What Are We Made Of? Part 1: The Source Of Our Strength Series

What Are We Made Of?

The DNA of Millville Avenue

† Key Thought

† Key Scripture: Colossians 1:15-29

Icebreaker: Today, I want to lay a foundation for what we’re going to talk about for the next 3 weeks.

Intro: The desire of God’s heart is that in everything Jesus Christ might have the preeminence. Paul declares that everything finds its meaning and significance in Christ. Christ must be at the center of all things both in our individual lives and in the church. We claim that Christ is the center of the church, but is he?

-A. W. Tozer said, “The present position of Christ in many churches may be likened to that of a king in a limited constitutional monarchy. The king (sometimes depersonalized by the term “the Crown”) is, in such a country, no more than a traditional rallying point, a pleasant symbol of unity and loyalty much like a flag or a national anthem. He is lauded, feted, and supported, but his real authority is small. Nominally he is head over all, but in every crisis someone else makes the decisions.” (A.W. Tozer, taken from God Tells The Man Who Cares.) Consider with me the impact of having Christ at the center of our church.

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-29

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[f]your evil behavior. 22But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—23if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. 24Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.25I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.”

4 Things Our Church Must Remember as we Pursue God’s Vision

1. We must remember the source of our strength. (Vs. 15-17)

Statement: The first thing we must remember is the source of our strength.

Scripture: Col. 1:15-17

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

-What’s the point Paul is making? It’s that everything…everything…always comes back to Jesus.

- All things were created Through Him and For Him. Jesus is the one through whom the Father creates the universe. Even more amazing is that the universe was created For Him. Jesus is the starting point of creation and the goal of creation. He is truly the Alpha and Omega.

-Jesus was not God’s ‘Plan B’. The purpose of history and creation is for the Revelation and Glorification of Christ.

-I love the way Dutch theologian, Abraham Kuyper, puts it:

“When Jesus looks at his universe from his exalted throne at the right hand of the Father, and he sees the great galaxies whirling in space, the planets and the people upon this planet, and all the minute details of life here including the details of our individual lives, there is nothing that he sees anywhere of which he cannot say, "Mine!"