Image And Firstborn

I. EXORDIUM:

Who is GOD's Image and GOD's Firstborn?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that the LORD JESUS CHRIST is both GOD's Image and GOD's Firstborn and even more.

IV. TEXT:

Colossians 1:15 (Amplified Bible)

[Now] He is the exact likeness of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible]; He is the Firstborn of all creation.

V. THESIS:

The LORD JESUS CHRIST is both GOD's Image and GOD's Firstborn and even more.

VI. TITLE:

Image and Firstborn

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: Apostle Paul

B. Date written: Between 60 to 64 A.D.

C. Purpose: To exhort and edify believers.

D. To whom written: Church in Colosse, a city of Asia Minor

E. Main themes: Church, as body of CHRIST. CHRIST as Head of the Church. Warnings against trusting worldly wisdom

F. Keywords: CHRIST - the Head of all

Colossians 2:10 (Amplified Bible)

And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power].

G. Key verses:

Colossians 2:9-10 (Amplified Bible)

For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature].

And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power].

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. CHRIST is the Image of the Invisible GOD

"[Now] He is the exact likeness of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible];"

1. Image:

a. Image means "likeness", "statue", "profile", "representation", "resemblance"

b. Supporting verses:

"Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God."

2 Corinthians 4:4 (Amplified Bible)

For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers’ minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God.

"Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God],"

Philippians 2:6 (Amplified Bible)

Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained,

"He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God’s] nature,"

Hebrews 1:3 (Amplified Bible)

He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God’s] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high,

We see our LORD JESUS CHRIST called in several names: one with GOD and in the form of GOD, Perfect Imprint and Very Image of GOD, Image and Likeness of GOD. If you're not convinced, JESUS CHRIST is GOD, then you need to know more about GOD's Words.

John 14:7-11 (Amplified Bible)

If you had known Me [had learned to recognize Me], you would also have known My Father. From now on, you know Him and have seen Him.

Philip said to Him, Lord, show us the Father [cause us to see the Father—that is all we ask]; then we shall be satisfied.

Jesus replied, Have I been with all of you for so long a time, and do you not recognize and know Me yet, Philip? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say then, Show us the Father?

Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me? What I am telling you I do not say on My own authority and of My own accord; but the Father Who lives continually in Me does the (His) works (His own miracles, deeds of power).

Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the sake of the [very] works themselves. [If you cannot trust Me, at least let these works that I do in My Father’s name convince you.]

The LORD JESUS CHRIST is Real, Express Image, GOD's rays, Image, and equal with GOD. If you have seen the SON, you have already seen the FATHER.

2. Invisible GOD

a. Invisible means "that cannot be seen", "imperceptible by the sight", "imperceptibility to the eye", "manner to escape the sight"