[0:00] think about God's Word at this particular time, and I want us to draw our attention to Colossians chapter 1, the chapter we read, and to look particularly at verses 13 and 14.
[0:14] Verses 13 and 14 of Colossians chapter 1 says, He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. The preeminence of Christ in salvation. This letter, of course, was a letter written by Paul to the saints in Colossae, and addressing issues. There was heresy had got in, there was false teachers came on the scene, and really Paul is bringing them back to the fundamentals, the basics of the gospel, reminding them of what they have, of their standing in the gospel, and of what they have in Christ Jesus. But of course, what's happening today, and yes, in many areas of the church today, is that Christ has a place. He's given a place, but he's not given preeminence. He's not given his proper place, his place of supremacy, of preeminence. And that's sadly happening in many areas today. And if Christ indeed had his proper place, so many churches, perhaps not the case so much on the islands here, but in many areas, so many churches are closing their evening services because people aren't just coming along.
[1:51] The prayer meetings are some of the poorest attended meetings, but if Christ had his proper place, that would not be the case. And so this is a letter from Paul bringing them back to that place of the preeminence of Christ. They're being brought back to the fundamentals of the gospel.
[2:11] Like in verse 5, it says, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of this you have heard before in the word of truth, the gospel. You've heard it. It's in the truth. It is the truth. It's the gospel, and they're being reminded of these things. In these two verses, the gospel is very clear.
[2:32] And if anybody here, if you're not a true born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, these verses make it very clear what your standing is in life, your position in life. For the Christian, it's so different. And I want you to look simply at these four words that we find in the verses, delivered, transferred, redemption. We'll use the word redeemed, forgiven. Delivered, transferred, redeemed, forgiven. And that's our four headings and what we want to look at with God's help today.
[3:14] You might say, well, why do I need delivered? What do I need delivered from? The picture is not good. This verse makes it very clear that what we need delivered from is the domain of darkness.
[3:35] And just reading these words, if we didn't know anything else, we would just say right away, well, that's not good. That doesn't appear to be a good place, and it's not. The domain of darkness.
[3:47] But that is the standing. That's where the people are today. And if this is you, and you don't know Jesus Christ as your Savior, this is the place you need delivered from, or as some versions use the word rescued from.
[4:07] The verse shows us very clearly our lost and hopeless and helpless condition. And many, the Bible tells us, and it's true, are going on through life in this condition.
[4:23] And there's no one can help us apart from Jesus. There's no one able to bring us out of this condition. As Lewis was sharing, we could try.
[4:36] We can try our best. We can try to do the things that we can do. But all of these things, good as they might be, will not deliver us out of this condition, the domain of darkness.
[4:53] Saul himself was going down a reckless path until he met with the Lord Jesus Christ on the way to Damascus. And after his conversion, we read in Acts chapter 26, 18, he was being sent out.
[5:07] Why? That people's eyes would be opened. That they might turn from darkness to light. And from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins in a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me, Jesus said.
[5:25] And people go on thinking somehow that they're in control of their lives. Saul himself thought that.
[5:37] He thought he was in control. He had a plan. He had it worked out. He decided what he was going to do. But you know, all of our plans, if God is not in them, then it's like we're suggesting that we are in control.
[6:00] But God's enemy, the devil, is a great encourager to people like that. You know, if you do not know Jesus Christ today, he's an encourager to you to keep going as you are.
[6:17] And he will tell you things like, you know, you're doing quite well, really. You're going along to church, aren't you? You know, that's more than most people are doing. There are most people out there today, and you're really, you're a better person than so many out there.
[6:33] You're going to church. And he'll encourage you, just keep going. You know, he's an encourager to people like that. He'll do anything to encourage you apart from encourage you to actually come to know Jesus Christ.
[6:48] He will do everything in his power to stop you doing that. Just keep going as you are. He's saying to you today, if you're outside of Christ, keep going.
[7:00] But what does the Bible say? What does God say to us? God says, no, stop and turn. Turn to me, he says. Come to me and be saved.
[7:13] For there's no other. There's no other way. You see, Satan is the deceiver. And that's what it means, you know, when we're in this domain of darkness, we're in a place where we're being deceived.
[7:32] Oh, if only people could see that. I was speaking to someone recently that they were out trying to encourage people to come along to the church service to sit under the word.
[7:45] And the reaction from this person was, oh. Like, no, we don't really need to go there. We're nice people, you know. We're good people. We're nice people.
[7:57] As if that was going to help us when we stand on the judgment day before the seat of Christ. The judgment seat. Nice people. Oh, the Lord Jesus Christ is looking for people to come to be saved people.
[8:15] Saved people. But you see, in the domain of darkness, people are deceived. And that's what we read in their case. The God of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
[8:33] To keep them from seeing the light. The greatest thing that we could ever see in all of our lives is the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.
[8:44] But yet there's an enemy that wants us to keep us in this domain of darkness, trapped in sin and sinking deeper into sin.
