The Preeminent One

I. PREEMINENT IN CREATION

Colossians 1:15–17 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.

Psalm 89:27 ESV

27 And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.

His preeminence is seen in the fact that He is before all things.

II. PREEMINENT IN THE NEW CREATION

Colossians 1:18–20 ESV

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.

He is preeminent over the new creation.

Jesus not only bears God’s glory, but all that God is also dwells in him. He possesses the wisdom, power, Spirit, and glory of God. To say that all this divine fullness dwells in Jesus is to say that he is fully God. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (pp. 2294–2295). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

He is preeminent because nothing exists apart from Him.

He is preeminent because He reconciles all things to Himself through His atoning sacrifice.

Acts 4:12 ESV

12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”