Supremacy of Christ in All Things

Introduction: The Supremacy of Christ in All Things (Colossians 1:15-20)

**Good evening, Church.** Last week, Joe beautifully unfolded the profound truth found in Colossians chapter 1 verses 9-13 — that though we are unworthy of the gospel, through the grace of God and by the Holy Spirit, we are made worthy by Christ. Today, we will continue our journey through Paul’s letter to the Colossians, focusing on verses 15-20. These verses provide us with one of the most magnificent descriptions of Christ’s supremacy in the entire New Testament.

Paul wrote this letter to the church in Colossae to address certain false teachings that were creeping into the congregation. These teachings diminished Christ’s role, mixing pagan philosophy and Jewish legalism. Paul’s response to these heresies is not merely to argue against them but to present a compelling vision of who Christ is—one that leaves no room for doubt about His preeminence and sufficiency.

In our text today, we see that Christ is not only the Savior who makes us worthy but also the supreme Creator, Sustainer, Head of the Church, and the Reconciler of all things. Paul’s words are rich with Old Testament imagery, connecting Christ directly to Israel's story, showing that He is the fulfillment of God's promises and the hope of all nations, including us here in Loches, France. The passage is traditionally considered a hymn of the early church. It is composed of two strophes, or two parts.

The First Strophe: Christ as the Creator and Sustainer (Colossians 1:15-17)

Let's begin with verses 15-17: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

A. Christ as the Image of the Invisible God

Paul begins by stating that Christ is the “image of the invisible God.” This is not a casual statement. It harkens back to Genesis 1:27, where humanity is said to be created in the image of God. However, unlike us, who bear God’s image imperfectly, Christ is the perfect image, the full and exact representation of God. This means that if we want to know what God is like, we look at Jesus.

The term “image” in the ancient world carried significant weight. In the context of the Roman Empire, an image—such as a statue of Caesar—was meant to embody the presence and authority of the ruler. Similarly, Christ, as the image of the invisible God, embodies God’s presence and authority on earth. This is a profound declaration of Christ’s divinity. He is not merely a reflection of God; He is God in human form.

For the Colossians, and for us, this was and is a crucial truth. False teachers in Colossae were promoting a diminished view of Christ, suggesting that He was just one among many intermediaries between God and man. Paul refutes this by declaring that Christ is the full revelation of God. In Christ, the God who seemed distant and unapproachable becomes visible, knowable, and relatable.

B. Christ’s Role in Creation

Last Wednesday our family visited the market in Loches. Walking down the path near Ecole St. Martin, I saw Jehovah’s Witnesses passing out their material. This understanding of Christ as Paul lays out in Colossians in important to understand other faiths, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

In our passage, Paul continues by saying Christ is the “firstborn over all creation.” This phrase has caused some confusion over the centuries, with some interpreting it to mean that Christ was a created being. This is how the Jehovah’s Witnesses believe – that Christ was created being. However, in Ancient Near Eastern culture, “firstborn” (prototokos in Greek)does not primarily refer to chronological birth order but to status and inheritance. The firstborn son in a family held a place of honor and was the primary heir. In this context, Paul is affirming Christ’s preeminence and authority over all creation.

Christ is not part of creation; He is the Creator. The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible says, “all other things were created,” which is not in the original Greek text. Paul declares that “in him allthings were created.” Not all other things. The entire universe—everything in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible—owes its existence to Christ. This includes not only the physical world but also the spiritual realm—thrones, powers, rulers, and authorities. These terms refer to both earthly and spiritual powers, showing that Christ’s lordship extends beyond the material world to the entire cosmos.

Paul’s language here reminds us of the opening of John’s Gospel: “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:3). Christ is the divine Logos, the Word through whom God created everything. Whereas the Jehovah’s Witnesses say that “All otherthings have been created through him and for him,” this is not true to Holy Scripture. In fact, each time Paul says “all things,” they say “all other things.” Every time. However, Paul declares, All things were created “through him and for him.” This means that Christ is not only the agent of creation but also its purpose. All creation exists to glorify Him.

For the Colossians, surrounded by a culture that worshiped multiple gods and revered various spiritual beings, this was a powerful reminder that Christ alone is supreme. For us, it is a call to acknowledge Christ’s authority over every aspect of our lives. The Creator of the universe deserves our worship, our obedience, and our trust.

C. Christ the Sustainer

Paul doesn’t stop with creation. He adds that Christ is “before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Christ not only created the universe, but He also sustains it. The universe continues to exist because Christ actively holds it together. Without His sustaining power, everything would fall apart.

This truth should bring us great comfort. It means that the same Christ who created the stars and the seas also sustains our lives. He holds our very existence in His hands. When life feels chaotic, when the world seems out of control, we can rest in the knowledge that Christ is in control. He is not distant; He is intimately involved in sustaining the world and our lives. It doesn’t mean life will be easy or without troubles. But we can take comfort that Christ sustains it all, and somehow, beyond our comprehension, for his ultimate glory.

