Christ, Whom We Preach

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more, But the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry, From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.

Refrain Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help Love lifted me!

If you know that it was Love that lifted you then you ought to want to know more about the one who John says “Herein* is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Paul made it clear in “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”

This Christ, Whom we preach, who is He and how can I get to know him more?

Acts 5:42 KJV 1900

42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

He is the sum and the substance of the Gospel...

Paul tells us in Ch 3:11 “ but Christ is all, and all.”

If you walked in hear this morning:

Discouraged - you can find encouragement in Christ

Disappointed - you can find satisfaction in Christ

Depressed - you can find joy in Christ

Lonely - you can find comfort in Christ

Sick - you can find healing in Christ

Financially Distressed - you can find provisions in Christ

Angry - you can find peace in Christ

Confused - you can fine clarity in Christ

Rejected - you can be accepted in Christ

Broken - you can be put together in Christ

Torn - you can be mended in Christ

Lost - you can be save in Christ

Defeated - you can be victorious in Christ

I can preach on any one of these subjects alone and you will find yourself temporarily helped.

If I teach you about Christ you will be helped this day forward.

Christ is the great burden of Paul's teaching.

After articulating the four things Christ, the Savior, does to translate a sinner from

the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light (rescued, brought, redemption,

forgiveness [vv. 13–14])

Paul makes the unprecedented truth: “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (v. 15).

image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (v. 15).

The false teachers were not giving the person and work of Christ proper interpretation or emphasis.

and work of Christ proper interpretation or emphasis. They were distorting

They were distorting and minimizing these doctrines. The false teaching also contained a philosophic appeal (2:8).

Hellenistic we cannot be sure (2:8). Notwithstanding there was an

Notwithstanding there was an emphasis on higher knowledge of the cosmic order.

emphasis on higher knowledge of the cosmic order. There were also

There were also elements of Judaistic ritualism and traditionalism present (2:8, 11, 16;

elements of Judaistic ritualism and traditionalism present (2:8, 11, 16;

3:11).

The false teachers were encouraging the veneration of angels, whom they believed controlled the operations of nature to some degree (2:18-19).

encouraging the veneration of angels, whom they believed controlled the

operations of nature to some degree (2:18-19).

and minimizing these doctrines.

There was an emphasis by these false teachers on self-denial (2:20-23), and apparently also the idea that only those with full knowledge of the truth—as taught by them—could understand and experience spiritual maturity (1:20, 28; 3:11).

23), and apparently also the idea that only those with full knowledge of the

truth—as taught by them—could understand and experience spiritual

These emphases later developed into Gnosticism.

maturity (1:20, 28; 3:11). These emphases later developed into

Gnosticism.

“As the Gnostics saw it, Jesus Christ was by no means unique. We have seen how they

Gnostics saw it, Jesus Christ was by no means unique. We have seen how they

“As the Gnostics saw it, Jesus Christ was by no means unique.

postulated a whole series of emanations between the world and God. They

They insisted that Jesus was merely one of these emanations. He might stand high in

insisted that Jesus was merely one of these emanations. He might stand high in

the series; he might even stand highest; but he was only one of many.

Paul meets this by insisting that in Jesus Christ all fullness dwells:

meets this by insisting that in Jesus Christ all fullness dwells ();

Colossians 1:19 KJV 1900

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

that in him there is the fullness of the godhead in bodily form ().

Colossians 2:9 KJV 1900

9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

One of the supreme objects of Colossians is to insist that Jesus is utterly unique

and that in him there is the whole of God”

The two main problems were the misunderstood doctrine of Christ, and the misunderstanding of how this doctrine affects Christian living.

misunderstanding of how this doctrine affects Christian living. The primary

The primary Christological passages (1:14-23; 2:9-15) present Christ as absolutely

Christological passages (1:14-23; 2:9-15) present Christ as absolutely

preeminent and perfectly adequate for the Christian.

The Christian life, Paul explained, flows naturally out of this revelation. The Christian life is really the life of the indwelling Christ that God manifests through the believer.

explained, flows naturally out of this revelation. The Christian life is really

The apostle gives the saints the foundational truths to understand the person of Jesus Christ, and thus, the power and authority that can reign, through him, in a believer’s life.

the person of Jesus Christ, and thus, the power and authority that can reign, through

the life of the indwelling Christ that God manifests through the believer.

