"THE MAGNIFICENT CHRIST"
Colossians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 11 viewsMy goal is to encourage you with who our God is this morning!
Notes
Transcript
Colossians 1:13–18 (NASB95)
13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.
17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.
Author – Paul is identified as author at the beginning (1:1; cf. v. 23; 4:18)
Date – AD 60-62
Audience – The church at Colosse began during Paul’s 3-year ministry at Ephesus (Acts 19). Its founder was not Paul, who had never been there (2:1); but Epaphras (1:5–7), who apparently was saved during a visit to Ephesus, then likely started the church in Colosse when he returned home.
Nelson says quote – “Paul came to Ephesus to undertake what proved to be the most extended and successful of his missionary efforts in any one locality. But these were strenuous years for him. Since he supported himself by working at his trade, his days were long. Following the custom of laborers in such a hot climate, he would be up and working at his trade before dawn. His afternoon hours were given to teaching and preaching, and likely his evening hours as well. He did daily for two years.”
7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 8 and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.
Most likely it was during this time that Epaphras came to know the Lord. He then took this message back to Colosse and was Pastoring this church.
“Colosse’s population was mainly Gentile, there was a large Jewish settlement dating from the days of Antiochus the Great (223–187 b.c.). Colosse’s mixed population of Jews and Gentiles manifested itself both in the composition of the church and in the heresy that plagued it, which contained elements of both Jewish legalism and pagan mysticism.
Place – “The city of Colosse existed in the days of King Ahasuerus of Persia (Esther 1:1)1 and was known as ‘a great city of Phrygia’. It was situated in modern-day Turkey. It was famous for its garments, because of the fertile land which was grazed by great flocks of sheep, and also because of the chalky waters which ‘were just right for the purpose for dying cloth’. Alexander the Great (336–323 B.C.) brought the Greek language to the region when he conquered it. After the Roman province of Asia was founded (190 B.C.) Colosse’s neighbour Laodicea was made the capital of the municipal district. Colosse’s other neighbour, Hierapolis, was a spa town renowned for its multitude of temples and healing waters that were dedicated to heathen gods. The ancient site of Colosse was discovered by W. J. Hamilton in 1835.
Colosse was a city in Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia (part of modern Turkey), about 100 mi. E of Ephesus in the region of the 7 churches of Rev. 1–3. The city lay alongside the Lycus River, not far from where it flowed into the Maender River. The Lycus Valley narrowed at Colosse to a width of about two mi., and Mt. Cadmus rose 8,000 feet above the city.
Heresy within – Second generation of Gnosticism
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.
23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.
Theme – “The All-Sufficiency of Christ”
Proposition – My hope is that as we look to the Word of God this morning we will be reminded and encouraged as we contemplate the Person and Work of Jesus Christ.
Question to contemplate – I have two questions for us to contemplate as we work through our text –
Who is your Jesus?
How are you responding to Jesus?
Jesus is our Rescuer – vs. 13
Jesus is our Rescuer – vs. 13
13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,
“Rescued” – passive verb –
occurs:—to draw to oneself, i.e. draw out of danger, to rescue, save, deliver,
vs. that use the word Rescue –
Matthew 27:41–43 (NASB95)
41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, 42 “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him.
43 “He trusts in God; let God rescue Him now, if He delights in Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’
24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?
John 6:41–44 (NASB95)
41 Therefore the Jews were grumbling about Him, because He said, “I am the bread that came down out of heaven.” 42 They were saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does He now say, ‘I have come down out of heaven’?”
43 Jesus answered and said to them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.
“Domain” – literally means – Authority
authority to rule (Lk 19:17); 2. LN 37.36 jurisdiction, the sphere of authority
“Darkness”
darkness, lack of light (Mt 27:45; Heb 12:18 v.r. TR); 2. LN 88.125 evil world, abode of sin (Jn 3:19); 3. LN 1.23 abode of evil spirits (Mt 8:12; 22:13; 25:30+), see 2035; 4. LN 1.24 gloomy hell (2Pe 2:17; Jude 13+), see 2432; 5. LN 24.40 become blind (Ac 13:11+), see 944
“Transferred”
. LN 15.9 cause to move from one place to another (Ac 13:22; 1Co 13:2; Col 1:13+); 2. LN 13.64 cause change, implying loss (Lk 16:4+), for another interp, see last; 3. LN 31.73 mislead, cause to turn from a previous belief (Ac 19:26+); 4. LN 68.38 (dep.) cease, stop being in charge (Lk 16:4+), for another interp, see above
Romans 6:16–22 (NASB95)
16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?
