Paul’s Most Powerful Statement II
Colossians 1:15-20
1. Introduction: Last week we began a two week look at this most important passage. This is the passage where Paul tells the Colossians these very powerful statements which describe Jesus and His attributes. Paul is writing these words to give the Colossians a fuller understanding of who Jesus was and is.
2. The Supremacy of Christ (1:15-20)
A. The Distinctiveness of Christ (1:15): It is felt by theologians that today’s message verses 15-20 are in fact a hymn of the early church. We can’t be absolutely sure, but, it is written in the Greek poetic writing style. This style was used for song writing both in Scripture and in secular writing.
1. We will see that the first stanza our Lord is presented to us as the visible presence of the Father, himself.
2. In the second stanza he is presented as the one through whom reconciliation came to be possible for all human beings.
3. As we go through the message today, hear me say this; Jesus is not a part of creation; rather he is the one who did the creating. He is also the one who does the reconciling – later in the message.
4. Image of the invisible God (1:15)
a. Basically that first phrase means that when you seen God it will be Christ that you actually are looking at. He – personally is the likeness or image of God.
c. The phrase goes on to declare that God – inferring the Father - is completely invisible.
5. First born over all creation (1:15)
a. That word there is the root of our English word Prototype. The first of a product line. Here it tells us that Christ is the number one ranking among those born of a woman. It is a phrase of identifying him with us as much as anything else. He is God and has always existed. But he was not always a human being. So among those born of a woman he is the ranking, or first born. The phrase does not infer that he was initially born in heaven prior to his being born by Mary.
c. He is the preeminent one of all creation; he is the only one who is superior.
e. Transition: So this first part of the passage sets the stage for whom and what Jesus is. Now we will move into the part where Paul describes for the Colossians exactly what Jesus has actually done for them and all mankind.
B. The Actions of Christ (1:16-17)
1. He created all things (1:16): Verse 16 is a powerful statement similar to ones Paul made in others writings. He tells them that Jesus created all that there is or has ever been or ever will be.
a. Scripture is clear that his method of creation was by the authority of his spoken word. He said it and it happened at that moment.
b. The verse goes on to describe some of the created realm that Jesus created.
i. Heaven/Earth
ii. Seen/Unseen
iii. Then he gives a list of four things that we really can’t be sure what they are.
iv. But, some theologians believe that it is a listing of the hierarchy of angels or demons.
v. Beyond that it’s just a guess.
c. Everything was created by him for him.
d. These next two statements are pretty powerful.
2. He precedes all things (1:17): He is the first in an ordinal sense of ranking.
3. He sustains all things (1:17): In him personally all things consist or hold together. He spoke it all into existence and it is by his authority that all things remain as they are. He constrains the evil one who would wreak havoc if he were not held back.
C. The Standing of Christ (1:18-19)
1. He is the head of the body (1:18): He personally is the head of the Church. His Holy Spirit calls all men to himself. He is functionally and tactically in control of the church.
a. I use the word tactical because this is not a social club.
b. It is indeed a military organization. An army goes into a conflict and hopefully resolves it.
c. The church’s purpose is to go into a hostile world and share the salvation of Christ which entirely opposed to the ways of this world.
d. We are in church to learn salvation strategy.
i. That which we need to know personally.
a) How to be saved.
ii. That which we need to share personally.
a) How to tell others how they can be saved.
b) That is why Scripture tells us that a pastor’s job is to equip the saints for the work of their ministry. I give you God’s word – which is your battle armor.
iii. How to fight our fears.
iv. How to combat the sinful nature which is still within us. That nature which we personally need to be mindful of and actively keep it under control. This can only be done in the power of Christ.
v. You people are not new Christians; you are in advanced individual training.
vi. You are honing skills for a lifetime of battle with Satan and his minions.
e. Jesus is the first born Scripture tells us “that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
f. He will come first over and above all things.
2. He is the first born (1:19): The history of mankind shows the concept of being a firstborn is an ordinal position of being born first. Which in a sense it is. However this is not presented in Scripture as being what is meant in today’s passage.
a. I recall to your mind that Reuben was Jacob’s first born but the rights of the “first born went to Joseph.” It is not so much the order of birth but a position of favor bestowed by his father.
b. Even when Joseph presented his sons to Jacob for his blessing, Jacob blessed the younger of the two over the eldest. Even though Joseph tried in vain to correct his elderly father’s seemingly mistaken action.
c. Finally in Psalm 89: 27; “Also I will make him My firstborn, The highest of the kings of the earth.” (NKJV)
d. We see that Christ is presented as being placed into the favored (first born) position by the Father.
e. Therefore; hear me on this; Jesus is not being presented as the literal first born as if he were a part of the created order, but rather that he has been given the favored position of headship by the Father’s own authority. He is the leader and the judge of the family (church) in ever way.
f. Verse 19 tells us plainly that the Father took delight in that all of his own fullness would dwell in Christ. Remember the church is the Bride or complementary partner of Christ. Fully under His authority but yet a joint heir to His throne.
D. The Purpose of Christ (1:20)
1. He will reconcile all things (1:20): This is a powerful statement. That word for reconcile is the only usage of that exact form of that word ever found in or out of Scripture. Other forms of the word are used in Scripture. In this particular usage Greek scholars feel that Paul coined the word to convey to the Colossians to fullest extent of what reconciliation really means.
2. To reconcile means to restore to a position of former favor. Therefore, Christ did all that He did so that you and I in our complete unworthiness have been made right before God based solely on what Christ did and not a thing that we could or would ever be able to do.
3. The word for reconcile is an aorist verb. That means that it is meant that it is a once for all time event. Your reconciliation before God is permanent.
a. You reconcile your checkbook and next month you need to do it again. Not so with Christ, once you were set in that favored position of being “in Christ” when you accepted Him as savior; you are there forever.
4. By shedding His blood on the Cross (1:20): All things can be reconciled only through Jesus’ willing sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary. Absent that event we would all face a real bleak future. I don’t want you to look at the power of those words and get the wrong impression of “universalism.” Folks hear me: Those outside of Christ will be judged, found guilty and sentenced by Him to an eternity in hell – without the chance of a parole.
a. His offer of salvation is real and urgent but you don’t get to stand before him and make a choice at that time.
b. Scripture tells us plainly that today is the day of salvation.
c. So, what say you to the Lord Jesus Christ today? Will you take His offer of forgiveness? He wants to reconcile you personally and individually to Himself today.