The church today desperately needs the message of Colossians.

Colossians. We live in a day when religious toleration is

We live in a day when religious toleration is interpreted to mean 'one religion is just as good as another.'

interpreted to mean 'one religion is just as good as another.'

him, in a believer’s life.

Some people try to take the best from various religious systems and manufacture their own private religion.

systems and manufacture their own private religion. To many

To many people, Jesus Christ is only one of several great religious teachers, with no more authority than they. He may be prominent, but He is definitely not preeminent.

people, Jesus Christ is only one of several great religious

teachers, with no more authority than they. He may be

Explanation of the person and work of Christ 1:15-29

A. The preeminent person of Christ 1:15-20 Paul described Jesus Christ in three relationships: to deity, to creation, and to the church.

Jesus Christ in three relationships: to deity, to creation, and to the church.

1. In relation to God the Father 1:15a The concept of "image" involves three things:

likeness (Christ is the exact likeness of God, a mirror image [cf. ]), representation (Christ represents God to us), and manifestation (Christ makes God known to us

Likeness (Christ is the exact likeness of God, a mirror image)

Hebrews 1:3 KJV 1900

3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

The concept of "image" involves three things: likeness (Christ is the exact likeness of God, a mirror image [cf. ]), representation (Christ represents God to us), and manifestation (Christ makes God known to us

]), representation (Christ represents God to us), and manifestation (Christ makes God known to us

prominent, but He is definitely not preeminent.

likeness of God, a mirror image [cf. ]), representation (Christ

Representation (Christ represents God to us)

represents God to us), and manifestation (Christ makes God known to us

Manifestation (Christ makes God known to us)

]).7 While God made man in the image of God (),

John 1:18 KJV 1900

18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

While God made man in the image of God (),

Christ is the image of God (cf. ; ; ).

Christ is the image of God (cf. ; ; ).The Greek word translated "image" (eikon), "… does not imply a weakening or a feeble copy of something. It implies the illumination of its inner core and essence."1

a weakening or a feeble copy of something. It implies the

illumination of its inner core and essence."1

"To call Christ the image of God is to say that in Him the being and nature of God have been perfectly manifested—that in Him the invisible has become visible."

and nature of God have been perfectly manifested—that in Him

the invisible has become visible."

2. In relation to all creation 1:15b-17

"Firstborn" (Gr. prototokos) may denote either priority in time or supremacy in rank (i.e., sovereignty; cf. v. 18; ; ; ; ; ). It may also denote both of these qualities.

or supremacy in rank (i.e., sovereignty; cf. v. 18; ;

; ; ; ). It may also denote

Both seem to be in view here. Christ was before "all creation" in time, and He is over "all creation" in authority.

both of these qualities. Both seem to be in view here.3 Christ

was before "all creation" in time, and He is over "all creation"

In view of the context (vv. 16-20), the major emphasis seems to be on His sovereignty.

in authority. In view of the context (vv. 16-20), the major

emphasis seems to be on His sovereignty, however.4

What "firstborn" does not mean is that Christ was the first created being, which ancient Arians believed and modern Jehovah's Witnesses teach.

What "firstborn" does not mean is that Christ was the first

created being, which ancient Arians believed and modern

This is clear because verses 16-18 state that Christ existed before all things and is the Creator Himself.

Jehovah's Witnesses teach.5 This is clear because verses 16-

18 state that Christ existed before all things and is the Creator

Himself.

"Though it is grammatically possible to translate this as 'Firstborn in Creation,' the context makes this impossible for five reasons:

this as 'Firstborn in Creation,' the context makes

(1) The whole point of the passage (and the book) is to show Christ's superiority over all things.

this impossible for five reasons: (1) The whole

point of the passage (and the book) is to show

(2) Other statements about Christ in this passage (such as Creator of all [1:16], upholder of Creation [v. 17], etc.) clearly indicate His priority and superiority over Creation.

Creator of all [1:16], upholder of Creation [v. 17],

etc.) clearly indicate His priority and superiority

(3) The 'Firstborn' cannot be part of Creation if He created 'all things.' One cannot create himself.

over Creation. (3) The 'Firstborn' cannot be part

of Creation if He created 'all things.' One cannot

create himself. (Jehovah's Witnesses wrongly add

the word 'other' six times in this passage in their

(4)The 'Firstborn' received worship of all angels (), but creatures should not be worshiped ().

