Colossians The Surpassing Greatness of Jesus Look At The Book! Colossians The Surpassing Greatness of Jesus

That Amazing Savior Jesus! Paul records some of the most profound insights into the person and power of Jesus. In Colossians we have one of the most tremendous passages ever discussing the all surpassing nature of Jesus. The passage begins with praise for God the Father for rescuing us from darkness. It proceeds to speak words of soaring praise for Jesus the Lord. Let’s give thanks today for our wonderful Savior.

Colossians 1:13-20 “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him….

Cont….. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”

Jesus IS Creator God Vs. 15-16 – “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.”

He Is The Image Of The Invisible God Being able to see God as man on earth is stunning! Hebrews 1:3 -- And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high….”

Firstborn Of All Creation Indicates Christ’s Preeminence Not of TIME, but of Eminence Firstborn is a title of Messiah He is Supreme above all His creation

Creator …of all things visible and invisible. Hebrews 1:2 – “…in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.” God worked with Christ and the Holy Spirit in the creation. There is only one God, but He exists in three persons – all three were involved in the creation of everything that is. Our Creator is also our Savior!

Christ Establishes Thrones/Dominions “For by Him all things were created….whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities.” Ephesians 6:2 – For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. I Peter 3:22 -- … who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.

II. Jesus Is Our Sovereign Verse 17-18 -- He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

He Is Before All Things John 8:58 -- “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” He sustains all things. He is the head of the body, which is the church. Ephesians 5:23 -- For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.

He Is The Beginning Of All Things Verse 18 – “He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead.” Since firstborn indicates preeminence, Jesus is the first to be resurrected from the dead never to die again. Through His resurrection we have resurrection.

First Place In Everything John 1:1-3 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. Revelation 1:4-5 -- John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—

All Fullness Belongs To Him Verses 19-20 – “For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” By God’s good pleasure… Psalm 2:1-3, 6 --Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!” But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

The Fullness Of What? Colossians 2:9 – “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form….” Bringing reconciliation and peace with God through His blood. Hebrews 2:17 -- Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

So We Can Be Blameless… Christ has made us blameless. That is the heart of the gospel. We have been forgiven everything. So rejoice! And share the gospel!