INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANSVictory over Rulers and Authorities

Col 2:13-15 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANSVictory over Rulers and AuthoritiesSubtitle: Just how good is the gospel?

TRAIT 1:  The gospel is the source of power!

What do we mean by that?

"And having disarmed the powers and authorities"  Col 2:15

TRAIT 1:  The gospel is the source of power!

What do we mean by that?

"And having disarmed the powers and authorities"  Col 2:15

Eph 1:19 “the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe.”

You have power available – you may need to “shift”.

2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test

yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is

in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

What does it mean to repent?

• It’s not a bad feeling, or being “sorry in a religious sort of way.”

Repentance damneth more than sin ~Old Puritan Saying• Mark 1:15 : Repent and believe the gospel: to change ones mind.

to turn from sin to God• Repentance is progressive in nature

S.E.E.

Search:

Evaluate:

Execute:

Repentance is a gift. (Jer 31:18)

Repentance involves both heart and life - and culminates in a new practice. (Ps 119:32)

Repentance moves from sin to God (I Jn 1:6)

TRAIT 2:  The gospel is complete in power

“He made a public spectacle of them” Col 2:15

He is defeated - but not done. Urgency in the battle for you and others.

• Expect opposition.• Know your weapons: wear your armor / take up your

shield / draw the sword! Eph 6:10-17• Pray Strategically: keep praying for the saints Eph 6:18

TRAIT 3:  The gospel is wielded to experience power

Col 2:15 “by triumphing over them in Him” / “by the cross”

“For if our liberty is the spoil which Christ has rescued from the devil, what do others, who would bring us back into bondage, but restore to Satan the spoils of which he had been stript bare?” ~John Calvin

Steps to walking in liberty:

• We can give footholds. Repent and Renew

• Renounce and destroy works of the devil: Patterns, practices or relationships

• Rest in Christ - Resist the devil - Rely on fellow believers in prayer

THE GOSPEL IS

Your source of power, it is complete in power, and

should be wielded for power.

INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANSVictory over Rulers and Authorities