Colossians 1:9-14 From Guilt to Glory

Colossians 1:9–14 ESV

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 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.

Prayer of Illumination

Dismiss Kids

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Good Morning, and welcome to Confessors of Christ Church.

Today we come to part 2 of our exploration of Chapter one in the letter to the Colossians.

Already we have discovered an incredibly encouraging reality.

The elder of this local church, Epaphras, upon realizing false teaching creeping into the congregation,

Set out to get answers on how to address the problem.

The church was anxiously anticipating his return and looking forward to clarity on these issues.

But, who arrived was not their beloved pastor Epaphras, but rather Tychicus, with a letter from Paul.

Epaphras was jailed and could not return, at least not yet, but the matter was too important not to address quickly, so Paul write’s a letter.

The letter that you hold in your hand this morning.

Last week, we saw how Paul begins his letter not by diving into the problem,

Not by correcting misunderstandings,

Not by hitting on the false teaching.

But instead begins with worship and thanksgiving.

He begins with praise and adoration to God for the work that He has accomplished in the lives of this local church.

Now, Paul will address the issues here soon, but he chooses to begin with praise and thanksgiving.

It is God who works in and through us to bring about our Salvation and restoration, and it is He who is worthy of all praise.

The good done in us, leaves no room for arrogance, and only opportunity for worship due to the work God has done in our lives.

So, this is where He began last week.

After this opening celebration of the amazing grace and power of God, Paul will share the response that the Colossians “should have” to this truth.

Their response to this amazing grace, should also be our response, which is why this letter is absolutely relevant for us, today.

What should we do in light of this radical grace received?

What should we do in light of this radical transformation accomplished?

Paul tells us that we should walk, or in other words, live in a manner that is worthy to the Lord.

This morning we are going to look at a vital topic in the Christian life.

So, I encourage you to really focus in on what Paul is telling us in these verses.

I want to begin with a few questions that I believe we can all resonate with.

How often do you do things out of guilt?

You realize that you are not meeting a standard, and therefore your motivation is out of shame or remorse.

Your motivation is based on your failure.

Feeling defeated, you try to make things right, until you fail again, and then find yourself in a vicious circle that drains the joy from you.

Let me ask another question: How often do you do things out of obligation?

In some aspects, every day? We have obligations, so we make sure we meet them.

I have obligations to pay my bills each month, so I do this.

But, should our Christian walk, our Christian life, be one of guilt and obligation?

Guilt can lead to repentance, and obligations keep us responsible, but God cares about our heart’s attitude.

Should serving Him feel like a burden, or a joyful response to His grace?

Ponder this question: Should living for God have the same attitude as paying our bills?

Should serving, praying, giving, and obedience for God feel like an obligation?

Last week we briefly touched on our responsibility in light of God’s accomplishment in our lives.

This week, we are going to dive deeper into what this means for you and I.

Why our life should be lived to God’s glory as an act of joy and celebration, not guilt and obligation.

Our text this morning will focus on how God’s grace enables us in three areas.

1st God’s grace enables us to: grow in knowledge.

2nd, God’s grace enables us to: walk in obedience.

3rd, God’s grace enables us to: rejoice in redemption.

God’s grace is not about guilt and obedience, it is a means to inspire and encourage us to seek God’s will,

to live worthy our calling, and to rest in the assurance of Christ’s redemptive work.

Now, let’s see these themes come to life through the first chapter of Colossians.

This morning we will be looking at verses 9-14.

Let’s begin with verse 9 and the beginnings of verse 10.

Colossians 1:9–10 ESV

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him:

Our first point is that God’s grace enable us to grow in knowledge.

Now, Before we jump into the unpacking of the verse, I want to share something that is important to the understanding and interpretation of our text.

Verses 9 -14 in the English consists of two sentences, a fairly long first sentence and short and concise second sentence.

In the Greek however, which is what the New Testament was written in, we have one long complex sentence.

A complex sentence is different as it is designed to build on a regular sentence by adding dependent clauses to provide more context or detail.

Now you may ask, why do I need to know that?

Well, doing so creates a richer and more nuanced statement in order to bring greater clarity to what he is trying to tell us.

But, why should you care?

It helps us to know that these 6 verses are connected in thought and reason.

Paul wants to show us how all of this works together.

So, he begins by sharing how his consistent prayer is for God to fill the Colossians with the knowledge of his will.

This is a work of God, but we will see that it is specifically attributed to the Spirit.

