HCC Sunday Service - August 28, 2022

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Title: God’s Sovereign Son
Text: Colossians 1:13-18
Outline:
God’s Son is the perfect PICTURE of the invisible God (1:15a)
God’s Son is the sovereign ruler over all CREATION. (1:15b-17)
God’s Son is the sovereign ruler over the CHURCH. (1:18)
INTRODUCTION
Today we’re gonna
continue our series.
In Paul’s letter
To the saints in Colossae.
Let’s go together
in our Bibles to
Colossians 1.
& we’re gonna read
verses 15-18.
Colossians 1:13-18.
The title
of today’s teaching is
God’s Sovereign Son.
In Colossians 1:13-18.
The Scriptures say:
Colossians 1:13–18 (EHV)
The Father rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation,
for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and unseen, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
He is before all things, and all things hold together in him.
He is also the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in all things he might have the highest rank.
You may be seated.
Many blv this passage is
an ancient
Christological Hymn
or spiritual song
composed by the
early Church
to teach truths
abt the Lord Jesus.
This is likely
one of the hymns
or songs
Paul has in mind
in Colossians 3:16
When he encourages
the Church to
Colossians 3:16 (EHV)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Psalms
Hymns
& spiritual songs
have always been
an important part
of the Church.
Songs are memorable ways
to pass dwn the faith
throughout the generations.
& since this is true:
What God’s ppl sing—
the words
in our hymns:
& spiritual songs
are incredibly important.
We must make sure
the songs we sing
contain truthful teaching
Wise words
abt the Person
& work of Christ;
Abt who we are
in Christ;
& abt the true Faith
that was handed dwn
by the Apostles
to the saints
in the Church.
& here
we do well to imitate
the Church
in the early centuries.
They very
carefully composed hymns
& spiritual songs
that taught the truth.
& especially the truth
abt God’s Son.
& as we look closely:
@ the ancient hymn
in Colossians 1
We see it teaches us
at least three truths
abt God’s Sovereign Son.
PRAYER
Lord thank You
for giving us Your Word
to teach us
abt Your Son
& who we can become
in Your Son.
Help us hear the truth
& give us grace
to walk in it.
In Jesus name.
Amen.
[Transition: The 1st truth
today’s passage teaches us
abt God’s Son is...]
God’s Son is the IMAGE of the Invisible God.
Notice in Colossians 1:15
Paul says:
Colossians 1:15 (NIV)
The Son is the image of the invisible God...
The Greek word
for “image” is
the word εἰκών.
This is where we get
the English Word—
Icon.
An Icon is
an image
a picture
that shows us something
abt the reality
of what it represents.
So, Paul’s saying:
The Son of God is
the perfect image
the perfect picture
who shows us some things
abt the reality
of the invisible God.
Jesus is
the perfect picture
of God the Father.
The Father
whom no one—
has seen
or can see—
is made visible
in the Son.
The Son is
the perfect picture
of God the Father
in at least two ways.
First:
In His preincarnate state.
Bfr Jesus
took on flesh
He was already
the perfect picture
of God’s divine nature.
As Paul says in Hebrews 1:3:
Hebrews 1:3 (EHV)
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of the divine nature. He sustains all things by his powerful word.
God’s Son is
the exact imprint
of the divine nature
of God the Father.
He has the same
divine characteristics
as God the Father.
Everything the Father is
in His divine nature
the Son of God is also.
& this is why
in John 14:9
Jesus says:
John 14:9 (NIV)
Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.
Jesus is not saying:
“He is the Father”
as some mistakenly
read this verse.
Jesus is not
the Father.
The Father
is the Father.
& Jesus is His
Divine Son.
When Jesus says
whoever has seen Him
has seen the Father
He means
Whoever sees
The Son’s Power:
The Son’s Goodness;
The Son’s Mercy;
Love;
& other divine attributes
Whoever sees Jesus
is seeing the perfect picture
of the divine nature
of God the Father
on display
thru His Divine Son.
The Son of God
Shows us
what God is like.
The Son is
The perfect picture
of God the Father.
& the picture of God
became even clearer
2000 years ago
when the Son of God
took on a human form.
2000 years ago
God’s divine Son
united His divine nature
to our human nature.
