The Pre-Eminence Of Christ

Colossians 1:15-19  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  (16)  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  (17)  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  (18)  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.  (19)  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

INTRODUCTION:  Jesus Christ, as God's Beloved Son, and as the Redeemer of men, has been so honoured by the Father· that in all things, in all spheres, in all times, and in all Eternity He should have the PRE-EMINENCE. He has the pre-eminence:

I.           IN HIS POWER

Colossians 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

A.             It Pleased God That:

1.              “by” Him,

2.              “through” Him,

3.              “in” Him, and

4.              “for” Him,

i.           All things were brought into

           existence,

ii.         Without Him was not anything

           made that was made

John 1:3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

                             5.           By Him also He made the uni­verse

Hebrews 1:2  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

B.             This Is The Same Christ

1.            By whom,

2.            Through whom,

3.            In whom, and

4.            For whom,

i.           God is now seeking to save

           sinners

ii.         For the glory of His Name.

II.         IN HIS BIRTH

Colossians 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

A.             He Is The First:

1.            The Beginning and the End

Revelation 21:6  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

2.     Also He is the “…firstborn from the dead;..”

Colossians 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

              B.          Christ The Firstfruits,

                             1.           Afterwards they that are Christ's at             

                                           His Coming

1 Corinthians 15:23  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

3.            The first­born usually becomes the heir.

God hath “he hath appointed [His Son] heir of all things,”

Hebrews 1:2  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

              C.          By His mar­vellous grace,

1.            Those who believe in Him are made

Romans 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

III.        IN HIS LIKENESS.

Colossians 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

A.             Angels Are Holy,

1.            Many of His people in every age have          

              been Godly,

2.            Christ alone in His essential character

              was the express image of His Person

Hebrews 1:3  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;

B.             Only He could say:

John 14:9  Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

                             1.           Only He could say:

John 10:30  I and my Father are one.

                             2.           Here we see His grace pre-eminent

IV.        IN HIS AUTHORITY.

Colossians 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

A.             The Physical Laws of Nature

1.            Are an ordinance of God

i.           He has a mighty balancing effect

           in holding things together.

ii.         But this law has no influence

           over heavenly things.

Colossians 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

B.             Christ upholdeth all things

1.            By the Word of His power

Hebrews 1:3  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;

His wisdom and His will are inconstant activity over all the works of His hands. His will is done in Heaven, and the time is coming when it will be done on earth. The enmity of man’s free will is meanwhile a perennial obstacle. But all power has been given Him in Heaven and on earth, and He will yet subdue all unto Himself. The Lord shall reign.

V.          IN HIS CHURCH.

Colossians 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

A.             Here His Authority Is Generally Acknowledged,

1.              However, does He get His true place as the leader of His Church?

2.              He is also the Head of the body,

i.           Not the hands that does the                

           thinking and the planning.

B.             In His Word

1.              Wee have

i.           His mind,

ii.         His will

2.              The Church's authority and power lies in obedience to His Word,

              i.            Both in doctrine and in polity.          

              ii.          What is displeasing to the Head:

a.              Must be dis­honouring to the body.

b.              The head takes all the responsibilities of the body,

1 Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

3.              He supplies all the needs of His Body.

Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

CONCLUSION:          Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

This is a Divine act of grace that God should be pleased that in Jesus Christ the world's Redeemer,

That all His fulness should dwell,

That all who are in Him by faith may be in touch with all the fulness of God.

2 Corinthians 8:9  For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

John 1:16  And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

All the blessing we have received has come out of His fulness. Our cup may be full, but the infiniteness of His fulness still remains.

Ephesians 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: