Reintroducing Jesus – Colossians 1:15-29
False Views of Jesus:
1 . “Feel Good Jesus”
2 . “Feel Bad Jesus
Jesus is supreme because:
1 . Jesus Reveals God
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. —Colossians 1:15
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. —Hebrews 1:3
2 . Jesus is the Creator
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. —Colossians 1:16-17Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am. —John 8:58
3 . Jesus is the Head of the church
18 He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have
first place in everything. —Colossians 1:18
4 . Jesus is Fully God
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, —Colossians 1:19
5 . He Reconciles the World
20 and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds as expressed in your evil actions. 22 But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before him— 23 if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a servant of it. —Colossians 1:20-23
How do we respond?
Suffer for Others (v. 24)
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for his body, that is, the church. —Colossians 1:24
Serve the Church (v.25):
25 I have become its servant, according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, —Colossians 1:25
Share the Mystery (v.26–27)
26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. —Colossians 1:26-27
Strive for Maturity (v.28–29)
28 We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 I labor for this, striving with his strength that works powerfully in me. —Colossians 1:28-29
Key: Good, Bad, Reveals, Creator, Head, Fully, Reconciles, Suffer, Serve, Share, Strive