Preeminent Christ | Colossians 1:15–20

Church, good morning! If you have your Bible’s, and I hope you do, please take them and open them to the book of Colossians. I’m excited, and intimidated to jump into our passage today. This little hymn has been called one of the high points of the New Testament. I think it is the highest Christological statements in all of Scripture, so, I’m here to tell you that what we are about to look is beyond 40 minutes of our time. We are going to leave a lot of meat on the bones here, but that’s ok. Hopefully we’ll cover enough to leave you being able to go home and spend some time in the Word with the Lord meditating on the vast implications and applications of these verses. So with that being said, I’m actually going to back up a little bit, not all the way to verse 1 like I have the previous weeks, but to v13 and read through verse 20. We’ll read, pray, and then dive into it.

Colossians 1:13–20 ESV

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 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. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 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. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

This is God’s Word. Thanks be to God. Let’s pray.

One of the things I’ve always heard was that one of the most important things that college teaches you is time management and prioritization. Obviously, you don’t need to go to college for those things, but it is true that you are forced to learn those two things otherwise you’ll fail. Time management & prioritization are two things that you do need to learn students and kids, because as time goes on all of the sudden your greatest concern is no longer will I make friends at camp and what are we eating for dinner? Although, those are two things that matter.

What happens when you grow up is that now you’re worried about the bills that are due, and your parents that are getting older (not mine), and your kids that are sick, and your out of days off, and your income isn’t matching your outflow, and your kids want to play travel sports, and they really don’t want to go to church, and I’m growing older and all the sudden I’m not physically or mentally what I used to be and it’s starting to show. Life happens, doesn’t it. Rather quickly too. And as we have all of these pressures in life we have to decide what’s most important. What are the battles worth fighting?

So then we engage in those battles. They become our purpose and often we derive our joy or our peace from the outcome of those things. Which is revealing, isn’t it? All the sudden a situation—whether good or bad, a person, a thing has become the most important thing in our life. It has become preeminent. Now, that little word is the key of our study today. Preeminence. And what Paul is going to show us is that Jesus is preeminent. That is the main point of this text and Paul is going to show us that Jesus is preeminent in 3 different areas: Previously, presently, and perpetually. Let’s start at the beginning

Previously Preeminent.

Having just come out of praying for the church at Colossae, which he ends with this majestic declaration of what Jesus has done—that’s why we picked up at v13. Jesus has qualified, delivered, transferred, redeemed, and forgiven those who have placed their faith in him. Paul starts with what Jesus has done, and it leads him to just explode with this theologically rich and meaningful passage about who exactly Christ is. He starts in v15-16 with looking at Jesus identity and role in creation. Just as a heads up, I’m going to explain this for a minute before we seek to apply it, ok?

He is the image of the invisible God. One of the truths that our kids learn in KidZone is that God is Spirit. He cannot be seen our touched like you or I, yet at the same time there is Jesus who is the image of this invisible God. He is the personification of the Father. Everything that can be found in God is found in Christ. While they are two distinct and separate beings, they are one at the same time.

As you read that phrase, it might call to mind Gen. 1:27-28 in which God creates Adam & Eve in his image. All of humanity was created to bear part of the image of God—the imago dei, yet humanity has always been lacking. Jesus did bear the image of God because he is God. He bore that image perfectly and in doing so he actually gave us a picture of what it means to be fully human.

But then we encounter the next phrase which seems to be a little more challenging. Jesus is the firstborn of all creation. Jehova’s Witness take this verse and interpret it to mean that Jesus was the first thing that God created. They fall in line with a heresy that refuted and rebuked by the early church long ago—it’s called the Arian heresy. Now we don’t have time to dig across all the Scriptures and show why that’s not true, so let me explain the words of this text.

Firstborn can indeed mean exactly what we think. Walker is my firstborn son. It is used elsewhere in Scripture this way. The word for firstborn can also mean very highest status. It is the one who is exalted over others. Here’s why this second interpretation is preferred.

The prepositional word “of” —firstborn of— is in the genetive case. Here’s what that means. I can say that is a block of wood. When I say that what do I mean? The block is made of wood. I can also say, coach of the team. Does this mean I’m part of the team? When you get down to brass tax, no. I’m not part of the team, I’m the one who’s over the team. The second use of the word of and of the word firstborn in addition to all the NT show us that Jesus isn’t the first created being, but the rest of the Scriptures do argue that He is the highest over all things.

