Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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Introduction
It is great to know the Christmas story
hearing about the shepherds watching their flocks by night
Angels coming to Mary and Joesph proclaiming a virgin brith that had ben foretold for years
May and Joseph going to Bethlehem, there being no room for him in the Inn
This is good to know, but the story is not enough
we must know who this is that is being born
we must know Jesus
Colossians 1:15–17 (CSB)
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16 For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him.
17 He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.
When we look at Jesus, we see God
We are made in the image of God
Imago Dei = The likeness of God
we reflect God as the moon reflects the sun, we have no power or light on our own, we reflect him to the world
Picture of Jimmy and my Dad
When you look at Jimmy, you may know what my dad looks like, but you do not know my dad
Jesus is the image of the invisible God
not a look a like, but the image
not a false image that is not supposed to be created and worshipped because anything created can never measure up to the creator
Phillip asked to see the Father
just show us the father and that will be enough for us
Jesus said do you not know yet… when you look at me, you see the father
First born = rank or existence, not oldest brother
Christmas is not the beginning of Jesus
some cults, like JW or Mormons, believe that he is the first and best of the created beings.
this would contradict Paul’s letter to the Colossians, as he is warning them about worshipping angels and other spiritual beings
Tony Evens illustration - The First Lady of the US, is not the first lady ever, but that is her position
The birth of Jesus is not the beginning of Jesus, but the All powerful God coming into his creation for the salvation of His people.
The One Who Came Created All
This may be a surprise, but at times, we all can be a little self centered
we can believe that we are the center of the universe, that all things revolve around us
We like to make decisions and statements where it seems like we have all the power
we will say things to people who work for the government, “I pay your salary!”
Like that means that they are supposed to pay you, or that you have some authority over them
we will make decisions like, I will take my business elsewhere
We like to do or say these things, because it gives us a sense of power and control, typically in a situation that we cannot control
But Jesus created all… He is the one with all power, all control
Colossians 1:16 (CSB)
16 For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him.
He Created all we see
this is something that we normally give him credit for
I have met very few people who claim that they created the world
Romans 1:20 points to his glory
Romans 1:20 (CSB)
20 For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made.
As a result, people are without excuse.
You are a part of that creation that points others to Jesus
that when we look at the complexities of man, the way that we are made, we must admit that we are not created by chance
there has to be a creator
what Paul is revealing to us is that Jesus is not a part of that creation, but he is the creator himself
He created things that we cannot see
Angels, even Satan,
this is what most believe the “thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities” to be
some believe that this is four different stages of angelic beings
do not spend so much time trying to figure it out that we miss the truth that Paul is giving
God created all
though created by God, God did not create evil
Ezekiel 28 tells us that Satan was created perfect in position and beauty
pride entered his heart when he realized it and he desired to be worshipped
This is a power that we cannot comprehend
we may think ourselves to be powerful
we might be able to make some things happen
at times we all realize we are powerless compared to God
Think of Job, after all his complaining, God answers him with a series of questions that last for two chapters
all meant to be rhetorical with a little sarcasm
where were you when I created all
how did you measure out the sea
Job 42:2–6 (CSB)
2 I know that you can do anything and no plan of yours can be thwarted.
3 You asked, “Who is this who conceals my counsel with ignorance?”
Surely I spoke about things I did not understand, things too wondrous for me to know.
4 You said, “Listen now, and I will speak.
When I question you, you will inform me.”
5 I had heard reports about you, but now my eyes have seen you.
6 Therefore, I reject my words and am sorry for them; I am dust and ashes.
Knowing that the one with this power humbled himself for us, should humble us
The One Who Came Sustains All
Colossians 1:17 (CSB)
17 He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.
This child has always been
v15 states that he is the first born of all creation
that is that he was before
but not just WAS before all things, as in he was there first
but he IS before all things
in rank
in honor
This is important for the Colossians to hear
a false teaching that the angels should be worshipped
and some believe that Jesus was just another one of those angels
as if God created a good angel, Jesus, and a bad angel, Satan, and they are battling it out
Jesus is first!
Before Abraham, I AM
Jesus said this in John 8 to the Pharisees
They claimed he had a demon as to why he could do what the miracles he had done
he began to speak about Abraham in a way that you would only talk if you knew somebody
they asked him you are not even fifty, and you’ve seen Abrham?
His power as creator is the same power he uses to sustain all things
sustainer - cause to continue or be prolonged for an extended period or without interruption:
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