Because it is not natural wisdom and natural understanding in the power of man in which Paul is praying.

He is praying for supernatural spiritual wisdom and supernatural spiritual understanding.

Paul wants to Colossians to be able to discern the truth and then to walk according to this truth.

This is a gift of grace imparted by the Spirit and thus Paul does not tell the Colossians to “get it together,”

But rather prays that God would impart this wisdom and understanding through the direction of the Father, applied by the Spirit, to the Colossians.

The accomplish work of Christ Jesus makes all of this possible.

As the Lord grants this wisdom and understanding, Paul knows that the result of God’s work, will be their obedience.

It is specifically the work of the Holy Spirit that accomplishes this.

Paul wrote the same thing to the Corinthians and gives an even fuller unpacking.

So, let’s look at what he says there.

1 Corinthians 2:12–13 ESV

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

Now, there is a lot here, but it shows why Paul is praying to God for the Spirit’s work of imparting wisdom and understanding to the knowledge of God’s will.

This does not happen through the spirit of the world, and it does not happen for those who are not spiritual, or in this cased, Christians.

But, the Spirit’s role is to reveal the will of God and understand God.

If you do not have the Spirit, then you will be blinded to the truth and knowledge of the will of God.

The only way you will receive this Spirit is if you receive the Gospel, which means you have received Christ.

Once we have the Spirit, we will also begin to receive the wisdom and understanding applied by the Spirit.

The result is this: The more we know God’s will, the more we will be equipped to walk in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

God does this powerful work through divine revelation, which is our Scriptures, and the Spirit’s work in our lives.

This is not accomplished through our will or abilities, but it is accomplished through the supernatural work of God.

Therefore, Paul is going to be praying for God to do this work in the Colossians, so that the Colossians will be able to glorify God in their lives.

To use a modern illustration to help us grasp this, let’s imagine an escape room?

Who here has done an escape room before?

The complex puzzle that needs to be solved is like the the believer’s life on this earth.

It is filled with difficulties, challenges, and often frustrations.

Our goal is to accomplish the tasks and escape the room, or accomplish God’s mission on earth until we are with Him in heaven.

But, what we discover in this escape room is, not only is there a locked door, but the entire room is pitch black.

You cannot see what you need to see, you cannot do what you need to do, and you are stuck.

When the time starts, the light switch comes on and the room is illuminated, you see what you could not see, but you still do not understand fully.

It is through the light that illuminates a guidebook.

It is here that you begin to understand the fundamental truths and revelation to what is happening around you.

Now, you are beginning to understand how you are to navigate the room, and the mission that is before you.

In the illustration the light source is the Holy Spirit who is illuminating our lives so that we can see what is truly around us.

But, the Spirit does not stop there, He also reveals the guidebook and illuminates its contents.

The guide book is the Scriptures, that help us to know God, know ourselves, and know our situation.

God is the master designer of the room and imparts His wisdom and knowledge through the guidebook to reveal His will.

In this escape room illustration of our life, the Holy Spirit is our light, and Scripture is our guide, revealing God’s will so we can live for His glory.

Through His grace, God provides the key insights—specific moments of clarity and understanding—that guide you to the right solutions. 

So, if this is the work of God, through the illumination of the Spirit, and the guidance of His Word,

Does the light and the guide accomplish the task and open the door?

No, this is where we come in.

We have a role to play, we have actions to take, we have a plan to fulfil,

But it is all under the wisdom, understanding, and direction of God.

Which is why Paul prays to God, for this work of the Spirit to take place.

The beginning of verse 10 says how we should respond.

Colossians 1:10 ESV

so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him:

We now walk, or in other words live, in a way that is worthy of the Lord.

Because of this imparted wisdom, because of this imparted understanding, through the accomplished work of Christ, we walk.

Every obstacle has been overcome, providing us with His strength to endure trials and guiding us through His Spirit to make choices that honor Him.

So, how do we begin?

First, pray.

Paul gives us the example, we pray for Spiritual wisdom and understanding of God’s Word and then apply it.

We know that God answers all prayers according to His will, and we know that this is absolutely His will!

Next, Study the Scriptures diligently.

Read your Bible, take notes during the sermons, ask questions, pray for the Spirit’s guidance in illuminating its truth.

Make sure you read the daily devotionals that I post on telegram Monday - Friday, stay engaged and connected to the Word.

Then, test you decisions and actions throughout the day and see if they align with God’s revealed will in Scripture.

