THANKS TO THE FATHER

COLOSSIANS 1:12-13

Rick Jackson

I. FOR MAKING US QUALIFIED IN CHRIST! [V. 12] (to make sufficient, render fit)

If unregenerated man should enter Heaven, heaven would be hell to him. Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people. -Oliver B. Greene

1. Made us righteousness [II Co. 5:19-21]

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2. Made us holy [Eph. 1:3-6]

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

B.R. Lakin asked a man, "Will you come?"

"I don't know if I've ever been elected or not."

"Have you ever been a candidate? When you become a candidate God votes for you, the devil votes against you. That ties the vote. Then it's on to how you vote after that!"

3. Made us inheritors [Col. 1:12, 3:24, I Pt. 1:4]

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

II. FOR DELIVERING US FROM THE POWER OF DARKNESS [v. 13] (rescued)

1. From the love of darkness (the world) [John 3:19-21]

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

2. From the works of darkness (the flesh) [Rom. 13:11-14]

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

3. From the rulers of darkness (Satan & his angels) [Eph. 6:12]

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

-by faith in Christ [Acts 26:15-18]

And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

-by walking in the light [I Jn. 1:5-7]

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

III. FOR TRANSLATING US INTO CHRIST'S KINGDOM

1. He put me over (transpose, transfer, remove from one place to another) [1:13]

Similar to Heb. 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

2. He preserves me [II Tm. 4:18]

And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

3. He promised me [James 2:5]

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?