The Power of Darkness Conquered
A Sermon on Colossians 1:13
Scripture
13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Colossians 1:13 titled “The Power of Darkness Conquered,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines some common views of humanity and what the Bible declares. The lack of gratefulness in a person is due to a lack of understanding of who God is and what He’s done. The real issue is ignorance of one’s own current state and condition. The evil in this world is not founded in just a handful of people; everyone is gripped by the power of the devil. All need deliverance from this power of darkness because they are blind to it. Satan’s rule is one of confusion, tyranny, and slavery; it is not a real kingdom. The world is ignorant of God and the devil schemes to prevent people from learning about God, but Christ has conquered Satan in every respect. Christ is the master over the devil and the only one who can free people from Satan’s grip. Once in Christ, no one can ever be separated from God again—they may fall, but they will never remain separated.
Sermon Breakdown
- Man's state by nature is under the power of darkness.
- The power of darkness is not a kingdom but a usurped power. It is unruly, capricious, tyrannical and enslaving.
- The power of darkness darkens the mind, affections and will. It leads to disorder, confusion, greed, ambition, envy, fear, distrust, suffering and unhappiness.
- The power of darkness keeps man ignorant of God, himself, death, judgment, eternity and the gospel.
- Only God in Christ can deliver from the power of darkness. The patriarchs, prophets, kings and all men have failed.
- Christ conquered the power of darkness in His life, ministry, death and resurrection. He cast out devils, overcame temptation and defeated sin and death.
- Believing in Christ delivers from the power of darkness into the kingdom of God's Son. This brings light, truth, righteousness, understanding and union with Christ.
- In Christ, the evil one cannot touch us. We can resist the devil and he will flee. We are kept by God's power.
- The world's state is due to ignorance of the power of darkness and need for deliverance in Christ. Psychoanalysis and civilization cannot cure man's condition.
- A Christian thanks God for deliverance from darkness into light. An unbeliever does not realize their need for deliverance.
Other Sermons
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.