Truth & Grace: The Supremacy of Christ

Introduction

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You ever notice how everybody’s got their own version of Christmas? Like — some people put their tree up the day after Halloween. And other people insist you gotta wait until after Thanksgiving or you’ll ruin the turkey.

Some people can’t get enough of Hallmark movies… while others are die-hard fans of Die-Hard — literally. Everybody’s got an opinion of how Christmas should go.

And if you don’t have an opinion of how Christmas should go in your house… that’s probably because you’re the husband.

And you know what’s funny? Every year there seems to be this pull to define what Christmas is really about. We say things like “Jesus is the reason for the season” but if we’re honest — He usually gets squeezed between the gift wrap and the leftovers, right?

The truth is — most of us like the comfort of Christmas — but we don’t always stop to think about the Christ of Christmas.

See — everybody’s got their own version of Him. Some say He was a great teacher. And others might say He was a wise man or a moral guide. Some say He was a prophet — and others say He was a myth. And all of those things are true — but they’re not the primary reason why Christ came to earth.

But this isn’t a new phenomenon — and in fact — Paul wrote a letter to a church who had the exact same problem. They were surrounded by people who liked the idea of Jesus — but didn’t really understand who He was.

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So for the month of November — your pastors are serving you well by walking you through the importance of understanding Christ’s role in Christmas — not just the trees — and the lights — and the presents — but to truly understand the magnitude of what we’re celebrating.

What we’re going to be exploring tonight is what’s called the Preeminence of Christ. Now — that’s not a phrase you use every day, right? We don’t walk around saying, “Wow, that’s a preeminent cup of coffee.” …at least I hope you don’t, because that’d be weird.

So let’s make it simple — y’all want an English lesson? No? Too bad.

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Pre — means before

Eminent — means “highest or most important”

So to say that Christ is Preeminent means that He ranks above everything and everybody else. He’s not just first on a list — He’s in a category all His own.

If everything else is a mountain — then He’s Everest.

If everything else has glory — then His glory makes theirs look like candlelight beside the sun.

And yet — this same God humbled Himself to be born in a feeding trough.

Think about this — scientists estimate there are around 200 billion galaxies in the known universe — and every single one exists because God spoke them into being.

That’s Who was lying in the manager.

The same hands that shaped Saturns rings reached for Mary’s finger.

The same voice that thundered on the mountain when He spoke to Moses — cried out for milk.

The Christmas story isn’t just sentimental — it’s supernatural.

The One Who holds the entire universe together — humbled Himself to be held by a teenage girl.

That’s Who we’re talking about tonight.

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So turn in your Bibles to the Book of Colossians. If you’re new or newer to the Bible — Colossians is in the New Testament. It’s between Philippians and 1st & 2nd Thessalonians.

And this passage we’re looking at tonight in Colossians Chapter 1 — Paul wrote this to remind the Colossian church — and to remind us — of this truth: Jesus isn’t just part of creation. He’s all over creation. He’s not just another good thing that God made — He is God Himself. Let’s take a look:

Colossians 1:15–20 CSB

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. 17 He is before all things, and by him all things hold together. 18 He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

So there are three things that Paul shows us here in this passage tonight.

The first is that Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.

SHOW VERSE 15 AGAIN

Paul says in verse 15 that Jesus is the firstborn over all creation. That’s a bold claim. Paul’s saying, “You wanna know what God looks like? Take a look at Jesus.”

He’s not a photocopy or an imitation. He’s the exact representation — the full expression — of who God is. He’s not just a reflection of God’s glory — He is God’s glory — revealed.

Think about this — humanity has always tried to reach God — through temples — and towers — and sacrifices.

Moses said to God, “Show me Your glory.”

The prophets saw glimpses — and the angels covered their faces before His throne.

But Christmas flips the story: God reached down to us. The invisible became visible — not because we built a ladder high enough — but because He stooped down low enough.

One night in Bethlehem — God shows His face.

Not in thunder or lightning — but in the cry of a newborn child.

In His time on earth — Jesus didn’t just talk about God — He showed us what God looked like in flesh and blood.

Now — that word “firstborn” in verse 15 doesn’t mean Jesus was created first — Jesus has always existed. It means He holds the position of highest rank. He’s the heir of all creation. He’s not just before all things in time — He’s above all things in authority.