17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.
20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death.
22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.
Jesus is our Redeemer – vs. 14
Jesus is our Redeemer – vs. 14
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
“Redemption”
1 a releasing effected by payment of ransom. 1a redemption, deliverance. 1b liberation procured by the payment of a ransom.
27 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
1 Corinthians 1:27–31 (NASB95)
27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are,
29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Hebrews 11:31–36 (NASB95)
31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace. 32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,
33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;
Romans 8:18–23 (NASB95)
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
Ephesians 1:5–9 (NASB95)
5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him
Jesus is our Creator – vs. 15-16
Jesus is our Creator – vs. 15-16
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.
“Image”
LN 6.96 image, portrait (Mt 22:20); 2. LN 58.35 likeness, having the same form as something else (1Co 15:49); 3. LN 58.61 representation, pattern (Heb 10:1)
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
the firstborn over all creation. Cf. v. 18. The Gr. word for “firstborn” can refer to one who was born first chronologically, but most often refers to pre-eminence in position, or rank (see note on Heb. 1:6; cf. Rom. 8:29). In both Greek and Jewish culture, the firstborn was the ranking son who had received the right of inheritance from his father, whether he was born first or not. It is used of Israel who, not being the first nation, was however the preeminent nation (cf. Ex. 4:22; Jer. 31:9). Firstborn in this context clearly means highest in rank, not first created (cf. Ps. 89:27; Rev. 1:5) for several reasons: 1) Christ cannot be both “first begotten” and “only begotten” (cf. John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18; 1 John 4:9); 2) when the “firstborn” is one of a class, the class is in the plural form (cf. v. 18; Rom. 8:29), but “creation,” the class here, is in a singular form; 3) if Paul was teaching that Christ was a created being, he was agreeing with the heresy he was writing to refute; and 4) it is impossible for Christ to be both created, and the Creator of everything (v. 16). Thus Jesus is the firstborn in the sense that He has the preeminence (v. 18) and possesses the right of inheritance “over all creation” (cf. Heb. 1:2; Rev. 5:1–7, 13). He existed before the creation and is exalted in rank above it. See notes on Ps. 2:7; Rom. 8:29.
Though it is grammatically possible to translate this as “Firstborn in Creation,” the context makes this impossible for five reasons: (1) The whole point of the passage (and the book) is to show Christ’s superiority over all things. (2) Other statements about Christ in this passage (such as Creator of all [1:16], upholder of Creation [v. 17], etc.) clearly indicate His priority and superiority over Creation. (3) The “Firstborn” cannot be part of Creation if He created “all things.” One cannot create himself. (Jehovah’s Witnesses wrongly add the word “other” six times in this passage in their New World Translation. Thus they suggest that Christ created all other things after He was created! But the word “other” is not in the Gr.) (4) The “Firstborn” received worship of all the angels (Heb. 1:6), but creatures should not be worshiped (Ex. 20:4–5). (5) The Greek word for “Firstborn” is prōtotokos. If Christ were the “first-created,” the Greek word would have been prōtoktisis.
“Firstborn” denotes two things of Christ: He preceded the whole Creation, and He is Sovereign over all Creation. In the Old Testament a firstborn child had not only priority of birth but also the dignity and superiority that went with it (cf. Ex. 13:2–15; Deut. 21:17). When Jesus declared Himself “the First” (ho prōtos; Rev. 1:17), He used a word that means “absolutely first.” “Firstborn” also implies sovereignty. The description “firstborn” was not a fairly common Old Testament designation of the Messiah-God. “I will also appoint Him My Firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth” (Ps. 89:27). While this regal psalm refers to David, it also designates the Messiah, as seen in Revelation 1:5, where Christ is called “the Firstborn from the dead (cf. Col. 1:18) and the Ruler of the kings of the earth.” So “Firstborn” implies both Christ’s priority to all Creation (in time) and His sovereignty over all Creation (in rank).
“Thrones”
The Son’s Creation includes “all” things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. These indicate the entire universe, both material and immaterial. The hierarchy of angelic beings—thrones (thronoi) or powers (kyriotētes) or rulers (archai) or authorities (exousiai)—indicate a highly organized dominion in the spirit world, a sphere in which the Colossians were engaged in the worship of angels (Col. 2:18) and over which Christ reigns supreme (cf. Eph. 1:21; 3:10; 6:12; Phil. 2:9–10; Col. 2:10, 15).
Ephesians 1:19–22 (NASB95)
19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,
9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;
15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.
