Colossians 1:15-2:5
Introduction
When you hear the words outbreak or pandemic, they strike fear and concern in our hearts. The last six months have made this truth more evident than at any time we have ever lived. However, I believe our nation and world are positioned for an outbreak of a different kind. There are signs of spiritual awakening in different places around the world. The gospel is spreading amid persecution in China and other parts of the world. Even with the growing hostility toward Christianity in our culture, implying that believers are racial bigots who are really supremists who want to preserve their privilege by oppressing others, God is at work. Even when we don’t feel it, he is working. Even when we don’t see it, he is at work. There are mercy drops of awakening in Portland and Seattle, even amid the chaos and rioting. I am thankful for the mercy drops, but I long for the showers of revival. None of us is supreme, but I want to share with you about the One who is supreme in all things.
As Paul penned his letter to the Colossians, he wrote from prison, not because he was a law breaker, but because he proclaimed the gospel of Christ. He is thankful for the faith of the Colossians and their love for all the saints. The gospel is bearing fruit in Colossae and all over the world. Paul is thankful for how the Colossians are growing in the knowledge of God. There is no greater thing in all the world than knowing God. Redemption and forgiveness of sins are found in the knowledge of Christ. In Colossians 1:15-2:5, Paul proclaims the supremacy of Christ. He is Lord of all and the ruler of the universe. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:10-22).
The Active Agent in Creation
In Colossians 1:15-16 Paul states that Jesus is the image of the invisible God. While all people of all colors are created equally in the image of God, male and female, Christ is the only one who fully displays that image. He is God. The Son perfectly reflects the Father and the Holy Spirit. The three are uniquely one. We serve one God who manifests himself in three persons. We are created in the image of God, but sin has tarnished that image to make our reflection distorted even in our best moments. Jesus is the image of the invisible God who is spirit.
Jesus is the first born of creation. That does not mean that Jesus was created. The best way to interpret Scripture is through the Scriptures. Jesus was in the beginning with God, for he is God. He is supreme and pre-eminent. He was the active agent in creation. John begins the prologue to his Gospel with these words, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (ESV). Christ created everything demonstrating his supremacy in all things. He created the visible and invisible including the spirit world. The dominions, rulers, and authorities, Satan and his demons along with the heavenly angels are created beings, inferior to Christ. Everything is created through him and for him. We live for Christ. We were created by him and for him. This is another reason that I am prolife. Biblical theology clearly identifies God as the creator of all things. He is the life giver. Who are we to destroy an innocent life that God has created?
He is the Head of the Church
Christ is supreme in that he is before all things. There was never a time when Christ was not. He is the one who holds all things together. This is a great comfort to me. On those days when I am overwhelmed by the denigration of my faith in our culture, the uncontrolled world in which we live, the uncertainty of the pandemic, the hostility of the division in our nation as we approach a presidential election, and personal challenges, I take great comfort in the fact that Christ is the one who holds all things together. In the midst of the worst storms of life, Christ is the anchor who hold us. What a comfort that is!
Christ is the head of his body, the church. Note the text does not say “a” head of the church. He is “the” head. Perhaps some of you think that you are the head of the church. Most of us have too much respect for the Lord to make such a comment. However, many church members live as if they are the head of the church. You know folks like this. They are always wanting to recreate the church in their image. It’s all about what they want and like. Such reasoning is why we see worship music wars dividing the church. That is such nonsense because worship is never about me or my personal preferences. It’s all about God who is the object of our worship. The Bible speaks of singing new songs to the Lord (not to me). The structure and style of the music is art that reflects the style of the writer, but in worship it must reflect the character of God, faithfully adhering to the teachings of the Scriptures.
As you prepare for a new pastor to lead this local body of Christ, it is important to clearly acknowledge the one who is the head of the church. Who is the pastor’s boss? To whom does he report? Ultimately, the pastor reports to God, for he is the one that he will one day stand before and give an account of how he led this church. In our Baptist polity, the pastor is accountable to the congregation under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. If you are not under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, you have no authority to express your opinion to others in the church. To do so will lead the church away for God rather than to him. There will be some things about your new pastor that you will love and welcome. Over time, there will arise some things that annoy you. Such is the nature of all relationships. We must put our personal preferences to death, so that we can honor God’s purposes for the church. We must pray for, support, encourage, and speak the truth in love to our pastor. If you practice these principles, you will be a joy to the Lord and to your pastor. Christ is in the beginning. He has first place in everything.
