Sermon: “He brought me out, to bring me in”
Text: Colossians 1:12-14, 20
The scriptures are full of messages concerning Exile, captivity, and Exodus . The first being man’s exile from the Garden of Eden recorded in Genesis. This event set the stage for the different occurrences of the event of exile, captivity, and Exodus. In our study, however, we want to focus on the language of Exodus. Herbert Wolf defines the term “Exodus” while commentating on the Old Testament book by stating. “The word means “exit” or “departure” (Wolf) God, in the Old Testament, made a promise to bless Abraham and to make of him a great nation. However, it took a process and time for God to fulfill his promise, but God remained faithful even in the midst of the captivity of Israel in the land of Egypt. This is the greatest lesson one should learn in their life: whatever captivity you find yourself in, God is faithful and will give you an exodus from your spiritual existence. Everyone has something in their life that has kept them in a spiritual captivity, but the Lord declares that we can have an “Exodus”. For those who do not know Christ, you are in the midst of captivity, but the Lord can, through the name of Jesus, can make you free.
This piece of Pauline Literature is a written defense against some false teachers who began to bring destructive doctrine into the Church of Colosse. The church had been fighting with great defense, which allowed Paul to “give thanks” on their behalf throughout the letter. The Colossian Heresy was a mixture of Judastic ritualism and Gentile philosophy. This letter does not directly call the false teachers out by name, but Paul does give the reader a window into the mess that was begain transpiring in this church. Although this letter was not founded under the Paul, he was knew some of the members who sought his help in refuting these teachers. Thus, Paul gives them great treaties on their beliefs in Christ. The grand them of this book is found in chapter 1:19:
for it pleased the Father that in him should all the fullness dwell (Thompson)
The fact is: no matter where we are in our life’s experiences, God, in Christ, succumbs the totality of our life. He should be the reason that we “live, move, and have our being.” As we approach another Christmas season, we are forced to grapple with question:”Is Christ the reason for my season?” This text that has been chosen for our consideration will help us to observe and appreciate the mission and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul has just concluded “giving thanks” for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love that they have displayed toward the saints of God (1:3-4). This thanksgiving turns into a prayer that the church will be filled and knowledge of the will of God. Furthermore, there is the prayer for the church to receive the wisdom and understanding in the application of the knowledge. It is one thing to know, but it is another thing to act upon what you know, there are to many knowledgeable Christian, but not many doing Christians. Too many rely on what they know, but it is what you live after you receive knowledge of what you know.
Paul continues his prayer of thanksgiving and expands his thought to an attitude of thankfulness in the text. He says in verse 12 that as a result of the trials mentioned in verse 11 they should “give thanks”. What a beautiful recommendation! Believers should be able to express to the Lord an attitude of gratitude. The text further expands this idea of thankfulness by giving at least three things that we can “give thanks for”
Divine Qualification (vs.12) The text suggest this, “which has made us meet.” Other translations render the term meet “qualified”. This phrase suggests a note of subjectivity; because we did nothing to merit our position “in Christ.” Understand that Paul is writing, in response to some teachers who were spewing out the idea that they had to perform ritualism in order to qualify for the kingdom of God. However, Paul makes it clear this is an already done event! Thus, Paul is merely implying that the reason for our thankfulness should be. First, God chose me. Out of everybody else, God loved me enough to chose me and qualify me to be blessed. Now whom God has blessed can’t nobody curse. As a matter of fact, God will turn the curse into a blessing. Because God has chosen to bless me in spite of me; I have a reason to bless God. Secondly, He allowed me be a partaker in an inheritance with the “saints in the light.” Now there is some ethical implications. If I am apart of the saints in the light, then I should shine the light of this glorious Gospel everywhere I go. The question that arises in this portion of the verse is: what is the nature of our inheritance. The blessings that we have obtained in not rooted in this world, but it is rooted in the reality of eternal life. God has given me eternal life. Peter makes it clear that this is the nature of our hope, and continues thought by giving a description of the inheritance:
to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. (Thompson) (2nd Peter 1:3-4)
Thus, the basis for obtaining this inheritance is hope, and the nature of this inheritance. The believer already has the inheritance. As a result, the church does not have to continue practice ascetics to gain favor with God, but they possessed the blessing of eternal life. What must be noted is simply: God is the giver of this gracious gift.
