colossians

This video posted by Passion Equip is an introduction to and purpose of Paul’s letter to the church in Colossae.

Bible Project - Book of Colossians Summary: A Complete Animated Overview

“Watch the overview video on the book of Colossians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In Colossians, Paul encourages the Colossian Christians to see Jesus as the center of all reality, so they don’t give in to pressure from other religions.”

Spoken Gospel - Colossians: The Bible Explained

“Watch this introduction video on the book of Colossians, which outlines the book's main theme and how it is fulfilled in Jesus. "Jesus is not enough." This was the message of a group of Colossian heretics. So, the apostle Paul writes to correct the error and remind a church in crisis that Jesus is always enough. He is the center of reality, in him all things hold together, and only through him is there freedom from the powers of guilt and shame.”

Biblical Study w/ Professor N.T. Wright - APOSTLE PAUL: Letter to the Colossians

“Explore the glorious truth found in Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, and how to apply its wisdom to your everyday life. N.T Wright is a current English New Testament scholar and Pauline theologian.”

The Bible Effect: Colossians Historical Background - Why Colossians Was Written

This animated video provides a historical and theological understanding of the “culture and historical setting of ancient Colossae, and how their beliefs of mysticism and dualism crept into their faith”.

Sermons:

Louie Giglio - Colossians: The Supremacy and Sufficiency of Christ

“Written with the single purpose to display the supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus, the book of Colossians answers the two questions every person asks: Who am I? Why am I here? Pastor Louie Giglio takes us through the book of Colossians to find the answers to these questions; the answers to which determine the direction and quality of all of our lives.”

J.D. Greear - Worth It (Colossians 1:24-29)

“J.D. Greear, Pastor of The Summit Church in Raleigh, NC (and former SBC President) preaches on how joyful sacrifice is when you give up something you love for something you love even more.”

https://John Piper - To Finish the Aim of Christ’s Afflictions

How could anything be lacking in Christ’s afflictions? Was not his suffering and death for us utterly all-sufficient? So what does he mean in verse 24 and how does it apply to us?

Podcasts:

Warehouse Podcast

Welcome to The Warehouse! Has a Sunday sermon ever left you running to Google with new theological questions? Have you ever wished that you could peer behind the curtain to see how the message comes together? That’s where we come in! Here at Cornerstone Church, we spend hours every week talking about the Bible. This is the place to learn about Scripture, dive into its context, and study the Bible’s cultural background. Come to the Warehouse–where we’ll extend the stuff you learn from the stage.

Spoken Gospel - Colossians Introduction

“Colossians tells us that Jesus is the center of reality. The church at Colossae kept believing that their truest self was found in certain religious, physical, or spiritual practices. If they just fasted, if they just experienced God in a particular way, or if they celebrated a particular festival, then they would be whole. Seth and David talk about how Jesus is enough. In Christ, the fullness of God, wholeness, and spiritual lives. Whatever we want in this reality, can be found in Jesus.”

Bible Project - One Family Once More

While this podcast primarily focuses on Galatians and Ephesians, the primary themes are the same as this week’s verses from Colossians. “God’s plan has always been to bring all of humanity into one diverse and connected family. Jesus carried forward this mission in his teachings, calling God’s people to look past societal divisions and be unified in him. Join Tim and Jon in this week’s podcast episode as they look at the theme of unity in the New Testament.”

Commentaries:

Enduring Word Bible Commentary - Colossians Chapter 1

“Paul wrote this from a Roman jail. He was able to see that his sufferings worked something good for others, so he could say that his sufferings were for the Colossians and other Christians.”

Enduring Word Bible Commentary Colossians Chapter 2

“What a great conflict I have for you: This great conflict was inside Paul (I have for you). It wasn’t that Paul fought with others about the Colossian Christians. Paul described his spiritual warfare and heartfelt care for the Colossians as a great conflict.”