He became flesh
& dwelt among us.
& as John says in
John 1:14 (EHV)
We have seen his glory, the glory he has as the only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
As Paul says
in Philippians 2:6-8
Philippians 2:6–8 (EHV)
Though he was by nature God, he did not consider equality with God as a prize to be displayed,
but he emptied himself by taking the nature of a servant. When he was born in human likeness, and his appearance was like that of any other man,
he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.
When the Son of God
took on the nature
of a servant by
by becoming human
He forever united
the divine nature
to human nature.
The Son of God
is now
& forever will be
the God-Man.
One Person
w/ two natures.
There is a divine-human being
sitting at the right hand
of God the Father
in Heaven.
The living God
forever has a human face
in the human body
of the Son of God.
So, if we
want to know
what God is like
what God looks like
the answer is simple:
He looks exactly
like Jesus—
Bcs Jesus is God
in human form.
The Son of God
is the perfect picture
of the invisible God.
& as we’ll see
in a few minutes
this is God’s goal
for all of us also.
Thru our union
w/ God’s Son
God wants us
to become
the perfect picture
of God
by becoming like Jesus.
[Transition: Let’s look now
@ the 2nd truth
today’s passage teaches us
abt the Son of God.]
The Son of God is sovereign ruler over CREATION.
In Colossians 1:15
Paul says the Son is
Colossians 1:15 (EHV)
...the firstborn over all creation...
This means:
The Son of God is
Bfr the whole creation
in time.
& above the whole creation
in rank.
As the only begotten Son
of the Father
The Son of God
has always existed.
So, He is bfr
all creation.
As the firstborn
& only natural Son of the Father
The Son of God
has the 1st position
the highest rank
abv all creation.
& in Colossians 1:16
Paul makes
the Son of God’s position
over creation even clearer
by showing us
The Son is also
the source of all creation.
Paul says:
Colossians 1:16 (EHV)
...for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and unseen, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
Paul’s purpose here
Is to remind the Colossians
The Son of God
Is in no way inferior
to the angelic powers
rulers
& authorities.
That was part of
the Gnostic error
false teachers had brought
to Colossae.
They taught that God’s Son
Was subordinate
to other beings—
Especially the angels—
which Gnostics worshipped.
So, Paul says:
“Listen.
“The Son of God is
“Is in no way inferior
“To anyone or anything.
“How cld the Creator
Be inferior to His creation?”
“The Son of God
is Superior to...
“& Sovereign over
“All things
“Bcs He created all things.”
All things in heaven;
All things in earth;
The things
we can see.
The things
we cannot see.
Any thrones;
Any powers;
Any dominions;
Any rulers;
Any authorities;
All things were created:
IN the Son.
THRU the Son
& FOR the Son.
The Son is the source
of all created things.
& not only is the Son
the source
of all created things;
The Son is also
the sustainer
of all created things.
Nothing in heaven
or on earth
cld continue to exist
w/o the power of God’s Son.
If the Lord
withdrew His power frm us
for just one second
we’d be no more
than dust in the wind.
Every part of the universe
is literally held together
by the power
of the Son of God.
As Paul says in Colossians 1:17
Colossians 1:17 (EHV)
...all things hold together in him.
& in Hebrews 1:3
Hebrews 1:3 (EHV)
The Son...sustains all things by his powerful word.
Every created thing
in the entire universe;
Every creature great & small;
All things in heaven
& on earth
are held together
& sustained
By the Sovereign Power
of God’s Son.
The Son of God
is Sovereign ruler
over creation.
APPLICATION
Now
since the Son of God
is the sovereign ruler
over creation
& since all things
were created
thru Him
& for Him
& since You & I
are a part of
His creation;
Then the Son of God
must be
our Sovereign ruler
& He created us
to live for Him.
This means:
Your purpose
for living
My purpose
for living
the entire
creation’s purpose
for being put together
held together
& sustained by Jesus
is to serve Jesus.
We were created
To have
the Son of God
Rule our lives.
& there is
no greater life
than a life lived
under the rule
of the sovereign
Son of God.
It’s here that we
share in the divine nature
as we partake
of the promises
of Christ
& become like God.
