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We live in a celebrity-obsessed culture.
Shows about their houses.
Shows about their mobile homes (Will Smith – 2.5 million motor home.
News about them is huge business:
When Michael Jackson died, there were 456 tweets per second. When Steve Jobs died, there were almost 10,000 per second.
Raising someone up too high, almost inevitably destroys them.
Miley Cyrus.
But not Jesus. It is impossible to raise Him too high. It is impossible to speak His name too much, sing his praise too loud, live too focused on His greatness.
Just 30 years before this – this guy he’s talking about died on a Roman Cross. The most humiliating, horrible death available at the time…
What a scandal that Paul would lift Him high!
This bloody wreck is the GREATEST!
HE is what you need!
A murdered man is the king of everything!
He is your only hope!
WHAT??!!
1. Jesus is great enough to claim the title “God.”
Colossians 1:12 [Joyfully] giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, 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.
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.
As such he’s greater than the angels. ANGEL BOOK ILLUS?
He’s greater than time.
He’s greater than creation.
He’s greater than death. He’s been to the other side and come back… just like we will someday.
“Firstborn” – Jewish expression that means “preeminent” “First in rank”
2. Jesus is great enough to save.
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.
3. Jesus is great enough to make suffering worth it.
24 Now 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.
Paul isn’t saying “Jesus’ suffering wasn’t enough to save you” he’s saying “my suffering is like the leftovers of Jesus’ suffering”…
He’s saying “isn’t it only fitting that my suffering should correspond to Jesus’?”
Look at what he says, “I REJOICE!”
The greatest testimony of Christ in your life may be through not your prosperity, but through your suffering!
25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness--
26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.
The word “mystery” in the New Testament means “something that used to be hidden but is now revealed.”
So what is this mystery?
27 To 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.
For thousands of years, people wondered “What is God up to?”
And God said, “Watch this” and at the right moment, brought out Jesus.
People said, “How can God let this happen?”
And God gave us Jesus.
People said, “Why can’t God just come close?”
And God brought out Jesus.
People said, “I wish I knew what God was really like.”
And God sent Jesus.
God didn’t send Jesus to just show you the way. That wouldn’t have been enough.
He didn’t even just send Jesus to die. He could have forgiven you, but that wasn’t all God wanted.
He didn’t even just send Jesus to rise from death. He could have proved his power over death, but that wouldn’t have been enough to take you there.
God instead gave you Jesus to come and LIVE IN YOU.
This is way more than “I walked an aisle and prayed a prayer.”
This shuts every mouth that says “I can’t be like that.”
I meet so many people – really – who say “I like what you are – a Christian, it’s a good thing, but I can’t be like that. I’m just not like that.”
You don’t understand. I’m not either.
You look around at real Christians, and you wonder why we are this way?
“Christ IN YOU” That’s how!
28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
Why do you do this, Paul? Why go to jail? Why suffer? Why teach when people ignore?
Why live in cities where people steal?
So that we may present EVERYONE perfect in Christ.
That’s not just me. That’s you.
Do I believe Jesus can do in you what he has done for me? YES.
Jesus is great enough.
He is greater than your pastor, greater than your church, greater than your righteousness.
He is greater than your brain, greater than your opinions, greater than your biggest thought about Him.
He is greater than your depression.
He is greater than your joblessness.
He is greater than your hopelessness.
He is greater than the abuse you suffered.
He is greater than the scars that you bear from an unkind parent.
He is greater than the doubts you have.
He’s greater than the addiction that you are bound by.
He’s greater than the shame of your past.
The Bible says my King is the King of the Jews
He’s the king of righteousness
He’s the King of the ages
He’s the King of heaven
He’s the King of glory
He’s the king of Kings and
He’s the Lord of Lords.
That’s my King!
I wonder, do you know Him?
My king is a sovereign King.
No means of measure can define His limitless love.
He’s enduringly strong
He’s entirely sincere
He’s eternally steadfast
He’s immortally graceful
He’s imperially powerful
He’s impartially merciful
Do you know Him?
He’s the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world.
He’s God son
He’s a sinner’s savior
He’s the centerpiece of civilization
He’s unparalleled
He’s unprecedented
He’s the loftiest idea in literature
He’s the highest personality in philosophy
He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology
He’s the only one qualified to be an all-sufficient Savior
I wonder if you know Him?
He supplies strength for the week
He’s available for the tempted and the tried
He strengthens and sustains
He guards and He guides
He heals the sick
He cleansed the leper
He forgives sinners
He discharges debtors
He delivers the captive
He blesses the young
He serves the unfortunate
He regards the aged
He rewards the diligent
He beautifies the meager
I wonder if you know Him?
He ‘s the key to knowledge
He’s the wellspring of wisdom
He’s the doorway of deliverance
He’s the pathway of peace
He’s the roadway of righteousness
He’s the highway of holiness
He’s the gateway of glory
Do you know Him?
His life is matchless
His goodness is limitless
His mercy is everlasting
His love never changes
His word is enough
His grace is sufficient
His reign is righteous
His yoke is easy and
His burden is light
I wish I could describe Him to you!
He’s indescribable
He’s incomprehensible
He’s invincible
He’s irresistible
You can’t get him out of your mind
You can’t get him off of your hand
You can’t outlive him and
You can’t live without Him
The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him
But they found out they couldn’t stop Him
Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him
Herod couldn’t kill Him
Death couldn’t handle Him
And the GRAVE COULDN’T HOLD HIM!
YEAH – that’s MY KING!
You say, If he’s all that – then surely I can’t know Him.
He wouldn’t take me.
You don’t know what I’ve done.
Oh, but look at what Jesus said:
Matthew 11:25 Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure…
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
HANDOUT:
Paul (the former Christian-killer who wrote Colossians) is Jesus-obsessed. For Paul, it is impossible to raise Him too high. It is impossible to speak His name too much, sing His praise too loud, live too focused on His greatness.
1. Jesus is great enough to ___________________ “_____________.”
Colossians 1:12 [Joyfully] giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, 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.
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.
“Firstborn” – Jewish expression that means “preeminent” “First in _______________”
2. Jesus is great enough to _________________.
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.
3. Jesus is great enough to make __________________ __________________.
24 Now 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.
The greatest testimony of Christ in your life may not be through your ____________________, but through your _________________________!
25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness--
26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.
27 To 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.
28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
You might say, “If he’s all that – then surely I can’t know Him. He wouldn’t take me. You don’t know what I’ve done.”
Matthew 11:25 Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure…
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
