05 31 the supremacy & sufficiency of christ

THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS

Brief Intro to Book of Colossians

AUTHOR: Paul, the Apostle.

DATE: between A.D. 60-63 - Paul's imprisonment at Rome (Acts 28:16, 30-31)

TO WHOM: believers @ Colossae (1:2)

BY WHOM: Tychicus & Onesimus (4:7-9)

PURPOSE: To combat wrong teachings in the Colossae church esp regarding the Person & Lorship of Christ - “Colossian Heresy”

Paul had never visited Colossae (2:1) Most Probably founded by ?Epaphras (1:4-7; 4:12-

13) who is from Colossae.. Epaphras – personally travelled 1500 km to

consult Paul in Rome (4:12)

Outline of Colossians

I. Chp 1 : DOCTRINE

Christ's Supremacy & Sufficiency DECLARED

II. Chp 2 : DANGER

Christ's Supremacy & Sufficiency DEFENDED

III. Chps 3-4 : DUTY

Christ's Supremacy & Sufficiency DISPLAYED

Colossians

I. Chp 1 : DOCTRINE

CHRIST'S SUPREMACY & SUFFICIENCY DECLARED

A. 1:1-8 Lessons in Discipleship 1

1st : FAITH in Christ2nd : LOVE for the brethren3rd : HOPE in heaven

B. 1:9-14 Lessons in Discipleship IIImportance of Prayer Building Deep in Christ Sub-Structure Structure Superstructure

cont. sermon series on Colossians

Title :

The SUPREMACY & SUFFICIENCY of CHRIST

Scripture Ref :

Col 1:15-23

Q. What’s a…Hello…Finally arrived ....Congratulations! ….What’s the color ? ….Nice …. Oh I see, same … Is your wife happy or jealous ?You’ll find yourself very busy taking care …… won’t

have time for ….Yes, hope to have one myself soon …Thanks for calling and letting me know, all the best

to you and your family, take good care of your baby… Bye.

QUESTION : What was that conversation about ?

“halfalogue”

Colossians 1:15-1715 He is the image of the invisible God, the

firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in

heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Colossian Heresy

Believing ….

that matter is evil, SO….

that God did not create the world

BECAUSE …

that Christ was not the Son of God BUT…

that Christ was not the source of salvation

BUT …

Col 1:15-17 The SUPREMACY of CHRISTv15 He is the image of the invisible God,….

GOD is “invisible”Ex 33:20 For no one may see me and live.John 10:30 I and the Father are one.John 10:38 the Father is in me, and I in the

Father.Phil 2:6 Who, being in very nature God,…

Col 1:15-17 The SUPREMACY of CHRIST

v15 He is the image of the invisible God, i. REFLECTS

John 12:45 When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me…

ii. REVEALSJohn 1:18 No one has ever seen God. But the one and only Son is himself God and is near to the Father's heart. He has revealed God to us…

iii. REPRESENTSHeb 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by his powerful word…

Col 1:15-17 The SUPREMACY of CHRISTv15 He is the image of the invisible God,

Why can’t people ‘see’ ?

2 Cor 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Col 1:15-17 The SUPREMACY of CHRIST

v15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

‘firstborn’ Chronological eg Deut 21:17Favored / Honored - Positional

–Ps 89:27 I will also appoint him (King David) my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth.

–Heb 1:6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."

Col 1:15-17 The SUPREMACY of CHRIST

v15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

‘firstborn’

New World Translation Bible

Col 1:15-17 The SUPREMACY of CHRIST

NEW WORLD TRANSLATION15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn

of all creation; 16 because by means of him all other things were

created in the heavens and on the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All other things have been created through him and for him.

17 Also, he is before all other things, and by means of him all other things were made to exist,

Col 1:15-17 The Supremacy of Christ in CREATION

Q: WHO is JESUS CHRIST ?15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. A: GOD

Q: WHO is JESUS CHRIST ?A: CREATOR16 For by him all things were created: things in

heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Col 1:15-17 The Supremacy of Christ in CREATION

16 For BY HIM all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created BY HIM and FOR HIM.

17 He is before all things, and IN HIM all things hold together.

Col 1:15-17 The Supremacy of Christ in CREATION

BY HIM -ALL THINGS were created…heaven and on earth…visible and invisible…thrones or powers or rulers or authorities

Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the RULERS, against the AUTHORITIES, against the POWERS of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the HEAVENLY REALMS.

ALL THINGS were created BY HIM …

Col 1:15-17 The Supremacy of Christ in CREATION

ALL THINGS were created …

BY HIM

FOR HIM…

Q: Is there ‘anything’ that Christ did not create ?

Q: Who is more powerful –the CREATOR or the CREATED ?

Q: Who is my CREATOR ?

Q: Why am I CREATED ?

A: Created FOR HIM ….

Col 1:15-17 The Supremacy of Christ in CREATION

16b all things were created BY HIM and FOR HIM…17 He is before all things,

and IN HIM all things hold together.