Let’s make it simple: Jesus didn’t begin in Bethlehem — He just appeared there. He always was.

That’s what Paul’s saying here — before there was a manger — there was majesty. Before there were shepherds in the field — there were shepherds on the throne.

And this is where it starts to blow your mind. Verse 16 says:

SHOW VERSE 16 AGAIN

Colossians 1:16 CSB

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.

That means everything you can see — and everything you can’t — was created by Jesus — and for Jesus. Planets — and oceans. Galaxies — and angels. Rulers — and presidents… you name it! All of it points back to Him.

Let me put it this way: you ever try to assemble furniture without the instructions?

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Just last week — my wife ordered a new couch for our counseling practice — and they sent what looks like an instruction manual for a pool house. Some of y’all got a big kick out of that on Facebook. Also — I’d just like to point out — it says “Installation Manuah” — so… do with that what you will.

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But think about that — putting something together without instructions is frustrating, right? You’ve got extra screws left over — and a board facing the wrong way — and a growing urge to set the whole thing on fire and forget about it.

Creation without Christ would be the same way. Nothing would make sense without Him.

Y’all ever try putting a puzzle together without seeing the picture on the box? You can force a few pieces — but it never really fits. That’s what life is like without Christ. You might build your career — or a reputation — even a family. But without Him — the picture never looks quite right. He’s not just the missing piece… He’s the picture that the pieces were made for.

When we look at Christmas — we’re not just celebrating that God sent a baby into the world — we’re celebrating that the Creator stepped into His own creation. The invisible God became visible — not to impress us — but to invite us into a relationship with Him.

The second thing this shows us is that Christ is the Creator and the Sustainer of all things.

In verse 17 Paul says,

SHOW VERSE 17 AGAIN

Colossians 1:17 CSB

17 He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.

That means Jesus didn’t just start creation — He sustains it. He didn’t just spin the universe like a top and walk away — He’s holding all of it together right now — including all of our messes.

Think about that — every heartbeat — every breath — every atom — it all stays in place because He says so. And that’s good news for us tonight — because if He’s holding the galaxies together — that means He can hold us together, too.

Some of us walked in here tonight maybe feeling like life is one loose thread away from unraveling. Maybe you’re carrying stress — or grief — or uncertainty. You’ve been trying to hold everything together for your family — or your finances — or your faith — and it’s ehxausting.

But Scripture reminds us that Christ is not asking us to hold it all together. Because He already is. In fact — He tells us we don’t have to have it all figured out — and we don’t have to live in fear. Look at Isaiah 41:10

Isaiah 41:10 CSB

10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.

But that’s not all — Look at Proverbs 19:21 —

Proverbs 19:21 CSB

21 Many plans are in a person’s heart, but the Lord’s decree will prevail.

And then Psalm 22:28 —

Psalm 22:28 NIV

28 for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.

Maybe as we’re looking toward Christmas this year you’re walking through loss. Maybe an empty chair at the table makes it hard to celebrate. Or maybe you’re carrying the quiet weight of anxiety or depression that nobody else can see.

I saw something on social media that says “Some of us are hanging on by the last ornament hook.” And that’s true — especially this time of year. But friend — He’s the One keeping the whole tree from toppling over.

Psalm 46:1 reminds us:

Psalm 46:1 CSB

1 God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.

If His Word can keep stars burning billions of miles away — then His Word can surely carry us through what we’re facing today, amen?

Jesus isn’t just holding Creation together — He’s holding each of us. Our anxiety — our grief — our future — it’s not spinning out of control if He is the Lord of our life.

We’ve got to remember — especially now as we’re heading into the Christmas season — when everything feels shaky — Jesus isn’t. When your peace feels fragile — His isn’t. When your plans fall apart — His purpose still stands.

As we’re approaching this season — remember: peace doesn’t come from having everything perfect — it comes from trusting the One who holds everything in His hands. You don’t have to fake joy this season — you just have to find Jesus in the middle of your chaos.

The third thing our passage tonight shows us — is that Christ is the Reconciler and Redeemer of all things.

Paul takes this message further — look at verses 18 through 20 of our passage:

SHOW VERSE 18 AGAIN

Colossians 1:18–20 CSB

18 He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.

There’s that phrase again — first place in everything. That’s preeminence. Jesus doesn’t just reign over creation — He reigns over redemption.

