God, Who Do You Think You Are? (Part 2)

Introduction

The lack of submission to authority is in epidemic proportion throughout the world today as we mentioned last week, however, such acts of insubordination should not surprise us since we live in a world that refuses to acknowledge God’s existence, or if they do acknowledge his existence, they seek to fashion him according to their own indulgences.

Yet, what is surprising is that the true church of Jesus Christ, the champions of truth, the dispensers of salt and light, have become more and more hardened to the voice and their master, questioning his authority over them. It’s as if we’ve forgotten the scripture:

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 ESV

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1cor 6:19-20

So, is it true that, in Christ, we no longer have ownership or authority over our bodies? Does that mean that it truly matters what I do, say, or even think? If this is so that Jesus Christ indeed has the ultimate authority over us his church, then any insubordination on our part is like saying, “Who do you think you are, Jesus, telling me what to do?”

Text: (Pew: page 983)

Col 1:15-23

Colossians 1:15–23 ESV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 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. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 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. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Background

Paul never visited Colossae but the church was founded by a Colossian named Epaphras

Epaphras apparently was reached through Paul’s ministry to Ephesus where may residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jew and Greek ()

Some five to seven years later, Epaphras visited Paul in prison in Rome to tell him of the strange teaching that was threatening the health of the Colossian church

This strange teaching was a Greek-influenced form of Jewish philosophy that viewed Christians as still vulnerable to spiritual forces

The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version Date and Occasion

Paul never visited Colossae (2:1). The church there was founded by a Colossian named Epaphras, apparently in the wake of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus (A.D. 53–55), from where “all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:10). Some five to seven years later, the founder of the Colossian church joined Paul in prison at Rome (Acts 28; Col. 4:12, 13) to tell the apostle of a strange teaching threatening the health of his home church and to remain with Paul to pray for the churches of the Lycus Valley.

These forces where to be appeased through some sort of asceticism of food and drink, and honoring certain prescribed days in the OT ceremonial law

Paul writes this epistle as a rebuttal against such philosophies, claiming that acceptance before God is through Christ alone

God has already accepted them by virtue of their union with Christ in His death and resurrection, and maturity is their goal, through the “perfect one” who fills them

The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version Characteristics and Themes

The Christians Paul addresses in this letter were struggling with a Greek-influenced form of Jewish philosophy that viewed Christians as still vulnerable to spiritual forces. It was thought that these forces needed to be placated through veneration, through some sort of asceticism of food and drink, and by honoring certain days prescribed in Old Testament ceremonial law. The epistle is designed to help Christians understand that in order for them to gain acceptance before God, they need Christ only. God has already accepted them by virtue of their union with Christ in His death and resurrection. While there is a perfection, or maturity, that still stands before them as a goal (1:22, 23, 28), they are already “filled in him,” the perfect One (2:10).

Main Point

Since Jesus Christ is preeminent, he therefore has total authority to rule the church as He wills, and we his church must respond in obedience.

Preeminent {vs 18} (proteuo) [pres, act, ind] - used only 1x in NT, means “to be first”

1. Jesus is Preeminent in Creation (vs. 15-17)

Preeminent (proteuo) [pres, act, ind] - used only 1x in NT, means “to be first”

a. The Resource to Create: Image of the Invisible God (vs 15)

Image: Looks like God

Hebrews 1:1–3 ESV

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

heb

Hebrews 1:1–3 ESV

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Hebrews 1:1–4 ESV

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Heb

Invisible: Attributes of God

Romans 1:20 ESV

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

b. The Right to Create: Firstborn of all Creation (vs 15)

Firstborn (prototokos) [adj, nom] - the one to whom belongs the right, authority, and dignity of the firstborn child, inheriting all things from the father

the link between heaven and earth

the authority to originate

c. The Resolve to Create: Creator of all Things (vs 16-17)

Created through him: His power (vs. 16)

Created for him: His purpose (vs. 16)

2. Jesus is Preeminent in Redemption (vs. 18-20)

2. Jesus’ Preeminence in Redemption

a. The Ability to Redeem: Fullness of God (vs. 19)

πλήρωμα plērōma fullness [noun, accusative, singular, neuter] Sense: completeness ⇔ fullness – the state of having every necessary or normal part or component or step.

noun, accusative, singular, neuter Sense: completeness ⇔ fullness – the state of having every necessary or normal part or component or step.

b. The Authority to Redeem: Firstborn from the dead (vs. 19)

b. The Reconciler of His Church

b. The Right to Redeem: Firstborn from the dead

The Reconciler of His Church

Firstborn (prototokos) [adj, nom] - the one to whom belongs the right, authority, and dignity of the firstborn child, inheriting all things from the father

the link between earth and heaven

the right to carry out redemption

c. The Aim to Redeem: Reconcile and Head His Church (vs. 18, 20)

Ultimate Authority over the church (vs. 18)

Ultimate Unity of heaven and earth (vs. 20)

3. Jesus is Preeminent in Restoration (vs. 21-23)

a.

a. Restored holiness to the unholy (vs. 21)

procedure, with favorable results.

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

b. Restored stability to the unstable (vs. 23)

Ephesians 5:22 ESV

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

eph 5:

Ephesians 5:25 ESV

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

Eph

Ephesians 6:1 ESV

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

So What?

Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ?

Is your identity found in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master?

Do you know his commands and are you desiring to follow them?

Are you making disciples as Jesus commands in Mathew 28?

Remember:

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.