Christ Above All

Don Vickers

Colossians • Sermon • Submitted 7 years ago

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Christ Above All

Colossians 1:15-20

Colossians 1:15–20 NKJV

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

Just Who Is Jesus?

There are many ideas of who Jesus is. Some say He was a good moral teacher, or perhaps a he was a prophet that pointed people towards God. Some say He was a leader of social change - elevating women and those who had been discarded by society. Some say he was just a man and others believe Him to be the Son of God.

Who is Jesus to your friends? To the people you come in contact with? Who would they say Jesus is?

More importantly, who do you claim Jesus is? How you answer this question will impact how you view the circumstances that come against your life, how you view church and how you believe you can be in a right relationship with God.

When Paul writes to the church in Colassae, there were false teachers who were not totally trying to discard Jesus but teaching that he was just one of many. Not understanding who Jesus was they taught that Jesus was just one of the many expressions that could lead towards God. He was good, but He was surely not God.

To counter this, Paul writes to share with those in Colassae and with us, just who this Jesus really is! This is a tremendous passage of scripture that removes any doubt about or confusion about just who Jesus is.

First, Paul declares . . .

He is the image of the invisible God!

In the Greek, the word used for image is used to describe something that is a representation of something. The object represented what is pictured. It is often used in the context of an image on a coin, a portrait, or a statue. The idea was that the image corresponded with the original.

But Jesus was more than just a representation. The Bible tells us that we too are created in the image of God. We have attributes of God - intellect, emotion, and will - but we are not a perfect representation. We are flawed in our representation of God. He is Holy, and we are sinful.

We are not morally like God because He is holy and we are sinful.

Jesus is the perfect representation of God. He is God in the flesh.

Johns 1: 28 tells us . . .

Jesus is the perfect representation of God. He is God in the flesh.

John 1:18 NKJV

No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

It is like our photograph.

1 Timothy 1:17 NKJV

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

It is like our photograph.

The Bible tells us that God is not visible - J. B. Phillips translates this passage this way, “Christ is the visible expression of the invisible God.” In Jesus, God - who is otherwise invisible is made visible to us. Christ has shown us God - His righteousness, goodness, wisdom, power - His entire self. Jesus is the perfect representation of God.

It is like our photograph.

It also is used to describe a manifestation. When used this way, it was more than a symbol. It was the actual presence of the object.

Look at Hebrews 1:3

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Lets take a look at Jesus’ conversation with Phillip in

John 14:8–11 NKJV

Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

John 14:8–11 NKJV

where Paul states that Jesus is the “exact representation” of God. and

John 18 NKJV

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. 2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. 3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.” 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?” 12 Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. 13 And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. 14 Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. 15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. 17 Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself. 19 The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. 20 Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. 21 Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.” 22 And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?” 24 Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. 25 Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not!” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” 27 Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed. 28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. 29 Pilate then went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” 30 They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.” 31 Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” 32 that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die. 33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all. 39 “But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

John 1:8 NKJV

8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

Jesus not only claims to be the Son of God, he claims to be God in the flesh and the Bible supports his claims! C. S. Lewis popularized the logic that If Jesus’ claims of being God are not true, He has to be a madman or a lunatic. If He is neither God nor a lunatic, he has to be a liar, deceiving others by his lie. But if he is not a lunatic, nor a liar His claims must be true - He is God.

Second, if he is neither God nor a lunatic, he has to be a liar, deceiving others by his lie.

Third, if he is neither of these, he must be God.

Not only is Jesus the image of the invisible God.

Paul declares that Jesus is the image of the invisible God and . . .

which states that Jesus “has made him known.”

He is the firstborn over all creation!

which states that Jesus “has made him known.”

He is the firstborn over all creation!

which states that Jesus “has made him known.”

This is a term that is not talking about time - Paul is not talking about the first one born, instead the focus of the word in on position or rank. You see, there were and are those who believe that Jesus was just another created being.

