Shoutin Words

“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.