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COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY 8
COLOSSIANS 1:13-14 GOD RESCUED US AT INCALCULABLE COST FOR INCALCULABLE TREASURE
Colossians 1:13-14For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought (transferred) us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Rescued at incalculable cost
The remarkable rescue of the boys’ football team and coach from a flooded cave in Thailand in July 2018 is illustrative of our rescue. Tragically, however, the only death was that of Saman Gunan, 38, a former Thai navy diver volunteering in the cave. He lost consciousness while delivering oxygen tanks.Each of the stranded team had to be attached to a diver who took them from the darkness of the cave to the light of freedom. We, likewise, needed to be rescued. we were helpless, powerless, hopeless, but Christ has rescued us.
· What does 1:14 infer about the cost of our rescue and what we have been recued from?
How should our redemption through the death of God the Son affect:
· Our sense of being loved?
· Our confidence in never being rejected by God
· Our worship?
· Our confidence in prayer?
Rescued for incalculable treasure
· Many young people ‘treasure’ the dream of being signed or ‘transferred’ to a sport’s team. This type of transfer is temporary and yet they live for it. Paul says you have been ‘brought into’ or ‘transferred into ‘the Kingdom of the Son…’ There is no higher privilege! How would a greater awareness of our being brought into Jesus’ kingdom affect our lives?
· ‘Redemption’ is “a releasing on payment of a ransom.” We have been purchased; so, to whom do we now belong, and how does this change the way that we make decisions for our lives?
RESPONSE
We have been rescued at incalculable cost – redeemed by Christ’s blood; as a result, we have the incalculable treasure of being transferred into to Jesus’ kingdom. Let’s allow the price paid for our privilege to invest our lives with joy.
In Matthew 27:45-46 we read of the price Jesus’ paid,
Matthew 27:45-46From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,lemasabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
Jesus was given over to the the ‘dominion of darkness’, was cast into the night of God’s wrath, as He took our sin upon Himself. Jesus was cast into the dark so that we can enter into the ‘kingdom of light’, Knowing God’s love forever.
Let’s now worship Jesus. You may want to have Communion together. Remember again the incalculable Cost for our incalculable treasure.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
WEEK 8 - GOD RESCUED US AT INCALCULABLE COST FOR INCALCULABLE TREASURE
MONDAY – HE HAS RESCUED FROM THE DOMINION OF DARKNESS
Colossians 1:13-14For he has rescued (transferred) us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Once we were dominated by darkness. We were powerless to release ourselves from captivity. God rescued us! The darkness referred to means a number of things:
· The guilt of our sin– we were captive to guilt. Our sin against God and His wrath against us was a darkness that we could never overcome.
· The power of sin– Our hearts were opposed to Jesus. Left to our own devices we would never give the Lordship of our lives over the Christ. That’s why it says ‘He rescued us…’
· The control of Satan – We were dominated by Satan and could not overcome His hold on us. What Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4 speaks of this dominion and how God has released us,
2 Corinthians 4:1-6The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
RESPONSE
Being saved by God alone makes some people uncomfortable for numerous reasons. However, it is the clear teaching of scripture. It’s vital that we don’t allow our questions (which are good to ask) to keep us from the marvelling in the sheer gratuitous love of God to us; also, let’s not rob Jesus, the Saviour, of His due glory which should be His now and will be for eternity, As Paul says
Ephesians 2:7In order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
TUESDAY – TRANSFERRED TO THE KINGDOM OF THE SON
Colossians 1:13-14For he has rescued (transferred) us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
You have been transferred
Paul purposefully declares that we’ve been transferred from one dominion – that of darkness, to a new ruler – King Jesus. We are under His dominion now.
We’ve been ‘Transferred…’ (methistémi). This Greek word is made up of two words:
i) Meta – A change from now on - it looks forward to the ongoing change that takes place after an event. The event, in this case, of our being brought into God’s Kingdom.
ii) Histemi - Speaks of an upright and active position, to stand
So, to be ’transferred’ into the kingdom of the Son’ is to have a new, ongoing, right relationship with king Jesus. It’s a radical change which effects everything and forever.
Into the kingdom of the Son
Being in the Jesus’ kingdom effects every aspect of our lives. We are under His protection and are dearly loved by the King. We are also under His authority and rule. Anyone who has changed jobs, city, nation will know that these transferences effect how we do things; likewise, being in Jesus’ kingdom means that we now seek to love and obey Jesus in a life of holiness.
