HAVE YOU BEEN DELIVERED FROM DARKNESS?
Colossians 1:13-17
The power of darkness is a tremendous obstacle to our freedom. Satan seeks to blind us from the truth in order to keep us from seeing who we are in Christ Jesus and what we can accomplish in the power of Christ Jesus.
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32 (NLT)
So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free. John 8:36 (NLT)
I. THE REALITY OF THE POWER OF DARKNESS.
13He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, Col. 1:13 (NKJV)
A. Men love darkness (sin) more than light (righteousness).
And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3:19 (NKJV)
B. Sin holds many people in bondage.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Eph. 5:11 (NKJV)
C. The power of sin flows from the rulers of darkness.
1. Believers are in conflict with these rulers.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph. 6:12 (NKJV)
2. The Lord equips us to win this battle.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—Eph. 6:10-18 (NKJV)
II. THE REALITY OF DELIVERANCE.
God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins. Col. 1:14 (NLT)
A. Redeemed -means bought back.
1. Deliverance from the bondage sin.
2. Deliverance from the power of sin.
3. Deliverance from the penalty of sin.
B. The promise of deliverance was given in the Garden.
From now on, you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Gen. 3:15 (NLT)
III. THE REALITY OF THE PERFECT DELIVERER.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. Col. 1:15-17 (NKJV)
