Who is Jesus?

Colossians 1:15-20

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Intro

Let’s do a quick experiment. If I pulled out my phone right now and asked Siri, “Who is Jesus?” I’d get an answer in about half a second. Google would give me thousands of articles.

But here’s the truth: Just because everyone has an answer doesn’t mean everyone is right.

If you ask people today who Jesus is, you’ll hear a lot of different responses. “He was a good teacher.” “A moral example.” “A prophet.” “A symbol of love and peace.”

And those answers sound good… but they’re incomplete.

Because if Jesus is only a teacher, we can disagree with Him. If He’s only a moral example, we can admire Him from a distance. If He’s only a symbol, we can reshape Him into whatever we want.

Tonight we will see that Jesus is God, Creator and Sustainer, Head of the Church, and Savior.

Read Colossians 1:15–20 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 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. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together. 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. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 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.”

Context

The author of the book of Colossians is Paul. In this book his main concern is the centrality of Christ.

Paul is writing to the church of Colossae because false teachers were threatening to undermine the teachings of the church’s founder who was more than likely Epaphras. The teaching that the false teachers were presenting to them to remove their foundation off of Jesus and to other things.

The verses leading up to 15, Paul is writing giving thanks to the church. V. 4-5 we see Paul addressing their faith, love and the hope they have in Heaven. Paul is encouraged by the church and he is thankful for the reminder for him.

We then see in verses 9-14 Paul is addressing the church in how he is praying for them.

Something to know or remember about these letters we read in the Bible, when they are addressed to a church, their would be one reader, and the congregation, the people would be listening. So as the reader is reading this, the church is being encouraged by the Words of Paul.

In his prayer we see him praying for wisdom, knowledge, spiritual understanding, to bear fruit, to be strengthened, to have endurance, patience, to be joyful, for their ability to share the gospel with those around the church, and ends with a prayer of praise that we have redemption through the forgiveness of sins.

The next thing Paul writes is what we just read here in Colossians.

What we read in the 1st century was actually known as a Jesus hymn. So in the first century they would sing this song, in a similar way to how we sing our worship songs today.

So Paul gives thanks to the church, then prays for them and reminds them how great the Lord is, then begins with this hymn and that leads to our first point in answering Who is Jesus? and it is that HE IS GOD.

He is God. Colossians 1:15 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”

Explanation

He is the Image. Stop here

In the 1st century the word could have 2 meanings. Either a symbol or manifestation

Symbol

The first understanding of the word image is a symbol. We all know what a symbol is.

Heart means love

Dove means peace

Skull means Death

Can we really ever see those things. Can we see love peace and death?

No not really.

So, do we think Jesus is just a symbol of God? No he is more than that. So the next way we see that is through

Manifestation

A manifestation is a step further than a symbol. The symbol is more of a “Visible Expression”- J.B. Phillips

So Jesus is in his image of God is a manifestation of Him.

Hebrews 1:3 “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

John 1:18 “No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side—he has revealed him.”

We see that Jesus is more than a symbol of God, rather he is the Manifested image of God.

Look back at verse 15. The firstborn of all creation

Now when we hear first born what could we think? We could think he is a created. Those who are born have a creator, that is usually mom and dad.

So, was Jesus created?

No… He is God. We know and believe God has always been and will always be. He is eternal.

Now Jesus when he took on flesh was born, we see the biblical account of Mary and her giving birth to Jesus.

But THE SON has been and always will be. He has always existed in time and out of time.

John 1:1–3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.”

John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

What Paul is aiming to do here is showing the distinct difference between Jesus and any other human ever. Where, yes Jesus did have a time where he was conceived and born, He has always been and always will be.

He is showing that since Jesus is the firstborn over all creation he has authority over it, he holds the same authority that God the Father has.

Illustration

I have a bad habit, and i think you all might as well. I have a buddy of mine who loves sending me reels and honestly i think he has an addiction. Like I am telling you before i had to ask him to calm down I would get 20 a day.

Get them and i would reply with a laughing emoji

But in reality my face was like :/

You see the emoji is just a symbol of how i am feeling, but if i were to see him in person or on facetime he would see me for who i really am.

In the same way Jesus is more than a symbol, he is the manifestation, the first born over all creation.

Jesus is not God’s emoji, He is God’s face

Why does this matter, how does it apply to us?

Application

Jesus Defines what God is like

Sometimes I think we put God in this in really high category where we don’t believe he sees us. Or that when we sin and fall short that God hates us or becomes disapointed in us.

Knows us

Psalm 139:13–16 “For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well. My bones were not hidden from you when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began.”

