The Preeminent Christ
Colossians Series #4
The Preeminent Christ (Col. 1:15-18)
By Bill Denton
Introduction
A. Illustration
Sam Bronfman, the late CEO of the Seagram Company, entered a crowded conference room
and, anxious to get on with the meeting, plopped into the nearest chair. One of his young
assistants immediately said, "No, Mr. Bronfman, you're supposed to sit at the head of the
table."
"Young man," replied Mr. Bronfman, "wherever I sit is the head of the table."
Leadership Journal (5-7-96) p. 12
1. What a natural mistake that young man made. Too often we think the head of the table is
merely a spot at one end, or perhaps the central position designated by the architecture of
table
2. In reality, the head of the table is defined by the person who holds the preeminent
position by virtue of power or authority
B. Modern America is involved in a conflicting dance when it comes to the idea of preeminence
1. On one hand, we're in awe of people who power and authority, often determined by
wealth or some position they hold
2. On the other hand, we resist the idea of preeminence, displaying instead attitudes that
insist that one person is as good as another, or that no one ought to be held in some
supreme place over everyone else
3. Like it or not, people often submit themselves to some perceived superior person,
or philosophy, a political view, or wealth -- allowing whatever is superior to rule
C. How are Christians supposed to handle this problem
1. Listen carefully to those who criticize or challenge Christianity and you will find that
at the heart of the conflict is an attempt to dismiss Jesus as inferior
2. Many Christians do not really understand the significance of doctrines that teach of
the supremacy or preeminence of Jesus Christ
3. If you do not settle this issue, you will be forever leaning toward whatever wind that
blows in from the philosophers, religious teachers, and gurus of various kind
D. Today, we'll take just a brief look at some basic thoughts on the preeminence of Jesus
I. A Greatly Over-Simplified Problem
A. Illustration
Hilary Swank, 1999's Oscar winner for Best Actress and wife of actor Chad Lowe, was asked, "Where does Jesus fit into all of [your and your husband's success]?" She responded:
It's not like we're Catholic or Christian or Episcopal or practice Judaism or Buddhism even. We just kind of believe in a higher power and that doesn't mean a man God, or someone on a cross. It just means that we all have god-like qualities. We have the power inside of us to do good things. But I don't want you to write it like I'm freaky. -- Jeff Johnson, "I am Hilary Swank's Bestest New Girlfriend," Jane (October 2001), p. 128
1. I realize that I'm about to greatly over-simplify the modern problem
2. Swank's statement is telling and it is illustrative of a growing view among many people
( call it "New Age" if you want, but it's really "old age" religious philosophy)
a. somehow, "God" doesn't require God, much less a Jesus
b. this view elevates man from the sin-ridden creature in need of
redemption, to something with "god-like" qualities inside, and
power to do good
B. This is so much like the deception Eve fell for it's not funny
1. Genesis 3:1-6
1Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” 2The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’ ” 4The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! 5“For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. NASB95
2. Since the garden, man's struggle has been elevating himself and demoting God
3. I remember reading a long time ago that someone suggested that the essence of
sin is man trying to take the place of God - if that's not a problem with our view
of God, and by extension, Jesus, then I don't know what it is
C. This attitude is at the heart of a lot of our problems with faith and faithfulness
1. At the root of the problem is the thought that Jesus is somehow just not enough
2. What we need to learn is the truth about the preeminence of Jesus over everything that
exists - both the created world and the spiritual realm; learn that and it settles all doubts
II. Paul's Magnificent Statement About Jesus
A. Paul addressed the preeminent nature of Jesus (Col 1:15)
1. Colossians 1:15
15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. NASB95
2. Note these passages as well
a. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. NASB95
b. Hebrews 1:1-3
1God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3And 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, NASB95
3. The Greek idea of image is that it shared in the reality of the thing it revealed
a. it was not thought of as something distinct from the thing revealed
1) for example: we send a fax to someone and they receive an "image" of
what we sent, but we think of the two things, the original and the fax, as
two distinct things
2) someone "reproduces" a painting - we don't think of the two things as
the same
3) but the Greek idea of "image" is that the image shared in the reality of
the original
b. David Garland: "As the image of God, Christ is an exact, as well as visible,
representation of God . . . illuminating God's essence."