RESPONSE
Take some time to thank God for transferring you into this new kingdom; pray about your attitude and approach to life – are you living like Jesus is your king? Are you submitting your lifestyle and choices to His lordship?
Meditate and pray out of the following passage. Make a commitment to, as far as possible, do everything ‘in Jesus name’; that is – does this or that honour His name? Secondly, will you seek to only do what you can give thanks to God for?
Colossians 3:17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
WEDNESDAY – LET’S TREASURE THE SON HE LOVES
Colossians 1:13-14For he has rescued (transferred) us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
The Colossian church were being pressured to accept false teaching about Jesus; therefore, Paul emphasises the worth of Christ. He reminds them that He is the King, He’s the Son of God and that He’s loved by the Father.
The Son He loves
The term ‘Son of God’ must be properly understood to mean that Jesus is equal with the Father (and Spirit) – all that God is, Jesus is. In Hebrews we read,
Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
After Gabriel had spoken to Joseph to reassure him about Mary’s pregnancy, we are told,
Matthew 1:22-23 All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet:“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Jesus is the eternal God the Son, who took on human form, and came into the world according to God’s great plan.
RESPONSE
Through Colossians, God wants to cause Jesus to dazzle you with the glory of Christ. We read about the ‘Transfiguration’ of Christ,
Matthew 17:1-2 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.
God adds to this vision with these profound words,
Matthew 17:17 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
God wants to teach us to love the Son and listen to Him. Paul, inspired by the Spirit, says that Jesus is ‘the Son He loves’. With these words we have a perfect summary of the Christian life – let’s join the Father in loving the Son in attitude and behaviour. Let’s desire and endeavour to allow nothing to trump our devotion to Him.
THURSDAY – THE INCALCULABLE COST OF REDEMPTION
Colossians 1:13-14For he has rescued (transferred) us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Not content to teach us that we have been transferred into the ‘Kingdom of the Son…’ Paul adds a beautiful reminder that, for this to happen we required redemption. Redemption (apolytrōsin)is “a releasing, on payment of a ransom.” (Vines). Our sins were like a debt we could never pay; our sinful nature like a slavery that we could never overcome; the devil, a master who had no pity. But Jesus released us! The price paid was Jesus’ death for our sin- his death purchased our escape from the dominion of darkness and entrance into Jesus’ Kingdom. Here are a couple of verses that speak of our redemption,
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace…
Romans 3:24-25All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.
The cost of your ‘transfer’ surpasses anything.Peter writes,
1 Peter 1:18-19For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors,but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
The Psalmist wrote,
Psalm 49:7-8No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them – the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough…
RESPONSE
No man could pay for your redemption, and therefore your salvation required a sinless man who is God to pay for your freedom. You are no longer a slave!
Don’t live like a slave, live like a son
Galatians 4:31Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
Too often we can live like we are still slaves – our acceptance by God dependent upon our efforts, and our obedience and worship given as duty. God wants you to live like sons in the family – your acceptance permanent, complete and loving; your obedience and worship given as a gift of love. Are you living like a Son in the family?
FRIDAY – THE INCALCULABLE COST OF FORGIVENESS
Colossians 1:13-14For he has rescued (transferred) us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Forgiveness (aphesis)is a term that we use, often without knowing what it really means. Vines word studies explains forgiveness: “to send forth, send away” It is to ‘send away’ forever, the guilt of our (or another’s) sin.
The Day of Atonement
Each year the Israelites were to celebrate the Day of Atonement. The events of this event are prophetic of what the gospel would achieve for us. On the Day of Atonement, we are told that the High Priest was to,
Leviticus 16:5; 15, 21-22 Take two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering… He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the curtain… He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness.
Firstly, our forgiveness was paid for with Jesus’ blood as symbolised by the first goat on the Day of Atonement. ‘Propitiation’ means that Jesus Jesus took the wrath of God upon Himself in our stead.
Secondly, forgiveness also carries the idea of our sins being ‘sent away’ as symbolised by the second goat (the scapegoat) that was sent into the wilderness. Expiation is a word which means that our sins have been sent away. For our forgiveness, our sins were placed on Jesus ‘head’ and He was sent away; He was rejected on our behalf. From God’s perspective you never carried out your past sins - they have been laid on the scapegoat! You can sing,
Psalm 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
RESPONSE
This week we have have seen that ‘God rescued us at incalculable cost for incalculable treasure’. In Christ, we are the recipients of amazing grace. To finish, let’s meditate, pray and worship out of Isaiah 53,
Isaiah 53:5-6 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.’
