The Preeminence Of The Savior

"The Preeminence of the Savior"

Colossians 1:18

Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Introduction: A. W. Tozer said, A. W. Tozer said, "The most important thought anyone can have is a correct understanding of God's attributes."

COLOSSIAN PHILOSOPHY: "BORROWED" FEATURES

I used to collect basketball cards. This was way back in the early 90s, though I still have held on to them. Basketball cards took off well after baseball cards, and each brand over time had its own unique features. Some were UV coated, others had gold foil on them, some had extensive stats, and some just had the best 'insert cards' or special cards that you'd find with varying odds per pack. When I started collecting, there were only a few major brands -- Fleer, Topps, Upper Deck. However, in the next few years, new brands started to branch off of the old, and some new competitors came into the forefront, as well. After a short while, there were TONS of brands. Many of the brands would take one good feature of another brand and then change everything else to make it unique. It was like a smorgasbord of questionable usefulness, and it was often very confusing to choose given the vast number of trading card brand options. Anyway, this is similar to the way philosophies were in 60 AD, in the time of the boom of the Colossian church. Many simple philosophical theories would be 'borrowed from,' and other more complicated and sometimes completely different philosophies would branch off. In Colossae, there was a smorgasbord of empty philosophy, and many held eclectic beliefs about existence and the world around them.

(From a sermon by Sterling Franklin, Jesus Christ, the Preeminent One who Reconciles, 10/26/2010)

In many churches and in the lives of many believers Christ has a place or at best he is prominent but he is not preeminent! Everything that Jesus is can be summarized in the word preeminent. This morning I want to remind all of us about what the Scriptures say about Jesus.

First: Jesus is the preeminent revealer of the Father. We cannot know God apart from Him.

I. Jesus Reveals the Father

a. The words of the Savior

John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, (God only begotten) which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. This word (declared) fitly closes the Prologue in which the Logos is pictured in marvellous fashion as the Word of God in human flesh, the Son of God with the Glory of God in him, showing men who God is and what he is. Robertson's Word Pictures

Luke 7:19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.

22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

John 8:38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

John 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

b. The words of the Scripture

Notice if you will the word "...image..." in verse 15. This word comes from a Greek word that is translated icon. Everyone who has a multi-media device knows what an icon is. Here the word icon means an "exact replica." Jesus is the extra representation of God the Father. That's why Jesus could say, "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father."