NO OTHER NAME, GREAT IN POWER, CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS, HOLY FOREVER, GREATER THAN

Who do you look like the most in your family? Who are you most like in your personality, talents, quirks, etc. in your family?

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and 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 in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through  Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Like the church in Colossae, we today need to know who Jesus truly is. The verses that we will look into talks about the supremacy of Christ—JESUS OVER ALL (pay attention to how many times the word “all” was used in the passage). Who is Jesus?

I. JESUS IS OUR RULER (Colossians 1:15-19)

Jesus is the “image” of the invisible God (v. 15)! In fact, Jesus told his disciples that if they want to know who God is, they need to know Him (John 14:8-9). He is the exact representation of who God is (Hebrews 1:3). He is also the firstborn (pre-eminent) of all creation. He is not created, He is the Creator, Jesus is God (Genesis 1:26, John 1:1-3, 14, Colossians 1:16). Have you seen the beauty of creation? Jesus created everything, even what we cannot see (in the spiritual realm). Not only did He create all things, everything was created FOR Him! Not only did Jesus make us, He made us for Him. Saint Augustine said that our hearts are restless, until we find our rest in God; He created us to have a relationship with Him, nothing else in this life will fill the emptiness inside.

Our universe goes on and on for billions of light years, and we can go smaller and smaller into the “inner universe” of our bodies, everything has been created by our All-powerful God. We were made in God’s image, and so we have the ability to create amazing things, but only God can create out of nothing! There is an “invisible force” that holds atoms together, and scientists cannot fully explain what that force is. It is Jesus who holds this world together—He holds your world together (v.17).

Jesus is not only our Creator, and our God, He is also our Ruler, the head of the church. He is the only one who rose from the dead and will never die again (v.18). Paul wrote to the Colossians at that time because there were false teachings about Jesus—that he was a created being; the truth is that Jesus is God in bodily form, He was not created, but the Creator (Colossians 1:19, 2:9). “Jesus is either Lord of all, or is not Lord at all” (Hudson Taylor). Surrender to Him, that’s the only way we can experience the fullness of life we were designed to have in Him.

II. JESUS IS OUR RECONCILER (Colossians 1:20-23)

To reconcile is to restore what was broken. Sin has separated us from God, it’s our number one problem (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 59:2). Jesus is the only way for us to be reconciled to God, not through good works we do, not through religion. Sin has corrupted us, and it has corrupted all of creation. But Jesus is coming again to reconcile all things to Himself (v.20).

For those of us who did not grow up in a Christian home, we can easily relate to how verse 21 described the Colossians. It serves a reminder for those who grew up in Christian homes that even though the “evil deeds” may not look the same for us, we all have engaged in them. But because of Jesus, we don’t have to continue to live that kind of life! The God of the universe became man, died on the cross in order that we can be reconciled to God (v.22). We are warned though (v.23). At times we wonder where God is when trials and difficulties come are way. We need the reminder in Colossians about who we are in Christ. We must continue to live holy and blameless lives even when things are tough, trusting in Jesus that He is able to see us through. Be steadfast, don’t let the trials of life warp your view of God.

III. JESUS IS OUR REASON (Colossians 1:24-29)

Paul readily accepted the role that God gave him because he experienced God’s grace (v.23). If Jesus is your reason for living, then like the Apostle Paul you can rejoice even in suffering (v.24). The worst thing that can happen to us can be the “best” thing that happens to us if it leads us to know Jesus. The suffering that we may experience is not just because we share the gospel and persecuted, but also as we follow Jesus. God uses suffering to accomplish His purpose for you. If you are walking away from Him, He uses suffering to get your attention for you to get back to Him.

Paul never met the Colossians, and it must have been difficult for Paul to write while in chains, but Paul rejoiced in his sufferings (v.24). He was doing his share in “filling up” was “lacking” in Christ’s sufferings (the personal, bodily, costly presentation of God’s love for the church – John Piper). How will people know who Jesus is? Through us, and it has a cost for us. What are we doing to complete the work that God is doing in our lives by reaching out to other people? Many times, we do not want to inconvenience ourselves for the sake of others, but that’s what it means to live for Jesus (“for your sake”).

In your DNA is to “make disciples”; maybe God is calling you somewhere else to share the gospel. Be sensitive to what God is telling you! The gospel that we have is a stewardship; if Jesus is your reason for living, you carry the “mystery” of Christ, the hope of glory (v. 25-27).

God chose Israel to be His people that the world will know that He is God. From Abraham’s seed (Christ), all nations will be blessed, gentiles (non-Jews) will become the people of God as well. We cannot not proclaim Him to others through the Holy Spirit (vv. 28-29). Jesus uses us to bring others to God. It takes a lot of work on our part to do that, but we do so according to God’s power.

What part of your life is not yet surrendered to Jesus? What is holding you back from going all in with Jesus?

In light of what you learned today about who Jesus is and what He has done, what will change in
the way you live beginning today?

Pray for people all around you to see that Jesus is over all your life, and over all that He has created.

Help others know Jesus as Ruler, Reconciler and our Reason for living.

Share the gospel to them that they too may be restored back to God through Jesus.

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• God’s help and comfort, salvation for Israel, wisdom for their leaders in government, military and their soldiers as they defend themselves against terrorists’ attacks. PRAISE GOD for the release of hostages so far! Continue to pray for the release of the remaining ones.

• War in Ukraine to end, loss of lives prevented.

• That CCF Members would honor and love God and make disciples.

• Elders, pastors, dleaders, and families (holy, humble, harmonious, happy, heart-working).

• Ministries and churches expansion worldwide.

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and 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 in Him all things hold together.