PRACTICING CHRIST’S PREEMINENCE
Text: Col.1: 18; Col.3: 17
Intro: Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians while a prisoner at Rome. The church, located in the city of Colossae, actually began and met in the home of a man whose name you may recognize—Philemon (Phil.2). You may recall that Philemon’s servant, Onesimus, ran away at one point, and was eventually won to faith in Christ by Paul. As a result, Paul penned a letter to Philemon, asking him to forgive Onesimus and to receive him back as a brother in Christ.
It was about this time however, that a man by the name of Epaphras, a member of the church in Colossae, showed up asking for Paul’s help with problems being created in the church by some new doctrines being propagated among them. The problems stemmed from a mixture of “Eastern philosophy and Jewish legalism, with elements of what Bible scholars call Gnosticism” (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Complete: Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, pg. 10). In essence, this heresy promised that one could attain spiritual perfection by following its teachings. It fostered the idea that faith in Christ was not enough to make the believer spiritually complete. Paul’s letter to the Colossians refuted this heresy, and emphatically stated that the believer is complete in Christ. The only thing that was needed was making Christ first and foremost in one’s life, which is the meaning of the word translated “preeminence” in Colossians 1: 18. Christ is the first and last word in sanctification, as well as salvation.
This heretical philosophy is still alive and well today. There are those that push the idea that Christ is okay, but in order to become one of the spiritual elite one must do this or do that. The requirements vary according to which group to which one may be listening. However, as was true in Paul’s day, we do not need addendums to Christ. We simply need to practice Christ’s preeminence in our life.
Theme: We practice Christ’s preeminence by:
I. SEEKING THE HEAVENLY
A. We Should Entertain Heavenly Desires.
Col.3: 1 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”
NOTE: [1] Paul says that one reason we should entertain heavenly desires is because of our relationship to Christ. We are “risen with Christ,” Paul says. The word translated “if” doesn’t imply doubt, but actually carries the idea of an accomplished fact. The word means, “in view of the fact” (Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies, Vol. I: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Ephesians and Colossians In The Greek New Testament, pg. 217). “The word since gives the truer meaning of the word” (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Complete: Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois; pg. 100).
[2] The point that Paul makes here is that since the believer, by his identification with Christ, has been raised with Him, they should “seek” or “strive for earnestly,” heavenly things (John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament edition, published by Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois; pg. 680). Just as Christ possessed a new quality of life after His resurrection, even so should the saint exhibit a new quality of life after salvation. The whole idea here is that believers should be “…centering their lives on the ascended…glorified…Christ, who is seated at the right hand of God…” (Ibid, pg. 680).
B. We Should Exercise A Heavenly Disposition.
Col.3: 2 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
NOTE: [1] The words, “set your affection” mean, “to direct one’s mind to a thing” (Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies, Vol. I: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Ephesians and Colossians In The Greek New Testament, pg. 217).
[2] That which commands our attention also controls our action. As Bro. Wiersbe says, “Our feet must be on earth, but our minds must be in heaven…It means that the practical everyday affairs of life get their direction from Christ in heaven. It means further that we look at earth from heaven’s point of view” (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Complete: Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois; pg. 101).
[3] Please understand that Paul is not condemning our thinking upon the normal, everyday affairs of life. He is however, advocating that our earthly affairs be governed by a heavenly mindset.
1. Paul reasons that the saint should exercise a heavenly disposition due to his identification with Christ.
Col.3: 3 “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”
NOTE: [1] The words, “for ye are dead,” are emphatic in the Greek, reading, “Ye died” (Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies, Vol. I: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Ephesians and Colossians In The Greek New Testament, pg. 218).
[2] One of Paul’s recurrent themes throughout his writings is the believer’s identification with Christ. Because of the saint’s identification with Christ in His death for his sin, he is reckoned to be dead to the old nature. Therefore, the child of God is not to be geared to the earthly, or controlled by it.
[3] Paul then says that our life is “…hid with Christ in God” (v.3b). The Christian life is a hidden life because the world does not understand it. The unregenerate mind is unable to grasp the significance of this new quality of life, which we possess in Christ. “The Christian life is a ‘hidden life’ as far as the world is concerned, because the world does not know Christ (see I John 4: 1-6). Our sphere of life is not this earth, but heaven; and the things that attract us and excite us belong to heaven, not to earth” (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Complete: Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois; pg. 100).
2. Paul reasons that the saint’s heavenly disposition should possess two characteristics.
a. It should be emphatic.