& Paul closes
this ancient hymn
in Colossians
By showing us where
we submit ourselves
to the Sovereign rule
of God’s Son.
[Transition: & that’s
The 3rd & final truth
we learn abt the Son of God...]
The Son of God is sovereign ruler over the CHURCH.
In Colossians 1:18
Paul tells us abt
The position of God’s Son
in the Church.
Paul says.
Colossians 1:18 (EHV)
He is also the head of the body...
What body
is Paul talking abt?
of what body
is the Son of God
the head?
Paul tells us
the body is...
Colossians 1:18 (EHV)
...the church.
The Saints:
God’s holy ppl.
Those who are
united w/ Christ
in baptism.
Just as God’s Son is
The Creator
Source
Sustainer
& Sovereign ruler over creation
The Son of God is also
The Creator
Source
Sustainer
& Sovereign ruler over
His ppl in His body
the Church.
It’s in the Church
That we submit ourselves
to the rule of God’s Son.
It’s in the Church
That we get attached
to our head
& become a part of
The New Creation.
That’s what Paul has in mind
in Colossian 1:18
When he says the Son is
Colossians 1:18 (EHV)
...the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in all things he might have the highest rank.
The Son of God is:
The 1st of His kind
to rise frm the dead.
He’s the 1st
of a New Humanity
That bears the unblemished
image of God.
Thru His
Incarnation
Life
Death
& Resurrection
The Son of God began
a new creation.
& right now
we become a part of
that new creation
by becoming a part of
Christ’s body
in the Church
Where we can be
recreated
& reshaped
in the image of God.
In Colossians 3:9-10
Paul talks abt this
in terms of
Colossians 3:9–10 (EHV)
...put[ting] off the old self with its practices,
and put[ting] on the new self, which is continually being renewed in knowledge, according to the image of its Creator.
The greatest need
of our time
is for God’s ppl
to understand the truth
abt what the Church is
& why the Church exists.
The Church is not
a building.
The Church is not
a social club.
The Church is not
part of any
Political party;
The Church is not
connected to any
Man-made movements;
The Church is not
exclusive to any
ethnic group.
& the Church is not
tied to any particular
kingdom or country
in this world.
No, the Church
is so much bigger
So, much greater
than any of that.
The Church is
the body
of the Risen Christ.
It’s a community
of reborn
recreated
human beings.
Human beings
Who are becoming
like God
as we share in
The life transforming power
of the divine nature
thru our union w/
the Son of God.
It’s not saying too much
To say the Church
is everything.
Everything God did in the OT
was leading
to the Church.
Everything Jesus did thru
His incarnation.......
His life.............
His death........
& His resurrection
was leading to the Church.
The Church is everything bcs
In the Church
We experience...
The Presence of God;
We participate...
In the body & blood
of God’s Son.
& we partake of
God’s redeeming
& renovating power.
In the Church
We become by grace
What the Son of God is
By nature.
As God’s divine energy
works in us
We’re being shaped
& polished.
We’re continually
being renewed
until we all reflect the image
of our Creator
Until we are the perfect picture
of God’s Son
just as the Son of God
Is the perfect picture
of the Father.
It’s in the Church
that we experience
what Paul says
in 2 Corinthians 3:18
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
It doesn’t get any bigger
Or any better
than that.
What can the world
offer anyone
that compares
to that?
What in the world
can allow us
to share in the divine
& transform us
into God’s image?
Nothing.
& that’s the whole purpose
of Christ’s coming.
He came to create
a new humanity
in Himself
to bring us back to God
So, that thru the Church
we cld become
like God
in true righteousness
& holiness.
Everything we need.
Everything the world needs
Can be found
in the Church.
Bcs in the Church
we find
the fulness of Christ.
Paul lays out
the immensity
of this whole thing
so beautifully
in Ephesians 1:17-23.
Paul says
Ephesians 1:17–19 (EHV)
I keep praying that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Christ fully.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope to which he has called you, just how rich his glorious inheritance among the saints is,
and just how surpassingly great his power is for us who believe.
When we know Christ
God’s surpassingly great power
is available to us
who blv.
& Paul goes on
in Colossians 1:20-23
to tell us how great
this power is
& where we can find it.
