Jesus is the Image of God.

Introduction

Gonna be in Colossians tonight.

Context of the scripture reveals a vague purpose for writing. Through implication we can assume it may be a variety of things.

Jews pushing works in order to be right with God.

Colossians 2:4 ESV

4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.

Colossians 2:16–17 ESV

16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

Mystical teaching pulling away from the deity of Christ.

Colossians 2:8 ESV

8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Because of these, the issue may be a “lack of understanding” of just who Christ is.

Look at the text and let’s discover what’s going on with why Paul dropped . Read .

Possible answer to the purpose..?

Paul expresses deep gratitude for the Gospel success and he explains how and why. Perfect. He’s pushing “successful Gospel” work to go deeper and further. In fact, he’s so serious about it, he expresses a deep desire with…don’t be satisfied with “good,” because this is great and NOT SOMETHING TO BE BORED WITH.

Colossians 2:1–5 ESV

1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

Colossians 1:15–20 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.

Analogy.

Getting excited about something really, really stupid. What’s an example?

Answer: People can get excited about really random stuff and will certainly continue to do that. That’s okay, a little silly, but whatever it’s okay.

Jesus is an entirely different reason to get excited. Like Paul described…it’s a hope. He says...

Colossians 1:5 ESV

5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,

This is HUGE. This is what we can all get excited about and it not be weird. It’s not weird getting excited about this like it would be about something not so important. There’s nothing that compares to the majesty of what’s in .

What we’re focusing on tonight...

Colossians 1:15 ESV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

“He is the image of the invisible God..” Do what?

He’s manifested himself in Jesus and this is revealed to us in 3 ways.

Jesus literally walked the Earth and brought God here.

John 6:38 ESV

38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

The Holy Spirit in us…Christ in us, the hope of Glory.

Remember Israel at the mountain of God, scared, asking the question - “How can this God dwell with us?”

Also, it doesn’t matter Jew or Gentile…the amazing thing salvation is available to all because of Jesus.

The Word of God is Jesus….

John 1:1–3 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Conclusion