“The Preeminence Of Jesus Christ” – Colossians 1:15-20
If our understanding of Who He is and What He has done is not right, we will find ourselves so far off course that we would be off the map of Christianity.
I. The Preeminence of Jesus in
Colossians 1:15-17 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Matthew 22:20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
Revelation 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Psalm 89:27 Also I will make him my firstborn, Higher than the kings of the earth.
In all of creation, Jesus Who is the representation and manifestation of God is preeminent.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Jesus is God in flesh; He is coeternal, coequal, and coexistent with God the Father.
II. The Preeminence of Jesus in the
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Matthew 16:18b Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
III. The Preeminence of Jesus in
Colossians 1:19-20 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.