Title: The supremacy of Christ
Text: Colossians 1:15-23
Introduction
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For 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. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And 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. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and 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. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But 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-- 23 if 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. Colossians 1:15-23
Our Challenge: To not give up chasing the faith (v23)
1.Continue in the faith
2.Establish yourself in the faith
3.Be firm in the faith
4.Do not be moved from the hope held out in the faith
5.Proclaim the faith
6. Finally become a servant of the faith
Apparently we must have more faith to chase!
And in order to not give up chasing the faith we have to keep our eyes on Jesus- or as Paul puts it- keep your eyes on the supremacy of Christ.
”He is the image of the invisible God” -Christ is supreme over everything!
Paul mentions 4 things in particular that Christ is supreme over.
1.Christ is supreme over Creation. (v15-17)
He is the firstborn over all creation. 16 For 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. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
How is Christ supreme over Creation?
1.Christ is before all Creation
2.Christ is the creator of all creation
3.Christ is the sustainer of all creation
4.All of creation exists to worship Christ
1. Nothing in creation should stop us from chasing the faith!
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39
2.Nothing in creation should replace chasing the faith
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Romans 1:21-23
Those who don’t chase the faith end up chasing after something else.
1. They end up chasing after other men
2. They end up chasing after birds
3. They end up chasing after animals
4. They end up chasing after reptiles
2. Christ is supreme over the Church (v18)
“And he is the head of the body, the church…”
A. Christ is supreme over the church because He is the head of the church
“I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18
When we say we are chasing after the faith what we mean is- we are chasing after Jesus.
Jesus said it this way “follow me.” –chase after me!
B. End time church – Emphasis something else in place of chasing after Jesus
14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm-- neither hot nor cold-- I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ’I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Rev. 3:14-22
The church that puts anything else in place of chasing Jesus will suffer in these three areas
1. Lack of intimacy with Jesus (on the outside)
2. A state of lukewarmness (neither being hot or cold)
3. A lack of power to live the Christian life
Repent = to start chasing after Jesus again!
3. Christ is supreme over Death (v18)
“He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.”
Christ is supreme over death because he is the firstborn from among the dead. The resurrection of Christ is conclusive proof he is supreme over death.
If I told you there was one way to beat death would you try it?
The one way to beat death is to chase after Jesus.
"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26
4. Christ is supreme over Salvation (v19-22)
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and 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. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But 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—
The last thing Paul mentions Christ as being supreme over is our salvation!
Christ is supreme over salvation because God was in Christ reconciling us to himself.
1. How did God save – Through the blood of Christ shed on the cross
2. When did God save us- When all the world was alienated from God because of our evil minds and evil behavior.
3. Why did God save us – To present us holy in his sight without blemish and free from accusation.
Christ is supreme over salvation. Without Christ there is no peace with God. Without Christ there is only alienation from God for now and eternity.
Conclusion
What are you and I chasing after today?
If you here today and you are chasing after peace with God you will find it only in Jesus. He is our peace and He alone offers us the forgiveness of our sins and the spiritual healing we need.
Here is what you chase after Jesus with in order to have peace with God.
You chase after Jesus with repentance towards God and faith towards Jesus Christ.
Maybe you once chased after Jesus but do so no longer.
God wants to help you chase after Jesus again!
"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" 4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. 5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:1-6
