November 20, 2022 Text: Colossians 1:13-20
Dear Friends in Christ,
We interrupt this broadcast for a test – of the emergency Judgment Day Warning System – this is only a test: “Jesus Is Coming!” This has been a test of the emergency Judgment Day Warning System. Had this been the actual event, the message you heard…would have been too late. In the event of the final judgment, you will not have time to tune to your local radio or TV station, there will be no time to await further instructions; no time to react; no time to change the condition of your heart. We now resume our normal broadcast. Thank you.
Now that is a little frightening. Nothing like getting hit with the law early in the sermon. It is the end of the church year. Advent is next Sunday. We prepare the way for the Lord. We are who we are because of Jesus. Be at peace.
“YOUR LIFE AND IDENTITY ARE DETERMINED BY JESUS”
Where are we? Well, here at the beginning of our text we are in “the domain of darkness.” Sounds like a movie preview, doesn’t it? Can you escape “the domain of darkness?” Honestly, sometimes we can’t. We are in darkness because we can’t see the way to the truth. We stumble, we grope, we walk in spiritual blindness. Satan has his way with us. He works on you when no one else is with you and you assume no one sees or cares what you are doing. Darkness is his favorite place – especially when he’s there with you.
From that domain of darkness, you have been delivered. By a man of light, born in the light of Bethlehem and risen on the third day when the light began to spread on the earth. He rules the darkness as well. In the world to come there will be no need for sun or moon because the brightness of Christ will be our light. “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.”(v. 13) In Jesus, “we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (v. 14). He paid the debt of your sin. You have been delivered.
Why should He redeem you or anyone else? Was it your sparkling Sunday School attendance record? Is it your warm and fuzzy personality trait that everyone loves? No. You are who you are in Christ only because of who He is. He is the Head of creation, and He shall have what is His. “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him all were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (vs. 15-17) You were made by God for more than wallowing in your sin and your filthy mouth and the whims of us those around you. You were made to live under Christ’s gracious reign in His Kingdom.
Before you took your first breath, before your parents ever met, before Adam and Eve made earth their home, God knew you from eternity. You can’t see the Father’s face, but you can see Jesus. In order to know the Father’s will you need to know Jesus. Jesus is the only way to salvation because He is the only access point we have to the eternal Father. “He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” (v. 18)
Your identity is taking shape. Delivered by Christ. Created for Christ. And now, at peace. “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (vs. 19-20)
Wouldn’t you like a little peace? But I know you dread the holidays coming up and the relatives who want to talk about more than the weather. I know the grudges you still hold because of something said 17 years ago. I know what that girl did to you. Everyone here has pain, regret, broken links of love, frayed nerves because of what you have inflicted on others or what they inflicted on you.
Because of Jesus you are not captive to these emotions. You are not caught in the web of darkness. You are redeemed; you are delivered; you have transferred out; you are forgiven; you are set free; you are cleansed; you are healed.
The blood of Jesus sets you at peace with others. Remember that when Cousin Blowhard wants to talk politics before you carve the turkey or prepare to open gifts. Remember that when the lines are long because the workers are few, but the customers are many. You have peace with God because God has made peace. You have peace with your fellow men and women because God is at peace. I have the privilege of sharing this peace with you at the end of the divine service. This is the peace Jesus has won for you by His blood and by His cross and by His resurrected life.
So go in peace. You are free of darkness – your identity. You live in His light – your identity. Your faith has saved you because you trust in Christ alone – your identity. You are at peace with others because God is at peace with you through Jesus – your identity. This is your life because you belong to Christ. Enjoy the glory now and into eternity.
Amen.