And then verse 19:

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Colossians 1:19 CSB

19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,

All the fullness of God. Everything makes God, God —- lives fully in Jesus.

And then verse 20 says:

VERSE 20 AGAIN

Colossians 1:20 CSB

20 and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

That’s the heart of the Gospel. The One who is supreme is also the One Who saves.

He didn’t stay distant from our pain — He entered into it.

He didn’t just create the world — He came to redeem it.

He didn’t just reign from Heaven — He came to rescue from Earth.

That’s what makes Christianity different from any other religion. Every other system says, “Here’s how you climb your way up to God.” But the Gospel says, “God came down to you.”

In Philippians, chapter 2, Paul wrote that Jesus,

Philippians 2:6–8 CSB

6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. 7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross.

That’s the wonder of Christmas. It’s not the lights — or the presents — or even the time spent with family. It’s the finished work of Jesus Christ. The cradle points to the Cross. The God who made all things came to restore all things.

Most kings send somebody else to fight their battles. But our King stepped off His throne — wrapped Himself in flesh — and came to die in our place.

And here’s the incredible part — He’s not just reconciling the world back to Himself — He’s reconciling you.

You — with your past.

You — with your doubts.

You — with your messy history.

Because you are part of His redemption plan.

And if you’ve ever wondered how much you’re worth — just look at the Cross. The One who created the starts thought you were worth dying for.

You now — when most kings enter a room — everybody stands. But when Jesus entered the world — He couldn’t even stand Himself. And yet — every knee will bow.

And here’s what amazes me: He knew the cost before He came. He knew the pain — the betrayal — the nails — and He still stepped in. See Christmas isn’t cute — it’s courageous. From the cradle to the Cross — the plan never changed — He came to reconcile rebels and restore broken hearts.

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So what’s this mean for us tonight?

It means this Christmas — don’t just celebrate the Jesus Who came — worship that He reigns.

If I can encourage you — don’t just look at the manger and think about how small He became… look at it and remember how great He truly is.

Because before there was a stable — there was a throne. And the same God who came to us as a child still rules as the King of Kings.

He’s above all things — before all things — and holding all things together. And if that’s true — that means He can hold our life together too.

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You know — when you think about everything Paul said about Jesus — it’s humbling. Because if we’re honest — most of us don’t live like He’s first place. We live like He’s part of our life — but maybe not the center of it.

We fit him around work — or family — or our plans — when really — all of life was meant to revolve around Him.

The truth is — that’s what sin does. Sin takes what belongs to God and tries to make it about us. It says, “I’ll be in charge. I’ll decided what’s right. And I’ll be my own authority.”

See it’s not that we don’t worship — it’s that we worship the wrong things. We chase success — or control — or comfort — or relationships — all good things — but they can’t save us.

But the Good News of the Gospel is that Jesus didn’t come to condemn us for that — He came to save us from it.

That’s what Paul means when he says Christ came to “reconcile everything to Himself”. That word — reconcile — means to restore a broken relationship. Our sin separated us from God. But Jesus — through His death and resurrection — made peace between us and the Father.

So when we talk about the preeminence of Christ — we’re not just saying that He’s Lord over the universe — we’re saying He deserve to be Lord of our heart. That’s what it means to surrender to Him. It’s not just believing He exists — it’s trusting Him enough for Him to lead. It’s saying, “Jesus, you’re above all things. Including me.”

Maybe tonight — that’s what God’s stirring in you. Maybe you’ve known about Jesus — but you’ve never truly given Him first place. Or maybe you’ve drifted and you need to come home again. Here’s the best part — you don’t have to fix yourself to come home. You just have to show up.

Because the One who holds all things together can hold you together too.

And the same hands that shaped the stars — are reaching for you — even now.

Remember — the baby we celebrate at Christmas isn’t just the reason for the season — He’s the reason for everything. He is the image of the invisible God — the Creator and Sustainer of all things — the Redeemer of broken hearts — and the Reconciler of all creation.

Before there was a manger — there was a throne. And before we ever thought about reaching for Him — He had already reached for us.

May we never lose the wonder that the God who is above all things came down to be with us — so that through Him — we could be brought back to God.

Pray