Colossians 1:15-20 † The Hero of the Story

SERMON SENTENCE SUMMARY

The Biblical story centers on Jesus’ revelation of God’s glory and grace. Jesus is the hero of the Bible and our only path back to God’s good design for humanity.

INTRODUCTION

Colossians 1:15–20 ESV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

A Starting Note on the Trinity

• There is One True God (essence) who exists in three distinct persons. The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit.

• It is tempting to misunderstand what we call the “economy” of the Trinity (roles and responsibilities) with the unity of the Trinity.

The “economy of the Trinity” means the different ways the three persons act as they relate to the world and (as we shall see in the next section) to each other for all eternity.

Wayne Grudem

The Trinity is the basis of the gospel, and the gospel is a declaration of the Trinity in action.

J. I. Packer

So:

Be careful that we don’t divide the unity of God.

Be careful that we let God’s word reveal God’s character.

Be careful that we don’t speak where Scripture is silent.

SEEING JESUS CORRECTS OUR BLURRY VISION OF GOD’S NATURE

The Source of Our Blurry Vision OR; Blinded by the Light

On Rickey Bobby & Noah’s Ark: How we distort the nature of God with out limited vision.

Romans 1:19–23 ESV

19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

How you see God is your theology. Your theology leads to your patterns in life.

Jesus Brings Eternal Clarity OR; I Can See Clearly Now

Colossians 1:15–16 ESV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

The miracle of the incarnation is that God took on himself humanity to clearly show his glory and grace:

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus is the perfect connection point between our falling short of the glory of God and our hope for reconciliation.

Key words in John’s “picture” of Jesus: grace & truth.

SEEING JESUS CORRECTS OUR BLURRY VISION OF ULTIMATE MEANING

Jesus Makes the Story of History Make Sense

The frustration of a story with no closure OR; Why I hated The Giver

Colossians 1:19–20 ESV

19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Christ is the great central fact in the world’s history. To him everything looks forward or backward. All the lines of history converge upon him.

Charles Spurgeon

The nature of Christ’s existence is mysterious, I admit; but this mystery meets the wants of man. Reject it and the world is an inexplicable riddle; believe it, and the history of our race is satisfactorily explained.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Jesus Makes Our Stories Make Sense

Colossians 1:21–22 ESV

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

The gospel is humbling: our selfishness has to die to embrace the truth of Jesus.

The gospel is exhilarating: the God who made all things “by his death” has brought us back to himself.

The gospel is liberating: “I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see.”

The gospel is transformative: God intends to restore his people and his creation to our original design. (And it starts here and now.)

You made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless till they rest in you.

Saint Augustine of Hippo

CONCLUSION

Don’t Stop Seeing Jesus: we deepen our trust in Christ by living “Christ-centered” lives.

Don’t Stop Savoring Jesus: we grow in spiritual fruit when we “taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Knowing God in Christ is relational—the Spirit meets us in the word & prayer.)

Don’t Stop Sharing Jesus: God has given you unique gifts, talents, and platforms to tell the true story of the world.

PASTORAL PRAYER

Father, you loved us and sent your Son to us. You are faithful to all of your promises and in Christ we have a final “yes and amen.” Thank you for your presence with us now through your Holy Spirit. We pray for a deeper knowledge of the sufficiency of Christ in our hearts and our minds. We ask that you would help us to see, savor, and share your glory this week. In Jesus’ name, Amen.