Divine Translation: (vs. 13) We mentioned earlier that the scripture speaks consistently of Exile and Exodus. The 13th verse paints a vivid picture of the spiritual exodus of those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. In order to obtain this blessed Exodus you got to “believe God”. What is it about God you must believe? You must believe that God can do it. The text uses exodus terms such as “delivered” “dominion” God has taken us out of one place of existence into another place of sphere of blessedness in Christ. Notice, the rendering of the text:
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us unto the kingdom of his dear Son. (Thompson)
God is the source of this new place. Now what is the need for being delivered from the power of darkness? The power of darkness represents the bondage that Satan places people in. All of us have been under the control of something or someone. Furthermore, we have tried to gain access to freedom apart from God. To the contrary, God alerts to the reality that: we are nothing without his help. The power of darkness is strong that one cannot gain freedom by himself, God must do the work. Now God can deliver from the power of darkness, the question that arises, do you want to be delivered? There are so many people, who will make excuses for sin and struggles, but the source of your deliverance is not found in excuses, but it is found in the Lord God, who provides for everyman a sense of freedom. Notice the text goes further to note that God took us out of something to bring into someplace else. God doesn’t just leave you in the wilderness, but there is a place for those who believe. That place is “the kingdom of his dear Son.” I am brought into the rulership of Jesus Christ. That means that I do not need to try for deliverance in anything else, but allow the Lord to bring God into place of sustainment with him. All of this is done out of the overflow of God’s love. He does not deliver us to bring us out, but he brings us under his Jurisdiction. Now we must understand that when you have been delivered, we must not seek to go back into our indulgences that destroy our peace with God found in the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. This does not mean you want make mistakes, but you are not to be destroyed by your mistakes.
Divine Identification: 14,20)
In Dr. John Macarthur’s amazing book, Our Sufficiency in Christ he deals with the believer’s assurance of salvation in Christ. In the chapter entitled, “Treasure or Trash” he tells the two young Brother who were the sons of a prominent Doctor in New York City. Both were college graduates. The Father died, thus the inheritance was passed on to them. However, instead of embracing this new wealth, they began to live a life totally paradox to what circumstances had afforded. These brothers were collector, of junk particularly. When one of the Brothers died it took officials three weeks to recovery the body of one of the Brothers. His body was buried under a ton of debris that he had made in order to protect his junk from intruders. Few weeks later, the other Brother died. The total estimate of trash collected from their living quarters was 140 tons. This tragic provides a great example of believers who are saved in Christ, but fall to embrace the spiritual treasure, Christ himself! Instead these individuals will seek satisfaction in other means. We need to note that Christ is the agent that has been set forth in this world to bring redemption to those who are in need of blessing. There is an inclusion between verses 14 and 20. In between those verses, Paul talks about the reality that Christ is the Exalted Lord. . He takes a hymn that had been passed around to the different churches’ and does some divine redaction to the hymn, and applies this hymn to Christ. Note, he is dealing with some teachers who where first, denying the redemptive work of Jesus, they said that Jesus could not have become man; because flesh is evil, and God cannot dwell in flesh. Thus, his sacrifice was a mere imagination. They also declared that he is not God. Thus, Paul makes it clear that God in Christ is our Redeemer. The text says to us.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins . (Thompson)
The fact is: we were lost in sin, and Christ, through his blood, brought us back into the fold. There is a great benefit with being brought back into the fold, namely, being forgiven of sin. If I have already been forgiven of my sin, then there is no need for me to try to seek forgiveness in anything else. The problem with so many people is simply: they believe that work of Christ is not enough to cover their mess, but God is able to take what you have done and to transform your trash and give you a treasure. Moreover, you must be willing to forgive yourself; because God has already forgiven you. Finally, Paul identifies Christ as the one that has brought us peace with God. After he talks about the exalted Lord, he says that this Lord:
And , having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth or thing in heaven (Thompson)
This is a beautiful picture, we have peace with God through the blood of Jesus. Christ took upon himself the sins of the world. He died, so that I could peace, but he rose on the third day so I could live out that peace with God. Since I have peace with God, I can be on the move for God. Although I may have trials and tribulation; there is a God who allows me to understand that my victory and Peace is found in the Lord Jesus. Stop seeking peace outside of Christ, and get in him, and allow him to get in you and work through you for the praise and the glory of God.
