Slides: Delivered From Darkness to Light

Delivered From Darkness to Light

Colossians 1:12-14

12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

What if?

What if you could escape your past?

What if you could be rescued from the damage done to you by others and healed from the deep wounds that have tormented your spirit and darkened your life?

What if you knew for sure that you are forgiven and freed from past sins, that none of your past wrongs would be held against you or be allowed to keep controlling you?

Missionary marching orders

Paul’s words in Colossians 1:12-14 echo the words Jesus spoke to him on the day he saw the light on the road to Damascus.

“I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” (Acts 26:17-18)

Growth rooted in gratitude

• fully in tune with God’s heart (1:9-10)

• fully empowered by God’s might (1:11)

• fully appreciative of God’s grace (1:12-14)

Great expectations for future growth in our relationship to God are rooted in continual thankfulness for what our Father has already done in Christ and continual awareness of where we now stand.

giving thanks to the father

• We thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, always praying for you (1:3)

• giving thanks to the Father (1:12)

• abounding in thanksgiving (2:7)

• And be thankful. (3:15)

• with thankfulness in your hearts to God (3:16)

• Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (3:17)

• Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (4:2)

who has qualified you 

Formerly unqualified and disqualified, but now the Father has qualified you.

And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified… Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn?  (Romans 8:30-34)

Let no one disqualify you… (Col 2:18)

to share in the inheritance of the saints

Jesus befriends you and enthrones you.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Revelation 3:20-21)

in light

truth, transparency, goodness, gladness

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Cor 4:6)

I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. (John 12:46)

Who are you?

You are qualified for the saints’ heritage!

You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)

At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. (Ephesians 5:8)

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness

domain: authority, rule, jurisdiction

darkness: lies, secrecy, evil, despair

When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness. (Luke 22:53)

The Father sent his Son to face the darkest power in the darkest hour.

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness

delivered: rescued from cruel captors

He disarmed the rulers and authorities. (2:15)

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

Don’t go back! “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Col 2:8)

We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one… Little children, keep yourselves from idols. (1 John 5:19-21)

and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son

The Father has moved us to a new realm under the reign of a new ruler—Jesus.

The Father loves us with the same eternal love with which He loves Jesus: “I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:26)

in whom we have redemption

redemption: rescue from slavery/captivity/imprisonment.

The ultimate exodus.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7)

Sin and Satan no longer rule—unless we let them lie to us.

 the forgiveness of sins

• God’s justice is satisfied. He will not harm you or hold your sins against you.

• Satan’s accusations are nullified. He has no claim against you and no right to harm you or control you.

• Your conscience is purified. You have no reason to feel dirty or worthless.

12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.