[8:57] Trapped in this condition. Deceived to go on in this condition. Completely helpless, blind and held captive. Oh, my friends today.
[9:10] We need delivered from this. But that's the wonder of the gospel. That's the glory of what Jesus can do. He is able to deliver.
[9:20] When we put our hands up and say, you know, there's nothing I can do. When all you see before you is your sin.
[9:33] Oh, there's one you can turn to. You can turn to him today. And the Bible tells us that he will deliver. And the sinner comes.
[9:44] And the sinner comes. Don't think lightly about the power of the enemy. Oh, yes, he's a powerful foe. He's a powerful enemy. But look to the Lord today who's all powerful.
[9:58] Who's more powerful. And he's the one that can deliver you. Out of this deceived darkness. In sin.
[10:11] And in God's judgment that we're in. He can deliver. Oh, we need to be sure. Are you sure today?
[10:21] Have you been delivered? Out of this place? Have you been delivered? Lord, you should be rejoicing today. You should be rejoicing in the Lord. He has delivered.
[10:32] And that in itself would be wonderful. But there's more. It says he has delivered us from the domain of darkness. And transferred us to the kingdom of his own beloved son.
[10:47] We all know about transfers. We know about transfers in the football. The transfer market, as it were.
[10:58] Where players can move from one club to another. Perhaps you've been on holiday. And you fly out to your destination. And then you get a transfer. There's a bus or something waiting for you.
[11:09] To take you from the airport to your holiday destination. But oh, transferred. This is a glorious transfer. This is a transfer from one rule to another.
[11:22] Transfer. By being ruled and held captive by God's enemy, the devil. In this domain of darkness. To be transferred into the kingdom of his own beloved son.
[11:34] What a wonderful transfer. What a glorious transfer this is. Oh, there's no paperwork. There's no small print. There's nothing hidden here.
[11:45] It's true. And you can experience it. And I know that many here have experienced it. But my question is. Maybe there's someone and you haven't.
[11:57] And you're still in the domain of darkness. You're still being deceived by the enemy to go on in this lost state. You've never experienced this great deliverance.
[12:09] And this glorious transfer into the kingdom of his own beloved son. And it's not in part.
[12:21] But it's in whole. And it has to be. And that's the only way it can be. It's every part of us. We need to be willing to surrender. To surrender everything.
[12:32] You see, God will not accept you in part. Many people have tried that. And many people say, well, I tried it and it didn't work for me. No, they hadn't tried it.
[12:42] Because they weren't willing to give everything over to him. You see, it's a complete surrender. He won't accept you in part. And that you would want to keep something for yourself.
[12:54] Oh, are you willing just to give him everything? Your life. He demands your soul, your life, your all. That's what he demands. And that's what we must be willing to give by his grace.
[13:05] And with his help. What a glorious transfer. That he'll take us from that place. Into the kingdom of his own beloved son. And you know, it's so different there.
[13:17] Oh, if only people could see it. If only people could experience the joy of knowing Jesus Christ as Savior. The joy of knowing at the end of the day.
[13:29] Yes, it's not always easy. The Christian life is not always an easy life. It's difficult. But when you look ahead and you think of the glory that's to come.
[13:41] What a difference. And this is what it says in 1 Peter 2.9. But you are a chosen race. A royal priesthood. A holy nation. A people for his own possession.
[13:53] That you may proclaim the excellencies of him. Listen. Listen. Who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
[14:07] You know, that's the gospel. That's the glory of what Jesus is able to do. Have you experienced this wonderful, glorious transfer? To be delivered out of the domain of darkness.
[14:20] And to be transferred into the kingdom of his own beloved son. What a standing that is. And you cannot do it.
[14:31] All of our best efforts are hopeless. They won't do it. Until we turn to Jesus Christ. And call out to him. And also, thirdly, we see the word in whom we have redemption.
[14:48] We're redeemed. The Bible makes it very clear that when we're outside of Christ. When we're in this place of darkness. This domain of darkness. That we were slaves to sin.
[15:01] Jesus answered them in John 8.34. Lord, truly, truly, I say to you. Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. A slave to sin.
[15:12] We need delivered. We need rescues. Rescued. And this word redeemed is a word taken from the slave trade. It's the ransom price that was paid to free a slave.
[15:28] The price paid meant the slave was free. What about the ransom price that was paid so that you and I could be free?
[15:39] Oh, it was the Lord Jesus Christ himself. The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Who died on Calvary. He gave his life. That you and I could be free.
[15:52] In him we have redemption. Ephesians 1.7. Through his blood. The forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of his grace.
[16:05] I can hardly take that in. The God of heaven was willing to send his own beloved son, Jesus.
[16:16] Who was willing to go through the agony of Calvary. And to bear the wrath of God. To take the punishment that we deserve.
[16:31] So that we can go free. The price is paid. The ransom price is paid. And the gospel invitation goes out to the whosoever.
[16:44] The gospel. The gospel. Can come. And receive. This forgiveness. That is offered through the gospel.
