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Touched By His Glory

Wayne Galloway
10/24/21 - Sunday Morning Worship

Touched By His Glory

Col. 1:25-28

 

Introduction:

 

1.  There are often special people in our lives that touch us in meaningful ways.

2.  Perhaps in your life it was a parent, a teacher, a mentor or a good friend without whom you would be a totally different person.

3.  Epaphras was just such a person to the saints at Colossae.  He had taught them about Christ and now they would never be the same again.  And their relationship with Christ had now brought them into association with Paul and Timothy.

4.  We cannot quite understand how much these relationships meant to them until we understand where they had come from and where they were now headed.  I would share with you how they have been touched by the glory of the Lord and how it has changed them.

 

Discussion:

 

I.  The glory of the Lord emanates from our Father (Col. 1:12-14).

 

    A.  When we think of “glory” we may think of the brilliance of a diamond as the light reflects

          off of its many facets.  Or we may think of the brightness of the sun.

          1.  Such images are not far from this text.

          2.  Verse 12 refers to the Colossians as “sharing in the inheritance of the saints in

                Light.”

          3.  Verse 13 adds that the Father has “rescued us from the domain of darkness.”

               a.  The word “domain” (NASB) is from “exousia” and denotes authoritative power.

               b.  The translators have understood it in the comparison here of a governmental

                    power and so they have translated it with the word “domain” over against “the

                    kingdom of His beloved Son.”

       B.  The glory of Christ emanates from the Father.

             1.  It is the Father who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in

                  Light.  It is the Father who has rescued us from the domain of darkness.  It is the

                  Father who has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.

             2.  But it is in Christ or through Him that we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

             3.  So the Father’s glory is seen through the Son.

                  a.  Heb. 1:3 says, “He is the radiance of His glory.”

                  b.  It is through what the Father has done in the giving of the life of His Son on the

                       cross that His glory is experienced.  The glory of Christ emanates from our

                       Father.

 

II.  The glory of Christ is described in Col. 1:15-20.

 

     A.  “He is the image of the invisible God.”  Cf. “He is the radiance of His glory” (Heb. 1:3).

     B.  “He is the firstborn of all creation.”

           1.  This statement should not be interpreted to mean that He is created.

           2.  The firstborn concept stems from the O.T. of the firstborn being preeminent.

           3.  Christ is preeminent over all the creation.

           4.  This is made clear by the next statement in v. 16:  “For by Him all things were

                created.”

                a.  In the heavens and on earth.

                b.  Visible and invisible.

                c.  Thrones, dominions, rulers, authorities.

                d.  All created through Him and for Him.

                e.  He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

     C.  “He is also head of the body, the church.”

            1.  He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead. 

            2.  He has first place in everything.

     D.  It was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him

           to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

           1.  This is the chief manifestation of both the glory of the Father and the glory of Christ.

           2.  In Ex. 33:18-19 Moses requested to see the glory of God.  God said, “I Myself will

                make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord

                before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show

                compassion on whom I show compassion.”  Ex. 34:6-7 emphasizes both God’s

                justice and His compassion as primary elements of His glory.  The cross is the

                event that makes God’s glory clear.

           3.  Isa. 6:1-7 communicates God’s glory that culminates in forgiveness.

           4.  Redemption, forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:14), reconciliation and peace (Col. 1:20)

                through the blood of the cross are the greatest demonstrate God’s glory.

           5.  It is being touched by this glory that creates a transformation in us.

 

III.  His glory in us (Col. 1:21-28).

 

      A.  Though formerly alienated and hostile in mind and engaged in evil deeds, He has now

           reconciled us in His fleshly body through death (21-22).

           1.  Note the emphasis on His having reconciled us.  We did not reconcile ourselves.  It

                is to His glory that we must give thanks (1:12).

           2.  He cleanses us to present us holy and blameless and beyond reproach (1:22).  Cf.

                Eph. 5:25-27.

      B.  It is a matter of faith (23).  This is the result of being touched by His glory.

      C.  Paul is so awed by the magnificence of God’s glory that he suffers in order to

            communicate it to others (Col. 1:24-28).

      D.  Who should be touched by this glory?

           1.  Those alienated and hostile in mind and engaged in evil deeds.

           2.  Those ruled over by the domain of darkness and want to be rescued.

           3.  Those who desire to be “saints in Light.”

           4.  Those who want to be transferred to the kingdom of God’s beloved Son.

           5.  Those who want to be redeemed, forgiven and complete in Christ.  Those who are

                weary and heavy laden who want to find rest need to be touched by the glory of

                God.

Conclusion:

 

1.  O weary sinner see the glory of God in the cross.

2.  Come and lay your guilt, your fear, your grief, your pain, your sin at the cross.

3.  See the magnificent glory of God that though you are not worthy He has given His Son for your forgiveness.

4.  Come believing in what He has done for your forgiveness.  Come to be baptized and allow Him to raise you from death in sin to life in Jesus Christ.