The Authority and Sufficiency of Christ
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Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading
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.
Colossians 1:15-
Introduction
Introduction
Illustration
Not many people enjoy going to the doctor, but according to Reuters, in 1994, one London accountant took that to an extreme. The sixty-three-year-old man knew he needed bladder surgery but he could not overcome his fear of doctors and hospitals. So he self-reliantly did what had to be done: He tried to perform the surgery on himself. Tragically he got an infection from the self-surgery and later died. The coroner [medical examiner] said, “Unfortunately, [his] drastic remedy went wrong. A simple operation would have solved the problem.”
Just as this man didn’t trust doctors or hospitals, many people don’t trust God. In their self-reliance, they destroy themselves.
Church, just like Paul’s prayer for the believer in Colossae, we need to be filled “with the knowledge of His will and all spiritual wisdom and understanding” for us to be able to stand the offering and deception of this world through human knowledge and philosophy, self-imposed religion, and ways of the world. We have to grow in our knowledge of God so we can trust Him in all things and every aspect of our life.
For us to have a little background about the context of what we are about to study:
Author - ‘Colossians’ epistle was written by Apostle Paul along with Timothy during his imprisonment. Thus, they called this letter as part of the prison letter.
Date and Place of Writing - Some scholars believed that the letter was written during Paul’s imprisonment in Rome around AD 60-62. Among the letter written was Ephesians, and Philemon.
Recipients - The original recipient of the letter was the church in Colossae founded by Epaphras - Paul’s companion in the ministry. It appears that Paul never visited Colossae (); his primary knowledge of the Colossian church likely came through Epaphras. Most of the believers likely were Gentiles, although cities in that region featured “a substantial Jewish minority”. [See MAP] Colossae sat on the banks of the river Lycus, about 100 miles inland from the major coastal city of Ephesus in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). In earlier centuries, Colossae was an important crossroads of two major highways and a center for manufacturing woolen textiles. But during the first century AD, Colossae was an insignificant town; the nearby cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis were more prominent.
False religion -
False Religion - Imposing of strict regulations, Self-imposed religion, Angel worship, Reliance on human wisdom and knowledge. They say, Christ is not the only way. He is one of the way.
(Show Map of the Lycus Valley)
Paul’s motive in his writing is to encourage the church in Colossae to continue to grow in their knowledge of God so they will not be persuaded by the false teachings that surround them. Though this is a great challenge for the Church, knowingly, that the church is situated in a place where there are many religion and different kinds of beliefs, Paul maintained in his letter that nothing can ever preceded Christ. Christ is supreme and above all things.
In our study today, we will take a look on this area of Paul’s letter, The Authority and Sufficiency of Christ.
How do you think your knowledge affects you and your way of life? Growing in the knowledge of God is important and vital in our daily living. This is because our knowledge and understanding of God determines our attitude and action towards facing life problems and challenges. Ultimately, this is the very way that we can combat Satan, the enemy of God. We have to grow in our knowledge of God.
Just imagine a person who is driving a car without any knowledge or very ignorant about the road and traffic laws. How terrible this person would experience in his first drive.
The deficiency of our knowledge of God detracts us from the truth and from the reality of our relationship with God.
OUR PREPOSITION
Christ’ Authority Above All
Christ’ Authority Above All
From verse 15-20, “All things or everything” was mentioned 6 times repeatedly. Showing us the importance of the truth being laid out to us.
Let’s go back to the basic.
How much do we know Christ? How much do we know of what Christ can do for us?
The authority of Christ in all things is sufficient for us to deal and face anything that challenges our faith and position in Christ. This knowledge is so important so that we may know and able to discern what is right and wrong, and good and bad in the light of the Scripture.
This is Satan’s strategy even from the beginning, he challenges our knowledge of God to deceive us.
What did Satan asked about God to Eve when they are in the garden of Eden?
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.
