Jesus is... Sunday July 8, 2018 Introduction Dad s retirement, funeral You know someone - until you see them through another s eyes Experienced that with my dad - at his retirement, and again at his funeral I knew part of his story, but heard so many people speak about his impact in their lives We know Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word We know the story of Jesus - and yet we focus on a narrow part of it - the salvation He provides See Col 1:13-14 (ESV) (13) He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, (14) in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. So much wonderful truth here Background Colossians had come to faith in Christ through Epaphras Paul writes, opening chapter to strengthen their Christology (needs to be strengthened in our day as well) What we believe about who Jesus is defines us 1
Text Col 1:15-20 (ESV) (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. Message Ultimate revelation (v15) God longs to make Himself known to man God has striven to make Himself known to man If you seek me you ll find me! God has revealed himself Creation See Psalm 19:1-4 (NIV) (1)... The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (2) Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. (3) There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. (4) Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.... See Rom 1:19-20 (ESV) (19) For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. (20) For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Through the prophets See Heb 1:1 (ESV) (1) Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, God spoke to men throughout history, revealing himself and his will 2
Jesus is His ultimate revelation Jesus is God in the flesh. See again Col 1:15, 19 (ESV) (15) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. (19) For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, The invisible God became visible - born of a virgin Note: No further revelation Application When we look at Jesus - we see God His love for the sinner His intolerance for self-righteous The reason for creation (v16-17) Col 1:16-17 (ESV) (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. Source of creation All things were created by him All things were created through him Point everything owes its existence to Jesus! Point of creation For him Point: everything was created for Jesus Sustainer in him all things hold together He is what keeps creation going! Applications Separate from creation One Creator - Jesus 3
Rest is creation: lesser than, subservient to, for Him Me and you We are not an accident, but created by Jesus - for Jesus See Eph 2:10 (ESV) (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. As we know that, and move in that - there is joy! Illustrate: Bent butter knife - I have one at home, not quite this bad, but used to pry something with. Definitely not its purpose. Made for slicing and spreading butter. So much better when we do what we are made for No lack There is never a lack with Jesus because He is the Creator The possessor of the preeminent station (v18) Col 1:18 (ESV) (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. Of the church We belong to Jesus He is Head, He is Lord! Of everything As creator of everything - head over everything In everything He might be preeminent Application As a church, we exist for Jesus! The church is His body Together we are the manifestation of Jesus on earth Head over everything - cancer must submit, demons, etc. 4
The means of our reconciliation (v19, 20) Col 1:19-20 (ESV) (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. Consider the price He paid God became flesh to reveal himself to us He walked among us and showed us the life God has He died on the cross - shedding His blood in our place Rejoice in he peace He s made Jesus took us who were far away and made it possible to draw near We made God our enemy, He offers God as our Father Application Place your trust in him If you haven t yet - put your faith in Him See Col 1:21-22 (ESV) (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, Pray for revelation of him See Col 1:9 (ESV) (9) And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, Love grows cold I keep falling in love with Him, over and over and over and over again Persist in your faith in him Battle for our faith - so many things attacking and trying to stop us from crossing the finish line 5
See Col 1:23 (ESV) (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. Remember who He is - spoke the worlds into being Sustains everything Can take care of you Phili 1:6 (ESV) (6) And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 6