22/02/2026
NOW ON THIS SIDE
Readings:
Colossians 1:10–14
Exodus 15:1–13
The Sermon was prepared and Ministered by Amb Moses Hembanzan.
INTRODUCTION
Beloved, there is a powerful difference between where you were and where you are now. The gospel is not just about forgiveness—it is about deliverance, transfer, and new positioning.
There is a side called darkness, bo***ge, guilt, and fear.
And there is a side called light, freedom, forgiveness, and life.
Today’s message is titled “Now On This Side.”
Because in Christ Jesus, we are no longer where we used to be.
I. RESCUED, NOT REPAIRED (Colossians 1:13)
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.”
Paul does not say God improved us.
He does not say God assisted us.
He says God delivered us.
That word delivered means rescued, snatched away, pulled out by force.
We were not sick—we were captives.
We were not lost in confusion—we were under power.
The Bible calls it the power of darkness.
Just like Israel in Egypt, we were:
Enslaved
Oppressed
Unable to free ourselves
But God stepped in.
II. FROM EGYPT TO FREEDOM (Exodus 15:1–13)
After crossing the Red Sea, Moses sang:
“The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.”
Israel didn’t swim out of Egypt.
They didn’t negotiate with Pharaoh.
God made a way where there was no way.
And when they crossed the sea, there was no going back.
Egypt was behind them. Freedom was ahead of them.
That crossing marked a side-change.
In the same way, the cross of Christ marks our crossing:
From death to life
From bo***ge to freedom
From darkness to light
III. TRANSLATED INTO A NEW KINGDOM (Colossians 1:13)
The Scripture says God conveyed us—translated us—into the Kingdom of His Son.
This means:
A change of authority
A change of citizenship
A change of ownership
You may still live in the same world, but you no longer belong to the same kingdom.
Now on this side:
Sin no longer has dominion
Satan no longer has authority
Fear no longer has final say
You are under a new King—Jesus Christ.
IV. THE BENEFITS OF BEING ON THIS SIDE (Colossians 1:14)
“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
1. Redemption
Redemption means the price has been paid in full.
You are no longer for sale.
You are no longer owned by sin.
2. Forgiveness of Sins
Forgiveness means:
Your past is not held against you
Your record has been cleared
Your guilt has been removed
On this side, we don’t live condemned—we live cleansed.
3. A New Identity
We are no longer slaves; we are sons and daughters.
We are no longer prisoners; we are worshippers.
Just like Israel sang on the other side of the sea, believers rejoice on the other side of the cross.
V. WALKING WORTHY ON THIS SIDE (Colossians 1:10)
Paul says we must:
Walk worthy of the Lord
Be fruitful in good works
Grow in the knowledge of God
Deliverance is not the end—it is the beginning.
God didn’t bring Israel out so they could live like Egyptians in the wilderness.
And He didn’t save us so we could return to darkness.
Grace delivers us; obedience honors that deliverance.
Someone listening today may still be standing in Egypt.
Still bound. Still guilty. Still trapped.
Hear the gospel clearly:
Jesus has already made the way
The blood has already been shed
The invitation is still open
You don’t clean yourself to come to Christ.
You come to Christ to be cleansed.
Today, choose this side:
The side of forgiveness
The side of freedom
The side of life
CONCLUSION
Beloved, because of Christ:
We are rescued
We are redeemed
We are repositioned
We are now on this side.
Let the redeemed say so. Let the delivered walk free. Let the forgiven live worthy.
Let us pray;
Heavenly Father,
I come to You just as I am. I confess that I need Your mercy and Your salvation. Today I repent of my sins and turn away from darkness.
Lord Jesus, I believe You died for me, shed Your blood for my redemption, and rose again for my new life. Deliver me from every power of darkness and bring me fully into Your Kingdom.
Forgive me. Cleanse me. Set me free.
Father, I receive healing in my body, healing in my heart, and restoration in every broken area of my life. Let what was lost be restored, and let every wound be healed by the power of the blood of Jesus.
From today, I declare: I am redeemed, I am forgiven, and I belong to Christ.
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.
Amb Moses Hembanzan
Living Word Communion
22nd February 2026.