The scriptures are full of messages concerning Exile, captivity, and Exodus . The first being man’s exile from the Garden of Eden recorded in Genesis. This event set the stage for the different occurrences of the event of exile, captivity, and Exodus. In our study, however, we want to focus on the language of Exodus. Herbert Wolf defines the term “Exodus” while commentating on the Old Testament book by stating. “The word means “exit” or “departure” (Wolf) God, in the Old Testament, made a promise to bless Abraham and to make of him a great nation. However, it took a process and time for God to fulfill his promise, but God remained faithful even in the midst of the captivity of Israel in the land of Egypt. This is the greatest lesson one should learn in their life: whatever captivity you find yourself in, God is faithful and will give you an exodus from your spiritual existence. Everyone has something in their life that has kept them in a spiritual captivity, but the Lord declares that we can have an “Exodus”. For those who do not know Christ, you are in the midst of captivity, but the Lord can, through the name of Jesus, can make you free.
This piece of Pauline Literature is a written defense against some false teachers who began to bring destructive doctrine into the Church of Colosse. The church had been fighting with great defense, which allowed Paul to “give thanks” on their behalf throughout the letter. The Colossian Heresy was a mixture of Judastic ritualism and Gentile philosophy. This letter does not directly call the false teachers out by name, but Paul does give the reader a window into the mess that was begain transpiring in this church. Although this letter was not founded under the Paul, he was knew some of the members who sought his help in refuting these teachers. Thus, Paul gives them great treaties on their beliefs in Christ. The grand them of this book is found in chapter 1:19:
for it pleased the Father that in him should all the fullness dwell (Thompson)
The fact is: no matter where we are in our life’s experiences, God, in Christ, succumbs the totality of our life. He should be the reason that we “live, move, and have our being.” As we approach another Christmas season, we are forced to grapple with question:”Is Christ the reason for my season?” This text that has been chosen for our consideration will help us to observe and appreciate the mission and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul has just concluded “giving thanks” for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love that they have displayed toward the saints of God (1:3-4). This thanksgiving turns into a prayer that the church will be filled and knowledge of the will of God. Furthermore, there is the prayer for the church to receive the wisdom and understanding in the application of the knowledge. It is one thing to know, but it is another thing to act upon what you know, there are to many knowledgeable Christian, but not many doing Christians. Too many rely on what they know, but it is what you live after you receive knowledge of what you know.
Paul continues his prayer of thanksgiving and expands his thought to an attitude of thankfulness in the text. He says in verse 12 that as a result of the trials mentioned in verse 11 they should “give thanks”. What a beautiful recommendation! Believers should be able to express to the Lord an attitude of gratitude. The text further expands this idea of thankfulness by giving at least three things that we can “give thanks for”
Divine Qualification (vs.12) The text suggest this, “which has made us meet.” Other translations render the term meet “qualified”. This phrase suggests a note of subjectivity; because we did nothing to merit our position “in Christ.” Understand that Paul is writing, in response to some teachers who were spewing out the idea that they had to perform ritualism in order to qualify for the kingdom of God. However, Paul makes it clear this is an already done event! Thus, Paul is merely implying that the reason for our thankfulness should be. First, God chose me. Out of everybody else, God loved me enough to chose me and qualify me to be blessed. Now whom God has blessed can’t nobody curse. As a matter of fact, God will turn the curse into a blessing. Because God has chosen to bless me in spite of me; I have a reason to bless God. Secondly, He allowed me be a partaker in an inheritance with the “saints in the light.” Now there is some ethical implications. If I am apart of the saints in the light, then I should shine the light of this glorious Gospel everywhere I go. The question that arises in this portion of the verse is: what is the nature of our inheritance. The blessings that we have obtained in not rooted in this world, but it is rooted in the reality of eternal life. God has given me eternal life. Peter makes it clear that this is the nature of our hope, and continues thought by giving a description of the inheritance:
to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. (Thompson) (2nd Peter 1:3-4)
Thus, the basis for obtaining this inheritance is hope, and the nature of this inheritance. The believer already has the inheritance. As a result, the church does not have to continue practice ascetics to gain favor with God, but they possessed the blessing of eternal life. What must be noted is simply: God is the giver of this gracious gift.