He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
Genesis 3:1
2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Genesis 3:2-4
Our knowledge of God with wisdom and understanding, is the basic of belief and fundamental in our daily combat with the deception of Satan.
Now let’s take a look about this great hymn or some said a confession of faith about Christ in the letter.
This is Christ:
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.
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,
Colossians 1:15
1. He is God-Man (100% God, 100% Human) (v15) (v19)
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
He is the Creator (v16)
2. He is the Creator
All things were created through Him and for Him
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.
3. He is in control of everything (v.17)
And in Him all things hold together.
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
4. He is the head of the Church (v.18)
He is the head of the Church (v.18)
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.
He is the beginning (He eternally exist)
5. He is the beginning (He eternally exist) (v.18)
He is the ultimate sacrifice to reconcile us through the blood of his cross (v. 20)
6. He is the sacrifice that reconcile us through the blood of his cross
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Meron pa bang papantay sa buhay ni Kristo?
Christ’s Authority
Paul begins his letter with a prayer for spiritual wisdom and understanding for the believers and follows with his confession of Faith about Christ. That Christ is above all and everything else.
After knowing who is Christ and His authority above everything, it also important for us to understand the WHAT. What Christ has done for us.
Christ’ Act of Grace
Christ’ Act of Grace
22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
Thats it. In verse 20.
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
(The Good News Translation)
21 At one time you were far away from God and were his enemies because of the evil things you did and thought.
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,
13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Colossians 2:
Colossians 1:2
We were reconciled to God because of the blood of Christ.
The problem solved by reconciliation (Why we need reconciliation? What is the problem of man?)
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
English Standard Version Chapter 53
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
Hostile in mind
Hostile in mind
Doing evil deeds
Doing evil deeds
Colossians 3:
English Standard Version Chapter 3
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices
2. The purpose of reconciliation
The purpose of reconciliation
To present you holy and blameless and above reproach
To present you holy and blameless and above reproach
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
English Standard Version Chapter 1
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
English Standard Version Chapter 1
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
The proof of reconciliation (What is the manifestation of a genuine reconciled Christian?)
3. The proof of reconciliation (What is the manifestation of a genuine reconciled Christian?)
Change life
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.
Are a recipient of God’s grace? Natanggap mo na ba ang habag ng Panginoon sa buhay mo? May paghahayag ba na binago kana ng Panginoon?
Then continue in the faith. Magpatuloy ka.
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrew
May matinding hamon sa iyong pananampalataya, magpatuloy ka lang tumingin kay Jesus. He is sufficient.
Christ’ Sufficiency
Christ’ Sufficiency
Christ is sufficient over our own wisdom and knowledge
4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.
23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8 They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand upright.
9 O Lord, save the king!
May he answer us when we call.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,
Paul, in his prayer, we must rely on the glorious might of God. Not from our own strength but from the strength of the Lord.
11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;
Jeremiah 9:
Colossians 1:
Psalm
Christ is sufficient over the ways of the world
Christ is sufficient over the new trends and ways (world’s view) (ch2 v8)
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.
Christ is sufficient more than the traditions and any kinds spirituality (self-imposed religion) that is not according to Christ.
9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
-10
We are complete in Christ.
Christ is sufficient over our beliefs
Christ is sufficient over our beliefs (religion) (ch2 v16)
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.
The Biblical Illustrator: Philippians–Colossians Vers. 16–17
The handwriting is destroyed, Christians are free; why then go back to the elements of bondage.
Any beliefs that is not a Christ-centered belief is a false religion.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Church, we are complete in Christ. We must trust Him in everything in our lives as Christ is all in all.
Either sin is with you, lying on your shoulders, or it is lying on Christ, the Lamb of God. Now if it is lying on your back, you are lost; but if it is resting on Christ, you are free, and you will be saved. Now choose what you want.
~ Martin Luther
Christ is not valued at all, unless he is valued above all.
~ Augustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo
The seed is choked in our souls whenever Christ is not our all in all.
~ C.H. Spurgeon
C.H. Spurgeon