This proved in the very next verse. All things were created by him. He is the agent of creation. All things were created through him. He is the power by which all creation was created. and All things were created for him. This means that all things find their purpose in him.

That phrase, “all things,” includes all things. Thing in heaven and on earth, the very protons & atoms that make up all matter to the majestic endless galaxies that exist, all of it created by through and for him. It is likely the Colossians are being challenged that there are invisible forces that they must contend with in addition the the visible ones they face every day. All of it created by, through and for Jesus. Thrones, dominions, rulers, authorities, kings & kingdoms all created by Jesus, through Jesus, and for Jesus.

All things are not just subject to Jesus, they are for his very purposes. Do you remember when we studied Daniel the first 13 weeks of this year? What did we see over and over? Even the captivity of God’s people was for the purpose of getting us to Jesus. all of it is subject to and for him. Those two implications, truths, of this text are massive for us. We could sit here and think about the subjectivity of all things to Jesus and the purpose of all things for Jesus for the rest of the day. Seriously, every instance, circumstance, thought, all of it, subjective to and for him. So how do we work that out?

I think some questions might get us there…if all things are subject to him, if He is Lord over all things, then the question is have you recognized it? Because you see if you don’t recognize it then what you’re going to continue to live in is the domain of darkness—finding identity and purpose, deriving joy and peace from ever fleeting circumstances, but if you do not just recognize but submit to the Lordship of Jesus by placing your faith in him then not only are you delivered, but you are qualified, transferred, redeemed and forgiven and as F.F. Bruce, “For those who have been redeemed by Christ, the universe has no ultimate terrors; they know that their Redeemer is also creator, ruler, and goal of all.” So have you recognized the lordship of Jesus in all things?

That’s the first question we can ask. Regardless of your answer, all of us find ourselves in situations or dealing with people that seem impossible—kinda like those terrors that don’t exist, it sure doesn’t feel that way, does it? There isn’t a person in this room that doesn’t have something pressing on them.

I was listening to a podcast this week in which Paul Tripp was interviewing a guy about evangelism. It was like a 2 hour long, but really good podcast. They ended up getting on the topic of evangelizing our children and Tripp said this which I thought was convicting and also relevant. He said, “If your eyes ever see or if your ears ever hear the failure of your children it’s never an accident. God loves those children so much he’ll reveal their need to you so that you may be an instrument of grace. If my eyes ever see sin, weakness, and failure in my children it is never an accident.” We encounter sin, weakness failure and brokenness on a day to day, moment by moment, situation by situation, cirucmstance by circumstance, and what do we tend to do? Well there’s a thousand wasy we might react, but ultimately, those circumstances become consuming for and of us. We end up finding deriving our purpose from them—whether that means we try to solve them, fix them, change them, or whatever. But Paul reorients the purpose for all things in life—even for your life in these verses. If all things—sin, weakness, failure, success, wins, compromise—all things, exist for Him then I think there’s two questions that we need to ask. 1) What are you finding your purpose in? Is it in solving these issues? Is it in reaching the next level? Is it in finding the right person to marry? Or making sure your kids turn out alright—let alone survive? Is that your purpose? Or is Christ your purpose? is seeing His lordship grow, his kingdom come in every aspect of your life your purpose?

But there’s another view purpose. We can look at it inwardly, but also outwardly or circumstantially. Have you ever stepped into a situation and gone, why did I do this? Or maybe, it’s a little harder than that and the question is why did this happen to me? Why do I have to endure this? Or maybe, I believe Jesus is Lord, but where is He now? You see what we’re really asking in that moment is what is the purpose of my circumstances? We tend to let our circumstances become defining in our lives, but because Jesus is previously preeminent he redefines the purpose of those circumstances. He is the reality that existed before whatever reality we’re living in and because of that we can’t look to the moment or in the moment and find purpose, we’ve gotta back up and look before it. We must see what is previously preeminent, because whatever is previously preeminent is what determines the ultimate goal of whatever circumstances I step into, no matter how awful they may be, or how good they are, they do have a purpose.

I kinda hate the statement, “everything happens for a reason.” I actually had a guy email me once and ask me what verse in the Bible says that. Here it is. What is the reason for this circumstance? All things were created through him and for him. It is to declare his glory. It is to show his character. It is to exercise his lordship.