c. Garland: "As God's representation and representative, Christ brings clarity to
our hazy notions of the immortal, invisible God, who lives in unapproachable
light. . . In Christ we see who God is - Creator and Redeemer; what God is
like - a God of mercy and love; and what God does - one who sends his Son to
rescue people from the dominion of darkness and brings reconciliation of all
creation through his death on a cross.
4. Humans beings were created in the image of God, but only Jesus is the perfect,
unblemished, complete image of the Divine Reality that is God
B. We must see the connection of Jesus to the created order (Col 1:15-17)
1. Colossians 1:15-17
15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For 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. 17He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
2. The idea of "firstborn of all creation"
a. it doesn't mean that Jesus was the first one born, or the first one created
b. here the term is used to mean "status"
c. Jesus holds a preeminent position over all creation
3. He holds this position by divine right as creator and sustainer of all
a. in Him (or by Him) all things were created
b. that includes things both in the heavens and on earth
c. that means things visible and things invisible
d. that means thrones, dominions, rulers, authorities
e. all that is has been created through Him and for Him
f. He is before all things (both in time and position)
g. He holds it all together (sustains the existence of all that is)
4. Get the implication of Paul's statement
a. if what he has said is true, then there is nothing in all of creation that could
possibly hold a position higher or more important than Jesus
b. regardless of what might attempt to persuade you that Jesus isn't enough, and
that you need a little something more, something that is part of either the
earthly or heavenly realm, you know it's not true because Jesus supersedes
all - He is the preeminent one, and nothing can challenge his position
5. What shall we put on par with Jesus, or consider above Him? Science, human
philosophies, religions, or anything that originates in either the material or spiritual
realm? Paul's point is that nobody, or no thing is on par or above Jesus Christ
a. get that and it will help you interpret everything you see or hear
b. miss that, and you might fall for things ultimately worthless
C. We must see the connection between Jesus and the church (Col 1:18-23)
1. Colossians 1:18-23
18He 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. 19For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20and 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. 21And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— 23if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. NASB95
2. He is the head of the body, the church
a. the same one who stands at the head of all creation also stands at the head of the
new creation, the church
1) why would we be interested should someone else claim to supersede
Jesus - some prophet, some angelic being, etc.?
2) how could anyone supersede the one who is already at the top?
b. don't miss this, because we need to know that the one who stands as head of the
church is the same one who stands at the head of everything
3. He is the beginning, the firsborn from the dead
a. this seems to be a reference to the resurrection, which, to us, is the source of
our new life in Christ
b. Acts 26:22-23
22“So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place; 23that the Christ was to suffer, and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He would be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.” NASB95
c. Jesus Christ is the only hope of life over death
1) that life begins now
2) that life extends through eternity
d. what else is there that has already proved itself capable of overcoming death?
1) nothing!
2) why opt for anything over Jesus?
D. What is the ultimate goal of all these things?
1. "So that He Himself will come to have first place in everything
2. Brothers and sisters, this fact challenges the position Jesus holds in our lives every day
Conclusion
A. You need to know that this isn't just some exercise in theology or some doctrinal essay that
has no relevance to daily living
1. Quite the contrary - for you will live as a disciple of Jesus as you see Jesus
2. Your view of him, who you think him to be, whether you believe he is completely
sufficient - all will determine how you follow him
B. It also determines the flip-side of these concerns
1. Your view of Jesus Christ will also determine whether you will seek other things
to replace Jesus, or at least shore up things where you believe Jesus is lacking
2. It will determine how open you are to philosophies or religions that make promises to
help you be more than you can be as a Christian
C. See Jesus as the preeminent one over all, and you won't need anything but Him
D. Invitation