In Christ 1

Introduction

Egg and Chicken debate - which came first?

Ancient Greece - Aristotle

According to cliffnotes.com - Actuality vs Potentiality -

Actuality as an eternal idea

Potentiality - as perishable

conclusion - actuality always comes first

Does this really matter? Why might this matter?

As Plutarch (1st century AD - Greek Philosopher) wrote, “ it shook the great and weighty problem (whether the world had a beginning).

Paul might answer this question, with Christ came first

But in Colossae this had become confused 2:8; 16-19

They had bought into more earthly ideas

- Philosophy - hollow and deceptive (NIV)

asceticism - severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence

2:20-23

worship of angels

rather Pauls desire for these believers is that...

I. Paul’s Intention

A. Filled with the knowledge of his will vs 9

in all spiritual wisdom and understanding

This is understanding deeply the priorities of God

Rom 12:2

Lord’s prayer - Your Kingdom come, your will be done

B. Strengthened with all power vs 11

for all endurance and patience with joy

We cannot endure without Christ’s strength

C. Giving Thanks vs 12

“to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”

This is looking beyond the here to what is ahead, but also what is secure

The opposite of these are all thing that will drag us away from Christ

some other will

Falling away

Ungratefulness

We see this time and again in the story of Israel

How can these be real in us? through Christ

II. Preeminence of Christ

A. Creator vs 15,16

First born over all creation

He was literally before all things

Gen 1 the earth was Wild and Waste - then God speaks things into order and beauty

B. Sustainer vs 17

He was before all (eternal)

in him all things hold together

To sustain means to give support, to uphold, to keep from falling. I would add He keeps it from "falling apart!"

While we think of natural laws Scripture says...

“He’s got the whole world in his hands”

C. Head vs 18

“firstborn from the dead”

Preeminent vs 19,20

The first in all things

We should be encouraged in this...

III. Application

A. We as humans often live as though we came first (We are the most important)

Like setting a pyramid upside down, it’s going to topple

B. We can also potentionally see it as our life, that we add Christ to.

rather Christ was first, foremost and forever.

Do we think of Christ first?

I am convicted of this

When I wake up what do I think of first?

Christ was here long before the chicken, egg or you or I

vs 21-23 - our true life is meant to be and is IN CHRIST

And so we have much to celebrate

Conclusion