Colossians 1:15-17 - The Supremacy of Christ in Creation

Summation & Diagnosis

Let us pray.

I invite you to turn your attention to Colossians 1:15-17 this morning. Thus far, we have looked at Paul’s introduction, praise report, and prayer for the Colossians. His heart swells with love for these people and his desire is ultimately for them root themselves in Christ Jesus, not the false teachings they were hearing.

Today and next Sunday we will at Colossians 1:15-20. I am so excited for this passage. Words cannot describe the joy I fell at this moment standing before you with these verses on the Bible in front of me. My excitement is both for these verses and for an a few events that happened months ago. Before I get to those let us read the text:

So let us look at Colossians 1:15-17 this morning. If you have your Bible, I would implore you to open it to these verses. Let us hear the Word of the Lord:

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Behold, brothers and sisters, this is Word of the Lord.

The day the congregational vote when through here for me to be the Senior Pastor, my prayers became more focused for FPC Eden. One of the prayers I prayed over and over again was “Lord, which book of Scripture would you desire us to go through?” After months of prayer the list of 66 was narrowed down to 2 - Ephesians and Colossians. Providentially, Paul wrote both of these at the same time and they have a lot of similarities. Finally, the Lord put Colossians alone on my heart. Why? I’ll reveal that after I tell you about a second journey.

In the Fall of 2022, my heart began to change regarding my teaching/preaching. In February 2021, God put a passion in my heart to teach Scripture book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, phrase by phrase, and when necessary word by word. I began a new Sunday school class at the church where I served in an associate role. Over the course of 6 months this new class studied Jude, Philemon, Obadiah, and 2 John. By this time, I felt I had enough experience that I could tackle a book larger than 1 chapter. So, we started the book of Hebrews in September 2021. For 10 months we stood amazed that Christ is greater than absolutely everything. Then God did something amazing. After Hebrews, I did a shirt class on the book of Nahum. 22 people showed up for those 6 weeks. In September 2022, we finished Nahum and started Ezekiel - 37 people showed up. Questions followed - you had almost 40 people show up for a Sunday school class? You had almost 40 people show up for a class on Ezekiel?!?!?

A few months into the class I began to wonder if something needed to change for the class to be better. I couldn’t put my finger on why I believed this. The class had become not only the largest class, but the largest in over a decade. By all accounts the class was a major success. Yet, I believed we were in danger of plateauing or becoming stagnate. The class ran for about an hour and a half - 30 minutes of group discussion, 45 minutes of me teaching, and 15 minutes of questions. An hour and a half may seem like a long time, but we always ran out of time. So did we need to find a new time slot so we could find the time we needed? Also, fellowship was beginning to happen at a deeper level so did we need to include something more fellowship oriented at the beginning of the class? I ran through a plethora of practical potential solutions. Through prayer, God revealed the answer was not practical. The issue was me. God was not challenging the growth of the class, but challenging my growth. For years, my purpose for teaching was to inform the mind and help provide a solution for biblical illiteracy.

Before Ezekiel started, I began to study Martyn Lloyd-Jones, John Piper, and Jonathan Edwards. Their passion and purpose for their lives, ministries, and sermons gripped my heart. Their primary purpose was to glorify God and to give their people a vision of the glory of God. I was convinced in my heart and in my convictions what needed to change. It wasn’t the class. It was me. My ultimate purpose for teaching moved beyond biblical literacy to God’s glory. The change was made and the Lord brought incredible growth into my life and those in the class. Each week they knew my aim was to take them to the throne where they would experience the glory of the living triune God through His Word.

So why do I believe the Lord desires us to be in Colossians? I believe it is because God wants us to see His glory and the supremacy of Christ! Colossians paints a grand view of the eternal Son of God. He is the ruler over the entire universe. Lord of all. Nothing escapes His reign. The words of John Bunyan ring true:

God’s presence is renewing, transforming, seasoning, sanctifying, commanding, sweetening, and lightening to the soul. Nothing like it in all the world. His presence supplies all wants, heals all maladies, saves from all dangers—is life in death, heaven in hell, all in all.

And hear the words of John Piper:

The greatness and the glory of God are relevant. It does not matter if surveys turn up a list of perceived needs that does not include the supreme greatness of the sovereign God of grace. That is the deepest need. Our people are starving for God.

With all this, why am I so excited for these verses today? We are going to see the glory of God in the supremacy of Christ. The main purpose of Colossians 1:15-20 is to reveal the supremacy of Christ. In Colossians 1:15-17, we will see the supremacy of Christ in creation. Then in Colossians 1:18-20, we will see the supremacy of Christ in reconciliation. Our passage today reveals that Christ is SUPREME over all things in creation.

These can be divided up into three sections.

