Introduction to Communion

 Colossians 1:16 NASB95 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things have been created through Him and for Him. Psalm 139:13 NASB95 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. Have you submitted yourself to Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Romans 10:9 NASB95 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; Christians, saints, are you submitting your lives to Jesus Christ? James 4:7 NASB95 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 1 Peter 5:6 NASB95 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, OAK HILL BAPTIST CHURCH The First Born - Part 1 Pastor Tyson Bloor - Sunday Morning 8/01/2021 Prison Epistles / Colossians 1:15-20 The First Born of Creation Colossians 1:15-18 NASB95 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. Verse 15 starts off with two assertions, 1. He (Jesus) is the image of God 2. He (Jesus) is the firstborn of creation Image - εἰκών (eikōn), όνος (onos), ἡ (hē): n.fem.; ≡ DBLHebr 7512; DBLAram 10614; Str 1504; TDNT 2.381-1. LN 6.96 image, portrait (Mt 22:20); 2. LN 58.35 likeness, having the same form as something else (1Co 15:49); 3. LN 58.61 representation, pattern (Heb 10:1) Firstborn - πρωτότοκος (prōtotokos), ον (on): adj.; ≡ DBLHebr 1147; Str 4416; TDNT 6.871-1. LN 10.43 birthright, pertaining to the inheritance rights of the firstborn (Lk 2:7; Ro 8:29; Col 1:15, 18; Heb 1:6; 11:28; 12:23; Rev 1:5+; Mt 1:25 v.r.; Rev 2:8 v.r. NA26); 2. LN 13.79 existing before (Col 1:15); 3. LN 87.47 superior (Col 1:15) Exodus 20:4-6 NASB95 "You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. "You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. John 14:9 NASB95 Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Philippians, Colossians, Philemon Jesus: Lord of Creation (1:15-17) The point is that in Christ the invisible God became visible. He shared the same substance as God and made God's character known in this earthly sphere of existence. The revelation of God in Christ is such that we can actually see him, even with all of our limitations Philippians, Colossians, Philemon Jesus: Lord of Creation (1:15-17) Thus, for Paul, Jesus bore the image of the earthly, Adam, and the image of the heavenly, God. He was the unique manifestation of both God and man, always embodying the best of both wherever he was. In choosing the word "image," Paul stressed that God was present wherever Jesus was. He was the personal manifestation of deity Psalm 89:27 NASB95 "I also shall make him My firstborn, The highest of the kings of the earth. Closing Do you accept that Jesus Christ is God the Father, they are one? John 10:30 NASB95 "I and the Father are one." Do you accept Jesus Christ as your Creator?