He Has Rescued Us

Colossians 1:1-14
Key Verse: 1:13,14

“For he has rescued 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.”

* GREETINGS AND THANKSGIVING (1-8)

1. Who was the author of this letter? What was his situation? (4:3,18) How does
Paul identify himself? Who were the recipients of the letter? (2) How did the
church at Colosse begin? (7,8; Ac 19:9b,10)

- Col 1:1-2
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the holy and faithful a brothers in Christ at Colosse:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father. NIV

2. Why was Paul thankful for the Colossian believers? (3,4) What are the three
virtues mentioned here, how are they interrelated, and why are they the essentials
in Christian life? (4,5) How are they a testament to the power of the gospel? (6)

Col 1:3-6
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for

you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have
for all the saints— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up
for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the
gospel 6 that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and
growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and
understood God's grace in all its truth. NIV
- Beautiful fellowship, the truth of Jesus resurrection and the power that raised
Him.
- God’s power is seen in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
 He Has Rescued Us

* PAUL'S PRAYER (9-12a)

3. What was Paul's prayer for them? (9) What was the purpose of his prayer? (10a)

Col 1:9-10
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying

for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all
spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a
life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every
good work, growing in the knowledge of God, NIV

4. What are the four ways in which we can please God? (10b-12) [“bearing fruit,”
“growing,” “being strengthened,” “giving thanks”] Why is knowing the will of
God so important? (Php1:9,10)

Col 1:11-13
11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you
may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father,
who has qualified you d to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of
light. 1 NIV

Col 1:10-11
10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may
please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the
knowledge of God, 1 NIV

Phil 1:9-11
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge

and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be
pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness
that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God. NIV

* JESUS OUR REDEEMER (12b-14)

5. What is the great privilege Paul mentions, and how can we have it? (12b)

Col 1:12
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you d to share in the inheritance
of the saints in the kingdom of light. NIV
 He Has Rescued Us

6. Read verses 13,14. What was our life like in the dominion of darkness? What
has God done for us? What blessings have we received? What is the meaning of
the redemption Paul mentions? (Jn 8:34-36; Lk 23:34a; Tit 2:14) Why is it such a
great blessing?

Col 1:13-14
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the
kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, e the forgiveness of
sins. NIV