Colossians 1:15 - Christ is the image of the invisible God Colossians 1:16 - Creation in, through, and for Christ Colossians 1:17 - Christ holds all things together

Colossians 1:15 - Christ is the Image of the Invisible God

Let us begin now by turning our attention to Colossians 1:15 where we will see Christ as the image of the invisible God:

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Now, who is this this “He”, this is the Son from verse 13. The Son is the image of the invisible God. However, what does this mean? What does it mean for the Son to be the image of the invisible God? When we hear this Genesis 1:26-28 should come to our minds:

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

There are some obvious differences between the Son and God creating Adam and Eve. First, the Son is not a created being. The Son is eternal. He always was, is, and will always be. Second, the Son is not merely human, but is truly divine and truly human. He is of the same essence of the Father. He is one person with two natures. Adam was not eternal nor was he divine and human. He was human when he was created by God, just as we are today. However, in Genesis 1:26-28, God is giving authority over creation on earth to humanity. This is the point regarding the Son here, the Son has been given authority over ALL creation. Christ reigns supreme. He has supremacy over all.

He is also the image of the invisible God. Hebrews 1:3 states this:

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature

Christ is not a plaster or replica of God. He is the exact imprint and image of the Father. His essence is the same of that of God the Father’s. If God is invisible, then how has He made Himself known? Through Christ. Christ reveals the personal character of God. He is the image of the invisible God.

Paul also writes that the Son is the firstborn of all creation. The word for “firstborn” here can certainly mean physically a firstborn child. However, it can also be used in a metaphorical sense which carries the idea of having preeminence or superiority. This is where Biblical Christianity and Jehovah Witnesses have a disagreement. Jehovah Witnesses view Colossians 1:15 as the definitive proof that Jesus was the first created being by God. Yet we, and rightly might I add, say this is metaphorical referring to Jesus’s preeminence over all things. We know, according to John 1:1-2, that Jesus is eternal and is God. Listen to the opening of the Gospel according to John:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.

The Son is eternal. He is not the physical firstborn creation of God the Father. Paul speaks to the preeminence of Christ here. This could also be the firstborn over all creation, which I think captures the idea better. All of this points to the reality that the Son is supreme. This is why I believe God desired us to go through Colossians. For us to see the Son of God’s supremacy over all creation. The unshakable, eternal, glorious, and majestic Son of God must be our foundation. What should be the foundation of all we do at FPC? The glory of God and the supremacy of Christ Jesus and nothing else. The same is true for our individual lives. How often do we awake and ask God, will you help me to place my entire day under the supremacy of Christ? Will you help me live in His kingdom because it is by His redemptive work that I am delivered from the domain of darkness? Christ, I give you my whole life today. I live under your supreme reign today. You alone are the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. I am Your’s and live under Your supreme reign.

Colossians 1:16 - Creation in, through, and for Christ

Now turn to Colossians 1:16:

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

This verse provides the reasoning for Colossians 1:15. Why does the Son hold supremacy in creation? Because He is the agent of creation. Throughout history humans have worshipped those whom they believed created them, the world, and the universe. The Creator is worthy of worship. All of life comes from Him and all glory is due him. In Romans 1:18-25, Paul details how unbelieving Gentiles have the wrath of God upon them. They know that God exists because His eternal power and divine nature have been seen since creation. Therefore they are without any excuse. They do not honor Him or give thanks to Him. As a result of all this, Paul writes starting in Romans 1:24:

God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

The Creator deserves to be worshipped. All of life should be loved to His glory. Not worshipping Him is a sin. Notice at the end of Colossians 1:16 that all things were created through Him and for Him. This further reiterates that Christ is the agent of creation and that He is the goal of creation.

Between these two statements Paul details what the Son has created. The Son is supreme over all things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. There is no realm that Christ does not have power over. No one in heaven nor earth can hide from His reign. Furthermore, visible and invisible are subject to Him.

Paul then details four different arenas of leadership - thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities. These all refer to the spiritual realm and spiritual beings. They describe various rankings, but Paul does not detail what these specifically mean.

Last week, I mentioned that we would further discuss how we have been delivered from the domain of darkness meaning Satan and his followers. Here it is clear - Christ reigns supreme over evil spirits. None have the upper hand against Him. He rules them and they are His lackeys.

We also looked at how Jesus’ sacrifice freed us from the power of sin. Now let us look at how His death freed us from the power of the Satanic. The Satanic realm is a real one. In our culture, interest in the spiritual world has recently become common. From ghosts, new age spirituality, ouija boards, physics, mediums, etc. This is a dominion that we should not engage in. People are fascinated by this realm, but to be clear this is not a realm where they worship Christ. Their goal is simple - lead people away from Christ. They are a part of the domain of darkness. Last week, I said sin does not desire you as a toy but seeks to dominate you. The same is true of the demonic. They do not seek you as a toy, but desire to dominate your life.

