Supremacy of Christ
Colossians 1:15-1:20
Introduction-
Would you please turn to Colossians 1:15-1:20
We are going to look at God’s Word at the supremacy of Christ.
Colossians is in the NT between the book of Philippians and the book of 1 Thessalonians.
It is Apostle Paul looking at what was going on in the church at Colosse and correcting them for bad teachings that were being circulated.
After offering thanksgiving and prayer- 1:13
“For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
That paints a picture for me.
Jesus rescued us from darkness
He brought us into His great light and kingdom
Through Jesus we have redemption and forgiveness of sins
Can you see that?
In the same picture;
• I see without Jesus we cannot be rescued, there is no redemption, and there is no forgiveness of sins.
Let’s read our text starting at 1:15-1:20
This should also paint a picture for us.
A picture of the Jesus we serve, at least the Jesus who offers Himself to us.
We can picture Jesus however we want, but what is the truth about Jesus?
What place does Jesus have in your life?
Illustration-
True story, a Christian college in the US invited a professor to be their speaker at an annual conference. He spoke for 2 ½ hours “proving” that the resurrection of Jesus never happened. He quoted scholar after scholar and book after book. He said that the tradition of church was groundless, it was emotional mumbo-jumbo based upon a relationship of a risen savior who never rose from the dead. That ought to make your spirit jump from falsehood-liar, untrue! After all this time of speaking, the speaker ended by saying “Are there any questions?” an elderly preacher was in the back of the room, stood up and said, I have only one question. He reached into his lunch bag and pulled out an apple and began eating it. I have not read your book. I can’t recite the Scriptures in Greek. I know little about Buddha or Atheism. He finished his apple, just have one question, the apple I just ate was it bitter or sweet? The professor paused a moment, “ I can’t possibly answer that question, for I have not tasted your apple.” He crumbled up the bag and said, “Neither have you tasted my Jesus”
I know for me, He has rescued me from the power of darkness and transformed me into the kingdom of Jesus Christ.
I know these verses shed truth about the Jesus that I serve.
That He is the image of God
ruler over all creation
power over all things
Created all things including the church, that God the Father has His approval on Jesus.
“For God was pleased to have His fullness dwell in Him (Jesus) and through Him to reconcile to himself all things, through his bloodshed on the cross.”
That once I was alienated from God and God’s Word says that in that state we were enemies of God because of sin.
That because of Christ, there can be redemption and forgiveness.
Paul in address to the church is clearing up some false teachings.
Some taught that the resurrection never happened.
Some taught that knowledge was salvation.
Some got caught up on the term firstborn like Jesus was just like them.
John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
He (Jesus) was with God in the beginning.
Firstborn in a family is an honored position.
Jesus is not created, He is the creator! Amen.
NLT Bible
“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see-such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.”
The question to ask yourself is this-
Which Jesus are you serving? God, creator of all things, the Jesus who is your sole source of salvation, or a Jesus that you have made up who is convenient, one who fits into your world instead of a God who rocks and changes your world.
We all know people who say that they are going to heaven because their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds. Sadly, they are mistaken, such people do not understand that heaven “the promised rest” in Hebrews is gained not by works, but by the grace and mercy of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
From our study on Wednesday nights, we see faith defined as “believing or trusting to the point that you have confidence in God’s character and God’s Word to the point of acting on His promises.
Having a faith that is not wavering or without any doubting is defined as a faith that in advance will do whatever God tells us to do.
One Jesus is convenient, one we make up to fit our needs. That Jesus does not make much impact in our lives, doesn’t bring much change.
But the real Jesus, brings change, brings transformation, brings with Him salvation!
Which is the one that you are seeking this morning?
(17) “He (Jesus) is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
When we understand the supremacy of Christ, we have a more accurate view of Him.
We will understand His love.
We will understand His sacrifice.
We will be more able to respond to Him.
When we understand that He is not only one way to God, He is the only way to God.
When we understand that we cannot work our way to heaven, have no special privilege.
We need Jesus!
I love this verse!
“And in him all things hold together.”
The sun doesn’t fall from the sky because He put it there.
The moon doesn’t fall because He said stay.
You don’t float away because of gravity that He enforces.
He is the glue that keeps this world operating, despite what some say.
“In everything” means in everything!
Just like when He said “it is finished” it was finished!
He has taken care of it all.
Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
Front to back, top to bottom, heaven to earth.
He is God and He is the glue that holds it all together.
And He is the glue that holds you together if you will let Him.
Hymn
This is my Fathers World
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong
God is the ruler yet
Jesus made all things, controls all things, and holds all things together.
He offers you a choice if you want that kind of God working in your life.
Even when times are bad, God is Good!
This world is falling apart because they are pulling away from God, and His principals.
There are absolutes in this world!
Bible still gives us answers to our questions
Prayer is still powerful
The Holy Spirit of God still moves
Jesus loves you
Jesus still wants to save those that are lost and come to Him.
Maybe like the professor, you have not tasted of Jesus yet.
He is available if you will just reach out to Him.
29,000 ft at the top of Mt. Everest, 36,000 feet below the ocean bottom, He is God!
We were made to worship God.
We were made to have a relationship with Him.
We can experience salvation by a God that loves you.
Jesus said I came to seek and save the lost, and the only thing that stops that from happening is us.
By choosing to reject, or choosing to say not right now.
Hear me as I close-
God’s word
“That in all things Christ might have first place.”
Will you give him first place this morning?
Chorus
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
There is something about that name
Master, savior, Jesus,
Like the fragrance after the rain.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Let all heaven and earth proclaim,
Kings and kingdoms, will all pass away
But there is something about that name.
Quiet yourself before the Lord for a moment
If there is not transforming power in your life- You need Jesus
If there is not peace that passes all understanding- You need Jesus
If Jesus is not first in your life- You need Jesus
if your world is coming apart- He is the glue that holds it all together.
Where is Jesus in your life?
Maybe today you need to make Him first, maybe you need to give him control of your life and admit that it is not working
Jesus is who he says he is!
Bow your head please
God has been speaking to you the last few minutes, you know who you are. It is time to make a decision. You need to acknowledge Him this morning. I am going to ask you to do something scary, would you rise up and come front, I want to pray with you this morning
