The Supremacy of Christ
Pastor Chang Kim
Colossians 1:15-20
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Introduction: John Piper’s book Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ
What we are to know is this: Jesus is the fullest and deepest revelation of God, to see Jesus is to see the Father.
The first truth is Jesus is the Lord of all creation.
I. Jesus is the Lord of all creation vv15a, 19
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell
To clarify Christ’s identity Apostle Paul begins with the bold statement that the “He is the image of the invisible God” of which “in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.
II. Jesus is the Firstborn vv15b-17
the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together
The words “by Him” is meant to be understood as Christ the agent and not the recipient of God’s work of creation.
1 Corinthians 15:27-28
27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
Romans 8:37-39 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:31-35 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
III. Christ is the Head of the Church v18
18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Here are some reasons why Jesus is the head of the church:
1. He founded the church
2. He gave the church life through His death and resurrection
3. Jesus was exalted in His resurrection, ascension, and sitting at the right hand of God
4. Jesus was given authority in heaven and on earth before commissioning His disciples
5. Christ rules and nourishes the church through His Word
6. Christ transcends all things, stands over all things, and had supremacy in everything
7. Christ is fully God
8. Christ rules with love
9. Jesus is the head of the church because of His primary role in our creation and our redemption
IV. Christ is our Redeemer v20
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
A redeemer is someone who is entrusted with securing one’s release from harm, enslavement or some other binding obligation. What the redeemer does is it restores the lost rights by paying whatever prices is required to set that person free.
Colossians 1:13-14
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Romans 8:1-4
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Conclusion
Discussion Questions:
Contrast us being created in the image of God and Jesus being the image of God?
Why was it important for the church of Colossae to be reminded Jesus is the Firstborn?
How is Christ head of the Church?
How has Christ redeemed us?