Satan is the ‘prince of darkness’. Not helpful to think of him as a Halloween pantomime figure: red cloak, horns, tail, pitchfork those are mediaeval ideas not in the Bible What the Bible describes is a spiritual being, full of pride and cunning who foments and promotes evil. Satan works to accuse us, confuse us, undermine us, divide and separate us from God and from each other. When there is suspicion & innuendo, despair and destruction superstition and self righteousness, Satan laughs and Christ weeps. This is in no way to deny other causes for evil particularly our own responsibility for our sinful pride and rebellion; but until we understand who it is that stirs up evil and who it is alone who can save us from our sin, we will continue to be slaves of the dominion of darkness rather than free citizens of the kingdom of light

So how do we change our allegiance and come into Christ’s kingdom? Most people are citizens of their country by birth others, a few, manage to buy it, many others, refugees, desperately long to change their country. How do we make the transition from darkness to light? That is perhaps put the wrong way; it is God who makes the change but there are certain things we can do to open the doors for God to move making the application for citizenship 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you ... Positively think about and acknowledge thankfully all that God has done for us in Jesus Christ Realise who Jesus really is as in vv 15-20 firstborn over all creation 15, firstborn from the dead 18 and what Jesus has done 20 making peace by the blood of his cross and how through his death we can be presented holy in God’s sight without blemish and free from accusation 22 23 Continue in your faith not just one decision of a moment but a long term continuing, day by day always looking away from yourself to Christ

If we can pray Thy kingdom come in that sort of way it means that our lives may become very positive and attractive. so that it is clear who is in charge in our lives so that the Beatitudes (which we read) the ‘Beautiful attitudes’ of Christ’s kingdom are real in us. so that we know the blessings of being merciful, pure in heart, making peace.

I am sure, however, that many of us don’t find it that easy: we want to believe that we have left the dominion of darkness but the shadows, at the very least, still hang over us. If we are honest that is how it is for all of us, that is why Paul wrote to the Colossians they needed the encouragement that we need of ‘grace’ and ‘glory’ (2 words used in Shorter Catechism 102) Grace simply means God freely helps us in our struggle; victory is assured, however many set backs. God is not giving up on us. The question is, are we giving up? Glory means the victory is realised, not yet, but without doubt it will be an inheritance guaranteed for us, something that keeps us going as we look forward to it.. Are we? It is like Uganda being delivered from the dictatorship of Idi Amin He was driven from the capital and hid in the bush; clearly he was defeated but he kept broadcasting from his caravan threatening and posturing. That is how it is with Satan and us Defeated on the cross, powerless over those who have become Christ’s but still raging, accusing and threatening. Our best defence is constantly to thank the father for qualifying us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light to remember whose kingdom we belong to, what he has done for us and to continue in our faith established and sure

SOME NOTES MADE AVAILABLE AFTER SERVICE

Shorter Catechism (modern version) 102 In the second request (your kingdom come) we pray that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed, that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, with ourselves and others brought into and kept in it, and that the kingdom of glory may come quickly.

There are two dangers in considering Satan: one is to think too much about him and to become obsessed by his power; the other is not to believe in his existence at all. (C S Lewis)

The demonic is not only found in the weird and the occult but also in the paralysing systems of destructive power in society, in the slanderous world of lies, deceit and doing the other down which is so prevalent in our decaying culture, in the blame shifting, aggressiveness and the law of retaliation and revenge which characterises so much of our international life. It is seen also according to St Paul in dissension and falsehood in the Christian church. (D Atkinson)

Dear friends, in our times we have had too much contact with demonic powers; we have sensed and seen how men and whole movements have been corrupted and controlled by mysterious abysmal powers, leading them where they had no intention of going; we have observed how all too often an alien spirit can ride people and change the very substance of men who before may have been quite decent and reasonable persons, driving them to brutalities, delusions of power and fits of madness of which they never seemed capable before. Year by year we have seen an increasingly poisonous atmosphere settling down upon our globe and we sense how real and almost tangible are the spirits of the air, seeing an invisible hand passing an invisible cup of poison from nation to nation and throwing them into confusion. (H Thielicke)

Saints Col. 1.12 not an elite of especially pious people but all God’s holy people, cleansed and made holy by the death of Christ - see v 22, entitled to inherit and share in all God’s blessings.

Contrasts between the Kingdoms of Light and Darkness Colossians 3.5-9 and 10-17 John 8.31-47

From Darkness to Light Colossians 1.9-23 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you ... Positively think about and acknowledge thankfully all that God has done for us in Jesus Christ Realise who Jesus really is as in vv 15-20 firstborn over all creation 15, firstborn from the dead 18 and what Jesus has done 20 making peace by the blood of his cross and how through his death we can be presented holy in God’s sight without blemish and free from accusation 22 23 Continue in your faith not just one decision of a moment but a long term continuing, looking away from yourself to Christ.