Loves us

Romans 5:8 “But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Full of Grace

2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”

He is Creator & Sustainer. Colossians 1:16–17 “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. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.”

Explanation

For everything was created by him.

Through Him

God the Father is the planner and architect. The Son is the one who executed it. He got it done.

For Him

Everything exists to display his glory and ultimately he will be glorified in His creation and by His Creation

Romans 11:36 “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen

What we do as Christians should bring Him glory amongst those who are Lost

1 Peter 2:12 “Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.”

Worthy of our praise

Revelation 4:11 “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.”

He is before all things and by him all things hold together

The work of creation included the continual sustaining of what was created. Looking to the present, ongoing routine of creation, therefore, Paul stated that Jesus keeps things in order. The Creator has not forgotten the creation. He daily maintains a balance in the universe.- New American Commentary- Richard Melick

Illustration

Fine tuning. Evolutionists believe the world just exploded into existence. Lets just look at some numbers.

Gravity: 1 part in 10⁶⁰ too strong or weak → no life

Odds of a life-permitting universe by chance:~1 in 10¹²⁰

Something had to create the universe, and we know that it is God. The creation account in Genesis is where we see this. Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

After 1:1 we see each step of creation!

Application

We can trust Him and His Promises

Matthew 11:28–30 ““Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.””

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund is a great book.

“Christ’s deepest impulse, his most natural instinct, is to move toward … sin and suffering, not away from it.”

He is the Head of the Church. Colossians 1:18 “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.”

Explanation

The Church is the body of Christ.

He is the Head, beginning, firstborn so that He has all authority. We all are responsible to Him.

Almost like a worker having a manager.

We are held accountable to Him. We follow the Lord’s lead and instruction.

Illustration

Parker Lyon quote. Serving at Crossings. Wanted more kitchen weeks becuase he “wanted to be the feet of Jesus and not the mouth”

All of us have different roles- it is important for that to be the case

Can a foot be good for writing

Can a finger be good for balance

Ear for smelling

Nose for seeing

No they all have different roles and functions for the body to operate and maintain.

For all of us, me, you, leaders, each one of us is apart of the body. If you are in Christ each one of us are called to serve in different ways. Even as you all are in middle and high school there are ways to serve.

The chili lunch

Greeter

Being on Mission

God might be calling you to ministry

To be a missionary

Future SS leader

Deacon

Worship leader

Faithful servant while you are working at a secular job

Teacher

Banker

Engineer

So forth.

Be intentional about praying for where the Lord would have you serve the body now and in the future.

The Only way for us to be apart of the body, we must be in right relation with God the Father, and how we do that is through our last point.

Jesus is Savior

He is Savior. Colossians 1:19–20 “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 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.”

Explanation

God was fully pleased to have the Son take on flesh.

Reconcile- Reconciliation is the restoration of a relationship to a harmonious state after a dispute. God and humanity

What was the dispute

Genesis 3. The Fall of mankind

This is more than a reconcile of humanity back to Him as we might be used to seeing. But it is every ounce of all created things.

How Drastically different is the world now, due to the fall compared the initial very good creation.

Death- Natural and meditated

Disease

How is God going to reconcile us?

He already has through His death burial and resurrection.

Jesus on the cross took every last bit of God’s wraith that we deserve, because he loves us

John 3:16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Illustration

The bridge illustration

One side humanity, other side God

Application

Call to the lost in the room.

Look at who you are currently apart from Jesus

V.21

Because the sin that has not been dealt because there has been no repentance of sin, Admitting to Him that you are a sinner in need of the Savior and confessing him as that, That is who you are.

That is not the end. We know that Jesus has done something through the cross, and His resurrection.

V.22

Recap

Jesus is more than a teacher, religious more than a preacher, good leader, prophet.

He is God, Creator and Sustainer, Head of the church and savior.

We can not just hear what Jesus has to say and it be good enough. Rather we have to fully commit to him as Lord of our life.

We have to do something with Jesus. You either accept him, or reject Him as the Son of God and the savior of the World.

Here is my hope for today. What is one step you need to follow Jesus.

Christian

Read your Bible more

Pray more

Share your faith with a family member, friend. Invite them to church

Non-believer

Ask a question

What is holding me back

Mad at God, Confused

Pray

Small Group Questions

Why is it important that Jesus is the manifestation of God, rather than a symbol of God?

What are some areas in your life where you need to trust Jesus as the Creator and Sustainer of the world in your life?

What are some ways or what are ways that God might want to use you for the body of Church?

What is a step that you need to take to follow Jesus closer this week?