PODCAST
Clean & Refresh
March 25th, 2016
Colossians 1:1-14
Many scholars think Epaphras planted the church at Colossae. Sometime after his conversion, Epaphras returned to his hometown and shared the gospel. While visiting the apostle Paul, Epaphras shared his concerns for his home church. Paul wrote a letter to encourage the Colossians and address these concerns.
Paul told them that he prayed for them, asking God to fill them with knowledge to live a worthy life, bear fruit, grow, gain strength, and gain endurance. He then reminded them of their rescue from “the dominion of darkness” and their entrance into “the kingdom of the Son” (vv. 13-14). The dominion of darkness conjures up mental pictures of hell with Satan and his demons. Christ’s forgiveness sets us free and places us in the light of His love.
At our first church, a pastor led a teenager to the Lord. This young man described his conversion in a unique way. He said, “I feel like I do when I first brush my teeth. I feel clean and fresh!” Christ rescues us from the dark dominion, and brings us into the kingdom of redemption, forgiveness, and fresh new life.
Author: Cindy Goss Kingsbury
