“Shoutin’ Words”
“He rescued us from the control of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.
God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.” Colossians 1:13-14
Intro: Friends who hear and read this message, this sermon cannot, except by the Holy Spirit, live up to its title. The very phrase “Shoutin’ Words” calls upon a claim beyond what is humanly possible. It invites us into the supernatural and spiritual realm. Unless the Holy Spirit be at work in the heart of those who are open then our ears need hear no more nor our eyes read any further. For we shall not be moved by words that are vain but only by hearts controlled by the Holy Spirit.
Folk in the church today are quick to claim to be unchangeable. They express a desire to be true to their heritage and tradition whether we be Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Pentecostal, Church of God, Non-Denominational or some Other, it makes no difference.
So, let us be true to our roots that lead us all back to the same church’s one foundation. To some almost forgotten time when the Holy Spirit was so powerful and so irresistible that it caused a Pentecost, a reformation, a great awakening, a camp meeting, a renewal, a revival to break loose so spontaneous and uncontrollable the very earth on which we stood was shaken.
It was characterized by jumping, or jerking, or shaking of the body, some even slain in the spirit were laid out on the ground or floor beyond human control but still controlled by the Holy Spirit. Their voices were raised in song so great that during the singing people would walk the aisles and would clap and shake hands to further call upon the Lord. Their arms extended upward toward heaven and outward to hug one another with the holy love of Jesus. Their cheeks were soaked with tears of joy. Their tongues loosed with laughter. And some speaking in utterances and groaning and shouts that no man or woman could fake but were evidenced by the whole assembly as nothing less than God in the midst.
So today I am going to boldly speak four words that should invoke a shout or at least a spontaneous praise, halleluiah, or amen to those whose souls are truly fearful of the Lord.
Found in Colossians 1:13-14 the first is the word
I. Rescued
He rescued us from the control of darkness
The Bible is incredibly realistic about the coercive force and desolation of darkness. Many times we find the disciples trapped at night in the grip of a fierce storm. Or the children of Israel in the middle of some battle where they are outnumbered ten to one or one hundred to one or even a thousand to one, odds that are so overwhelmingly against them yet God rescued them.
How often do we find ourselves in need of rescue? How often do we also find ourselves struggling against some angry force, some mob of violence or still yet some temptation that try as hard as we might, however, it appears that we are unable to make any headway? The wind is in our faces. The odds against us. The constraints so compelling that we feel stuck and unable to get out.
Have you ever found yourself in that place? Have you ever found yourself stuck in one of life's storms?
And no matter how hard you try, no matter what you do, it seems that you cannot make any headway?
Trapped in the darkness of some financial difficulty. Trapped by unemployment or trapped in a job you do not like. Trapped by some bad habit or addiction. Trapped in the spiritual state of contentment or self-righteousness.
But Jesus is the one who comes to the rescue. Bartimeaus was rescued from his blindness when Jesus not only gave back his sight in physical healing but also rescued him spiritually from his sin. Zacheaus was rescued from his greed. When no one else would have anything to do with him, Jesus went to dinner at his house and rescued him. Lazarus was rescued from his tomb. For three days he was in darkness of the grave but Jesus rescued him and brought him back to life. The demoniac at Gerasenes was rescued from the unclean spirits. When Jesus saw him he said unto the demons that possessed him and asked “What is your name?” The demons answered we are Legion for we are many. But Jesus rescued the demon possessed from the unclean spirits and brought him back to his life. Saul was rescued from the darkness of traditions and legalism on the road to Damascus. Jesus rescued Saul and gave him the new name Paul and a new life to go along with it.
A little boy was afraid of the dark. One night his mother told him to go out to the back porch and bring her the broom. The little boy turned to his mother and said, “Mamma, I don’t want to go out there. It’s dark.” The mother smiled reassuringly at her son. “You don’t have to be afraid of the dark,” she explained. “Jesus is out there. He’ll look after you to protect you.” The little boy looked at his mother real hard and asked, “Are you sure he’s out there?” “Yes, I’m sure. He is everywhere, and he is always ready to help you when you need him,” she said. The little boy thought about that for a minute, then went to the back door and cracked it a little. Peering out into the darkness, he called, “Jesus? If you are out there, would you please hand me the broom?’
I’m not afraid of the dark. I am afraid of what might be in the darkness. The unseen forces of evil that I cannot escape except it be for the rescuing power of the Holy Spirit. To be delivered. To be set free. To be loosed from sin. Rescued is a shoutin’ word!
I am not the best swimmer. There have been a few times when I was too far out on the lake or in the deep end of a pool when I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it back to the shore or edge. But I have seen people who didn’t make it. Someone had to jump in and swim out and rescue them.
