What Holds The World Together? Series

WHAT HOLD THE WORLD TOGETHER?

© 2001 Dr. Roy Mason

Colossians 1: 13-20

Once again this week we have been shocked to learn of more school shootings around our country. The tragedies of the past have apparently done nothing to change the minds and hearts of people. When such a senseless tragedy strikes, we wonder,

“What in the world is going on?”

Today, as never before, we are seeing marriages ending in divorce. Divorce caused by a lack of commitment – to one another, to our words, and most importantly, to God. Young and old alike, chase the fantasies and fallacies of blind lust and selfishness. We ask ourselves,

“What in the world is going on?”

The more correct question for us to be asking is this: What is holding this world together? Warren Wiersbe relates the following story:

A guide took a group of people through and atomic laboratory and explained how all matter was composed of rapidly moving electric particles. The tourists studies models of molecules and were amazed top learn that matter is made up primarily of space. During the Q&A period one visitor asked, “If this is the way matter works, what hold it all together?” For that, the guide had no answer.

This morning we continue our series entitle, NO MATTER THE QUESTION: JESUS IS THE ANSWER! Today we address the great question: What hold’s the world together. Let’s read Colossians 1: 13-20 and consider these answers.

The world is held together by relationships. Notice with me God’s …

A RELATIONSHIP WITH SINNERS

(13-14)

A. He Rescued Us (Col 1:13 -- For He delivered us from the domain of darkness …”)

B. He Removed Us. (Col 1:13 -- For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,)

C. He Redeemed Us. (v14a -- in whom we have redemption)

D. He Released Us. ( v14b – the forgiveness of sins.)

A RELATIONSHIP WITH SPACE

(15-17)

A. The Priority of Creation (Col 1:15 -- And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation.)

B. The Power of Creation (Col 1:16a -- For by Him all things were created, {both} in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- )

C. The Purpose of Creation (Col 1:16 -- For by Him all things were created, {both} in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created by Him and for Him.)

D. The Paste of Creation (Col 1:17 -- And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.)

A RELATIONSHIP WITH SAINTS

(v18)

A. The Position of Christ (Col 1:18 -- He is also head of the body, the church …)

B. The Pre-eminence of Christ (Col 1:18 -- He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything.)

A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SOVEREIGN

(v19-20)

A. The Will of God (Col 1:19 -- For it was the {Father’s} good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,)

B. The Way of God (Col 1:20 -- and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, {I say} whether things on earth or things in heaven.)

Conclusion

The world is held together by a relationship with Jesus Christ. Today, you are either in or out of a relationship with Him. If you are not a Christian, your only hope is the Lord Jesus. If you are a Christian, the success you enjoy in life will always be in direct proportion to your relationship with Him. Remember, NO MATTER THE QUESTION: Jesus is the Answer!