What has Father God done for us and Our Response? Colossians 1:9– 23 - Steve Morley

Writing from a Roman prison, Paul reminds the Colossian church that God has both rescued and qualified His people through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. In response to this grace, believers are called to remain steadfast in faith, building their lives on Christ alone and holding fast to the hope of the Gospel.

Read the Bible Passage Here 

Writing from a Roman prison, Paul addresses a congregation he had never met directly, offering instructions rooted in Christian love. The core message from this sermon on Colossians 1:9–23, explores two fundamental questions: what Father God has accomplished through Jesus Christ, and how Christian believers are expected to respond to that grace.

Using the visual memory aid of a "QR code," we can think of Father God's action in two key components: Qualified and Rescued. Beginning with the idea of being rescued we see that Father God delivers believers from the "dominion of darkness"—a state of spiritual bondage, powerlessness, or personal despair—and transfers them into the kingdom of His Son.  This rescue is made possible through redemption, where Jesus paid the ultimate price on the cross to free humanity from the power and guilt of sin.
The second part of God's action focuses on how believers are qualified. Father God does not evaluate us based on academic or worldly achievements like A-Levels or NVQs. Instead, through the grace of Christ’s death and resurrection, God pre-qualifies believers to share in the inheritance of His holy people, refuting the lie that anyone is beyond the reach of His love and forgiveness.

Transitioning to our personal response, Paul challenges the idea that as believers we can remain passive after receiving grace. We must actively continue in the faith we have in Jesus. God’s sovereignty and human responsibility go hand in hand. This means Christians cannot simply return to sinful behaviours or drift away from their faith while assuming they remain safe. Real faith requires a genuine change of heart, sorrow for past wrongdoings, and active effort to live out Christ’s teachings with the help of the Holy Spirit.

To remain faithful we should stay "established" on a solid foundation. Just as a strong building relies on a cornerstone, a Christian's life must be built directly on the death and resurrection of Jesus. Putting Christ’s teachings into practice provides the stability needed to grow into a mature and resilient faith that can withstand personal trials.
Furthermore, the response requires being "firm" and unmoved in one's conviction. Using the illustration of a rider who remains steady on a bucking horse, the transcript urges believers to bring unwavering commitment to their walk with God. Faith should not be easily shaken by shifting circumstances or cultural pressures.

Finally, Paul reminds us of the enduring hope provided by the Gospel. This Gospel hope addresses darkness, bondage, and physical death. Believers of all ages are called to hold fast to this joy and hope throughout their lives.
Steve Morley

Study Questions


In 1.       In Colossians 1:13, Paul writes that God has "rescued us from the dominion of darkness." What do you think the "dominion of darkness" looks like in the lives of people in and around St Martins today, and how does Jesus offer a way out?

2.       The sermon uses a "QR code" memory trick (Qualified and Rescued) to explain God's grace. What is the difference between trying to earn God's approval on your own and accepting that He has already "qualified" you through Jesus?

3.       Read Colossians 1:14. How would you explain the word redemption to a friend who has never been to church before?

4.       Actually the QR code is really a QRRR code: Qualified, Rescued, Redeemed and one more R. Look through the passage (Colossians 1:9-23) to find the third “R”. What does this mean for you and your relationship with Father God?

5.       The sermon mentions that receiving God's grace comes with a responsibility to "continue in your faith" rather than going back to old habits. Why is it hypocritical to claim to follow Jesus while choosing to live contrarily to His teachings?

6.       Jesus talks about building your life on a solid foundation rather than on sand (Matthew 7). What are some temporary things we often build our identity on, and how can you make Jesus the "cornerstone" of your daily decisions?

7.       How does the hope in the promise of Jesus' resurrection change the way Christians handle difficult times, grief, or fear of the future?


PPhoto by Felix Mulderrig on Unsplash

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