We are created BY HIM,

and FOR HIM

so that we might be IN HIM…Ref Acts 17:28a

'For IN HIM we live and move and have our being.'

Col 1:15-17 The Supremacy of Christ in CREATION

17 He is before all things, and in him …ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER.

Ref Heb 1:3 ‘… SUSTAINING ALL THINGS by His powerful word*.’

* Creative Word (Gen 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24)Q: How is your life today ?Q: Is your life ‘falling apart’ ?Q: Do you need someone to ‘hold together’

your life, your family, your dreams ?A: Jesus holds ALL THINGS together

Ask Jesus ….Invite Jesus …

Col 1:15-17 The Supremacy of Christ in CREATION

The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci

Col 1:18-20 The SUFFICIENCY of CHRIST in Re-CREATION18 And he is the head of the body, the church;

he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,

20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Col 1:18-20 The SUFFICIENCY of CHRIST in Re-CREATION

18 And he is the head of the body, the church…Q: Who is the head of the Church ?Q: Who is the head of SSMC ?Eph 1:22-23 “God … appointed him to be head over

EVERYTHING for the church, which is his body…”Eph 4:15-16 “… we will in ALL THINGS grow up into

him who is the Head, that is, Christ. FROM HIM the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament**, GROWS and BUILDS ITSELF UP IN LOVE, as each part does its work.”

Col 1:18-20 The SUFFICIENCY of CHRIST in Re-CREATION

18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning ….. and the firstborn from among the dead .…so that …IN EVERYTHING he might have the SUPREMACY {PREEMINENCE / 1st PLACE }

Col 1:18-20 The SUFFICIENCY of CHRIST in Re-CREATION

19 For God was pleased to have…ALL HIS FULLNESS dwell in him …

20 and THROUGH HIM to reconcile to himself ALL THINGS, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Col 1:18-20 The SUFFICIENCY of CHRIST in Re-CREATION

The SUPREMACY of Christ in CREATION…BY HIM FOR HIM IN HIM

The SUFFICIENCY of CHRIST in Re-CREATION THROUGH HIM … Only possible through Christ …

to reconcile to himself ALL THINGS, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Col 1:18-20 The SUFFICIENCY of CHRIST in Re-CREATION

The SUFFICIENCY of CHRIST in Re-CREATION• THROUGH HIM, Only through Christ …

ONLY WAY• to reconcile to himself ALL THINGS …

FOR EVERYONE• by making peace THROUGH HIS BLOOD,

shed on the cross… PRICE PAID

RE-CREATION• Reconciling sinful, fallen man

back to his CREATOR…• CHRIST ALONE is our SUFFICIENCY

Col 1:21-23 SUMMARY

21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.

22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—

23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Col 1:21-23 SummaryThe SUPREMACY & SUFFICIENCY of CHRIST

21 ONCE you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.

OUR PAST ALIENATIONOur Sin …

Enemies …

Evil behavior …

Col 1:21-23 SummaryThe SUPREMACY & SUFFICIENCY of CHRIST

22 BUT NOW he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—

OUR PRESENT RECONCILIATIONGod’s Plan …Christ’s PaymentMan’s Pardon

Col 1:21-23 SummaryThe SUPREMACY & SUFFICIENCY of CHRIST

23 IF YOU CONTINUE in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

OUR FUTURE GLORIFICATIONContinue in the FAITH…Standing FIRM …Being FAITHFUL …

Col 1:15-23 ConclusionThe SUPREMACY & SUFFICIENCY of CHRIST

Q: What is “LAMININ”Group of glycoproteins, an integral part of the

structural scaffolding in almost every tissue of an organism. …forming part of the basal lamina… vital for the maintenance and survival of tissues.

A component of connective tissue basement membrane that promotes cell adhesion…. a kind of glue …. that hold cells and tissues together.

Wikipedia / Webster Med DictPeter Elkblom & Rupert Timpl

Col 1:15-23 ConclusionThe SUPREMACY & SUFFICIENCY of CHRIST

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

17 He is before all things, and IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER.

Col 1:15-23 ConclusionThe SUPREMACY & SUFFICIENCY of CHRIST

Christ for me - my substitution & sacrifice Christ for me - my only acceptable standing before

God. Christ in me - my sanctification & satisfactionChrist in me - my only true victory over sin Christ through me - my service & sufficiencyChrist through me - my only real power for spiritual

ministryChrist dying for me – I am Christ-purchasedChrist living in me – I am Christ-possessedChrist working through me - I am Christ-permeated

Col 1:15-23 ConclusionThe SUPREMACY & SUFFICIENCY of CHRIST

To many people …Jesus is important …

BUT NOT ESSENTIAL. Jesus has a place in our lives …

BUT NOT FIRST PLACE. Jesus is prominent …

BUT NOT PREEMINENT. We are living for ourselves …

BUT NOT LIVING FOR CHRIST.

Q: WHAT ABOUT YOU ?