Great Reason to Give Thanks

Text: Colossians 1:12-14 Theme: God has qualified us to share in the saints’ inheritance Key verses: “Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the Kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (v. 12-14) What God said to me: Dwayne, make sure you give me huge thanks today and every day. You have great reason to, you know. I have automatically qualified you, stamped you approved, granted you full credentials, made you worthy to be called my son. I rescued you from darkness - i.e., hell. You deserved punishment, but I granted you pardon and transformed you from death to life, from judgment to joy. Don’t ever run past those two little words of exhortation from Paul: “giving thanks.” You see, I don’t require anything in return but your thanks and your sincere heart-felt appreciation for all I’ve done for you. Of course, I expect you to prove your sincerity by submitting your now-redeemed, blood-purchased, completely forgiven heart and soul to me, your Inheritance Qualifier. What I said to God: Thank You, Lord, for all You have done for me. I sit here amazed in Your presence this morning. Why would You love me to that degree? You’ve seen every willful, stupid sin I’ve ever committed. You’ve heard every foul thought in my head and every dishonoring word that’s come from my mouth. You know me, yet You still call me qualifed. You still declare me an heir with Your children of an out-of-this-world inheritance. Wow, that’s some potent blood Your Son spilled. I am cleansed and forgiven, and I am Your child! Hearing those words still astound me and continue to humble me. Even now they call me to my knees in full surrender to my Father.