The Position of Christ

Introduction

Who is Jesus? The entire book of Colossians is about Jesus being preeminent in the lives of Christians and in every church throughout the world. The question that many of us must answer is, why should Jesus be Preeminent?

He should be preeminent because of who he is; the creator of the world, the Son of God, and the Head of the Church.

The Position of Christ in Creation

Colossians 1:15–17 “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

Jesus has Always Been

Firstborn

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Four: Crown Him Lord of All! (Colossians 1:13–20)

The term firstborn does not refer to time, but to place or status. Jesus Christ was not the first being created, since He Himself is the Creator of all things. Firstborn simply means “of first importance, of first rank.”

No, Jesus was not created. He is first, above all. He was never created and he was never himself born.

Revelation 1:8 “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

Jesus Created Everything

He is the creator of all things; not the creation.

The False teachers we have mentioned beforehand believed that all matter was evil. This is why they taught that Jesus did not come in the flesh. Their whole view of creation and Christ and evil was completely distorted.

Paul is teaching the Colossians that Christ is first and he is preeminent. He used the word image which means that he was telling them that Jesus was an exact representation of God. In other words, Jesus is God and is the creator of all things. He came down from heaven above to redeem mankind back to the Father.

Everything was Created for Christ

Colossians 1:16–17 “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

Not only do these verses state that Jesus created all things, but it also says that everything was created for him. Let me break this down so that you can apply this very simply to your own life; this means that you were created for Jesus. Since Jesus is above all his creation it means that Jesus should be at the top of your list. You were not just created by him, but you were created for him.

You were created to follow him. You were created to serve him. You were created to love him. You were created to glorify him. If Christ is not at the top of your life then you are not fulfilling the reason you were created. That is what causes people to feel empty and unfulfilled.

The Position of Christ in the Church

Colossians 1:18–20 “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”

Jesus is the Founder of the Church

Matthew 16:18 “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

That rock was Jesus himself; not the Apostle Peter as the Catholic Church tries to say. Jesus started the church as the organization to spread the gospel to the world.

Jesus is Preeminent in the Church

Colossians 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

The whole focus of this entire passage of Scripture is this verse. Jesus is first. Jesus Created the world. Jesus is above all creation. Jesus founded the church. Jesus empowered the church. Jesus runs the church. Jesus Directs the Church. Jesus is the center of the church. Nothing exist without Jesus. The church cannot operate without Jesus. Jesus is the preeminent figure of the world and of the church.

Not only Jesus Preeminent in the church he should be preeminent in your life.

Conclusion

There is no question what Christ’s position was in Creation. He has always been, he was not just present at creation, but he created everything. Everything was created for him. There is no question what Christ’s position is in the Church. He will always be her head. No one will ever take his place in the church. The question that we must ask this morning, however, is what place do you give Christ in your life?

We started this series with the question, Who is First? We return to it this morning because that is the whole point of this entire book. It points the people of the church of Colossae to Jesus Christ. It points everyone that is here this morning to Jesus Christ. It points every Christian that reads its pages to the person of Jesus Christ. His position will not change in creation or in the church, but where he is in your life is up to you. So where are you going to put Christ? What position does Jesus have in your life? Is he Preeminent in your life?