Are you walking in a manor that is pleasing to God? Ask yourself these questions, see if there are adjustments that are needed to be made.

Ask God to reveal areas that do need attention and transformation and pray for the Spirit’s help in those areas.

Lastly, Encourage one another in Scripture.

Our life groups and Bible studies are great ways to grow in knowledge together.

Every morning Coty and Chloe wake up and read their Bibles together and several other women are reading along the same passages.

I’m going through a book with my boys called The Ology (short for theology) Book and we are learning about all of the attributes of God right now.

Like our escape room illustration, everything has been accomplished for us in advance, so now we go, and we do.

So, as we grow in knowledge, we pray for the Spirit’s wisdom, study Scripture diligently, and test your decisions against God’s Word,

and encourage one another in Bible study.

I’m reminded of Ephesians 2:10

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

God has accomplished everything needed ahead of time, prepared them beforehand, so now we get to walk in light of this work.

So, point one is God’s grace enables us to: grow in knowledge.

Point two is God’s grace enables us to: walk in obedience.

Let’s look at the second half of verse 10, through the first part of verse 12.

Colossians 1:10–12 ESV

bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father,

What is fascinating here is the garden language that is being used to remind us of our true purpose.

Bearing fruit, along with increasing or growing, in the knowledge of God brings us back to Eden.

This is what we were designed to do all along.

This is what we were created for.

Just like Adam and Eve walked with God in the cool of the day, we are to walk with God in our day.

Now, we do not live in a sinless paradise, but God has not left us and has not abandoned us.

Even in the chaos and the crazy we can, and are called to walk with God.

While it is substantially more difficult than in the garden, we see next that God will strengthen us for this walk.

Our text says being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might.

What an incredible truth declared here.

We need to be strengthened, God says He will strengthen.

We need a supernatural strengthening, God says it will happen according to his glorious might.

This power is available to us all who are in Christ and it is a continual stream of power that never ends, never depletes, never exhausted.

Not only is it continual, it is to the highest power, it is unlimited in power, it is a complete power.

If that isn’t good enough, we see Paul continue to declare the benefits of the Gospel.

This strengthening is for a reason, this strengthening has a purpose, this strengthening has an aim.

It is to produce endurance, patience, and joy in our hearts.

Here is where remembering that this is one complex sentence helps with our unpacking of this passage.

Likely Paul is referring to these as well as the highest pinnacle of the word.

We should look at these as, Great endurance, great patience, and great joy.

The reason that we can walk in the light, the reason we can live in the truth, the reason we can be obedient to the glory of God,

Is because God is providing for us every means of grace and power necessary to accomplish this work.

He doesn’t tell us to do something, then expects us to figure it out.

I admit, I sometimes do this to my children.

There will be a task that needs to be accomplished, that I know my kids don’t know how to do, and I’ll tell them, go do it.

When they ask how, I’m like, “Figure it out!”

Sometimes we think this is what God is doing to us, but He is a way better Father than I am, and He doesn’t leave us to figure it out.

He empowers us, strengthens us, gives us patience, endurance, joy,

He gives us the Spirit, and He gives us wisdom and understanding, and then God is going to say, ok, now go.

So we now go, and now we do, not out of obligation, not out of guilt, but out of joy and celebration.

Then as we are accomplishing the will of God we are doing so with an attitude of gratitude.

Giving thanksgiving to God for His gifts enabling us to be what we are called to be.

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I want to pause here because I want to make sure that we are truly understanding what this means.

Joy instead of Guilt, Celebration instead of obligation. (Ad-Lib)

(Share the difference between doing things out of obligation and doing things because of joy)

If being a Christian is a burden to you.

If being a Christian is difficult because you are looking at your failures.

If being a Christian is hard because you know you need to be better, but you are stuck in a rut,

Then you have misunderstood what it means to be a Christian.

Reflect upon what Paul is saying here in Colossians 1 and begin to look at your life,

“Not” in terms of what you have to do, “But” in terms of what you get to do.

Stop looking at the Christian life as a set of rules, but an array of opportunities.

Stop looking at your inabilities and start looking at God’s provision.

He is giving you every gift, every power, every ounce of wisdom and understanding, it is all there for you to take hold of.

God will sustain you, God will encourage you, God will provide for you,

Stop looking at your struggles and look to God’s promises.

Even if you are not sure what to do, then this is the place for you, ask how you can use your gift to the glory of God.

