December 14, 2020
The Preeminence of Christ
Colossians 1:15-20
Keri Ingraham
Central Truth
Jesus Christ is God the Son and creator of all things. He is supreme over all, including those we can see and those that we cannot see; and through His death and resurrection, we can be reconciled to God by faith and repentance from sins.
Key Verse | Colossians 1:16
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
Colossians 1:15-20
The Preeminence of Christ
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by 1 1:16 That is, by means of; or in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Dive Deeper | Colossians 1:15-20
The Bible is consistently clear throughout that God is the creator: all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present. Yet how often do we live with a mind-set contrary to these truths in our everyday lives? For example, while we know with our minds that God is in control, it's not unusual for our hearts to become worried or fearful when circumstances are uncertain or outside of our predetermined plans.
Understanding and acknowledging the preeminence of Christ must translate into living with an unwavering confidence in His good, loving, and perfect plan. God has plans for His people, both in the Old Testament and the New. As Jeremiah 29:11 states concerning Israel, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Thus, it's important to distinguish that it is Christ's plans for us, not our own. Isaiah 55:8-9 also speaks to this: "For [God's] thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways [God's] ways . . . . For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are [God's] ways higher than your ways and [God's] thoughts than your thoughts." We as humans are finite with a limited earthly perspective. However, our loving God's supremacy includes His all-encompassing, unlimited, and eternal perspective and the power to bring about His ways. Nothing can prevail against Christ's plans, not even the gates of hell (Matthew 16:18).
Recognizing the supremacy of Christ, we acknowledge that Christ is above and over all things. According to R.C. Sproul, "Jesus ranks as the ultimate or supreme—supreme in power, rank, glory, authority, importance." Hebrews 1:1-3 details the context of Jesus Christ's supremacy and explains that Jesus is the way to salvation. "After making purification for sins, [Jesus] sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Hebrews 1:3b), which is God the Father.
Out of gratitude for God's amazing gift of Jesus to atone for our sins, let us live transformed as we allow the truth to penetrate our daily lives.
Discussion Questions
1. How do you acknowledge the preeminence of Christ? How do you fail to acknowledge it?
2. What area of your life can you surrender to Christ today to trust Him more fully?
3. Looking back on your life, in what specific ways have God's plans proven to be better than your own? How does looking back at God's perfect track record of faithfulness give you confidence to trust and obey Him today, as well as in your future?