[16:55] Through Jesus. The freedom. Is possible. Because the price. Has already been paid. The card.
[17:08] This darkness. This hold. That the enemy house. Got us slaves to sin.
[17:19] Encouraging us to keep on going. When there was no way out. Like the psalmist put it. He was sinking into. Into the mud. And into the mire. And how then he says.
[17:32] But he lifted me. He lifted me. That is what he is able to do. That is what he is able to do. For you today. Perhaps you have gone on.
[17:44] For so long. And you have. You have. You have witnessed this one. And that one. Perhaps coming to know Jesus. Being delivered from this. Place of sin.
[17:56] And lostness. Into the kingdom. Of his glorious son. But you. You are not there. God is calling.
[18:09] And the. The invitation. Yes. Even more than the invitation. Even the command. Goes out. To you to come. Come and experience.
[18:22] The wonder of the glory. Of the gospel. Of Jesus Christ. Redeemed. And just finally. Forgiveness. He has delivered us.
[18:34] From the domain of darkness. And transferred us. To the kingdom. Of his beloved son. In whom we have redemption. The forgiveness. Of sins.
[18:45] We read in Psalm 103. As far as east. Is from the west. So far. Doth he remove. Our transgressions.
[18:57] From us. That's the. That's the picture. That we have. That our sins. Are removed. It's not just like. The pottle.
[19:08] It's not just a. A cover over job. Like that. We're. That. We're told. That they're washed away. And remembered. No more. As far as east. Is from the west.
[19:19] We. You can't measure that. Today. It's so far. Washed clean. By the precious blood. Of the Lord. Jesus Christ.
[19:29] The Lamb of God. Who takes away. The sin of the world. The freedom. Is possible. Because of Calvary. Because of what Jesus.
[19:40] Has done. But it's not automatic. It's possible. Because of Calvary. But it's not. Automatic. Everything. Has been done.
[19:51] Jesus Christ. Has done everything. Oh. I wish that people. Could see that. I wish that you. Could see that. Today. My friend. If you're not saved. That Jesus. Has done everything.
[20:03] Necessary. For you. To come. And that Jesus. Is even calling. For you. To come. He's saying. Come to me. All you who labor. Under heavy laden. And I will give you rest.
[20:13] Come to me. He says. And oh. There'll be. You'll be hearing. Other. Thoughts. Come into your mind. Say no. Not. Not now. You'll be hearing.
[20:25] Other thoughts. Coming and saying to you. What about this. Suicide. What would this person think. Or what would that person think. Oh my friend. Don't worry about what anyone thinks.
[20:38] Just be obedient to God's word. And come. Because. It's God's enemy. The devil. That's putting these thoughts in your head.
[20:49] Because he doesn't want you to come. He wants you to keep going as you are. Locked and enslaved in this domain of darkness. In his kingdom.
[21:01] Where at the end of the day. You'll be lost. Forever and ever in a lost eternity. In a place the Bible calls hell. And surely.
[21:13] Nobody. Surely nobody. In their right mind. Would ever. Want to go on in this condition. With such a. A desperate serious end.
[21:23] Unless. They were being deceived. But the enemy is the master of deception. But oh. Can we not. See what God's word is saying.
[21:34] Can we not see. There's a great deliverer. Can we not see that. God sent his own son Jesus. Into the world. To seek and to save the lost. He sent him in love.
[21:50] Oh my friend. Today you can receive that love. The love of God. And sending his own son Jesus. Will you not receive his love.
[22:02] Will you not receive his son. By faith. The Lord Jesus Christ. And all that he has to offer. Forgiveness of sins.
[22:13] Redeemed. The love of God. Redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb. Been brought out of this domain of darkness. And transferred into the kingdom of his own.
[22:24] Beloved son. Why would you ever walk away. Why would you not receive. Such a glorious kingdom. Through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
[22:36] Christ. Oh my friend. Don't delay. Don't put it off. But come. And trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps.
[22:50] You're saying. Well I don't really know what to do. I don't really know how to pray. I don't really know what to say. Well just put your own name into this. These little verses here.
[23:02] Put your own name in. You say. He has delivered us. Just say Lord. Deliver me. Deliver me. From the domain of darkness.
[23:16] Oh Lord deliver. Transfer me. Into the kingdom. Of your own beloved son. That I might know.
[23:28] That great redemption. And forgiveness. For all of my sins. Is the prayer. From the heart.
[23:40] That God will hear. That he would love. And long to hear. And he'll never turn away. Anybody who comes.
[23:51] Will you come. And experience this great. Transformation. That God is offering. Through his precious word.
[24:02] D23 going to heaven. Because there's no other. Only Jesus. Come to him. Come to him. Look to him. Come to him. Come to him. Come. Come to him. Come to him. Come to him. Come to him.
[24:12] Come to him. Come to him. Come to him. Come to him. Come to him. Come to him.
[24:23] Come to him. Come to him. Come to him.