The Scandal of the Incarnation

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Introduction

Hate of Christmas songs
Colossians 1:15–23 ESV
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 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. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 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. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 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, 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.
Colossians 1:15-

Marvel at the Supremacy of Christ

Firstborn of the Creation

Colossians 1:15 ESV
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
God of the old testament
Not the first of the creation, but firstborn privilages
Colossians 1:16 ESV
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.
colossians
He is the creator of all things
All things are for his praise and glory
Colossians 1:17 ESV
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
He is eternal
His act of creation involves sustaining

Firstborn of the Church

Colossians 1:18 ESV
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.

Firstborn of the Church

He is the ruler/sustainer of the church
Spurgeon
I. First, then, beloved, I have to speak to you concerning OUR UNION TO CHRIST. We cannot do better than begin with this great truth, that Christ is the Head of his Church. Hence, we learn, first, that union with Christ is essential to the life of his Church. Men sometimes lose a foot, or a leg, or an arm, or an eye, or an ear. It is very remarkable how a man may continue to exist after he has lost several of his limbs, but he cannot live if his head is taken away. Cut that off, and the decapitated body is dead in an instant. So, brethren and sisters, the Church of God lives because Christ lives, and its life is entirely derived from him. If there were no Christ, there would be no Church
Hence, we learn, first, that union with Christ is essential to the life of his Church. Men sometimes lose a foot, or a leg, or an arm, or an eye, or an ear. It is very remarkable how a man may continue to exist after he has lost several of his limbs, but he cannot live if his head is taken away. Cut that off, and the decapitated body is dead in an instant. So, brethren and sisters, the Church of God lives because Christ lives, and its life is entirely derived from him. If there were no Christ, there would be no Church
Application to leading the Church
Firstborn of the Chruch
He is first over creation and the kingdom that will reign it
Colossians 1:19 ESV
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
Completely God
Colossians 1:20 ESV
and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Through his death, he is reuniting all of creation with God
v. 17: he holds the world in existence and pulls it back to God

Marvel at the Incarnation of Christ

Colossians 1:21 ESV
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,
colossians 1:21
Separated from this marvelous God
Colossians 1:22 ESV
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,
THE SCANDAL!!!!
Freaky Friday - KY and Louisville
Greeks apalled
We should be
That far gone
The Preeminent Christ eternally incarnate
Appearance to the Disciples
The Slain Lamb

Marvel at the Work of Christ

colossians 1:232
Colossians 1:23 ESV
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.
Philosophy debate on communication about aesthetic beauty
The best way to know the beauty of something is to experience it
Only those who remain in the faith were ever in it
If you are not moved by the Gospel, you never were
We all would say with total certainty… Mac vs Jesus

Conclusion

Not something for just Christmas
David Platt - Matters of Love
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