Col.3: 4a “…Christ, who is our life…”
NOTE: Be careful to note the fact that Paul did not say that Christ was a significant part of the Christian’s life, but He “is our life.” This is stressed over and over again in scripture. We are totally dependent upon Him.
John 1: 4 “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
John 14: 6a “…I am the way, the truth, and the life…”
John 15: 5b “…without me ye can do nothing.”
Gal.2: 20b “…and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God…”
b. It should be expectant.
Col.3: 4 “When Christ…shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
NOTE: Though the saint lives a temporary, earthly existence, he possesses a heavenly expectation. One day he will dwell with Christ in heaven, and enjoy the benefits of a glorified body fitted for eternity.
I John 3: 2 “Beloved now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
II. SLAYING THE EARTHLY
A. Mortify The Carnality Of The Past.
Col.3: 5a “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth…
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7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.”
NOTE: [1] The word, “mortify” means “to put to death, to deprive of power, to destroy the strength of” (Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies, Vol. I: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Ephesians and Colossian In The Greek New Testament, pg. 219).
[2] The tense of the word, “mortify” implies a decisive and resolute action. Believers are not to toy with or tolerate their base, sinful nature, but they are to terminate it.
[3] Paul refers to this principle as “reckoning.” The sin nature has already been deprived of power by the finished work of Christ on the Cross (Rom.6: 6). However, it is up to the individual believer to act upon that truth in his or her daily practice. Paul says, “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom.6: 11).
[4] The amplified version of Col.3: 5a is helpful. It reads as follows: “So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desires lurking in your members—those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin…” (The Lockman Foundation, The Amplified Bible, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; The Amplified New Testament, copyright 1958, pg. 313).
1. Fornication must be relegated to the place of death (v.5b).
NOTE: This term refers to “illicit sexual intercourse in general” (Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies, Vol. I: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Ephesians and Colossians In The Greek New Testament, pg. 220).
2. Uncleanness must be relegated to the place of death (v.5c).
NOTE: This word speaks of “lustful impurity that is connected with luxury and loose living” (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Complete: Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois; pg. 104).
3. Inordinate affection must be relegated to the place of death (v.5d).
NOTE: This term makes reference to “depraved passion” (Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies, Vol. I: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Ephesians and Colossians In The Greek New Testament, pg. 220). Wiersbe defines this term as “a state of mind that excites sexual impurity” (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Complete: Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois; pg. 104).
4. Evil concupiscence must be relegated to the place of death (v.5e).
NOTE: This word is not one that we see very often. However, it means, “evil, wicked cravings” (Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies, Vol. I: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapid, Michigan; Ephesians and Colossians In The Greek New Testament, pg. 220).
5. Covetousness must be relegated to the place of death (v.5f).
NOTE: [1] This word “denotes the character of one who desires ‘to have more’—that is, more than he has (discontent), more than others have (envy), more than he ought to have (injustice). It is ‘idolatry’ because it is worship of mammon (Matt.6: 24)” (Alvah Hovey, D.D., LL.D., An American Commentary On The New Testament, Vol. V: The American Baptist Publication Society, Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, California; Commentary On The Epistle To The Colossians, pg. 44).
[2] The first four terms used by Paul in verse 5 are actually different aspects of the same vice—sensuality. This sin basically involves allowing one’s desires, passions, and physical appetites to rule them.
[3] No doubt Paul uses this topic to help counter one of the false philosophies that was being spread in Colossae—Essenism. One of the basic ideas of this false teaching was that one should simply follow one’s impulses. To put it into the vernacular of our day—“If it feels good, do it.” This practice is of course the very opposite of putting Christ first.
6. Paul now shows that the type of actions he has just described are part of the old nature, and incurs God’s wrath.
Col.3: 6 “For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience (the lost):
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.”
B. Mortify The Carnality Of The Present.
Col.3: 8a “But now ye also put off all these…”
NOTE: [1] The words, “but now” refer back to what Paul has said previously. He clearly indicated that the vices mentioned in verse 5 were a part of the old life, before salvation. He’s not saying that Christians cannot commit these types of sin, but that they are not the natural or common practice of God’s children. Paul is saying that now that we have shed that life of evil conduct, whether in action or intent, we are to be careful to rid ourselves of the following equally evil vices.