But Paul declares that Jesus is the firstborn - the highest rank - in all of creation and in verse sixteen, Paul expands on this thought.

In verse sixteen, Paul expands on this thought.

He is the creator of all things!

He is over all of creation and He is not a part of creation. He is the creator. In fact declares . . .

John 1:3 NKJV

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

Because He is the creator, He is supreme over all of creation. The false teachers of Paul’s day were happy to say that He was just one of many things that could lead us to God. We have friend who would say that Jesus was just like us, but would not agree that He is God. But Paul declares him to be the creator, and as such Jesus is divine, He is God.

Everything was created by Jesus and for Jesus. Sometimes we are tempted to see the things that take place in our lives as so big and Jesus being so small in comparison when the reality is the opposite. There is nothing that we face that is bigger than Jesus. There is no problem or issue that we face that has control over Jesus! He is over anything in creation, and if we His, there is nothing we face that He is not able to handle.

In verse seventeen, Paul reminds us that

He is before all things!

Jesus is eternally existent (an attribute that can only be true of God). He is before all things - true of creation and Thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities. Nothing of creation, nothing of a created being or authority can rise above Jesus. And . . .

In Him all things consist!

Because of Jesus, all things hold together. He is the glue that keeps everything from unraveling.

Then Paul tells us . . .

Becasue

He is the head of the church!

Jesus is also the head of the church. Jesus established the church. He is the church’s source of life and vitality. The church takes its direction and is under the authority of Jesus.

The church is a body of believers who owe our allegiance to Jesus. he is the head of all things. He must be the center of who we are and what we do. The church must be about the business of Jesus. To make disciples. If we are not in that business, we have moved away form being the church that Jesus established and become our own organization! We must recognize that He is our head. Our constitution, and our preferences must come under His authority. When we find ourselves no living in a way that honors Him, we must repent and return to His direction for our lives. Paul gives two reasons why Jesus is the head of the church.

Because of His resurrection!

Jesus is the firstborn among the dead. Again, here, being firstborn is not talking about time, but preeminence. Lazarus rose before Jesus, but Jesus is first in rank. Others were raised to die again. Jesus would conquer death and because of this great truth, we are assured of our own resurrection. states . . .

1 Corinthians 15:20–23 NKJV

But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.

1 Corinthians 1

Because of the work of reconciliation!

Becasue of the work of reconciliation

Reconciliation is the removal of hostility and the restoring of friendly relations to parties who have been at war. Paul tells us that this was accomplished by the blood that is shed on the cross.

So Christ is above all! He is God in the flesh. He is above all of creation, and He is the head of the church.

Jesus died a terrible death for us - so that we could be reconciled to God. Reconciliation involves two prerequisites. Both parties must have a willingness to be reconciled, and there must be an occasion that brings them together. God has demonstrated his willingness and provided the occasion by taking the initiative to send Jesus. Our part is to submit to Jesus. We will be brought into right relationship with God, with Creation and with one another in Him.

Have you ever responded to God’s great gift? If not, you can agree to be reconciled to Him today. There is no other way! Jesus is God in the flesh! He comes to five us life, and our part is to repent and trust in Him for our salvation.

Are you experiencing something that seems so big? Have you seen that obstacle as bigger than Jesus in your life? I want to encourage you today to remember that you are in God’s hands and there is nothing that can remove you from His hand. He has promised not to leave you nor forsake you. You may be walking a difficult path, but with Jesus you are not walking alone!

Are you frustrated with the church? You feel like you like Jesus, but not the church. Let me challenge you. The church belongs to Jesus. We are imperfect and there are times when we are selfish and self serving. That is not the design of the church. We are to become more and more like Jesus in community together. Sometimes that gets messy and sometimes we miss it, but I tell you that for most of us - we want to be like Him. We want others to know Him more and more each day. Don’t give up on church! It belongs to Jesus.