Creator with no room

Text:  Colossians 1:15-22; Luke 2:7

It surely must have been obvious that Mary was with child and it seems to me that for a pregnant woman about to deliver a baby, the inn-keeper surely could have found some space inside his inn.

A man went into a hotel and asked the clerk for a room. The clerk said, "Sorry, Sir, we're all full. We just don't have any more rooms." The man said, "Well, let me ask you a question. If the President of the United States were to come in tonight and ask for a room, would you have one for him?" The clerk said, "Why, yes, we would." The man said, "Well, he's not coming, so I'll take that room."

I can't help but believe that if the inn-keeper had considered Joseph and Mary's need a high enough priority, he could have somehow provided them a room. But we aren't given any details. We don't know what the inn-keeper was thinking, or what his situation was. All we know is that "there was no room for them in the inn."

This passage that we hit this morning we are on the key passage of this book.  What we learn through the rest of the book will balance directly on our understanding of this passage.  There is a Theological term that is used to describe the key meaning of this letter and subsequently this passage.  This term is “Preeminence” this refers to above, over, that the rightful place is greater grander.  I capture this concept in titling this series “Christ Supreme”.

Paul displays the preeminence or supremacy of Christ in four different scenarios.   He shows us his supremacy in realm of:

Creation (15-17)

Church (18a)

Redemption (18b-20)

Christian Life (21-23)

Ill.

Trans:      This passage goes one step farther and allows us to see the nature of preeminence where we may see where he rules this passage can teach us why or how he rules in all the realms by breaking down how he rules in each.

His Supremacy implies four things:

I. Christ made all the room there is. (15-17)

Exp:  For by him were all things Created.  HE is showing us that Christ is the creator of everything.  But I thought that God created everything?

Yeah verse 19 tells us that God the father was pleased to have Jesus as the fullness of the Godhead.  The central figure.

Arg:  Christ’s relationship to His Father begins with the phrase "the image of the invisible God." The word “image,” meaning copy or likeness, expresses Christ’s deity. This word involves more than a resemblance, more than a representation. He is God! Although He took on human form, He has the exact nature of His Father.

Hebrews 1:3 KJV 1900

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 "Word" of John 1:1 is a divine Person, not a philosophical abstraction. In the incarnation, the invisible God became visible in Christ; deity was clothed with humanity.

Matthew 17:2 KJV 1900

And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

God is in Christ: visible, audible, approachable, knowable, and available. All that God is, Christ is.

Ill:   Someone told of observing a woman who was hurriedly doing some last-minute Christmas shopping. Her little boy was with her, and she was dragging him from one store to another, looking for particular items on her list. At one point she saw that her little boy was lagging behind, peering into a store window. She rushed back to where he was and with obvious irritation said, "What are you doing, just standing here?" In the store window was a nativity scene. He said, "Look, Mama, there's baby Jesus." She said, "Come on. We don't have time for all of that nonsense--we've got to get ready for Christmas."

App:  Because Christ is the originator he has right to tell our lives how they are to be lived.

So many people who have no idea what would be pleasing to God are calling the shots in their own lives.

II. Christ owns all the room there is. (18)

Exp:  Jesus is Lord of Creation

The description "firstborn of all creation" speaks of Christ’s preexistence. He is not a creature but the eternal Creator (John 1:10). God created the world through Christ and redeemed the world through Christ (Hebrews 1:2-4).

Note that Jesus is called the firstborn, not the first-created. The word "firstborn" (Greek word "prototokos") signifies priority. In the culture of the Ancient Near East, the firstborn was not necessarily the oldest child. firstborn referred not to birth order but to rank. The firstborn possessed the inheritance and leadership.

Therefore, the phrase expresses Christ’s sovereignty over creation. After resurrecting Jesus from the dead, God gave Him authority over the Earth (Matthew 28:18). Jesus created the world, saved the world, and rules the world. He is the self-existent, acknowledged Head of creation.

Six times the Lord Jesus is declared to be the firstborn of God (see Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:15, 18; Hebrews 1:6; 12:23; Revelation 1:5). These passages declare the preexistence, the sovereignty, and the redemption that Christ offers.

Thus, the phrase "firstborn of all creation" proclaims Christ’s preeminence. As the eternal Son of God, He created the universe. He is the Ruler of creation!

Application:

III. Christ deserves all the room there is. (19-20)

Exp:    Christ has put all the obligation on himself.

Arg:    vs.  20 shows us that the obligation that Jesus Christ put on himself was that he would pay for the peace between me and the Father.

You see that the Father and I have been enemies.  The Bible tells us that God has wrath stored for the day of Judgment and that I am an enemy of God in my sin.  However, when I received Christ I fell under the peace or reconciliation that Christ has made for me.

Ill:

App: A.

IV. Christ has right to all the rooms in your life. (21-22)

Exp:   Christ gives us our bearing.  In this passage he tells us who we were. “alienated, enemies, wicked workers.

And then tells us who he has made us reconciled, holy, unbelievable, unreprovable.

Arg:    You can only find out who you really are from Christ.

Think of it this way.

Ill:     Think of being in the forest of righteous living. And the only one who know the way through is Christ who built the forest.  HE wants to bring you out on the other side but only if you will listen to the one who has gotten you out of the desert and wilderness of your own evil

App: A.

Things don't seem to have changed much today. Multitudes still don't make room for Jesus.

Commercially

Our nation has become so secularized, and so materialistic, that wherever you look there doesn't seem to be room for Jesus. Many stores no longer use the word "Christmas" in their advertisements during this time of the year, because they don't want to offend the atheists, the adherents of Eastern religions, or the members of the various cults. They now sell "Holiday trees," not Christmas trees.

They instruct their employees to wish customers "Happy Holidays," and not to dare mention "Christmas" because that word makes reference to Christ. Whenever anyone says "Happy Holidays" to you or me, we should reply, "Thanks, and Merry Christmas to you!"

But in this anti-God and anti-Christ atmosphere which seems to be so widespread today, I am thankful that there are some exceptions. For instance, how I praise God for Hobby Lobby, which runs a full-page ad each year telling the Christmas story, and honoring the Son of God. May their tribe increase! Thank the Lord for other businesses owned and operated by believers who are unashamed to let their light shine for Jesus. But, alas, those are the exception. It seems that with the majority of business establishments today, there is no room for Jesus.

Educationally

The educational establishment has also gotten into the act. I noticed on the marquee of a public school in Memphis the words, "Winter break" and the dates. A few years ago that sign would have said "Christmas break." When one of our granddaughters was in the sixth grade in Kansas, they began practicing their music program to be presented before they dismissed for their break. The program script called for the children to close their presentation by shouting "Merry Christmas!" But the music teacher told them that they weren't allowed to say that, because the word "Christmas" was off-limits throughout the school. Again, though, thank the Lord for the exceptions. There are dedicated Christian teachers who, in spite of running the risk of disciplinary action being taken against them, tell the children in their classes what Christmas is really all about.

Politically

Extreme left-wing liberal organizations are constantly protesting against nativity scenes being placed on public property, and against any mention of "Christmas" or "Christ" in the public square. These groups have gone berserk on the issue of so-called "political correctness"--and, sadly, many politicians have meekly gone along, fearful that they might offend someone or lose a vote.

Personally

But the sad fact remains that multitudes have gotten so caught up in this secular, commercial approach to Christmas, that they don't leave room for Jesus.

The Blessing was missed…

https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-first-born.html