COLOSSIANS 1:15-23

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. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 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, 23 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.

COLOSSIANS 1:15-23 DOCTRINAL TRUTHS Jesus Christ is God Jesus Christ is The Creator of all things Jesus Christ is The Sustainer of all things Jesus Christ is The Head of the church Jesus Christ is The Reconciler of all things Jesus Christ is The Supreme Lord Jesus Christ is The Sufficient Savior

LAW OF NON-CONTRADICTION PLURALISM CANNOT BE TRUE Jesus Christ is God Jesus Christ is The Creator of all things Jesus Christ is The Sustainer of all things Jesus Christ is The Head of the church Jesus Christ is The Reconciler of all things Jesus Christ is The Supreme Lord Jesus Christ is The Sufficient Savior

JESUS CHRIST IS GOD He is the image of the invisible God… 1:15a In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. John 1:1,18 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature…Heb.1:3

ONE TRIUNE GOD The Father is The Eternal God The Son, Jesus Christ, is The Eternal God The Holy Spirit is The Eternal God One God (What) in Three Persons (Who) Not: –One God in one person –One God in three modes –Three Gods in three persons –Progressive development of new Gods

JESUS CHRIST IS THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS 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.

JESUS CHRIST IS THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:3 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Hebrews 1:1-2

JESUS CHRIST IS THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS Why is there something and not nothing? How did living things originate? How did different living things originate? When did violence, disease and death begin? Apologetics: –Arbitrary? –Inconsistent? –Consequences? –Pre-conditions for knowledge?

JESUS CHRIST IS THE SUSTAINER OF ALL THINGS And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 1:17 …and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. Hebrews 1:3 Why “laws of nature” & not random chaos? All science depends on inductive inference. Inductive inference depends on universality. Universality depends on a sustainer.

JESUS CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH 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. 1:18 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1 Cor. 15:11-20

JESUS CHRIST IS THE RECONCILER OF ALL THINGS 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. 1:19-20 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11

JESUS CHRIST IS THE RECONCILER OF ALL THINGS 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, 1:21-22 Justification Sanctification Glorification Grace alone; Faith alone; Christ alone

JESUS CHRIST IS THE RECONCILER OF ALL THINGS 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. 1:21-23

JESUS CHRIST IS THE RECONCILER OF ALL THINGS They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 1John 2:19 Perseverance of the saints is scriptural. The saints are the ones who persevere.

JESUS CHRIST IS SUPREME LORD AND SUFFICIENT SAVIOR Jesus Christ is God Jesus Christ is The Creator of all things Jesus Christ is The Sustainer of all things Jesus Christ is The Head of the church Jesus Christ is The Reconciler of all things IS HE NOW PREEMINENT IN YOUR LIFE?