Intro to Theme: All Hail the Glorious Christ

Colossians 1:15-18 “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.”

In this series about the Trinity we have considered the “What-ness” and the “Who-ness” of God. Many times when we consider God we consider Him in light of how He has acted or related toward us. For example: John 3:16 “16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

But in this series we have been asking questions which give us insight into the life of God among His Persons.

Not, “what is God like based only upon how He has acted toward us, but what is God like and Who is God in Himself?”

Illustration: Last week I was in three different, married couple’s homes. Of the three, one of them, it was my first time in their home. Let’s consider that one couple as an example. Up until I was in there home, if you were to ask me about them I might say flattering things about them, but my only experience was based on how they had acted towards me outside of their home. Now, being in their home I have been invited to see how they interact with each other in their home.

This is what I mean about this series. Many times we speak about God purely about what He has done toward us, but in this series we are stepping into conversations in the “Home” of God.

What we find is quite different thought than with us. With us, we have to prep ourselves for others to see us. With the Father, we find that He is majestic, powerful, and loving inside the Home — as He is outside the Home.

Today, we learn that Christ is glorious inside the Home as He is outside the Home.

Prayer:

Father, today cause us to recognize, believe, and hold dear

that Jesus Christ is the image of the YOU,

that He is the uncreated God who is preeminent above and distinct from all that is created,

that Jesus is the One through Whom You have created all things

that are in heaven, and

that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:

that Jesus Christ is the One FOR WHOM all things were created

that Jesus Christ is before all things, and by him all things continue to exist

that Jesus Christ is our Head in this church:

that Jesus Christ is the beginning, the first of the Resurrected ones;

that Jesus Christ is worthy of preeminence in all things - including our affections, our wills, our thoughts, our singing, our reading, our listening, our loving, our serving…

So please grant unto us that we may behold clearly the all-glorious Christ.”