Colossians 1:13-14

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”

Three thoughts:

I.Delivered!
From the the power of darkness. It’s still all around us, but powerless to hold us captive! Ignorance, blindness, evil no longer keep us prisoner!
You are no longer chained to your human emotions & desires, nor limited by your earth-bound perspective! Now you’re free to look beyond the curtain! Focused on eternity! Guided and empowered by the Spirit of the Living God!

II. Conveyed!
Like the Jews who were released from concentration camps at the end of WWII!
You and I are following our deliverer to safety! God transferred us from under Satan’s authority and dominion so that now we are under the Rule & Reign of Christ!

III. Redeemed!
Through His forgiveness we were bought back by our Father out of slavery! We were slaves to our passions, slaves to sin, until He was executed to buy our freedom!

Listen to this story from John chapter 8…

2 Now early in the morning He (Jesus) came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

How could He ignore the law!?
He didn’t! He Himself would be executed for her adultery! He paid her penalty!
He bought her freedom! That’s you, if you’ve received His forgiveness!

Questions:

What is the difference between being delivered from the power of darkness and being delivered from darkness?

What is darkness? How come it has power?

Define your understanding of evil.

What is the biblical definition of evil?

Explain what Pastor Robert meant when he said that our world is ignorant.

Who or what truly governs your attitudes and decisions?

What does it mean that God has transferred you into the kingdom of Jesus?

How is obedience a requirement for a relationship with God?

How and from what did Christ purchase your freedom?

What has changed in your life, now that you have been redeemed?

Give an example were your conscience has convicted you to change your behavior.