Jesus First
Notes
Transcript
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers 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. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Recap:
Several years after the Colossian church was founded, a dangerous heresy arose to threaten it— what later became known as Gnosticism. Gnosis: is the Greek word for knowledge.
Gnostic’s believed that God is good, but matter is evil, that Jesus Christ was merely one of a series of emanations descending from God and being less than God (a belief that led them to deny His true humanity), and that a secret, higher knowledge above Scripture was necessary for enlightenment and salvation.
Jesus plus a higher knowledge above Scripture.
What other world religions believe about Jesus:
Buddhists do not believe that Jesus was divine, but they do respect him as a wise and enlightened teacher.
The Bahá'í Faith considers Jesus to be one of many manifestations of God, who are a series of personages who reflect the attributes of the divine into the human world. They believe that Jesus was a great teacher and prophet who taught the importance of love, compassion, and service to others.
Muslims believe that Jesus was one of God's highest-ranked and most-beloved prophets.
Mormons believe that God the Father and Jesus Christ are two separate beings, rather than one being in three persons (the Trinity).
Here are some of the key beliefs that Mormons have about Jesus:
· Jesus is the literal Son of God.
· Jesus was born of a virgin, Mary.
· Jesus lived a sinless life.
· Jesus performed miracles.
· Jesus died on the cross for the sins of humanity.
· Jesus rose from the dead.
· Jesus will return to Earth one day.
· Jesus is the only way to salvation.
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Image
The Greek word for image is eikon, from which the English word icon derives. It means “likeness.” Jesus Christ is the perfect image—the exact likeness—of God and is in the very form of God, and has been so from all eternity. By describing Jesus in this manner, Paul emphasizes that He is both the representation and manifestation of God. Thus, He is fully God in every way.
Did you happen to look the mirror as you got up this morning? A mirror does not lie.
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Anyone who had seen me has seen the Father.
When ppl ask me what is God like. I tell them to go and study Jesus in the four gospels.
Remember the Gnostic’s believed that Jesus was less than God.
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Firstborn: “of first importance, of first rank.”
Jesus Christ was not the first being created, since He Himself is the Creator of all things. Firstborn simply means “of first importance, of first rank.” Solomon was certainly not born first of all of David’s sons, yet he was named the firstborn (Ps. 89:27). Firstborn of all Creation means “prior to all Creation.” There was nothing before Him. Jesus Christ is not a created being; He is eternal God.
It’s like the term first lady. The president’s wife is not the first woman ever to live in the White House. She holds the rank of first lady because of her connection to the one in charge.
16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
For in him all things were created
Create: bring (something) into existence.
Humans don’t create things. We build things using the material Jesus has created.
Comedy break /
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
All this I will give you
The creation is offering the Creator what He made.
16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
For in him all things were created
So if He created it all then nothing can separate us from the love of God. - sound like a verse?
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Will be able to separate us from the love of God.
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
In him all things hold together
Laminin: Protein molecule
Laminin is a special kind of protein that helps cells stick together. It is found in the basement membrane, which is a thin layer of tissue that separates cells from other tissues in the body. Laminin helps to keep cells in place and also helps them to communicate with each other.
Imagine that you are building a model car. You need to use glue to attach the different parts of the car together. Laminin is like the glue that helps to attach cells together in the body. It helps to keep cells in place and also helps them to communicate with each other.
Laminin Picture #1 - Microscope
Laminin Picture #2 - Molecule Structure
People are freaking out because it feels like the whole world is falling apart. Just because it out of our hands does not me it is out of His hands.
His hands can hold together what are hands can not. If your life is falling apart put it in the hands of Jesus and He will pull it together.
If your marriage is falling apart. Give it to Jesus and put Him first a let Him hold it together.
Struggle with addiction: Celebrate Recovery
2. We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13 NIV
3. We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1 NIV
18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
And he is the head of the body, the church
Paul uses the human body as a metaphor for the church, of which Christ serves as the head. Just as a body is controlled from the brain, so Christ controls every part of the church and gives it life and direction.
I am not the head of Church on The Hill. Our Leadership board, or our long time members are not either. That is why we are always asking.... God what do you want us to do for your Kingdom.
The customer is always right. - Business
18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
Firstborn from among the dead
Jehovahs Witnesses: Charles Taze Russell / Pittsburgh
Latter Day Saint: Joseph Smith is buried at the Smith Family Cemetery in Nauvoo, Illinois
Islam: mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia which houses the tomb of the Islamic prophet Muhammad
18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
So that in everything he might have the supremacy
Supremacy - to be first!
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
Fullness
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.
Enemies - hateful / hostile
22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Those who have been reconciled will persevere in faith and obedience because, in addition to being declared righteous, they are actually made new creatures (2 Cor. 5:17) with a new disposition that loves God, hates sin, desires obedience, and is energized by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Rather than defect from the gospel they heard, true believers will remain solid on Christ who is the only foundation and faithful by the enabling grace of God.