Gratitude for God's Gift of Salvation
Summary
In Paul's epistle to the Colossians, particularly in the first chapter and the 12th verse, we are reminded to give thanks to the Father who has made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. This verse serves as a pivotal transition from a general description of the Christian Gospel to a more detailed exposition. The Apostle Paul, who had not personally preached to the Colossians, felt compelled to write to them due to the emergence of false teachings that distorted the true Gospel. These false teachers were diluting the preeminence of Christ, reducing Him to merely one of many intermediaries between God and man, and adding human works to the Gospel of grace.
The essence of the Gospel is that our salvation is entirely the work of God. It is not a call for us to do something to earn our salvation, but rather an announcement of what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. This salvation is a free gift, given by God's grace, and it is He who makes us fit to partake in the inheritance of the saints in light. The Gospel is not about human effort or morality but about God's action in history, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The true Christian response to this Gospel is one of thankfulness and gratitude. This thankfulness is not just a feeling but a recognition of the profound work God has done in Christ and in us. It is a response to the realization that we are utterly incapable of saving ourselves and that it is God who qualifies us to share in the inheritance of the saints. This inheritance is not just a future hope but a present reality that begins when we enter into the kingdom of God through faith in Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- The Gospel is a proclamation of what God has done for us, not a call for us to earn our salvation. It is entirely the work of God, given to us as a free gift through His grace. This understanding should lead us to a life of gratitude and praise. [21:11]
- False teachings often add human works to the Gospel, diluting the preeminence of Christ. The true Gospel emphasizes the complete and finished work of Christ, who alone is sufficient for our salvation. [05:44]
- Our salvation is entirely of God, who makes us fit to partake in the inheritance of the saints in light. This is a profound truth that should lead us to thankfulness and worship. [23:40]
- The inheritance of the saints in light is a present reality and a future hope. It is the kingdom of God, characterized by holiness, purity, and everlasting peace. [47:40]
- True Christianity leads to a life of praise and thanksgiving to God. It is not about following a set of moral codes but about entering into a relationship with God through Christ, who is the light of the world. [14:19]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to Colossians 1:12
[01:04] - Context and Importance of the Verse
[03:26] - The Apostle's Motive for Writing
[05:18] - Counteracting False Teachings
[06:41] - The True Gospel and Its Completeness
[09:21] - The Urgency of Knowing the Gospel
[11:03] - Thankfulness as a Mark of True Christianity
[14:19] - The Gospel's Impact on Praise and Worship
[20:19] - Salvation as the Work of God
[23:40] - The Grace of God in Salvation
[30:09] - God's Plan Through History
[38:57] - The Role of Christ's Sacrifice
[47:40] - The Inheritance of the Saints in Light
[52:38] - The Eternal Hope of Christianity
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Colossians 1:12 - "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light."
2. John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
3. Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul emphasize about the nature of salvation in Colossians 1:12, and how does this relate to the concept of inheritance? [10:06]
2. How does the sermon describe the false teachings that were affecting the Colossian church, and what was their impact on the understanding of Christ's preeminence? [05:44]
3. According to the sermon, what is the primary reason for giving thanks to the Father, as highlighted in Colossians 1:12? [20:19]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the role of God in making believers "fit" to partake in the inheritance of the saints? [42:45]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that false teachings can dilute the preeminence of Christ, and how might this be relevant to contemporary Christian practice? [05:44]
2. How does the sermon explain the relationship between God's grace and human effort in the context of salvation, and what implications does this have for understanding the Gospel? [23:40]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the present reality and future hope of the inheritance of the saints in light, and how should this influence a believer's life? [47:40]
4. How does the sermon describe the transformation that occurs when one enters the kingdom of God, and what does this mean for a believer's identity and purpose? [49:09]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your understanding of the Gospel. How does the sermon challenge or affirm your current beliefs about salvation being a gift from God rather than something earned? [21:11]
2. Consider the false teachings mentioned in the sermon. Are there any modern teachings or beliefs that you think might be diluting the preeminence of Christ in your life or community? How can you address these? [05:44]
3. The sermon emphasizes thankfulness as a mark of true Christianity. How can you cultivate a more thankful heart in your daily life, especially in challenging situations? [11:21]
4. The inheritance of the saints is described as both a present reality and a future hope. How can you live in a way that reflects this dual aspect of your faith? [47:40]
5. The sermon highlights the transformation that occurs when entering the kingdom of God. What specific changes have you noticed in your life since becoming a believer, and how can you continue to grow in these areas? [49:09]
6. How can you ensure that your understanding of Christianity is aligned with the true Gospel, as described in the sermon, rather than a set of moral codes or human efforts? [14:19]
7. Identify one area in your life where you struggle to rely on God's grace rather than your own efforts. What steps can you take this week to surrender that area to God? [23:40]
Devotional
Day 1: Salvation as God's Gift, Not Our Effort
The Gospel is a declaration of God's work for humanity, emphasizing that salvation is a gift of grace, not a result of human effort. This understanding shifts the focus from human actions to divine grace, highlighting that our salvation is entirely the work of God. It is a profound announcement of what God has accomplished through Jesus Christ, offering salvation as a free gift. This truth should lead believers to live a life filled with gratitude and praise, recognizing that it is God who qualifies us to partake in the inheritance of the saints in light. [21:11]
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection: In what ways can you express gratitude today for the gift of salvation that you did not earn but received freely from God?