[2] The words, “put off” carry the idea of someone changing clothes. The idea here also relates to what happened when Jesus arose from the dead. You will recall that when Jesus arose, He left the grave clothes behind. He was alive; therefore the grave clothes were no longer appropriate. “Now that we have new life in Christ, we must walk ‘in newness of life’ by putting off the old deeds and desires (Rom.6: 4). We do this by practicing our position in Christ, by reckoning ourselves to be dead to the old and alive to the new” (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Complete: Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois; pgs. 105-106).
1. Anger must be put to death (v.8b).
NOTE: As used here, this word refers to “an abiding, settled, and habitual anger that includes in its scope the purpose of revenge” (Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies, Vol. I: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Ephesians and Colossians In The Greek New Testament, pg. 220).
2. Wrath must be put to death (v.8c).
NOTE: To us, anger and wrath may mean virtually the same thing. However, the word translated “wrath” in this verse, refers to a different aspect in the expression of one’s anger. This word speaks of “’outburst of anger’ (2 Cor.12: 20), ‘fits of rage’ (Gal.5: 20)…” (John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament edition: Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois; pg. 681).
3. Malice must be put to death (v.8d).
NOTE: This term refers to “an attitude of ill-will toward a person” (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Complete, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois; pg. 106).
4. Blasphemy must be put to death (v.8e).
NOTE: The basic meaning here is “slander…speech injurious to another’s good name” (Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies, Vol. I: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Ephesians and Colossians In The Greek New Testament, pg. 220).
5. Filthy communication must be put to death (v.8f).
NOTE: The term used here refers to “foul speaking, low and obscene speech” (Ibid, pg. 220).
6. Lying must be put to death.
Col.3: 9 “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;”
NOTE: Too often we Christians are shocked to here of a believer who commits any of the sins that Paul dealt with in Col.3: 5, but we don’t seem to get too bothered about the sins mentioned Col.3: 8 and 9. The fact is, it’s all sin to God. “Dr. G. Campbell Morgan called these ‘the sins in good standing’” (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Complete: Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois; pg. 105).
III. STRENGTHENING THE CHRISTLY
A. This Is Done By Constant Renewal.
Col.3: 10 “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.”
NOTE: [1] The Greeks had two words for new. The Greek word neos meant “new in time” (Ibid, pg. 108). This speaks of something that is recent in its occurrence. The Greek word kainos meant “new in quality, fresh” (Ibid, pg. 108). “The believer has once and for all put on the ‘new man’ (neos), and, as a consequence, he is being renewed (kainos). There is a change in quality, for he is becoming like Jesus Christ” (Ibid, pg. 108).
[2] The tense of the word translated “renewed,” indicates a constant and continual process. This is brought out in II Cor.4: 16b, where it says, “…though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”
[3] Paul says that the believer’s renewal takes place through knowledge (v. 10). The Gnostics said that learning the secrets they taught would change one’s life for the better. Paul is saying that it is not the knowledge of certain secrets, but knowledge, or “full discernment” of the Savior that really changes one’s life (James Strong, S.T.D., LL.D., Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible: MacDonald Publishing Company, McLean, Virginia; #1922 of the Greek Dictionary Of The New Testament, pg. 31).
[4] Paul goes on to say that in this state of constant renewal, there is the impossibility of national, intellectual, and social distinctions (v. 11).
B. This Is Demonstrated By Christly Results.
1. Christ-likeness is demonstrated through compassion.
Col.3: 12a “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies…”
NOTE: [1] The word translated “bowels,” in the Hebrew mind, referred to the seat of the most tender of human affections such as compassion and benevolence. It carries much the same meaning of our word, heart.
[2] The word “mercies,” means “compassion, pity, mercy” (Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies, Vol. I: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Ephesians and Colossians In The Greek New Testament, pg. 224).
2. Christ-likeness is demonstrated through kindness.
Col.3: 12b “…kindness…”
NOTE: [1] The word “kindness,” refers to “a gentle, gracious disposition” (Ibid, pg. 224).
[2] “Kindness” can also be defined as “goodness of heart” (W. E. Vine, Expository Dictionary Of New Testament Words, Vol. II: Fleming H. Revel Company, Old Tappan, New Jersey; pg. 292).
3. Christ-likeness is demonstrated through humility.
Col.3: 12c “…humbleness of mind…”
NOTE: This word basically refers to lowliness of mind. It is having an accurate estimate of one’s self. It is being neither braggadocios nor self-defaming.
