Acts 26:16 “But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins & an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith eis Me.”

Lk 4:18 (Isa 61) Spirit upon Me...a) preach the gospel to the poor/humble; He has sent Me b) heal the brokenhearted, c) proclaim forgiveness to the captives and d) recovery of sight to the blind, d) to set at liberty those who are oppressed, (58:6) 19 e) proclaim Jubilee/fresh start

I. To Open Their Eyes, in Order to Turn from Darkness to Light

Ac 26:20...should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance
Jn 12:46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. Eph 5:8     For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is pleasing to the Lord.11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them
2Cor 4:2...by manifestation of the truth...4 the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, lest the light of the glory of the gospel shine

II. And From the Power of Satan To _____ God  (cf Rm 6)

Col 1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love (see context below)
Eph 1:17 God grant a spirit of wisdom and “revelation” in/by the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your heart being enlightened; that you may know the hope of His calling, riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints 19..greatness of His power toward us who believe

III. That They May Receive Forgiveness of Sins

Col 1:14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (cf Eph 1:7)
Acts 10:43 To him all the prophets give witness, that through his name whoever believes in him shall receive forgiveness of sins.

IV. And an Inheritance among those who are Sanctified by Faith in Me.

(Positional=set apart vs Experiential=holy)
Titus 1:1 apostle of Jesus Christ, in accord with the faith of God's elect and the experiential knowledge of the truth which accords with godliness
Rom 15:16 ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Acts 20:32 "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.    Jn 17:17  Sanctify them through Your truth: Your word is truth.

1Cor 1:2 To the church of God at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God ---  (righteousness and sanctification and redemption)
Heb 10:10...we have been sanctified thru the offering of the body of Jesus once for all. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? NIV

1Thess 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;
1Thess 5:23 may God...sanctify you completely; may your whole spirit, soul, body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Tim 2:21 if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 1Ti 6:11 O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth)

Col 1:3...praying 4 since we heard of your faith...love 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven,.9 For this reason..ask that you may be controlled by the knowledge of His will by all wisdom and spiritual understanding (Eph 1:17); 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful...knowledge of God 11 strengthened, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13-14 above
Col 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

Gal 5:19 works of the flesh...21..those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 1Cor 6:9 the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. (not) inherit 11...you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified...

2Tim 4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Why did God use Paul rather than one of the Twelve to go to the Gentiles? (prevent the tyranny of tradition)
2. If a person living in darkness sees and understands the Truth clearly, will they move into the light and experience its benefits?
3. Why do you think many Christians just focus on forgiveness and neglect God's purposes in granting forgiveness?
4. In what sense are you sanctified? In what sense do you still need progress in your sanctification? Can you “lose it”? 
5. How have you experienced each of the blessings God intends for you? How are you helping others do the same? 2Tim 2:2