Christ, the Image of the Invisible God

Colossians 1:15–23

Opening Prayer

Father, we come before You today with hearts full of gratitude. Thank You for sending Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Lord, open our eyes this morning to see Jesus for who He truly is — supreme over creation, head of the church, and Savior of the world.

May Your Spirit move among us, convicting hearts, strengthening faith, and lifting up Christ above all. Guard us from distractions, and let us behold the glory of Your Son. And Lord, if there be anyone here today who has never trusted Christ, may this be the day they bow the knee and crown Him Lord of all. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Introduction

Take God’s Word and turn with me to Colossians chapter 1. Last week we began a brand-new series through this great letter, and we learned that the gospel has power—it produces a changed life, it possesses a conquering power, and it provides a complete salvation.

Now today, Paul takes us to the very heart of the matter: Who is Jesus Christ? Friend, that’s the most important question you will ever answer. Religion cannot save you. Philosophy cannot redeem you. Politics cannot rescue you. Only Jesus can.

Paul lifts Jesus up in this passage as the image of the invisible God and shows us His supremacy over creation, over the church, and over salvation itself. If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus.

Colossians 1:15–17 NKJV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

The first truth we see in this text is that Jesus is the portrait of God.

1. Jesus Is the Portrait of God (vv. 15–17)

Paul begins: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”

“Image” (Greek: eikon) means exact representation. Jesus is not a copy of God—He is God made visible.

John 1:1–3 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… All things were made by Him.”

Hebrews 1:3 declares that Jesus is “the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person.”

Illustration: If you’ve ever looked into a mirror, you know it shows your exact reflection. Now imagine a flawless mirror—no distortion, no blemish, a perfect likeness. Jesus is the flawless mirror of God. When you look at Him, you see exactly what the Father is like.

Look, you don’t need to wonder what God is like—look at Jesus. His compassion shows God’s heart. His miracles show God’s power. His cross shows God’s love.

Paul also says He is the “firstborn over all creation.” That doesn’t mean Jesus was created—it means He is supreme in rank, heir of all things. Just as the firstborn son in Hebrew culture had inheritance rights, Jesus has authority over all creation.

And verse 17 says, “By Him all things consist.” Look, Jesus is not only the Creator of the universe; He is the glue of the universe. If Jesus let go, everything would collapse into chaos.

Illustration: Suppose you walked into an art gallery and saw a beautiful painting. You’d never assume it appeared by accident. You’d want to know who the artist was. The universe is God’s gallery, and Jesus is the Artist.

Colossians 1:18 NKJV

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 may have the preeminence.

2. Jesus Is the Prince of the Church (v. 18)

Paul continues: “He is the head of the body, the church.”

The church is not a building. It’s not a denomination. It’s the body of Christ, and Jesus is the head.

He’s not just the top—He’s the source of life, the brain that directs the body, the One who gives vision and purpose.

Ephesians 1:22–23 says God “gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body.”

Illustration: Imagine a body without a head. It cannot see, it cannot think, it cannot function. The body depends entirely on the head for direction and life. In the same way, the church cannot live, grow, or move without Jesus Christ. He is not just at the top of the organization chart—He is the very life of the body.

Look, no preacher is the head of the church. No pope is the head of the church. No board or committee is the head of the church. Jesus Christ alone is the head of the church.

And Paul says He is “the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He might have the preeminence.” Revelation 1:17–18 says: “Fear not, I am the first and the last. I am He that liveth and was dead; and behold, I am alive forevermore.”

The resurrection proves His supremacy. He conquered death, hell, and the grave.

Colossians 1:19–22 NKJV

19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—

3. Jesus Is the Peacemaker of the Cross (vv. 19–22)

Paul says: “It pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself… having made peace through the blood of His cross.”

Illustration: Picture two neighbors at war, fences broken down, hostility on both sides. Then one day, a mediator builds a bridge across the property line and invites them to meet in the middle. That bridge brings reconciliation. You see, the cross of Jesus Christ is the bridge between sinful man and holy God. At the cross, enemies become friends.

In Jesus, the fullness of God lives. Not part of God, not a reflection of God—the fullness of God.

We were alienated, enemies in our minds by wicked works. But through His death on the cross, He reconciled us.

That word “reconcile” means to change from hostility to harmony.

Romans 5:10 says, “When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son.”

Peace doesn’t come through self-help, meditation, or politics or through any other means. Peace comes only through the blood of the cross.

Illustration: During World War II, there was a bridge in Europe that both armies were fighting over. That bridge was the key to victory. The cross of Jesus Christ is the bridge between God and man. He shed His blood so we could cross over from death to life.

Colossians 1:23 NKJV

23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

4. Jesus Is the Perseverance of Our Faith (v. 23)

Paul closes this magnificent section by saying: “If you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard…”

Now, some people stumble here. They say, “Pastor, does that mean I can lose my salvation if I don’t keep going?” No, friend! Salvation is not maintained by your grip on Christ—it’s maintained by His grip on you. John 10:28 says, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”

But what Paul is teaching is this: the proof of true salvation is perseverance. A faith that quits was never real to begin with.

1 John 2:19 explains it clearly: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us.”

That’s why Paul says we must be “grounded and steadfast.” That’s a construction term—like laying a foundation. A building without a foundation will collapse in the storm. Jesus said in Matthew 7:24–25, “Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” When the storms came, the house stood firm because it was grounded.

The honest truth is this, storms will come. False teachers will come. Temptations will come. The devil will whisper, “You don’t need to stay faithful; it’s not worth it.” But Paul says—don’t move away from the hope of the gospel. Why? Because Christ is enough!

Illustration: The Christian life is not a hundred-yard dash—it’s a marathon. A runner doesn’t get a medal for sprinting the first hundred yards; he gets it for crossing the finish line. Now, thank God, we don’t run in our own strength. Jesus gives grace to start the race, strength to stay in the race, and glory when we finish the race.

Hebrews 12:1–2 says it this way: “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Did you catch that? He starts it. He sustains it. He finishes it.

If you are truly saved, you’ll keep running—not because you’re strong, but because He is faithful. Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

So stay grounded. Stay steadfast. Keep your eyes on Jesus. The gospel that saved you is the gospel that will keep you.

Conclusion

Paul gives us one of the most exalted pictures of Jesus Christ in all the Bible:

He is the portrait of God—the image of the invisible God.

He is the prince of the church—the head of the body.

He is the peacemaker of the cross—reconciling us to God.

He is the perseverance of our faith—keeping us grounded in the gospel.

Friend, is Jesus preeminent in your life? Not just prominent—not just important—but preeminent. Above all. Supreme. Lord of all.

If He’s not, you’ll never find peace, purpose, or salvation. But if He is, you’ll have life everlasting.

Invitation

If you’ve never trusted Christ as Lord and Savior, I invite you to come to Him today. He is the image of the invisible God, and He went to the cross for you. Believe in Him, and He will transfer you from darkness to light, from death to life.

And if you are saved, let me ask: is Jesus truly first in your life—above all else? Put Him in His rightful place today.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, we exalt You today as the image of the invisible God, the One in whom all the fullness of God dwells. You are the Creator, the Sustainer, the Head of the church, and the Savior who reconciles us through the blood of Your cross.

We ask, O Lord, that You would help us to continue in the faith — grounded, steadfast, and never moved away from the hope of the gospel. May we walk out of this place not with a casual commitment, but with Christ on the throne of our lives.

Keep us faithful until the finish line, and may all we do bring glory to You. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.