1. T HE P REEMINENCE OF J ESUS C HRIST Colossians 1:15-20 T HE P REEMINENCE OF J ESUS C HRIST Colossians 1:15-20

2. H IDDEN T REASURE

3. T HE P REEMINENCE OF J ESUS C HRIST 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 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. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 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. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

4. T HE P REEMINENCE OF J ESUS C HRIST 18 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. 19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 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. (Colossians 1:15-20) 18 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. 19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 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. (Colossians 1:15-20)

5. A. J ESUS IS SUPREME BECAUSE H E IS G OD 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Image – exact representationImage – exact representation In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

6. A. J ESUS IS SUPREME BECAUSE H E IS G OD 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… (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… (Hebrews 1:3)

7. A. J ESUS IS SUPREME BECAUSE H E IS G OD Image – manifestationImage – manifestation And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) No one has ever seen God. The One and Only Son— the One who is at the Father’s side— He has revealed Him. (John 1:18)No one has ever seen God. The One and Only Son— the One who is at the Father’s side— He has revealed Him. (John 1:18)

8. A. J ESUS IS SUPREME BECAUSE H E IS G OD “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:13)“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:13) “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30 )“I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30 ) “He who has seen Me has seen the Father…” (John 14:9)“He who has seen Me has seen the Father…” (John 14:9)

9. A. J ESUS IS SUPREME BECAUSE H E IS G OD For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form... (Colossians 2:9)For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form... (Colossians 2:9)

10. T HE R EAL J ESUS C HRIST ?

11. B. J ESUS IS SUPREME BECAUSE H E IS THE SOVEREIGN K ING OF ALL CREATION He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. (Colossians 1:15)He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. (Colossians 1:15) Firstborn – highest position, rank, statusFirstborn – highest position, rank, status “I also shall make him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.” (Psalm 89:27)“I also shall make him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.” (Psalm 89:27)

12. C. …H E IS THE C REATOR AND S USTAINER OF THE UNIVERSE 16 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. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:16-17) 16 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. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:16-17)

13. C. …H E IS THE C REATOR AND S USTAINER OF THE UNIVERSE “Paul’s use of three different prepositions is one way of refuting the philosophy of the false teachers. For centuries, the Greek philosophers had taught that everything needed a primary cause, an instrumental cause, and a final cause. The primary cause is the plan, the instrumental cause the power, and the final cause the purpose. When it comes to Creation, Jesus Christ is the primary cause (He planned it), the instrumental cause (He powerfully produced it), and the final cause (He did it for His own pleasure).” - Warren Wiersbe“Paul’s use of three different prepositions is one way of refuting the philosophy of the false teachers. For centuries, the Greek philosophers had taught that everything needed a primary cause, an instrumental cause, and a final cause. The primary cause is the plan, the instrumental cause the power, and the final cause the purpose. When it comes to Creation, Jesus Christ is the primary cause (He planned it), the instrumental cause (He powerfully produced it), and the final cause (He did it for His own pleasure).” - Warren Wiersbe

14. C. …H E IS THE C REATOR AND S USTAINER OF THE UNIVERSE “Several steps are involved in the construction of a building. First, an architect is obtained to design the building and prepare plans and specifications in accordance with the expressed desires of the owner. Then the plans are submitted for bids by builders or contractors, and a builder secured. After the completion of the edifice, it is occupied by the owner and devoted to its intended use. Our Lord is not only the builder of the universe; He is also its architect and owner.“Several steps are involved in the construction of a building. First, an architect is obtained to design the building and prepare plans and specifications in accordance with the expressed desires of the owner. Then the plans are submitted for bids by builders or contractors, and a builder secured. After the completion of the edifice, it is occupied by the owner and devoted to its intended use. Our Lord is not only the builder of the universe; He is also its architect and owner.

15. C. …H E IS THE C REATOR AND S USTAINER OF THE UNIVERSE All things have been created in Him (the eternal plans for the creation abide in Him), by Him (He acted as builder), and for Him (the creation belongs to Him and is to reflect His glory).” - S. Lewis Johnson, Jr.All things have been created in Him (the eternal plans for the creation abide in Him), by Him (He acted as builder), and for Him (the creation belongs to Him and is to reflect His glory).” - S. Lewis Johnson, Jr.

16. C. …H E IS THE C REATOR AND S USTAINER OF THE UNIVERSE 16 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. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:16-17) 16 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. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:16-17) All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. (John 1:3)All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. (John 1:3)

17. C. …H E IS THE C REATOR AND S USTAINER OF THE UNIVERSE

18. Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31) He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:17)He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:17) “You have not glorified the God who holds your breath in His hand and who controls the whole course of your life.” (Daniel 5:23)“You have not glorified the God who holds your breath in His hand and who controls the whole course of your life.” (Daniel 5:23)

19. T HE P REEMINENCE OF J ESUS C HRIST 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. (Colossians 1:18)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. (Colossians 1:18)

20. T HE P REEMINENCE OF J ESUS C HRIST

21. Colossians 1:15-20 T HE P REEMINENCE OF J ESUS C HRIST Colossians 1:15-20