Christ's superiority over all things. (2) Other

New World Translation. Thus they suggest that

Christ created all other things after He was

created! But the word 'other' is not in the Gr.) (4)

(5) The Greek word for 'Firstborn' is prototokos. If Christ were the 'first-created,' the Greek word would have been protoktisis."

The 'Firstborn' received worship of all angels (Heb.

1:6), but creatures should not be worshiped (Ex.

20:4-5). (5) The Greek word for 'Firstborn' is

In Greek and Jewish culture the firstborn was the ranking son who received the right of inheritance from his father, Firstborn in this context clearly means highest in rank not created.

Christ is the agent of creation ("by Him," v. 16b). He accomplished creation (cf. ; ). He is both the Architect and the Builder of the creation.

prototokos. If Christ were the 'first-created,' the

Christ is the goal of creation ("for Him," v. 16b). History is moving toward a goal, when the whole created universe will glorify Christ.

accomplished creation (cf. ; ). He is both the

Christ is the antecedent of creation ("before all things," v.17a). This revelation clearly separates Christ from every created entity. "He" has the force of "He and no other" in the Greek text.

moving toward a goal, when the whole created universe will

Greek word would have been protoktisis."1

17a). This revelation clearly separates Christ from every

Architect and the Builder of the creation.

created entity. "He" has the force of "He and no other" in the

Christ is the sustainer of creation ("hold together," v. 17b). Christ is the Person who preserves and maintains the existence of what He has created.

glorify Christ

Greek text.

Christ is the Person who preserves and maintains the existence

Verse 17 sums up the thought of verses 15-16, and completes the statement of Christ's relation to creation.

the statement of Christ's relation to creation.

3. In relation to the church 1:18-20

He is sovereign because He is "the firstborn from the dead." Christ is the "beginning" of the church, in that He is its power and source of spiritual life. He became this at His resurrection, when He became "the firstborn from the dead" in time.

Christ is the "beginning" of the church, in that He is its power

and source of spiritual life. He became this at His resurrection,

Christ was the first Person to rise from the dead—with a glorified body—never to die again. He broke death's hold on humanity (, ).

when He became "the firstborn from the dead" in time. Christ

The purpose for His preeminence in the new creation is the Son's work of reconciliation (v. 20).

was the first Person to rise from the dead—with a glorified

body—never to die again. He broke death's hold on humanity

Son's work of reconciliation (v. 20).

God's ultimate purpose in all of this was to "reconcile all things to Himself." The Cross made reconciliation possible. Now it is up to people to accept God's provision and "be reconciled" to God by faith in Christ ().

to Himself." The Cross made reconciliation possible. Now it is

Notice It is God's reconciling of man 'unto himself' (v. 20). God never has had need to be reconciled to man; He has always loved man.

(, ).

THIRTEEN ASSERTIONS ABOUT CHRIST IN

1. He is the image of the invisible God (v. 15).

up to people to accept God's provision and "be reconciled" to

2. He is the first-born of creation (v. 15).

3. He is the originator of creation (v. 16).

4. He is the agent of creation (v. 16).

reconciling of man 'unto himself' (v. 20). God

has always loved man.

5. He is the goal of creation (v. 16).

6. He is the antecedent of creation (v. 17).

God by faith in Christ ().

7. He is the sustainer of creation (v. 17).

8. He is the head of the church (v. 18).

9. He is the first-born from the dead (v. 18).

10. He is the preeminent One (v. 18).

11. He is the fullness of God (v. 19).

12. He is the reconciler of all things to Himself (v. 20).

13. He is the maker of peace (v. 20).

This is the one in whom I Preach

Paul continued his exposition of Christ's superiority with emphasis on His reconciling work. He did this to ground his readers further in the full truth of God's revelation so the false teachers among them would not lead them astray.

reconciling work. He did this to ground his readers further in the full truth of God's revelation so the false teachers among them would not lead them

of God's revelation so the false teachers among them would not lead them

astray.

1. As experienced by the

It indicates an official, authoritative declaration that is to be proclaimed or announced.

2. As ministered by Paul 1:24-29

I will make known to the world of a Christ that saves and reigns.

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