Colossians 1:15-23
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 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. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 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. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in His body of flesh by His death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. (ESV)
1. His Superior Identity (v15-16)
When you see Jesus, you see God (John 14:9). He is firstborn of every creature, first in rank, the pre-eminent head of creation.
2. His Superior Importance (v17a)
He is in front and above everyone in the whole universe. How important is He to you?
3. His Superior Sovereignty
a. He is sovereign over creation (v16)
Everything was brought into being by Him and for Him, making all things out of nothing. Only God can create life. Let Jesus be first and highest of all things and see what happens.
b. He is sovereign over His creatures (v17)
He is our Creator and Saviour.
c. He is sovereign over the Church (v18)
The Church exists to bring glory to Jesus Christ. He is to be the centerpiece, the hub around which everything revolves. Everything we do and allow must have one purpose – to exalt Him
4. He is Superior in Salvation
The Colossians proposed various things by which people could be saved, but salvation is to be found in Christ alone.
a. The price of His salvation (v 14) – ‘in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.’
Our sins are forgiven because He died for us. It was free, but it wasn’t cheap.
b. The power of His salvation provides:
(i) redemption from darkness, depravity and doom,
(ii) reconciliation – even we who were afar off were brought near – He changed us, made us to be at peace with God, and
(iii) restoration, the blood of Jesus being so powerful that it can wash the vilest sinner clean.
c. The proof of His salvation, producing an unshakeable commitment to follow Him.