Jesus is previously preeminent and because of that we ask 3 questions: Have you recognized his Lordship in all things? What are you finding your purpose in? What purpose are you finding in the midst of your circumstances?

Paul continues in verses 17-18. Let’s look back at these two verses that link the first two with the last two. In them Paul is going to show us that Jesus is Presently Preeminent. That’s or second point

Presently Preeminent.

Let’s get those verses back on the screen.

Colossians 1:17–18 ESV

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 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.

The first part of verse 17 is really a recapitulation of what Paul has just said, yet he takes from before all things—in other words at the dawn of creation—to the present moment: “in him all things hold together.” Right now, all things are being held together by Jesus. If he didn’t hold it together the whole universe, our very existence would unravel. We’d all disappear, but church, this is such a hopeful phrase and one that I think we need to hear this morning. All things is both cosmically and socially. If he didn’t hold things together the universe would unravel. We would no longer exist. The heaven and the earth would fall apart. On a global scale we can see wars and famine and genocide and feel like things are spinning out of control, but Jesus is holding it together. On a personal level you might feel like you have control of things, but Jesus is holding it together.

Here’s why that’s good news: if Jesus is holding all things together, do you know who doesn’t have to? You! You don’t have to hold it together. We make terrible gods. In fact, in order for you to come to him you must let go. You must entrust to him who is faithful. He beckons you, Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He calls for you to1 Peter 5:7 “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” He will and is holding it together. So let me ask you this: what are you trying to hold together this morning that you need to entrust to him?

I’ve found that I have a tendency to react in opposite extremes here. Regardless of the circumstance—whether it’s good or bad. I have a tendency to try and hold everything together. So I think about business…all of this falls on my shoulders and I have to make sure everyone is doing everything the way that I want it done or the way it needs to be done, so I become very controlling of people, places, and things because I have to hold it together. But what happens when I do that? I tend to abuse people, they become pawns in which I just use for my purposes. I tend love places or things more than people. Ultimately, my attempt to hold it together is me trying to declare that I am preeminent. I have control of the situation. I can hold it together right now.

Or, I react in the extreme opposite way: I can’t control this situation and it’s beyond me or they’re impossible, so I just walk away. I don’t want to have anything to do with them or this. Since I can’t be preeminent in this moment I’m out, not just out of the moment, but out all together. Have you ever just written people off because of __________? He’s impossible, she’s irrational, don’t you know their genetics? I’ve seen them do too many shady business deals. I’ve experienced their crazy too many times. I’ve given them 1000 chances and in everyone they’ve undercut, undermined, lied, and used me for their own purposes so I’m out.

But if Jesus holds all things together right now—he is presently preeminent and he is previously preeminent and all things exist for him then maybe, just maybe, these people and these things aren’t for you to exercise Lordship in but for you to recognize his. Maybe they’re for your submitting to and loving him and seeing him in, because, seriously, look at us and our relationship to the Preeminent Christ! Ever tried to strike a shady deal with Jesus? Get me out of this Lord and then I’ll forever follow you. Ever been impossible, irrational, undercut, undermined, or lied to him? What if he knew my genetics? Whoo thanks be to God he didn’t just walk away but instead he walked towards me because He is preeminent. He didn’t throw in the towel, but he holds it all together, right now, despite my crazy. That is something we can rest in and something we need to remember today. Whatever it is in your world that’s spinning out of control, even if it’s you, he holds together.

But then look at what Paul does. It’s like there’s this awesome phrase, he holds all things together, and then change of subject. You ever ride in the car with someone who changes the radio station or the song like every few minutes. It feels like that’s what Paul is doing here, doesn’t it. Creation, church. Boom. Why the shift?

If you step back and look at the metanarrative of Scripture I think it becomes clear. What is the metanarrative? This means the big narrative, or big story of Scripture. Scripture can be seen in four different parts. Creation, fall, redemption, restoration. This is the narrative of history, not just Scripture. We’ve just looked at creation and that Jesus existed before it. It also shows us the redeeming purpose of the fall even before we get to redemption. Then, Christ shows up to accomplish that redemption and now we stand right in between redemption and restoration. In that in between time, Paul point out here that the presently preeminent Christ accomplished two significant things: the church, and the resurrection. Let’s look at each one.

