The Majesty of Christ

Colossians 1:15-23

I. HE IS THE VERY IMAGE OF GOD.

Expressed as εικον. The exact representation. (John 14:9; 2 Cor.4:4)

My grandson walks around my study and he points out the different pictures he sees. “That’s Nana”, he says! I say, “Yes, that’s right it is Nana”. It’s not someone who resembles her. It’s not a computer generated image. It is the exact replica of her. In fact the picture that I’m referring to was taken August 28, 1982, and although she doesn’t look that different, that is a replica of her in time.

II. HE IS THE FIRSTBORN OF EVERY CREATURE.

Psalm 89:28 – The term “firstborn” is here used in reference to Messiah and the position of authority and preference, not birth or creation order.

A. It demonstrates divinity.

B. It demonstrates authority.

(See Romans 8:29; Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 1:5)

III. BY HIM WERE ALL THINGS CREATED.

A. In heaven.

B. In earth.

C. Visible and in visible.

IV. HE IS BEFORE ALL THINGS AND BY HIM ALL THINGS CONSIST.

Christ is the controlling and unifying force in nature. The Gnostic philosophy that matter is evil and was created by a remote aeon is thus swept away. The Son of God’s love is the Creator and the Sustainer of the universe which is not evil.

V. HE IS THE HEAD OF THE BODY, THE CHURCH.