Christ Power

Rescue and Deliverance

Colossians 1:13–14 (NASB95)

For He rescued 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.

Rescue

Jesus has rescued us from the domain of darkness. We must ask, “what is the domain of darkness?” The domain of darkness is the pull and influence that the world system has on our lives. We see two distinct descriptions. The first is in 1 John 2:15-17

1 John 2:15–17 (NASB95)

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

The lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life. The world influences us at every level of our being. It touches us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Physically it is the lust of the flesh. These are the things that we are attracted to that appeal to our senses. Things like sexual immorality, materialism, gluttony, and other things that cater to our senses. Emotionally it is the lust of the eyes. This means that we tend to see things through our own lenses. We are biased toward that which is beneficial to us and not that which is truth. Spiritually it is the boastful pride of life. This is when we think more highly of ourselves than we should. +

The Second description of the domain of darkness is in Galatians 5:19-21

Galatians 5:19–21 (NASB95)

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

This is a list of sins that entail the domain of darkness. Though this is not an exhaustive list it is robust enough that one can see that they have been or are being influenced. Though these are a list of sins that are part of the domain of darkness, Paul clarifies that it is those who practice these that will not inherit the kingdom of God. If you commit one of these sins randomly and they are not practiced, it shows that you are human and the Lord affords you an opportunity to repent.

The Lord has rescued us from the domain of darkness. This means that it does not have power over us. It can still influence us, but now we have the power within us to overcome. Rom. 6:14

Romans 6:14 NASB95

For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

The grace God gives helps overcome darkness. Rom. 5:20-21

Romans 5:20–21 (NASB95)

The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Deliverance

Not only did Christ rescue us from the domain of darkness, but he delivered us to the kingdom of Christ. This means that He has given us the privilege to live on purpose for Him. We can live every day as ambassadors for Christ 2 Cor. 5:20

2 Corinthians 5:20 NASB95

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

We don’t have to wait until we die to live for heaven. Our lives can be a conduit to bring heaven down to earth. It is in this that the Father receives glory. Matt.5:16

Matthew 5:16 NASB95

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

When we live on purpose for Christ. God will receive the glory through it.

Not only do we get to live on purpose for Christ here, we will also inherit eternal life to rule in His kingdom there. 2 Tim. 2:12

2 Timothy 2:12 (NASB95)

If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;

We will reside with Christ in Heaven forever.

Jesus Is God

There are several things that Paul says to indicate this. We will look at them individually

Colossians 1:15 NASB95

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Jesus is the exact representation of God. The firstborn does not indicate that He was created, but that he existed before anything was created. If you want to see how God interacts with man, look at the life of Jesus.

Colossians 1:16 NASB95

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

Jesus created all things. The heavens and the earth were created by Christ. Not only did Christ create the things that we can see, but also the things that we don’t see. These are spiritual things that our eyes cannot see. There is a world that our physical eyes cannot see. 2 Kings 6:17-20

2 Kings 6:17–20 (NASB95)

Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, “Strike this people with blindness, I pray.” So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

Then Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city; follow me and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he brought them to Samaria.

When they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, “O Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” So the Lord opened their eyes and they saw; and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.

There is an unseen world that connects with our seen world. Christ has created both.

Christ has also created the authority on the earth. Good and bad authority have been established for His purpose. For example Pilate was put in place to Crucify Christ.

Colossians 1:17 NASB95

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Jesus is the one that holds the world in his hands. Because of this the world continues to exist. Imagine if the Lord was not in control. What kind of world would we live in?

Colossians 1:18 NASB95

He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

Jesus is head of the church. Christ is the authority of the church. He has given His commission to the church. Matt. 28:19-20

Matthew 28:19–20 NASB95

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

He is the first person to go to heaven. 1 Cor. 15:20-23

1 Corinthians 15:20–23 (NASB95)

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming,

Colossians 1:19 NASB95

For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,

The fullness of the Father dwelt in the Son.

John 1:1–4 (NASB95)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.

John 1:14 NASB95

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

It is obvious that the Father dwelt in Jesus. Jesus was able to do many miracles because the Father dwelt in Him.

Colossians 1:20 NASB95

and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Jesus reconciles us sinners to a Holy Father. This means that we can have a relationship with God. Jesus has canceled our sin debt, so we can come before God without fear of judgement.