Colossians 1:15-23 (5)

Title: The Incomparable Christ

Introduction: J Gresham Machen’s book, Christianity & Liberalism is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Despite being over a century old, it correctly states the major differences between Christianity and Liberal Theology and any view outside of Christianity:

Disagree on the ir view of God, Humanity, and Jesus Christ. In writing to the believers in Colossea, Paul warns them to not drift from a sound Christology.

1:15-20 (Possible part of an early Christian hymn / poem)

Three Pronouncements

First: JESUS CHRIST’S SUPREMACY OVER CREATION

1:15.17

a) Christ’s Pre-existence & Absolute Sovereignty

v.15 “He is...” - personal pronoun, present indicative

v.15 “…image of the invisible God”

Q. - Do you recall what the Second Commandment expressly prohibited? (Making anything in the likeness..)

Words of Isaiah - “I will not give my glory to another..”

“…the firstborn over all creation” (1:15, 18 all -8x)

False Teaching: Jesus was the first created being

Context / Analogy of Scripture: Preeminence authority

v.16 thrones, powers, rulers, authorities: angelic realms

Illustration: Readiing of the Chalcedonian Creed - defending the nature of Christ against Eutyches. “truly God, truly man…one substance)

b) Father, Spirit - Christ is the Sustainer of all that He created

1:17 “…in Him” / holds - perfect tense

Divine Providence (cares, preserves, governs)

First pronouncement possible sheds light on the nature of the false teaching the church in Colossae was facing.

Second: JESUS CHRIST’S SUPREMACY OVER THE CHURCH.

1:18-20

a) Christ is Head of the Church (the body of Christ)

Distinction from Roman Catholic teaching on the authority of the Pope and the authority of Scripture.

Parallel teaching in Ephesians (Marriage is patterned upon Christ’s relationship to he Church)

b) Deity / Humanity of Jesus Christ are the grounds of His victory over sin and death.

1:18b “…firstborn from the dead” (Bodily resurrection)

1:20 “…reconcile to himself all things” (restore to harmony)

“…making peace...” (peace w/ God & peace of God)

Romans 8:18-21 - Not Yet / Future fulfillment

This Christ-centered hymn concludes with a third pronouncement:

1:21-23

JESUS CHRIST’S SUPREMACY IS LIFE CHANGING

a) Believer: Transformative & Comforting

1:21-23: “Once / Now”

Machen’s book: Difference between history / information and doctrine.

History: Jesus died on the cross

Doctrine: Jesus died on the cross for me

1:23b “I, Paul, have become a servant...”

b) Unbeliever

Philippians 2:9-10 (Presently under God’s wrath / will acknowledge in judgment)

Application:

Keep before us this week, what it means to speak of the Supremacy of Jesus Christ.