HIS IMAGE - Sermon 1 - Creator & Sustainer
Notes
Transcript
Intro:
Intro:
Throughout Colossians, we see that Paul exalts and lifts Jesus as the ‘INVISIBLE GOD’.
Paul points out the supreme and total authority that he has over ALL creation.
Paul also explains what Jesus’ role is in the process of reconciliation of all things to himself through His blood.
We will be in this for the next 3 weeks.
HIS IMAGE
HIS IMAGE
READ together.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 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.
Christ: The Invisible Image
Christ: The Invisible Image
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
A few things to point out that we need to fully understand.
God has always existed.
He is the ‘FIRSTBORN’.
Paul refers to Jesus as the ‘FIRSTBORN’. What Paul is imply is that Jesus existed before any of creation.
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity, you are God.
11 Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.
God ALWAYS has existed.
However, there are none on earth who have ever seen God himself.
Why? Because we have an INVISIBLE God.
God is real. He exists. He is present. He is invisible!
Jesus Christ in the perfect image of the invisible God.
we have all seen picture, no one knows for sure who accurate those are.
However, one thing is sure, that pictures can never hold the amount of glory that Jesus deserves and requires.
So, with the fact that God is not here in person and Jesus Christ has already ascended to heaven, how are we supposed to be able to see an invisible God?
Very simple answer. - Through His character.
The Character of God.
He is loving. 1 John 4:8
8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
He is wholly good. Psalm 34:8
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the person who takes refuge in him!
He is holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16
15 But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.
He is righteous (moral perfection). Isaiah 45:21
21 Speak up and present your case— yes, let them consult each other. Who predicted this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the Lord? There is no other God but me, a righteous God and Savior; there is no one except me.
He is just. Deuteronomy 32:4
4 The Rock—his work is perfect; all his ways are just. A faithful God, without bias, he is righteous and true.
It is through the character of God that we are able to see a God who is invisible.
Who is God’s character shown through? CHRISTIANS.
We understand the character of God, but how do we show that character to others?
Through showing the fruit of the spirit vs. the fruit of the flesh.
19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.
Creator with a purpose
Creator with a purpose
16 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.
No matter how you look at anything in the world, everything had to have an overall creator.
there are so many verses in scripture that point to this, but we are only going to highlight one more.
3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.
God created EVERYTHING. However, He created everything with a purpose in mind.
God does not create things that are useless, He creates good, useful, productive things.
God created trees to produce oxygen, it is productive.
God created corn to grow and be edible, it is productive.
God created water to hold oxygen for ocean life, it is productive.
God only created things with the intended purpose of productivity.
God created you. Psalm 139:13
13 For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
God created you to be productive!
But what are you supposed to be productive at?
Spreading His gospel.
19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Conclusion -
To put it very simple…
Jesus is the image of the invisible God.
The invisible God is the only true God according to the scriptures.
He is the creator of ALL, and all was created for a purpose.
As you all go to small groups, dive deeper into the image of God and the purpose that He has for each of you.
Next week we will look at hoe God is supreme (over) all things to include…
Creation.
Church.
Death.