The church, the organism of believers, not a building, but a group of people that find their source of life, their direction and their unity under the head—Jesus. Just like creation exists by, through, and for Jesus, so does the church. But notice the difference of relationship here. Jesus is the head. I’ve seen people live without arms, legs, and even major organs, but, I’ve not seen anyone live without their head. The life of the church is dependent on Christ being the head and the moment the church is lead by and unified under something other than Jesus is the moment the church dies. This implies then that the relationship of the church with the preeminent Christ is fundamentally different than with that of the rest of creation. He holds it together in a different way because he is a part of it.

This also then is formative of our view of the church. It isn’t something that we can just decide we want to occasionally be a part of. It’s not like, ya know, this Sunday I woke up and felt like going to church. Can you imagine if my arm woke up this morning and decided that it was tired from driving, so it should probably stay home and rest? Ridiculous, right? No, Christ unifies this group of people and leads this group of people and holds this group of people together to do one thing: declare his preeminence. But in doing that, what happens? It’s for his glory and our good. When the body functions together like it’s supposed to, my left arm works. My hips carry me places. My elbow might break, but I’ve got other body parts to help compensate and care.

Now based off of this and everything that we’ve looked at so far today I think there’s a couple questions that are pertinent for us individually and corporately. Are we relying on the head to hold us together? That question is both individual and corporate. I can promise you that one of mine and Will’s extremely frequent prayers is that God would hold us together. We recognize that outside of his goodness and grace we’d fall apart.

The second set of questions then is that if he is the head and we are the hands and feet and arms and legs, then are you being functioning properly? Or are you acting as a severed hand trying to make it all on your own? The presently preeminent Christ in his grace and mercy has given you the body to participate in and to prove his preeminence. Will you be a part?

The second thing that Paul shows that Jesus did in redemption to show his present preeminence is the resurrection of the dead. He is the firstborn, again, carrying the same meaning as before he is the one who is over and above and in Christ’s resurrection what he did was he ushered in a new era, a new covenant—one that points towards a final restoration of all things. The resurrection of the dead declares that He will make all things new, but until then he is accomplishing His mission through his body. Now there’s more to say here, but for time, the point is this…what does all of this declare? If he creates it, sustains it, is the ruler of and goal of it from the very beginning, he is the redeemer and restorer of all things even now…what is he? He is preeminent. He is previously and presently preeminent, and then in the last two verses Paul shows us that Jesus is perpetually preeminent.

That’s our 3rd and final point.

Perpetually Preeminent

Look with me back at Colossians 1:19-20

Colossians 1:19–20 ESV

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

The church at Colossae was having to wrestle with some philosophies and teachings that in order for them to be full of all that God had for them there was other traditions and philosophies they had to do and believe. Jesus got them part of the way to God, but fullness was only achieved through other means v. Look ahead to Col. 2:8-10

Colossians 2:8–10 ESV

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Paul is setting up in v19 this argument. He is showing before he even encounters whatever it is they’re wrestling with that all the fullness of God is found in Jesus because he is the image of the invisible God, the exact imprint of His nature. Fullness can’t be found outside of Him. And then in 2:10 the beauty of the gospel is that when we place our faith in him we are filled with that same fullness. This doesn’t mean we become God, no. That’s heretical. But what it does mean is that we’re able to walk in a manner fully pleasing to Him because we’ve been filled by him.

But the fullness of God dwelling in Christ also teaches us something else: you can’t find fulfillment outside of him. That just naturally flows though out of everything we’ve already looked at. So if fulfillment can only be found in Jesus then, what is the call for us? It’s to stop trying to find fulfillment in things that’ll never give it to us. Look to the one in whom the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, not just before creation, not just in the incarnation when he came to earth, not just in the resurrection, but now and forever as he reigns on His throne. Look for fulfillment in him and find it and here’s why you can…this is the good news of the gospel is that “he has reconciled to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

What does Paul mean when he says Jesus has reconciled all things? This has been used as an argument for universalism…the belief that God has and will reconcile all things to himself so it doesn’t really matter what you do. We all end up in heaven.

That’s not Paul means. This isn’t an argument for universalism and the rest of Colossians, let alone the rest of the Scriptures declare otherwise. Again, Paul is setting up what’s ahead. Col. 2:15

Colossians 2:15 ESV

He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Reconciliation does mean he makes all things right. That’s true. But in making all things right it doesn’t mean that all things go to perfection. Now keep verse 15 in mind because we’ll come back to it in a second, but I think the next phrase brings some clarity..he’s reconciled all things by the blood of his cross. What does blood represent in the sacrificial system of the old testament? You can go back to