All the fullness of God rests in Christ. He is fully God. He is the one who reconciles everything to God. We have salvation in him. There is no other way to God. Such teaching stands in contrast to our culture. A presidential candidate who embraces a plurality of religions and who stands in opposition to the church cannot rightfully be considered to be a person of faith. In a religiously plural nation, he could be the best candidate to lead, but he cannot maintain that he is a person of faith within historically orthodox Christianity. Salvation cannot be found through the works-based faith of the major world religions. Salvation comes only through belief in the person and work of Christ. Jesus was born of a virgin by God’s initiative, lived a sinless life, died a vicarious death, rose triumphantly from the grave, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and promised to return as King. Those who receive these truths by faith and repent of their sins experience God’s salvation through grace. If you have not had such a life changing encounter with Christ, the Holy Spirit may be moving you now to renounce your sins and embrace Christ. You can receive Christ at home as you watch this service through our streaming efforts. Here in this place of worship, you can pray to God, throwing yourself on his mercy and grace. None of us deserve salvation, but God freely offers it to all who repent and believe. If you have received Christ today, let us know by sending an email to the church or speaking with a member of our family. God relentlessly pursues a relationship with us. Christ reconciles us to God. Let him bring you into a right relationship with God right now. He is the peacemaker. He shed his blood on the cross, taking our shame and punishment for sin, so we could be set free from it. There is nothing greater in all creation than knowing God. British scholar J. I. Packer, who recently went to be with the Lord, wrote a book, Knowing God, in the 1970s. More than one million copies have been sold. His reflections on knowing God have blessed believers and encouraged them on their faith journeys.
Alienation and Hostility
We all were once alienated from God and hostile to him. It’s important for us to remember from wince we came. All of us were unrepentant sinners on our way to hell. Our actions were selfish and evil, working against God and his kingdom. But God who is rich in mercy reconciled us through the death of Christ. He bore all of our sins, past, present, and future, in his body on the cross. If the Holy Spirit is speaking to you, do not resist him. He draws people to receive the gospel.
We are reconciled to God through Christ’s death and resurrection. He presents us holy, faultless, and blameless to God. Through repentance and faith, we receive a full pardon for our sins. Paul encourages the Colossians and us to remain grounded and steadfast in the faith. Never forsake the gospel of Christ. It is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe and receive Christ.
Make the Message Known
In Colossians 1:24-2:5, Paul implores believers to make the message known. We sometimes sing the hymn, “Christ Receiveth Sinful Men.” The chorus says to make the message clear and plain. Christ always receives repentant sinners. He is the only hope of glory. Pastors bear the burden of knowing we will one day stand before God and give an account for how we have led our congregations. Paul states in verse 29 that it is his mission to present everyone mature in Christ. Pastors labor long and hard through prayer, preparation, study, conversations, teaching, and preaching to encourage spiritual growth among all believers.
Paul also refers to the mystery of the gospel. While the wonder of salvation as a grace gift is difficult to fully understand, when Paul writes about the mystery of the gospel, he refers to the response of Gentile believers. That was often a stumbling block for the Jews, many of whom believed they had an exclusive claim on God. However, God’s mission has always been global in nature. He desires followers from every tribe, nation, ethnicity, and tongue. He calls us to join with him in this global mission. He encouraged the church at Colossae to be joined together in love. That is our hope and our mission.
Application
So, how do we apply these biblical truths to our lives?
- You are made for Christ—you are not your own; you have been bought with a price.
- Jesus is the authority of the church; you are not. Humbly submit yourself to his leadership.
- Stay grounded in the faith. Make public worship a priority. You need fellowship with other believers. It is in the context of the local church that faith grows toward maturity. Do not neglect your daily worship of God through your lifestyle. Make time every day to read God’s Word, pray, and reflect on what the Lord is teaching you.
- Do not forsake the gospel. We live in a culture that is quickly becoming increasingly hostile to Christianity. The opponents are vocal. Never forsake the gospel. Hold steadfastly to it.
- Make the gospel known. If there is going to be any real reconciliation in our nation, it will come through the gospel of Christ. Only he can transform the hearts of people.