Christ is Preeminent

PREËMINENCE, prē̇-em′i-nens: Superiority, esp. in noble or excellent qualities. The word stands for: (1) מוֹתָר, mōthār, “what is over and above,” “excellence”; “Man hath no preëminence above the beasts” (Eccl 3:19); (2) πρωτεύω, prōteúō, “to be first”; “That in all things he [ = Christ] might have the preëminence” (Col 1:18); (3) ὁ φιλοπρωτεύων, ho philoprōteúōn, is trd “who loveth to have the preëminence,” lit. “who loveth to be first” (of Diotrephes, 3 Jn ver 9).

Colossians 1:15–20 KJV 1900

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.

I. Jesus is the fulness of the Image of God. v.15

Hebrews 1:3 KJV 1900

3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

  Well can I tell you something how you view yourself, what we call our “self-image” is an extremely big deal.  For so many of us we look in the mirror and we don’t see our true self, are God created self.  We don’t recognize our true value, so we are walking through life with no understanding of how much we matter, and we struggle to see ourselves as valuable as God sees us.  So maybe this is where we need to start…how does God see us?  What is our true identity?  Our true value?  Scripture tells us this…

A. Jesus is the first born.

Proverbs 3:23–29 (KJV 1900)

23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, And thy foot shall not stumble.

24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

26 For the Lord shall be thy confidence, And shall keep thy foot from being taken.

27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, When it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; When thou hast it by thee.

29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, Seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

B. Jesus is completely God.

1. God made mankind in his image.

2. Jesus is the fulness of God’s image.

3. Mankind must acknowledge who Christ is.

II. God created all things. v.16

Genesis 1:1-ff

A. God created everything in Heaven.

1. He created the sun.

2. He created the moon.

3. He created the stars.

4. He created the planets.

B. God created everything in Earth.

1. He created the trees.

2. He created the mountains.

3. He created the people.

4. He created the animals.

5. He created the oceans.

C. God created everything that is visible.

D. God created everything that is invisible.

Hebrews 1:2 KJV 1900

2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

1 Peter 3:22 KJV 1900

22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

E. God created Thrones.

Proverbs 21:1 KJV 1900

1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever he will.

F. God created Dominions.

G. God created Principalities.

III. God is the Master and Creator of all things. v.16-17

A. All things were created.

1. By Him.

2. For Him.

Matthew 5:16 KJV 1900

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

B. He is before all things.

C. Because of Him all things consist.

Romans 11:36 KJV 1900

36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

IV. Christ is (should be) Preeminent in a Christian’s life.

(Wife)

A. He is the Head of the Church.

B. He is the Head of a Christian Family.

John 5:23 KJV 1900

23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

C. He is the firstborn from the dead. (resurrection)

D. He is the same as.

1. God.

2. The Holy Spirit.

E. “He is not just prominent but preeminent”

Hebrews 1:4 KJV 1900

4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

1 Corinthians 15:20 KJV 1900

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Christ is First.

A. Passion and Zeal in the Christian Life.

B. In our Prayer.

C. In Our Power.

Philippians 4:13 KJV 1900

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.