This sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing Christ deeply, understanding His role, and how this knowledge can bring clarity and purpose to our lives.
Good morning, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Welcome to this blessed gathering where we come together in unity, not just as individuals, but as a body, the body of Christ, knit together by the thread of faith, hope, and love. Today we are going to look at the book of Colossians, specifically chapter 1, verses 15-23. So, if you have your Bibles, I encourage you to open them and read along with me.
What a powerful passage! This scripture paints a vivid portrait of our Lord Jesus Christ, the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, the head of the church, the reconciler of all things.
In the passage we just read, we see a truth about Jesus. He is described as the image of the invisible God. This is a remarkable statement. It tells us that Jesus is not just a reflection or a representation of God, but the very image of God Himself. He is God in human form. This is a mystery that is hard for us to fully comprehend. How can the infinite, eternal God become a finite, mortal man? Yet, this is the truth that the Bible reveals to us.
Jesus, being the image of God, is the perfect revelation of God's character and nature. In Him, we see the love, grace, mercy, and righteousness of God. He is the embodiment of God's holiness and goodness. He is the manifestation of God's power and wisdom. In Jesus, we see God's heart for the lost, the broken, and the oppressed. We see His compassion for the sick, the poor, and the outcast. We see His desire for justice, truth, and righteousness. In Jesus, we see God.
But Jesus is not just the image of God, He is also the firstborn over all creation. This does not mean that Jesus was created, as some may mistakenly think. The term "firstborn" in this context signifies preeminence and supremacy. Jesus is supreme over all creation because He is the Creator. Everything in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, was created by Him and for Him. He is the source, the sustainer, and the goal of all creation.
Moreover, Jesus is not just the Creator, but also the Sustainer of all things. In Him, all things hold together. This means that Jesus is actively involved in sustaining and preserving His creation. He is not a distant, detached Creator, but a present, involved Sustainer. He is intimately acquainted with every detail of His creation. He knows every star by name. He knows every bird in the sky, every fish in the sea, every animal on the land. He knows every blade of grass, every leaf on the tree, every grain of sand on the beach. And He knows you and me. He knows our thoughts, our feelings, our desires, our dreams, our fears, our hopes. He knows us better than we know ourselves. And He cares for us deeply.
But the most astounding truth about Jesus is that He is the Reconciler of all things. Despite our rebellion and sin, Jesus chose to reconcile us to God through His death on the cross. He took upon Himself our sin and guilt, and suffered the punishment that we deserved. He died in our place, so that we might live in Him. Through His blood, shed on the cross, we have peace with God. We are no longer alienated from God, but reconciled to Him. We are no longer enemies of God, but His beloved children. This is the amazing grace of Jesus, the Reconciler.
In the richness of the text, we find another facet of Jesus' identity, one that is deeply personal and transformative for us as believers ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO