(Communion) Col 1:15-23 The Preeminent one Died

INTRODUCTION:

If we survey, our country’s leaders - how many of them would be willing to lay down their life for their country?

- If we were to take - congress; How many of our legislators would be willing to lay their life for our country?

- If we were to take the highest office in the land - the President; How many would be willing to lay their life for our country?

Yet - Christ is the Lord of Lords.

All these government leaders - are ultimately under rulers when we consider Christ.

Colossians teaches us that Christ is no ordinary person.

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.

He is God (v. 15, 19)

He created all of creation - including all authorities. (v. 16-17)

He holds the entire world together (v. 18)

Who is higher then Christ in power, authority, or prestige?

I mean - he is God who created everything and rules everything.

Although many of our politicians and leaders would not give their life for the country -

and yet the greatest ruler >>> Christ >>>>> gave his life for his enemies.

I want to consider - that the man who died on the cross was not just a man dieing for his fellow citizens.

But the highest, most prestigious person in all creation.

>> He is the one who holds it together.

>>> the one who created it all.

And he didn’t die for his equal, or a good person,

but his enemies.

Yet, that is exactly the person Jesus died for.

He died for his enemies.

As we remember, the Christ

As we gather for communion - may we realize who is the person who died for us

And paid for our sins.

we are taught to keep our Lord’s Supper pure and honoring to Christ - ​

ESV “Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”

As a church, we practice Close communion. If you are not a believer or a member of a like-minded church we ask that you let the bread and cup pass by you. As well, we as members should also examine our lives and make sure there is no major sin in our lives that should be dealt with first.

Communion:

Bread

In the manner that Jesus Called us to, we shall eat of the bread. The bread represents the flesh of Jesus who was nailed to the cross for our sins.

Pray-

· Hand trays.

Pause and Wait. (small tray)·

Pray praising God for the crucifixion of Christ body.

Blood

In the manner that Jesus called us to, We shall take up the cups of juice. The juice represents the blood of Jesus spilled upon Calvary.

Pray -

· Hand Trays, Pause, Wait. (Big tray)

· Pray Praising God for the spilled blood of Christ Jesus