He Is
Col 1:15-23
Using market research and focus groups a certain congregation/denomination has designed weekly services that deliberately de-emphasize Jesus Christ. One of the founders of the congregation has said, “The sad fact is the name of Jesus Christ has become for many people exclusionary.
” Using Hindu and Zen, intermingled with a few verses from the Bible and recorded music by Willie Nelson, the leader of this group is quoted as saying, “We’re enabling people to discover God themselves, maybe through Jesus, maybe through Buddha, maybe through any number of ways.”
Most of us are appalled by this defamation of Christianity, and we should be. But before we come down too hard on them, I want to address a very dangerous and deadly disease running rampant in the evangelical church today. At first glance it seems pretty harmless but its spores can infect an entire community. No, I’m not talking about anthrax. I call this malady the virus of practicality and I’ve been guilty of spreading it. Here’s how it works.
Instead of calling people to faith, repentance and submission to the supremacy of Christ, many of us tell people that Jesus wants to give them a happy marriage or a stress-free life. While Jesus will certainly change our lives, our marriages, and our stress levels when we bow before His preeminence, we must move away from “What Jesus can do for me” to “Am I living in light of His lordship?” We don’t simply “add” Jesus to our lives; we adore Him with our lives through our obedience.
That brings us to our text today in the Book of Colossians. Much of the false teaching taking place in Colosse had to do with the minimizing of Jesus. Many people thought He was important but not essential. They had given Him a place in their lives, without recognizing that He demands first place. Jesus was prominent to them, but certainly not preeminent.
HE IS:
1. The Image of the Invisible GOD, Firstborn over all Creation. V15
a. Jesus said “When you have seen me you have seen the Father
b. His life showed the unconditional love of the Father
c. Through HIM we see and have access to the Father
2. He is the Creator of all things V16
a. In the Beginning GOD created (made from nothing) the heavens and the earth.
b. Laminine: He Holds all things together
3. He Is the Head of the Church v18
a. He Holds the highest office
b. We are here for HIM
c. His ways are higher than ours, and his thoughts are higher than ours
d. Therefore we follow HIM
4. He is Reconciler:
a. He brings everything together
b. He unalienated us through His sacrifice.
c. He presents us unblemished, free from accusation v22
d. He is our advocate
5. Therefore we must FOLLOW HIM
a. Continue in the FAITH
b. Hold on to the HOPE
c. Working in His LOVE
He is
In the Book of:
Genesis he is the breath of life
Exodus he is the Passover lamb
Leviticus the Great High priest
Numbers the fire by night
Duet. Moses voice
Joshua he is salvations choice
Judges he is the giver of the law
Ruth he is the kinsman redeemer coming to claim his own
1 & 2 Sam he is the Prophet that is true
HE IS HE IS MY JESUS IS AND HE IS STILL RELEVANT TODAY
Kings and Chronicles he is forever Sovereign
Ezra he is the true and faithful scribe
Nehemiah he is the rebuilder of broken walls and lives
Esther he is Mordecai’s courage
Job he is the timeless redeemer
Psalms he is the Morning Star
Proverbs he is wisdoms cry
Eccl. he is time and the season
Song of Songs he is the lovers dream
Isaiah he is the Prince of Peace
Jeremiah he is the Prophet who weeps
Lamentations he is the cry for Israel
Ezekiel he is the call from sin
Daniel he the stranger in the fire
HE IS HE IS MY JESUS IS AND HE IS STILL RELEVANT TODAY
Hosea he is forever faithful
Joel he is the spirits power
Amos he is the arms that carry us
Obadiah he is the Lord coming in Judgment
Jonah he is the God of the second chance
Micah he is the promise of peace
Nahum he is our strength and our shield
Habakkuk and Zephaniah he is pleading for revival
Zechariah he is our living fountain
Malachi he is son of righteousness risen with healing in his wings
The Gospels he is God, man, Messiah and the Word
Romans he is the Grace of God
Corinthians he is the power of love
Galatians he is freedom from the law
Eph. he is our Glorious treasure
Philippians he is the servants heart
Col. the Godhead trinity
Thess. Our coming King
HE IS HE IS OUR JESUS IS AND HE IS STILL RELEVANT TODAY
Timothy/Titus/Philemon he is our faithful pastor
Hebrews he is our mediator and Great High Priest
James he is the one who heals the sick
1&2 Peter he is the shepherd and great guardian of our souls
John and Jude he is the lover coming for his bride
Revelation he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, Son of Man, Lamb of God, the Great I Am, the Alpha and Omega, beginning and the end.
AND WHEN TIME ITSELF SHALL BE NO MORE, STILL HE IS, HE IS, OUR JESUS IS AND HE IS STILL RELEVANT TODAY!!!!
Will we follow Him?
