The Preeminence of Christ
Notes
Transcript
THE PRE-EMINENCE OF CHRIST
Colossians 1:15–19 (NKJV)
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
17 And He is before all things, and in 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 may have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,
Jesus Christ, as God’s Beloved Son, and as the Redeemer of men, has been so honoured by the Father that in all things, in all spheres, in all times, and in all Eternity He should have the PRE-EMINENCE. He has the pre-eminence:
Defined: “the fact of surpassing all others; superiority”
I. In Power
I. In Power
“For by Him were all things created,” All things in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible (v. 16).
It pleased God that “by” Him, “through” Him, “in” Him, and “for” Him, were all things brought into existence, and without Him was not anything made that was made (John 1:3). By Him also He made the universe (Heb. 1:2).
2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
Think of it. This is the same Christ by whom, through whom, in whom, and for whom, God is now seeking to save sinners for the glory of His Name.
II. In Birth.
II. In Birth.
“He is the Firstborn of every creation” (v. 15).
He could say: “I am the First: the Beginning and the End” (Rev. 21:6). He is also the “Firstborn from among the dead” (v. 18). This has been called His “second birth.” Christ the firstfruits, afterwards they that are Christ’s at His Coming (1 Cor. 15:23).
23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.
The firstborn usually becomes the heir. God hath “appointed Him heir of all things” (Heb. 1:2).
2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
And now by His marvellous grace, we who believe in Him are made “heirs together with Him.”
III. In Likeness.
III. In Likeness.
“He is the image of the invisible God” (v. 15).
Angels are holy, many of His people in every age have been Godly, but Christ alone in His essential character was the express image of His Person (Heb. 1:3).
He could say: “He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9); also: “I and My Father are One.” If the Gospels were read in the light of this glory from the “face of Jesus,” surely they would have a deeper meaning, a more humbling, yet more inspiring influence on our hearts and lives. Here we see grace pre-eminent
IV. In Authority.
IV. In Authority.
“By Him all things are held together” (v. 17).
The law of gravitation as an ordinance of God has a mighty balancing effect in holding material things together. But this law has no influence over heavenly things. The things invisible, the theories, dominions, principalities, and spiritual powers (v. 16). Christ upholdeth all things by the Word of His power (Heb. 1:3).
His wisdom and His will are in constant activity over all the works of His hands. His will is done in Heaven, and the time is coming when it will be done on earth. The enmity of man’s free will is meanwhile a perennial obstacle. But all power has been given Him in Heaven and on earth, and He will yet subdue all unto Himself. The Lord shall reign.
V. In the Church.
V. In the Church.
“He is the Head of the Body, the Church” (v. 18).
Here His pre-eminence is generally acknowledged, but does He get His true place as such in the practical life? It is the Head of the body, and not the hands, that does the thinking and the planning.
In His Word we have His mind, and will concerning us clearly revealed. The secret of the Church’s authority and power lies in obedience to His Word, both in doctrine and in polity.
What is displeasing to the Head must be dishonouring to the body. The head takes all the responsibilities of the body, therefore we should cast all our care on Him, both for men and resources. He supplies all the needs of His Body.
VI. In Riches.
VI. In Riches.
He is pre-eminently rich, “for it hath pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell” (v. 19).
This is a Divine act of grace, that God should be pleased that in Jesus Christ the world’s Redeemer, all fulness should dwell, that all who are in Him by faith may be in touch with all the fulness of God. “He who was rich, for our sakes became poor: that we through His grace may become rich.” “And of His fulness have all we received” (John 1:16).
All the blessing we have received has come out of His fulness. Our cup may be full, but the oceans of His fulness still remains (Eph. 1:3). His Name shall be called “WONDERFUL” (Isa. 9:6).