II. The Second Strophe: Christ as the Head of the Church and Reconciler (Colossians 1:18-20)

Let's now move to verses 18-20: “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”

A. Christ as the Head of the Church

In these verses, Paul shifts from Christ’s role in the original creation to His role in the new creation—the Church. Remember that we, as believers individually and collectively, are the Church. The Church isn’t the building, place, or institution, but the people of God. Paul declares that Christ is the head of the body, the Church. This metaphor of the Church as a body is rich with meaning. Just as the head governs and directs the body, so Christ governs and directs the Church. He is the source of its life and the center of its unity.

Christ is also “the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead.” Here, Paul is referring to Christ’s resurrection. Just as Christ is supreme over the old creation, He is also supreme over the new creation, inaugurated by His resurrection. His victory over death ensures the future resurrection of all believers, making Him the “firstborn” (prototokos) among those who will be raised.

For the Colossians, who were tempted to look to other spiritual beings or philosophies for guidance, Paul’s message was clear: Christ alone is the head of the Church. No other power or authority can take His place. For us today, this means that our allegiance must be to Christ above all else. He is the source of our spiritual life, and we must submit to His leadership in all things.

B. The Fullness of God in Christ

Paul then makes a staggering statement: “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him.” This is a direct challenge to the false teachings in Colossae, which suggested that the fullness of God was distributed among various intermediaries. Paul counters this by declaring that all the fullness of God dwells in Christ alone. The word “fullness” (Greek: *pleroma*) was a term used by the false teachers to describe the divine essence they believed was divided among various beings. Paul reclaims this term, insisting that the fullness of God is found entirely in Christ. (A tactic Paul uses throughout this letter.)

This means that Christ is not just another spiritual being among many; He is fully and completely God. Everything that can be said about God can be said about Christ. This is the foundation of our faith—Christ is the full revelation of God, and in Him, we find everything we need for life and godliness.

For the Colossians, this was a call to reject any teaching that diminished Christ’s divinity. For us, it is a reminder to keep Christ at the center of our faith. In a world full of competing voices and ideologies, we must hold fast to the truth that Christ is fully God and fully sufficient for our salvation.

C. Christ the Reconciler

Finally, Paul speaks of Christ’s work of reconciliation: “and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Here, Paul introduces the theme of reconciliation, which is central to the gospel.

To reconcile means to restore a relationship that has been broken. Sin has broken the relationship between God and creation, leading to alienation and hostility. But through Christ, God has reconciled all things to Himself. This reconciliation is cosmic in scope—it includes “all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” This doesn’t mean that all people will be saved, but that Christ’s death on the cross has made peace possible for all creation.

This reconciliation was achieved “through his blood, shed on the cross.” The cross is where the fullness of God’s love and justice meet. It is where the penalty for sin was paid, and where peace was made possible. Through His death, Christ has made it possible for us to be at peace with God and with one another.

For the Colossians, this was a powerful reminder that their hope was not in their own efforts or in any spiritual intermediary, but in the finished work of Christ on the cross. For us, it is a call to embrace the peace that Christ has won for us, to live in reconciliation with God, and to extend that reconciliation to others.

III. Application: Living Under Christ’s Sovereign Rule

A. Understanding Our Inheritance

As we reflect on this passage, it’s important to understand that Paul is not just giving us theological information. He is calling us to respond to the reality of who Christ is. If Christ is indeed the Creator, Sustainer, Head of the Church, and Reconciler, then He is worthy of our total allegiance.

First, we must understand our inheritance. As Paul says earlier in verse 12, God “has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.” This inheritance was originally promised to Israel, but in Christ, it has been extended to all who believe, including Gentiles like us. We are now part of God’s people, heirs of His promises, and recipients of His grace.

This means that our identity is found in Christ. We are no longer defined by our past, our failures, or our unworthiness. We are defined by the fact that we belong to Christ and share in His kingdom. This is a truth that should fill us with gratitude and compel us to live lives that reflect our identity in Him.

B. Embracing the Kingdom Now

But this inheritance is not just something we look forward to in the future. It has implications for how we live now. If Christ is the head of the Church, then we must submit to His authority in every area of our lives. This means that our decisions, our relationships, our work, and our worship should all be shaped by our allegiance to Christ.

It also means that we are called to participate in His work of reconciliation. Just as Christ has made peace through His blood, we are called to be peacemakers in our own lives. This may mean seeking reconciliation with someone we have wronged, or it may mean working for justice and peace in our community. Whatever it looks like, our lives should reflect the peace that Christ has won for us.

Conclusion: Christ, Our Eternal King

In closing, let’s revisit the key points we’ve discussed today. Paul has shown us that Christ is supreme in all things—He is the image of the invisible God, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, the head of the Church, and the Reconciler of all things. Knowing and affirming these Truths of Scripture will help us to stand against the lies that sounds close to truth. And, because of who Christ is, He is worthy of our worship, our obedience, and our trust.

As we go out this week, let us live in light of this truth. Let us submit to Christ’s authority in every area of our lives and let us embrace the peace and reconciliation that He has won for us. And let us always remember that in Christ, we have received an inheritance that is far greater than anything this world can offer—an inheritance that includes the hope of glory, Christ in us, and the promise of eternal life in His kingdom.

Closing Prayer:

Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, we thank You for revealing Yourself to us in Christ. We thank You that in Him, we see Your fullness and experience Your grace. Help us to live in a way that reflects our identity in Christ. May we submit to His authority, embrace His peace, and extend His reconciliation to those around us. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.