Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. We have learned much about the prayer that Paul made for the Colossian church

2. There are vital things that he had to pray for concerning the needs of the church

3. Let us consider the next part of the prayer

“Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”   Col 1:12

4. How are we qualified to be partakers?

5. What does it mean for us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints?

A NEW PLANE OF UNDERSTANDING AND LIFE

“Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”   Col 1:12

1. Not so much the modern idea of being qualified

a) It is not a matter of passing exams

b) It is not a matter of applying for a job

c) In the modern idea, we are usually qualified based on our merit

2. hikanoo (verb) / hikanos (noun)

a) It means to be made able

b) Made sufficient   (2 Cor 3:6)

c) To be enabled

3. This new plane of understanding and life is where God, our Father, makes us able

4. We cannot enable ourselves

5. How does God enable us?

a) Through prayer

b) Through growth and maturity

PARTAKERS OF THE INHERITANCE

1. Partakers

a) meris

i) Part

ii) Portion

iii) Share of a whole

b) Here, the idea of a partaker is to have a share of the whole.

2. Inheritance

a) klēros

i) lot

ii) inheritance

b) In the Old Testament, it was God who gave each tribe of Israel an inheritance

c) For us, God has given us a share of the inheritance of the saints in the light

d) It is a reference to all that we have prayed for

e) All these things prayed for and experienced would be part of our inheritance

3. Examples of partakers of the inheritance in seeing their lives transformed

a) The disciples

b) Paul

THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING PART OF THE SAINTS IN THE LIGHT

1. Paul wrote of partaking of the inheritance of the saints in the light

2. This inheritance is shared by the community of the saints in the light.

3. All of us can have this privilege to be among the saints of the light

4. Why saints in the light?

a) Light

b) Saints

5. This is what the church is meant to be.

PERSONAL CHALLENGE

1. Seek the person of God to enable us

a) By praying for spiritual understanding and to walk worthy

b) By pursuing growth in our lives

2. Partake of the inheritance of the saints

a) Experience all that we have prayed for and applied in our lives

b) Experience a transformed life

3. Practise giving thanks to God

a) With a heart of gratitude

b) Appreciate the privilege to be part of the saints in the light