Divine Translation: (vs. 13) We mentioned earlier that the scripture speaks consistently of Exile and Exodus. The 13th verse paints a vivid picture of the spiritual exodus of those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. In order to obtain this blessed Exodus you got to “believe God”. What is it about God you must believe? You must believe that God can do it. The text uses exodus terms such as “delivered” “dominion” God has taken us out of one place of existence into another place of sphere of blessedness in Christ. Notice, the rendering of the text:
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us unto the kingdom of his dear Son. (Thompson)
God is the source of this new place. Now what is the need for being delivered from the power of darkness? The power of darkness represents the bondage that Satan places people in. All of us have been under the control of something or someone. Furthermore, we have tried to gain access to freedom apart from God. To the contrary, God alerts to the reality that: we are nothing without his help. The power of darkness is strong that one cannot gain freedom by himself, God must do the work. Now God can deliver from the power of darkness, the question that arises, do you want to be delivered? There are so many people, who will make excuses for sin and struggles, but the source of your deliverance is not found in excuses, but it is found in the Lord God, who provides for everyman a sense of freedom. Notice the text goes further to note that God took us out of something to bring into someplace else. God doesn’t just leave you in the wilderness, but there is a place for those who believe. That place is “the kingdom of his dear Son.” I am brought into the rulership of Jesus Christ. That means that I do not need to try for deliverance in anything else, but allow the Lord to bring God into place of sustainment with him. All of this is done out of the overflow of God’s love. He does not deliver us to bring us out, but he brings us under his Jurisdiction. Now we must understand that when you have been delivered, we must not seek to go back into our indulgences that destroy our peace with God found in the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. This does not mean you want make mistakes, but you are not to be destroyed by your mistakes.
Divine Identification: 14,20)
In Dr. John Macarthur’s amazing book, Our Sufficiency in Christ he deals with the believer’s assurance of salvation in Christ. In the chapter entitled, “Treasure or Trash” he tells the two young Brother who were the sons of a prominent Doctor in New York City. Both were college graduates. The Father died, thus the inheritance was passed on to them. However, instead of embracing this new wealth, they began to live a life totally paradox to what circumstances had afforded. These brothers were collector, of junk particularly. When one of the Brothers died it took officials three weeks to recovery the body of one of the Brothers. His body was buried under a ton of debris that he had made in order to protect his junk from intruders. Few weeks later, the other Brother died. The total estimate of trash collected from their living quarters was 140 tons. This tragic provides a great example of believers who are saved in Christ, but fall to embrace the spiritual treasure, Christ himself! Instead these individuals will seek satisfaction in other means. We need to note that Christ is the agent that has been set forth in this world to bring redemption to those who are in need of blessing. There is an inclusion between verses 14 and 20. In between those verses, Paul talks about the reality that Christ is the Exalted Lord. . He takes a hymn that had been passed around to the different churches’ and does some divine redaction to the hymn, and applies this hymn to Christ. Note, he is dealing with some teachers who where first, denying the redemptive work of Jesus, they said that Jesus could not have become man; because flesh is evil, and God cannot dwell in flesh. Thus, his sacrifice was a mere imagination. They also declared that he is not God. Thus, Paul makes it clear that God in Christ is our Redeemer. The text says to us.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins . (Thompson)
The fact is: we were lost in sin, and Christ, through his blood, brought us back into the fold. There is a great benefit with being brought back into the fold, namely, being forgiven of sin. If I have already been forgiven of my sin, then there is no need for me to try to seek forgiveness in anything else. The problem with so many people is simply: they believe that work of Christ is not enough to cover their mess, but God is able to take what you have done and to transform your trash and give you a treasure. Moreover, you must be willing to forgive yourself; because God has already forgiven you. Finally, Paul identifies Christ as the one that has brought us peace with God. After he talks about the exalted Lord, he says that this Lord:
And , having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth or thing in heaven (Thompson)
This is a beautiful picture, we have peace with God through the blood of Jesus. Christ took upon himself the sins of the world. He died, so that I could peace, but he rose on the third day so I could live out that peace with God. Since I have peace with God, I can be on the move for God. Although I may have trials and tribulation; there is a God who allows me to understand that my victory and Peace is found in the Lord Jesus. Stop seeking peace outside of Christ, and get in him, and allow him to get in you and work through you for the praise and the glory of God.
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