4. Christ-likeness is demonstrated through meekness.
Col.3: 12d “…meekness…”
NOTE: The word “meekness,” means “power under control. This word was used to describe a soothing wind, a healing medicine, and a colt that had been broken” (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Complete: Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois; pg. 114). A meek person is one who is controlled in spirit. They don’t fly off the handle at the first sign of having their rights violated. They are not preoccupied with self.
5. Christ-likeness is demonstrated through patience.
Col.3: 12e “…longsuffering…”
NOTE: This refers to “patience under the ill-treatment of others” (Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies, Vol. I: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Ephesians and Colossians In The Greek New Testament, pg. 224). Another definition is “self-restraint, a steady response in the face of provocation” (John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois; New Testament edition, pg. 682).
6. Christ-likeness is demonstrated through forbearance.
Col.3: 13a “Forbearing one another…”
NOTE: [1] The basic meaning of the term used here is “to bear with, endure” (Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies, Vol. I: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Ephesians and Colossians In The Greek New Testament, pg. 224). This means we are willing to tolerate the differences of others.
[2] Another way to define forbearance is “’to hold up’ or ‘to hold back’” (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Complete: Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois; pg. 115). God is very forbearing toward sinners in that He holds back His judgment of them (Rom.2: 4; Rom.3: 25).
7. Christ-likeness is demonstrated through forgiveness.
Col.3: 13b “…and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
NOTE: [1] The term “quarrel,” refers to “an occasion of complaint” (W. E. Vine, Expository Dictionary Of New Testament Words, Vol. I: Fleming H. Revel Company, Old Tappan, New Jersey; pg. 219).
[2] “It is not enough that the Christian must endure grief and provocation, and refuse to retaliate; he must also forgive the troublemaker. If he does not, the feelings of malice will develop in the heart; and these can lead to greater sins” (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Complete: Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois; pg. 115).
8. Christ-likeness is demonstrated through love.
Col.3: 14 “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”
NOTE: [1] Notice that Paul stresses the importance of love when he says, “above all these things put on charity” (v. 14a). The things that Paul speaks of here are those qualities that he has mentioned in verses 12 and 13. The idea is simply that without love, all the other qualities that Paul mentioned beforehand would be useless, if not altogether impossible.
[2] The word “perfectness,” makes reference to “completeness, full growth, maturity, in good working order” (Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies, Vol. I: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Ephesians and Colossians In The Greek New Testament, pg. 225). All those qualities that make for a complete and mature Christian are held together by love, Paul says.
9. Christ-likeness will be enhanced by four things.
a. Allow the peace of God to rule.
Col.3: 15a “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body…”
NOTE: [1] The word “peace,” refers to “tranquility of heart” (Ibid, pg.226).
[2] Peace with God was made when we trusted Christ by faith as Savior. The peace of God is the result of a right relationship (fellowship) with Christ. Only one who is in fellowship with Christ can have real tranquility of heart.
[3] Paul said that the peace of God was to “rule” in our hearts. The meaning of that word is “to preside at the games and distribute the prizes” (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Complete: Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois; pg. 116). In the vernacular of our day, we might say, “umpire,” or “call the shots.” We should let that tranquility of heart, which comes from a right relationship to Christ and His will, call the shots in our lives.
[4] The Holy Spirit will use this peace to give us direction. “When we obey the will of God, we have His peace within; but when we step out of His will (even unintentionally), we lose His peace” (Ibid, pg. 116).
[5] Be careful that you don’t fall prey to a false sense of peace inspired by Satan. One way to guard against this is to back up every decision with prayer, a fully surrendered will to what God wants, and agreement with the Word of God. What you think you have peace about should not violate the clear dictates of scripture.
b. Make a point to be thankful.
Col.3: 15b “…and be ye thankful.
…………………………………………
17b …giving thanks to God the Father by him.”
c. Feed your spirit on the Word of God.
Col.3: 16 “Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
NOTE: [1] The word “dwell,” means, “to feel at home” (Ibid, pg. 117).
[2] The word “richly,” means, “abundantly” (Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies, Vol. I: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Ephesians and Colossians In The Greek New Testament; pg. 226).
[3] We should make the Word of God such a part of our lives that it’s not like inviting a stranger in to our home, but like fellowshipping with someone who is a part of the family. This is very important since the Holy Spirit uses the Word that we know to give us spiritual guidance and insight.
d. Seek the glory of God in everything.
Col.3: 17a “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…”
Theme: We practice Christ’s preeminence by:
I. SEEKING THE HEAVENLY
II. SLAYING THE EARTHLY
III. STRENGTHENING THE CHRISTLY
