Supreme
Notes
Transcript
SUPREME
SUPREME
Supreme: /so͞oˈprēm/ to be superior to all others. Jesus is supreme!
Today before we get started into the message with Supreme we have to talk about what is supreme to you. Or how do you define SUPREME. I like to think of Supreme like I like my pizza all the fixings from to meat to veggies on it. Or like a car when it comes with all the bells and whistles. In short supreme is above all and is the pinnacle or nirvana of a thing or in our case here above all others. JESUS is SUPREME. REPEAT AFTER ME JESUS IS SUPREME
Historical context:
Apostle Paul is the known author of this letter to the Colossian Church.
Colossae was a city located in the Lycus River Valley in Phrygia... a part in modern day Turkey. The church was established or planted by Paul's coworker Epaphras.
Paul wrote Colossians from jail to deal with some heresies that were circulating among the churches. Particularly one false teaching about the uniqueness and deity of Jesus Christ. Such teachings involved a blending of Jewish and Greek ideas with a potluck of Christian perspective that resulted in a dumbing down of the truth about Christ. But Paul counters with an awesome argument for the deity of Jesus. “He is the image of the invisible God” (col.1:15). Who was responsible for creation and is the head of the church. He is King over all His Kingdom. He is SUPREME!
Paul calls for the rejection of any so-called knowledge, religious or secular, that diminishes the uniqueness of Christ. Paul writes this letter of warning and encouragement. He does not minimize the threat presented by the demonic powers to tear down Christ Jesus but emphasizes the supremacy of Christ over all powers. Paul asserts the unity of Christians with the exalted Christ, which entails their sharing in his power and authority. Paul also takes the opportunity to encourage the church of believers to press on to maturity in Christ by continuing their battle against sin, pursuing holiness in Christ, and learning to live as distinctively Christian households.
Recapping from last week as we have been talking about Jesus being Supreme Pastor Cedric Pointed out last week that:
1. Rejoice While Suffering. This is how I can stand today in front of you having experienced being a widower 2 times....without going into the details of it all understand that the supremacy of Jesus is the only way I can lift my head everyday and even function, breathe or do anything.....HOW DOES GOD USE YOUR SUFFERING AND EXPERIENCES ARE NOT ABOUT YOU BUT FOR PURPOSE. I received a text message 2 Saturdays ago asking, hey I know you’ve been through losing your wife how do you cope can you help me?
2. Every gift from God has a purpose. We all must learn how to use our gifts for purpose. While I have a heavy gift in music I also am very much a preacher teacher and must fulfill our individual purposes in the earth.
3. Christ Lives In You. This helps me more than anyone could ever know.... The thoughts that run through my mind at times. I know The Christ lives in me. what about you?
4. Proclaim the Supremacy of Christ. How do we do that? We do this everyday with how we love each other and our boldness in sharing how real and loving Christ is to us. Our tangible experiences of the Love of Christ. This brings us to a new chapter and a continuation of the series Jesus SUPREME.
Turn with me to Colossians Chapter 2:1-5. We will be reading from the ESV as we use this version here at Dream Church.
English Standard Version (Chapter 2)
2:1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ,
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.
5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
Let us pray......
Point 1. We Shall be United IN LOVE
Paul speaks to the church at Laodicea from prison, expressing his hearts burden for unity....
How should those who are not a part of the family know who we are by the love we show one to another
POINT 2. PERSONAL CONFIDENCE IN CHRIST (SUPREME)v. 2-3
I dont about anyone else but I got excited thinking about the confidence in Jesus being supreme in my own life. You walk different, your swag is a lil different, you.....
Those seasoned Christians when I was growing up would say to me When you know that you know that you know. Or My God is able.....
22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
POINT 3. DO NOT BE DECEIVED v. 4
WHEN I THINK OF DECEPTION I SEEM TO ALWAYS GO BACK TO THE GARDEN WHERE WE SEE OUR FIRST EARTHLY DECEPTION HAPPENS....
18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
POINT 4. STAND FIRM IN YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST v. 5
The elders used to tell me growing up stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.
Or how about this one I have never seen the righteous forsaken or His seed begging for bread.
1 Peter 5:9 (ESV)
9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.