Text: Colossians 1:12-22 12. Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14. In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15. Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20. And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
Introduction: In our age there seems to be many varying thoughts concerning The Lord Jesus Christ. There are many false religions in the world today that would have you believe that He was nothing more than a mere man that went about doing good. They will tell you that He was a great teacher and preacher. They will tell you that He was nothing more than you and I, but because He was such a good man God elevated him to a position above us. All of these various views of our Lord are wrong. By God’s marvelous help we would like to take the Bible and rip these heresies into shreds. By God’s help we would like to present you with a glimpse of who Jesus really is; “Our Pre-eminent Savior”. It is my most earnest prayer that after the message you will be left with a breath-taking view of Christ, our most glorious Lord.
Consider these few thoughts concerning the pre-eminence of our Lord:
I. He is pre-eminent in His Person. (V.15)
~ Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
To further expound the pre-eminence of His person we would like to consider the following scripture:
~ John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Notice what the apostle John has to say concerning Christ. He says that Jesus is:
A. Eternally God.
In the beginning was the Word…
The word beginning does not refer to a start; rather it refers to an infinite state. In other words there has never been a time when Jesus has not existed. Before there was time, He was present. He has always existed because He is eternally God.
B. Equally God.
…and the Word was with God…
Jesus was with God in total equality. All that God is, Jesus is. All God that possesses, Jesus possesses.
C. Essentially God.
…and the Word was God.
Jesus is essentially God. All the characteristics of deity are seen in Him.
II. He is pre-eminent in His Power. (Vv.16-17)
~ Colossians 1:16-17 16. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Our Lord far excels all others in power. He holds all power in heaven and earth in His hands. Just consider for a moment the following truths concerning His power:
A. His Creative power.
Verse 16 declares His creative power. It tells us that he created all things. We find this truth in an even more forceful declaration in John 1:3. There we find that, All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. He made all things from the largest to the smallest, from the most visible to the invisible, from the highest to the most humble. Without Him there would be nothing because He created it all.
B. His Controlling power.
Verse 17 tells us that by him all things consist. This word consist actually means to be held together. He not only made all things, He controls and keeps all things. Consider the perfect order of our solar system; Jesus is the controlling force behind it. Consider the harmony of nature; Jesus is the controlling force behind the harmony. Just think for a moment what would happen if Jesus lifted his finger of control. The world and everything about it would experience total chaos and devastation.
Oh yes, we serve a most powerful Lord indeed. He is truly pre-eminent in power.
III. He is pre-eminent in His Parish. (V.18)
~ Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Who is it that is that has been exalted as head of the church? It is Christ Jesus our pre-eminent Lord. In His pre-eminent position He is our:
A. Governor.
It is none other than Jesus who governs the church. As the head of our physical bodies govern the every movement that we make so is our spiritual head to do the same. He is the head of the church regardless of what some may think.
B. Glory.
If the church has anything to glory in it is Jesus. It is He that adorns the church in regal splendor. What is it that makes the church beautiful? It is He who loved it and gave himself for it. Jesus is the church’s glory.
IV. He is pre-eminent in His Passion. (Vv.20-22)
No one has ever had a greater passion for fallen man than our glorious Savior. Consider two thoughts with me concerning His great passion for us:
A. Consider His Reconciling passion.
Who is our reconciler? It is Jesus and Him alone. It is He who brought reconciliation between fallen man and holy God. How did He do it you may ask? He did it by stretching forth his hands upon the cross and taking us by one hand and God the father by the other. He is the one who bridged the gap. Without Him we would forever be at enmity with God, but through Him we now have peace with God.
B. Consider His Redeeming passion.
Not only was it His desire to reconcile, it was also His passion to redeem. Verse 14 of this very chapter tells us that we have redemption through His blood. The sin debt has been settled. Our precious Savior has paid it in full. We have had our sins washed away through Calvary’s most precious flow.
Thanks be unto God for his great passion toward us. It was His desire to save you before it was your desire to come to him. When did He set His great heart of affection toward us? Our Lord’s great passion for us has been from since before the foundation of the world.
Conclusion: Blessed be our most grand and glorious Savior. There is no doubt about it, He is pre-eminent in all of these things which we have mentioned. However there is one area that I am curious about. Does He have the pre-eminence in your life? If He does not, let me say that He needs to, rather let me say that you need Him to. It is my prayer that if you do not know Jesus that you will come to know of His pre-eminent passion for you.