Jesus is our Sustainer – vs. 17
Jesus is our Sustainer – vs. 17
17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
“Hold together” – Active verb –
63.6 συνίστημιc or συνιστάνω: to bring together or hold together something in its proper or appropriate place or relationship—‘to hold together.’ τὰ πάντα ἐν αὐτῷ συνέστηκεν ‘in him all things hold together’ Col 1:17. In Col 1:17 it may not be easy to indicate clearly the relationship of the phrase ‘in him’ to the rest of the expression, namely, ‘all things hold together.’ Some translations have expanded the expression ‘in him’ to ‘in union with him’ or ‘in view of the fact that we are joined together with him.’ It is also possible to understand ἐν αὐτῷ as indicating agent, so that this expression in Col 1:17 may mean ‘by means of him all things hold together.’
5. LN 63.6 hold together in proper place or arrangement (Col 1:17+)
6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.
MacArthur says – “By studying the creation, one can gain a glimpse of the power, knowledge, and wisdom of the Creator. The sheer size of the universe is staggering. The sun, for example, has a diameter of 864,000 miles (one hundred times that of the earth’s) and could hold 1.3 million planets the size of earth inside it. The star Betelgeuse, however, has a diameter of 100 million miles, which is larger than the earth’s orbit around the sun. It takes sunlight, traveling at 186,000 miles per second, about 8.5 minutes to reach earth. Yet that same light would take more than four years to reach the nearest star, Alpha Centauri, some 24 trillion miles from earth. The galaxy to which our sun belongs, the Milky Way, contains hundreds of billions of stars. And astronomers estimate there are millions, or even billions of galaxies. What they can see leads them to estimate the number of stars in the universe at 10 to the 25th power. That is roughly the number of all the grains of sand on all the world’s beaches.
The universe also bears witness to the tremendous wisdom and knowledge of its Creator. Scientists now speak of the Anthropic Principle, “which states that the universe appears to be carefully designed for the well-being of mankind” (Donald B. DeYoung, “Design in Nature: The Anthropic Principle, no. 149) A change in the rate of Earth’s rotation around the sun or on its axis would be catastrophic. The Earth would become either too hot or too cold to support life. If the moon were much nearer to the Earth, huge tides would inundate the continents. A change in the composition of the gases that make up our atmosphere would result in the dissolution of hydrogen atoms. That would result in the destruction of the universe, because hydrogen is its dominant element.”
Jesus is our Shepherd – vs. 18
Jesus is our Shepherd – vs. 18
18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.
“Head”
LN 8.10 head, the body part (Mk 6:25); 2. LN 87.51 superior, one of pre-eminent status, figurative extension of first entry (1Co 11:3; Eph 4:15); 3. LN 7.44 κεφαλὴ γωνίας (kephalē gōnias), cornerstone, as the important stone for building a proper foundation or possibly capstone in an arch (niv), (Mt 21:42; Mk 12:10; Lk 20:17; Ac 4:11; 1Pe 2:7+); 4. LN 49.16 κατὰ κεφαλῆς ἔχω (kata kephalēs echō), have one’s head covered (1Co 11:4+); 5. LN 23.83 τὴν κεφαλὴν κλίνω (tēn kephalēn klinō), lie down to rest (Mt 8:20; Lk 9:58; Jn 19:30+); 6. LN 25.160 ἐπαίρω τὴν κεφαλήν (epairō tēn kephalēn), have courage (Lk 21:28+); 7. LN 37.102 ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλήν (epi tēn kephalēn), take responsibility for (Ac 18:6+); 8. LN 25.199 cause to be ashamed (Ro 12:20+), see also 5397
3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.
Ephesians 4:14–16 (NASB95)
14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
“to have first place in everything”
87.46 πρωτεύω: to be in the first position, with the implication of high rank and prominence—‘to be the first, to have superior status.’ ἵνα γένηται ἐν πᾶσιν αὐτὸς πρωτεύων ‘in order that he might have first place in all things’ Col 1:18.
This is the only time that this phrase is used in Scripture.
The question is how are we going to have Christ as first place in everything?
Reading the Scriptures (guarding against the thought “a chapter a day keeps the devil away)
Praying
Memorization
Meditation
Fellowship
Discipleship
Accountability
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
1 Timothy 4:6–9 (NASB95)
6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.
7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;
8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.
So what?
How is this going to impact our lives?
I would like to challenge you with the questions that I asked each of us to contemplate as we began this morning –
Who is your Jesus?
How are you responding to Jesus?