Paul says:
Ephesians 1:20–23 (EHV)
It is as great as the working of his mighty strength, which God worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
God also placed all things under his feet and made him head over everything for the church.
The church is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Notice that:
The Church is not
some afterthought
in the mind
of God.
Not a plan “B.”
Not some parentheses
in the middle
of God’s plans.
No!
The Scriptures
teach us that
The Church is
the center of everything.
God the Father
raised Christ
far above all rule,
authority, power,
and dominion,
and above every name
that is gvn.
God the Father
placed all things
under Christ’s feet
& made Christ the head
over everything
for a specific reason.
It was
for the Church.
Why?
Bcs God’s plans
for humanity
will be accomplished
thru the Church.
God’s plans
for the entire universe
will be accomplished
thru the Church.
The Church
is everything.
It’s in the Church
that we find
the fulness of Christ.
& thru the Church
Christ is now
speaking acting
filling the world
w/ His presence
& redeeming humanity.
In the Church
The Kingdom of God
is present on earth.
& thru the Church
the Sovereign Son of God
rules the world
as individuals
frm every tribe
tongue
& nation
Submit to His rule
Submit to Him
as their Head
& are transformed
within the Church.
Thru the Church
The Sovereign Son of God
can & does transform
countless lives;
Thru the Church
The Sovereign Son of God
Can & does
change the world
as the gospel
of God’s kingdom
is preached & obeyed;
& as ppl truly understand
& experience
God’s grace.
But here’s the challenge
for us who are
a part of
the Church:
We’ve gotta stay
focused on
this new kingdom
we become a part of
in the Church.
We’ve gotta stop
wasting the precious
little time we have
on this planet
involved in
worrying abt
& taking sides in
the kingdoms
& causes of this world.
Jesus said
His kingdom
is not frm here.
That means
our kingdom
is not frm here.
Our citizenship
is in heaven.
Our kingdom is
a kingdom
frm heaven.
But so many ppl
still try to attach
Jesus & His kingdom
Jesus & His Church
to their particular
race
nation
political party.
or social group.
Ppl speak as if
God is for
this earthly nation
or that earthly nation.
But those who speak
like this
distort the gospel
& destroy the Church’s pwr
to truly change
the world.
The Church
has nothing at all
to do w/
the kingdoms of this world.
Those kingdoms are
under the domain of darkness.
But as Paul says in
Colossians 1:13 (EHV)
The Father rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves...
When we’re born again
we’re rescued frm
the domain of darkness
& transferred into the Kingdom
of God’s Son
in Church.
The Church
is a new kingdom.
& in the Church
we bcm part of
A new humanity.
A new creation.
A new race;
A new nation.
In the Church
all things become new.
The old things
including the kingdoms
& causes of this world—
no longer matter.
Saints
we’ve gotta get
our focus
on the kingdom of God.
We’ve got
the only message
that will truly
change the world.
& that message is this:
Come into the Church
& be made new
Be born again
Thru water
& the Spirit.
Come into the Church
& submit to the rule
of the Sovereign
Son of God
& be recreated.
Turn frm the kingdom
of darkness.
Let go of
the things of this world
the things of your past
that are passing away.
Come into the Church
where you will find
true freedom
frm every addiction.
True healing
frm every sin.
True peace
true joy
& true hope
in a kingdom
that lasts forever.
Come into the Church
& have the image of God
Restored in You
As you’re transformed
into God’s image
w/ every-increasing glory.
That’s a message
That will save the world.
That’s a message
Christ’s body
Needs to be speaking
to the world.
& showing
to the world
as we live
under the rule
of the Sovereign
Son of God
in the Church.
CONCLUSION
So as we close
let’s learn the lessons
Paul teaches us
in this passage.
Let’s remember
that the Son of God is
the perfect PICTURE
of the invisible God.
The Son of God is
sovereign ruler
over all creation.
& all creation was
created thru
Him & for Him.
So, we shld all submit
ourselves to
the Sovereign rule
of God’s Son.
& we do that
in the Church.
The Son of God
is the Sovereign ruler
the Church.
& the Son of God
rules the world
as ppl become
a part of His body
in the Church
& submit to His rule.
& thru which
Christ rules our lives
as we live in His kingdom.
PRAYER
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