Day 2: Guarding the Gospel's Purity
False teachings often attempt to add human works to the Gospel, undermining the preeminence of Christ. The true Gospel emphasizes the complete and finished work of Christ, who alone is sufficient for our salvation. It is crucial to recognize and reject any teachings that dilute the Gospel by suggesting that human effort can contribute to salvation. By understanding the sufficiency of Christ's work, believers can stand firm in their faith and avoid being swayed by false doctrines. [05:44]
Galatians 1:6-7 (ESV): "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ."
Reflection: Are there any teachings or beliefs you hold that might be adding to the Gospel? How can you ensure that your faith remains centered on Christ alone?
Day 3: God's Role in Our Salvation
Our salvation is entirely of God, who makes us fit to partake in the inheritance of the saints in light. This profound truth should lead us to thankfulness and worship, acknowledging that it is God who qualifies us for this inheritance. The realization that we are utterly incapable of saving ourselves should deepen our appreciation for God's grace and inspire a life of worship and gratitude. [23:40]
Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Reflection: How can you incorporate a practice of thankfulness into your daily routine to acknowledge God's role in your salvation?
Day 4: The Present and Future Reality of Our Inheritance
The inheritance of the saints in light is both a present reality and a future hope. It represents the kingdom of God, characterized by holiness, purity, and everlasting peace. This inheritance begins when we enter into the kingdom of God through faith in Christ and continues as a future hope of eternal life with Him. Understanding this dual aspect of our inheritance encourages believers to live in the light of God's kingdom now while anticipating its full realization in the future. [47:40]
1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."
Reflection: How does the reality of your inheritance in Christ influence the way you live today? What changes can you make to align more closely with this truth?
Day 5: Living a Life of Praise and Thanksgiving
True Christianity leads to a life of praise and thanksgiving to God. It is not about following a set of moral codes but about entering into a relationship with God through Christ, who is the light of the world. This relationship transforms believers, leading them to live lives marked by gratitude and worship. By focusing on the relationship with Christ, believers can experience the fullness of life that God intends for them. [14:19]
Hebrews 13:15 (ESV): "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name."
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to cultivate a heart of praise and thanksgiving in your relationship with God?
Quotes
The essence of the Gospel is that our salvation is entirely the work of God. It is not a call for us to do something to earn our salvation, but rather an announcement of what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. This salvation is a free gift, given by God's grace. [00:21:11]
False teachings often add human works to the Gospel, diluting the preeminence of Christ. The true Gospel emphasizes the complete and finished work of Christ, who alone is sufficient for our salvation. [00:05:44]
Our salvation is entirely of God, who makes us fit to partake in the inheritance of the saints in light. This is a profound truth that should lead us to thankfulness and worship. [00:23:40]
The inheritance of the saints in light is a present reality and a future hope. It is the kingdom of God, characterized by holiness, purity, and everlasting peace. [00:47:40]
True Christianity leads to a life of praise and thanksgiving to God. It is not about following a set of moral codes but about entering into a relationship with God through Christ, who is the light of the world. [00:14:19]
The Apostle Paul, who had not personally preached to the Colossians, felt compelled to write to them due to the emergence of false teachings that distorted the true Gospel. These false teachers were diluting the preeminence of Christ, reducing Him to merely one of many intermediaries between God and man. [00:03:26]
The Gospel is a proclamation of what God has done for us, not a call for us to earn our salvation. It is entirely the work of God, given to us as a free gift through His grace. This understanding should lead us to a life of gratitude and praise. [00:21:11]
The true Christian response to this Gospel is one of thankfulness and gratitude. This thankfulness is not just a feeling but a recognition of the profound work God has done in Christ and in us. [00:23:40]
The Gospel is not about human effort or morality but about God's action in history, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. [00:21:11]
The inheritance of the saints in light is not just a future hope but a present reality that begins when we enter into the kingdom of God through faith in Christ. [00:47:40]
The Apostle Paul writes to counteract false teachings and to show the fullness and completeness of the Gospel, emphasizing the preeminence of Christ. [00:05:44]
The Gospel is entirely the work of God, given to us as a free gift through His grace. This understanding should lead us to a life of gratitude and praise. [00:21:11]
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