Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

The Prayer for the Colossians, Part 2 Colossians 1:9-14 It is best if we learn to pray following the examples given in the Scriptures Epaphras’s report resulted in Paul is writing to correct theology and encourage proper conduct Paul begins his letter with thanksgiving to God for their response to the gospel - faith, growth & love

The Prayer for the Colossians, Part 2 Colossians 1:9-14 Paul kept in mind the big picture and was thankful even when admonishing theological error and sin Colossians 1:9-14 They would give thanks, offer general prayers, ask specific requests whenever they thought of them

The Prayer for the Colossians, Part 2 Colossians 1:9-14 The major request of the prayer was that they “be filled with the knowledge of God’s will.” The desire of the prayer was that they “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord”

Results of Walking in a Worthy Manner “being fruitful in every good work” An increasing knowledge of God Strengthened to face difficult circumstances & people Giving thanks to God for His work in our salvation

Reasons for Giving Thanks to God Colossians 1:12-14 The Father has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light He delivered us from the domain of darkness He transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son in the Son we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins

Qualified Verse 12 Pelagianism - the idea that man has inherent goodness that allows him to gain a place in heaven Do salvation testimonies emphasize what they have done to gain God’s favor or give glory to God? Some people insist they are good enough to make to heaven even after their sins are pointed out

Qualified Verse 12 It is God that has qualified (iJkanovw \ hikanoô) - made sufficient / adequate people for His inheritance People cannot qualify themselves to share in the inheritance - Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:23; Psalm 14:2-3 The followers of Jesus inherit eternal life - Matthew 19:29

Qualified Verse 12 Eternal life refers to knowing God and living in His presence & blessings (Jn 17:3; Mt 25:34; 1 Jn 5:20) We inherit salvation (Heb. 1:14) as children of God by adoption (John 1:12; Eph. 1:5). Our inheritance is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven (1 Peter 1:4)

Qualified Verse 12 It is guaranteed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:14), It will be received when we are glorified (1 Cor. 15:50f) Believers inherit a place in the Millennial Kingdom to be priests and reign with Christ (Rev. 20:6)

Qualified Verse 12 The unrighteous will not receive any part of this inheritance (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5) “light” is often used to describe purity, holiness and the manner of life of disciples - 1 John 1:5-7

Delivered Verse 13 Darkness is used as an analogy of sin and unrighteousness. Domain (ejxousiva / exousia) refers to authority, power and control Blinded by the God of this world (2 Cor. 4:4) people are trapped in the devils domain (1 Jn 5:19; Eph 2:1-3)

Delivered Verse 13 Delivered (rJuvomai / rhuomai) speaks of being rescued and set free People are slaves to sin (John 8:34) because they obey it (Romans 6:16) and love the darkness (John 3:19) Jesus broke the power of the devil when He died as the sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 2:14-15). Jesus also opened the eyes of the blind through the preaching of the gospel (Acts 26:18)

Transferred Verse 13 Transfer (meqivsthmi / methistêmi) focuses on being removed from one place and taken to a new one God removed us from the devil’s dominion and made us part of the kingdom of His beloved Son Those who receive and believe in Jesus are made children of God by God’s will (John 1:12-13)

Transferred Verse 13 God is longsuffering (2 Peter 3:9). The Holy Spirit brings conviction (John 16:8). God quickens the soul so that repentance and belief can take place (Eph. 2:5) We are saved by God’s grace through faith which is reckoned to us a righteousness (Eph. 2:8, Rom. 4:5)

Redeemed Verse 14 There is no salvation without the forgiveness of sin - missing the mark of God’s perfect righteousness God is longsuffering (Acts 17:30), but He will eventually judge (Rev. 20:11-15) We must have forgiveness (a[fesi" / aphesis), a pardon for our wrongs against Him

Redeemed Verse 14 Self righteousness, denial or complacent assumption will not avoid condemning judgment - Heb. 9:27 We cannot earn or even bargain for forgiveness. We can only humbly plead for it (Matt. 5:3; 1 Pet. 5:5) Redemption (ajpoluvtrwsi" / apolutrôsis) speaks of the price paid to release us from our bondage

Redeemed Verse 14 We can be “justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (Rom 3:24). Receiving His pardon, our transgressions are cast away as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12)

Conclusions Redemption allows us to be forgiven Redemption delivers us from the domain of darkness and transfers us into the kingdom of His beloved Son Redemption qualifies us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light

Conclusions Give thanks to God Pray for others by using this prayer as a model.

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