Our Wealth in Christ – Part 2 – Colossians 1:13-15

Fifteenth lesson in a verse by verse series through the Epistle of Colossians. This lesson continues the theme of the believer’s wealth in Christ. Sermon outline: 1. Raised to Spiritual Life (Vs. 13) 2. Rescued from the Law’s Condemnation (Vs. 14) 3. Guaranteed Victory over the Enemy (Vs. 15)

1. Review of previous lesson: Filled with Christ’s Fulness (Vs. 9-10); Delivered from Sin’s Power (Vs. 11) & United in Christ’s Burial & Resurrection (Vs. 12)
2. Key phrase: “ye are complete in him” (Vs. 6)
3. This lesson: Paul’s description of the believer’s wealth in Christ. He combats the false philosophies of the Colossian heretics by reminding the Colossian believers of the riches they have received in Christ.

Raised to Spiritual Life (Vs. 13)

The Description of our past (13a)

1. Dead
   1. The Tri-part nature of man – spirit, soul & body (1 Thess. 5:23).
   2. Gen 2:17 – God told Adam that he would die the day he ate the fruit.
   3. Gen 5:5 – Adam lived 930 years.
   4. Doctrine: Adam died spiritually the day he ate the fruit and disobeyed God.
2. Uncircumcised
   1. Symbolic of their depraved past, outside of God’s grace.
   2. Eph. 2:11-13 “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But no in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”

The Blessing of our Resurrection (13b)

1. Quickened
   1. ‘quickened’ = made alive
   2. ‘together’ = in union with Christ
   3. Positional truth. Made a reality in time at the moment of salvation.
   4. Eph. 2:1 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”
   5. John 3:6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
   6. John 10:10 “…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
2. Forgiven
   1. Comes from the Greek word (χαρίζομαι, meaning to grant as a favor, to forgive out of grace. Forgiveness is only possible because of God’s grace.
   2. Micah 7:18-19 “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”
   3. Psalm 130:3-4 “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.”
   4. Illustration: The Apostle Paul’s testimony – 1 Timothy 1:12-15 “And I thank Christ Jesus…”

Rescued from the Law’s Condemnation (Vs. 14)

1. The Description of the law
   1. ‘handwriting’
      1. a bond or bill of debt
      2. Was used in the ancient world of a certificate of debt on which the signature of the debtor was inscribed (Gromacki)
   2. ‘ordinances’
      1. decree, legal obligation. Comes from the Greek word δόγμα
      2. Ephesians 2:15 “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;”
2. The Character of the law
   1. It was against us
      1. It demanded punishment, was like a prosecutor calling for our execution.
      2. Illustration: An unpaid bill turned over to a bill collector (Homer A. Kent, Jr)
      3. Rom 7:12-13 “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good…that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.”
   2. It was contrary to us
      1. Means to be opposed, hostile
      2. Note: The law is not evil. Its opposition to the sinner is absolutely right, just and good.
3. The Solution to the Law
   1. Erased
      1. “blotting out” = wiped it off, rubbed it out
      2. Historical picture: Historical documents were often written on papyrus made from bulrush plant or vellum (animal’s hide). The ink on the surface could be wiped off by a scribe if he wanted to reuse it.
   2. Removed
      1. Literally, “took it out of the middle”.
      2. The law stood between us and God and righteously condemned us. Christ removed the curse of the law in His work on Calvary!
   3. Nailed
      1. In ancient times, when a criminal was crucified, his offence was written out and nailed above his head. Remember Christ – “This is Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.” Christ bore the wrath for the offences we committed.
      2. Gal 3:13 “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every on that hangeth on a tree.”

Guaranteed Victory over the Enemy (Vs. 15)

1. Christ spoiled them (15a)
   1. The word ‘spoiled’ comes from the same word translated “putting off” in verse 11.
   2. The powers of darkness tried to conquer him but he stripped them of their evil power and cast them aside.
2. Christ exposed them (15b)
   1. ‘shew’ = to display.
   2. It is the same word used to describe Joseph’s unwillingness to make Mary “a publick example.”
   3. Christ put Satan and his demons to open shame on the cross, He unmasked them.
3. Christ triumphed over them (15c)
   1. ‘triumph’ = to have victory
   2. Picture: “The expression “triumphing over them,” suggests the homecoming parade of a victorious Roman general who was granted the honor of a parade, called a “triumph,” with the bound captives and spoils of battle forming part of the procession.
   3. Hebrews 2:14 “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” ‘destroy’ = to render powerless, inactive & inoperative (same word used in Rom 6:6)
   4. 1 John 3:8 “…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” ‘destroy’ = to loose, unbind or break

Sermon 15 of 28 in Colossians Series

Sermon Audio Id: 924162246390