Satan is a very real being who has opposed God through Scripture. Satan appears first in Genesis 3:

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

That snake, serpent, horrible being Satan deceives Eve. Satan went after those who were made in the image of God. It appeared he had won too. The battle yes, but not the war. For a snake crusher had been promised. A snake crusher who was eternal. Yet Satan was not satisfied in battling against God. He also desires to battle against humanity and those who belong to God.

In Job, Satan goes before God seeking to destroy Job. Listen to Satan’s first interaction with God regarding Job:

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 8 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” 9 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

First, notice that Satan is required to present himself to God even though he hates God. Though in rebellion, Satan reports to God. Second, Satan is only able to do what God states. Satan cannot touch Job apart from God’s “yes.” Satan then takes Job’s property and kills all 10 of Job’s children. Job does not sin or charge God with wrong doing.

Satan is summoned by God again and they continue to speak about Job:

Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 3 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” 4 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. 5 But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” 6 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.”

Satan then attacks Job’s health, but Job does not charge God with wrongdoing. Satan hates those who belong to God. He will do anything to inflict pain upon God’s children.

The “god” of this domain is evil. He seeks to dominate. His purpose is to detract glory given to God. Yet this is the domain that Christ rescued us from! The supremacy of Christ reaches beyond the seen into the realm of darkness. These evil spirits were once created good by Christ, through Christ, and for Christ, but have rebelled against Him.

Those in this room who are not Christ’s, this is your domain and your “god”. Strip away his false beauty and you are left with an incredible evil spirit who seeks to dominate you. He does not seek your goodness. His primary aim is not to make you happy. His aim is rebellion against God. His is the domain of darkness that stands entirely opposed to the Kingdom of the Son. Yet the Son stands here today saying “repent”. Deliverance can happen for you today. You can come to the Kingdom of light out of the domain of darkness. A great King has sacrificed greatly. Count the costs today.

For those of us who belong to Christ, we have great encouragement. We could not deliver ourselves from this domain or these demonic rulers. They are far too powerful, but God did it for us! He rescued us from Satan and his followers. Satan can no longer claim you as his. He may persecute you, but your name has been removed from his roster. There was nothing he could do about your deliverance because the mighty outstretched arm of the Lord transferred you to the Son’s Kingdom. No amount of power could stop the mighty hand of God delivering you from Satan’s domain. No longer can the enemy accuse you before the Father. Colossians 2:13–15:

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Christ has already cancelled the debt we owed. His death paid the punishment we rightly deserve. In His redemptive act, he disarmed the demonic spiritual rulers who sought to destroy God’s plan of salvation. They tried for thousands of years to kill of the Messianic seed, but never could. They never could thwart God’s redemptive plan. Now they are a spectacle brought forth for all to see. They are defeated with no power to accuse God’s children. They may accuse you in moments of despair, but your claim is the victory of Christ. The cross holds the record of debt. Like the Colossians, we here have been saved from Satan’s grasp.

The supremacy of Christ looms large over the spiritual realm. Nothing in the universe escapes His lordship. He is the agent of creation and all things, including the spiritual realm, were made through Him and for Him.

Colossians 1:17 - Christ holds all Things Together

Colossians 1:17 brings the supremacy of Christ to today:

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

What was before the time of creation? Eternity. The Son is eternal. He was before all things. He is not held and bound by being created, but is the creating one. Furthermore, He holds all things together.

At the very center of the universe is not atoms, protons, or electrons. The center of the universe is not a philosophy, but a Person - Christ Jesus. The eternal Son is the center of the universe. He is currently holding everything together. Without His holding, the universe would fall apart. Not only is He holding the universe together, but He is also guiding this age to its proper end. One day the Son will give His kingdom to the Father. Until then, the Son holds everything together. Hebrews 1:1-3 reinforce this basic truth:

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.

Through the Son the world is created. Now He upholds the universe by the Word of His power. What power. What strength. What providence. This is our God. Here is the supremacy of Christ over creation in the beginning and today. If the Colossians were tempted to run from Christ, they were running from the very God who kept everything together.

Conclusion

Yet, maybe that is you today. Life has been hard and you’ve come to the crossroads. Do I really follow Christ or do I pursue something I believe is better? Will Christ have supremacy over my life? Will I become a citizen of the Son’s beloved Kingdom or will Satan and his minions rule my life? The Creator, Sustainer, Eternal Son extends the offer of salvation, life eternal lasting, if you repent and confess Him as Lord and Savior. Regardless of your decision, He still holds supremacy in this universe. He still holds everything together.

For us in Christ, behold this is your God. The eternal Son reigns supreme. There is no fear of anyone, human or spiritual, taking you from Him. He is supreme over the domain of darkness. You’re His forever. One day you’ll dwell with Him in eternity. The supremacy of Christ is what we must cling to in these times. A world dark, full of evil. Yet there is no reason to fear. Christ is supreme over it all. He has supremacy over spiritual beings. He has supremacy over all creation including your life in Eden. Behold, the supremacy of Christ!