Topic: 'Absolute Supremacy of JESUS CHRIST'

Scripture: Colossians 1:15–23

Introduction

1. Jesus Christ.
   • An unavoidable character/person.
   • A name above all names.
   • Many people use His name even though they did not believe in Him.
   • Satan and all demons – rulers, powers and principalities know about Him and His total authority over them all.
   • God the Father approved and commended Him and is very proud of Him.
     • Baptism – Matthew 3:17.
     • Transfiguration – Luke 9:35.
2. Jesus Christ – Vs. 15.
   • Image – Perfect/Exact image of God the Father.
   • Invisible – We can know God and what He is like because of Jesus.
3. Jesus Christ.
   • Supreme and Superior…
     • Creation.
     • Church.
     • All things.

A. His Supremacy over Creation — Vs. 16–17

• Created by Him… Things…
  • Heaven and on earth.
  • Visible and invisible.
  • Thrones, powers, rulers or authorities.
• Created for Him.
• Jesus has total authority over them all.
• The Creator and Sustainer of them all. Vs. 17.
• He has the final say over them all. He is the final goal for creation.

B. Supremacy over the Church — Vs. 18

• He is the beginning of the Church.
• The origin and source.
• He is the head of the body – Church.
• The constant director of the Church.
• The firstborn from the dead.
• His resurrection from the dead proves that He is Lord of all.
• He has the power over death, sin and Satan.
• He is the Living Lord.
• He is Lord over all.
• Lord by virtue of His victory over death.

C. Supremacy over All Things — Vs. 19–20

• God was pleased with Him…
  • Pleased to have all His fullness in Him.
  • God the Father approved of Him and is proud of Him.
• God reconciled all to Himself through the Lord Jesus.
• All this in heaven and on earth.
• God made peace with us through the Lord Jesus. — Romans 5:1
• The only way that we can have peace with God is through the Lord Jesus Christ.
• His death on the cross and His shed blood is the only means of us being reconciled to God.
  John 14:6

Conclusion

1. The object of His coming to the earth – 'Reconciliation'. Vs. 19.
   • God reconciling all things – including us to Himself through Jesus Christ.
2. The medium of Reconciliation. Vs. 20.
   • His blood shed on the cross.
   • God demonstrated His love for us. — Romans 5:8
   • We can only be forgiven and cleansed only by the blood of Jesus. — Hebrews 9:22
3. Jesus Christ – reconciling all things to God.
   • People and all of Creation will be reconciled to God through Christ Jesus.
4. We were once alienated from God and were enemies of God. Vs. 21–22.
   • In Christ Jesus we are reconciled to God and are God's friends.
5. Jesus Christ reconciling all things on earth and in heaven to God.
   • Angels – John 4:18 and Job 15:15.
   • All created things.