The Supremacy Of Jesus Christ Series

THE SUPREMACY OF JESUS CHRIST

COLOSSIANS 1:15-23

GREENMOUNT AND O’LEARY CHURCHES OF CHRIST OCTOBER 30, 2016

[Sermon 3 of __ in series on Colossians]

Audio Link to hear the preaching of this message: http://chirb.it/JHqyG5

INTRODUCTION:

1.) Today there are many who have a great deal of trouble with Jesus, and who He is.

2.) It is ok to say we believe in and worship God, but many become upset when we begin to speak of or to acknowledge Jesus His Son.

A.) There are times in public events when ministers are even told they cannot pray in the name of Jesus.

o Perhaps part of the reason for this is that the term “God” has become kind of a generic term that has come to mean whoever or whatever you want it to mean or to worship.

Today when people say “God it can refer to the true and living God, or Buddha, or Allah, or someone else.

o When we speak of Jesus it makes people uncomfortable because He has himself demanded total allegiance and worship even to the exclusion of all others.

3.) Today as we continue to look at Colossians 1, we will look at the Supremacy of Jesus Christ.

A.) As we see Jesus in Colossians 1, we will see Him as He truly is.

B.) It is when we see him on par with the Living God, that we can understand some of what that means,

ba.) It is when we see Him in this light that we comprehend why His name is so intimidating and despised by the world.

I) THE SUPREMACY OF JESUS CHRIST IN PHYSICAL CREATION IS PROOF THAT HE IS GOD.

1.) He is the image of the invisible God.

A.) “God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him.” (1:19).

B.) It is when we recognize Jesus the Christ as an absolute equal in every way with Jehovah God that our view of him is in line with the Word of God.

ba.) When Paul spoke to the church at Colossae he proclaimed the identity of Jesus the Christ.

C.) What exactly did Paul mean when he said that Jesus is the image of the invisible God?

caa.) Certainly there would be reference to that sinless state of purity that had existed in Eden before man had entered into sin.

.01) It was a time when man existed in perfect fellowship and harmony with God His creator.

.02) Certainly Jesus, the second Adam could be described in this manner. He had never sinned, so was in perfect harmony and fellowship with God the Father.

cab.) I believe there is also a second and much higher understanding of what Paul is saying as well.

.01) From at least the time of the fall of man, God has been separate from His creation because of sin.

.011) Sin has placed between the human race and our God a barrier that man could never cross over.

.0111) What that means is that man can no longer see the face of God, nor can we stand in His presence without the greatness of His glory destroying us.

.0112) God told Moses that no man can see the face of God and live (Exod.33:20)

.02) As the image of the invisible God, Jesus brought God to this earth in a human body.

.021) Even though we cannot see the face of God the Father and live, Jesus has brought the fullness of the person of God to this earth in himself.

.0211) It is exactly for this reason that the name and person of Jesus is so rejected and despised today.

.0212) It is far easier and more desirable for man to picture God as we would design or envision Him than to see God as He really is.

o The world’s image of God is only love, He is pictured as a kind and loving grandfather image who does not demand holiness, and will condone sin without accountability or judgment.

o This is not the God of the Bible, nor who is seen in the person of Jesus.

.022) Jesus himself stated: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)

.023) Yes truly, Jesus came to this earth giving man a vision of the person of God.

.0231) There is also another side of the person of Jesus.

2.) He is the firstborn over all creation.

A.) As the image of the invisible God, he came to earth as God.

B.) Jesus was 100% God, but He was also 100% man.

ba.) As the God-man, Jesus lived and worked on this earth as a man, even though He was God.

bb.) Jesus is the firstborn over all creation.

ba.) As the second Adam, he was the firstborn of creation.