How many times have you had problems in life when you could not have made it without help? Someone gave you a hand. Said words of encouragement. Prayed prayers over you. And you were rescued.
There are people who need to be rescued from the flames of hell. Rescued is a shoutin’ word.
The next word is not one that you might not normally associate with shouting unless you understand its proper context.
II. Transferred
transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves
Many years ago in collage I took a class and believe the professor was one of the original authors of the word “grungy.” He literally was unkempt. He looked like he never took a bath and smelled the same way. Also he gave me a “C minus” when I thought I deserved an “A.” So when I found out I had been assigned to his class for a second semester I went to him and asked to be transferred out. When he asked why? I could not lie to him so I refused to answer and so he told me the other classes were full and I would have to go see my academic advisor. When I went to see my advisor she said I would have to go to the registrar. But the registrar said all the other classes were already full I would have to appeal to the Dean. When I spoke to the Dean he sympathized with my situation but said I would have to appeal to a higher power than him. So I went to the office of Dr. John Begley President of Lindsey Wilson College. When Dr. Begley said I could have the transfer that made me shout!
There are other transfers that may make us shout. Transferred from one job position on the floor to the office job. Or sports fans often shout when a talented player is transferred onto their favorite team.
But here the word transferred should really make us shout for we are transferred out of the control of darkness and transferred into the Kingdom of the Son who loves us! So transferred is a word that should make us shout!
(Note: I referred to Chris Tomlin’s “God of Angel Armies, Who Shall I Fear.” We had used as a praise hymn.)
“I know who goes before me. I know who stands behind. The God of angel armies. Is always by my side. The one who reigns forever. He is a friend of mine. The God of angel armies. Is always by my side.”
Transferred from the carnal and flesh to the spiritual and future glory of the kingdom of heaven. Transferred out of the control of darkness and into the God of angel armies makes me shout!
The next “Shoutin’ Word” is clear in its meaning.
III. Purchased
God has purchased our freedom with his blood
1. House. A major purchase in life is a home. We celebrate a house purchase with house warming parties.
2. Car. Is a major purchase it is something we all celebrate and rejoice in driving.
3. Cell Phone. Cell phones of nowadays are very valuable costing hundreds of dollars. (I wonder what would happen if it was required that you become a member of a church and get baptized and attend church before you could own a cell phone? Every church would be filled and we would have to build more for something as simple as to purchase a cell phone.
4. Salvation. If these other things cause us to shout with excitement then how much more should we shout over the purchase of our salvation! We have been purchased and our freedom is given by the blood of the lamb.
It was late one evening. A guy was going to costume party dressed as the devil. He had the red outfit with the cape and horns. His car broke down. Up the road he could see lights. So he walked ahead. It turned out to be a church having service. It was pouring down the rain. So he opened up the door to walk inside. Just as he did there was a flash of lightening and a clap of thunder. Everyone turned to look. The lights flickered on and off. They saw the devil standing at the front door. Everyone ran out the back. Except one old lady. She jumped up but her clothes caught on a nail. She was stuck and she couldn’t move. She turned and said devil, “I have been a member of this church of 50 years, I just want you know I have been on your side the whole time.”
When we are caught face to face with the devil I want to be able to say, “Devil I have been purchased and set free by the blood of Jesus.” Purchased is a shoutin’ word!
This last word is obvious that it is a shoutin’ word.
IV. Forgiven
has forgiven all our sins.
1. Habit. We all have bad habits. One bad habit is letting people push your “ugly button.” Don’t laugh you have an ugly button. When people get on your nerves. When they get under your skin. When someone pushes your button. We might say or do something that isn’t nice. We can all be kind of ugly when we run out of patience. So when we have to go to that person and apologize, one of the best things we can hear when we say I’m sorry is for them to say, “You are forgiven.” Doesn’t that make you want to shout?
2. Mistakes. We all make mistakes. Some are unintentional. So when we realize those mistakes and go to God and ask for his forgiveness, He says, “I forgive.” Doesn’t that make you want to shout?
3. Omission. There are times we know to do good things but don’t do them. And we have to ask forgiveness.
4. Disobedience. But what about the times when we know better but are disobedient. That puts us under even more pressure. We have just been disobedient and we know we deserve punishment but instead God says the word “forgiven.” Hello? Doesn’t that word make you want to shout praise? Hallelujah! Amen!
5. Lost, unchurched, abandoned by the church. No one is left out of forgiveness. No one is cast out nor forgotten. Forgiven is a shoutin’ word!
Closing: Shout because you have been Rescued! Shout because you have been brought out of darkness and transferred into the Kingdom of Jesus! Shout because you are purchased by the blood of the Lamb! Shout because you have been forgiven of your sins!
