HE’S FIRST

Colossians 1:13–18 CSB

He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.

Main Idea: Jesus deserves to be first in every area of our life.

Key Question: Is Jesus first?

1. He is first in salvation. (v. 13-14)

Colossians 1:13–14 CSB

He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

conveyed = transferred

redemption = to buy back a slave

2. He is first in creation. (v. 15-17)

Colossians 1:15–17 CSB

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.

Notice the totality of HIS supremacy in everything

3. He is first in church. (v. 18)

Colossians 1:18 CSB

He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.

His resurrection ushered in the NT church. His R is key!