For the advancement of His kingdom, for the good of His people, and for the joy that is laid before you.

Don’t hesitate to come chat with me, there are so many things that we can accomplish together,

But it begins by seeing ourselves the way God sees us.

It begins by trusting in His power instead of our own.

Point one is God’s grace enables us to: grow in knowledge.

Point two is God’s grace enables us to: walk in obedience.

Now Point three, God’s grace enables us to: rejoice in redemption.

Colossians 1:12–14 ESV

who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 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.

According to Colossians 1:12-14: We have been qualified, delivered, and transferred.

This is such an incredibly encouraging verse, designed to lift our spirit, and give praise, worship, and glory to God.

We are qualified, not based on our abilities and works, but based on Christ’s accomplishments and sacrifice.

We receive His righteousness in exchange for our sins and thus qualified for eternal life with all the other saints.

We are delivered out of darkness, not because of our efforts and merit, but through Christ’s victory and redemption.

Which draws us from the shadows of seclusion into God’s family in His light.

We are transferred into His kingdom, not by our own power or worth, but by His grace and authority.

Being removed from the chaos and calamity of this broken world, and united to Christ’s kingdom of peace and harmony.

Colossians 1:14 ends with the great proclamation of our redemption.

This is all possible because we have been forgiven of our sins against God.

Despite our inability, Christ’s ability overcomes.

Despite our failure, Christ’s accomplishment shines forth.

Despite our brokenness, Christ’s redemption restores.

Jesus’s finished work on the cross is the sole basis for our Salvation.

But, Jesus not only accomplished our Salvation, but also accomplished our transformation.

He is empowering us through sending the Holy Spirit.

He is strengthening us through His Word in Scripture,

He is uniting us through His bride, the church,

So that we can live on mission for His glory, advance His kingdom, and bless others for our good and theirs. 

Are you beginning to see why our obedience and life is not one that should be lived out of guilt, shame, and sorrow?

How being a Christian is not one more thing that we have to do, not another thing we add to our schedules?

But rather the outpouring of love that we get to now proclaim, display, and live out in joyful obedience to Christ.

Yes, we are to be obedient, yes we are to follow God’s commands, yes we are to abstain from that which displeases God.

But, the reasons for this is out of worship, adoration, thanksgiving, hope, and love.

When we embrace the true motivation for a holy life, we will live not out of guilt and shame, but with joy and celebration.

This means that if you feel defeated in your Christian walk this morning, then embrace the love and forgiveness of God and jump back in.

If you are feeling overwhelmed in the responsibilities of the Christian life, then embrace the strength of His Spirit and press forward with joy.

If you are feeling inadequate for the mission of God, then embrace the sufficiency of His grace and step out in faith.

You can being right now by looking away from yourself and look instead to what God has done on your behalf.

Give thanks daily for your salvation, recognize that it is a gift of God, not based on your works, whether good or bad.

Live your life with confidence. Because your confidence is not based on your achievements but based on your identity as a citizen in Christ’s kingdom.

Share this truth with others, declare the Gospel that transformed you can transform them, point to the hope of redemption found in Christ.

Let them know that the same freeing power that you have received can be theirs as well.

Then, rest in the assurance of forgiveness, knowing Christ’s work is complete.

There is nothing you can do to enhance the work of Christ, and there is nothing you can do to thwart the plan of Christ.

Therefore, you can rest in the assurance that is offered to you and live in light of Christ’s finished work and boundless grace.

Colossians chapter 1 is more than just a prayer.

It is more than just a moment of thanksgiving.

It is the very reason for our worship.

It is the very essence of our praise.

It is the very foundation for our hope.

This morning I am calling on all of us to trust in God’s sovereign grace.

Walk in obedience as a response to His love,

and give thanks for his unmerited salvation.

This week, commit to one specific action.

Whether praying for wisdom,

Whether serving others, or giving thanks for redemption.

Live out this Scripture in gratitude instead of guilt.

Yes, if there is sin that needs to be repented of, then absolutely, go to the Lord, He is ready to forgive and ready to lift you back up.

If there are changes that need to be made in your life, yes, ask for wisdom, guidance, and understanding, then boldly make those changes.

Ask your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ for accountability, and live in the freedom won for you at the cross.

Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9-14 reminds us that God’s grace fills us with knowledge, empowers us to live worthy lives, and secures our redemption in Christ.

May this truth not only enhance our obedience and our praise this week, but for all eternity.

Amen? Let us pray.