The Preeminence of Christ Colossians 1 15 18

The Preeminence of Christ Colossians 1: 15 -18 1

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence Colossians 1: 15 -18 2

Preeminence Defined �First Place ◦ Protos - to be first (in rank or influence) - Strong ◦ To be Number One! �Theme of Colossians �Christ is the firstborn ◦ Over all creation - vss. 15 -17 ◦ From the dead - vs. 18 �What Makes Christ Preeminent? The Preeminence of Christ 3

Christ is Number One In Our Salvation! �Salvation is only “in Christ” ◦ Galatians 3: 26 -27; Ephesians 1: 3 �Only “in Christ” are we ◦ Partakers of the inheritance of this saints - v. 13 ◦ Delivered from the power of darkness - v. 13 ◦ Translated into His kingdom - v. 13 ◦ Redeemed through His blood - v. 14 ◦ Forgiven of sin - v. 14 ◦ Reconciled to God - vss. 19 -23 ◦ Promised the hope of heaven - vss. 3 -5 �Salvation & Hope are Conditional! ◦ Col. 1: 23; 2: 11 -13; cf. Acts 2: 38 The Preeminence of Christ 4

Christ is Number One In The Church! �He is THE Head! ◦ 1: 18; 2: 19; Ephesians 1: 22 �He purchased it! ◦ Acts 20: 28; Matthew 16: 18 �He is to be glorified in it (not men)! ◦ Ephesians 3: 14 -21; 1 Corinthians 1: 10 -13 The Preeminence of Christ 5

Name Jones Hardware Store If… � Jones built it � He shed his blood for it � He is the head of it � He saved it � He laid the cornerstone � He established the foundation � Jones is the only name whereby hardware goods we may obtain Check One: A) Smith’s Hardware__ B) Clark’s Hardware__ C) Miller’s Hardware__ D) Jones’ Hardware__ The Preeminence of Christ 6

Name Christ’s Church If… � Christ built it - Matt. 16: 18 � He shed his blood for it - Acts 20: 28; Eph. 5: 25 � He is the head of it - Eph. 1: 22, 23 � He saves it - Eph. 5: 23 � He is its chief cornerstone - Acts 4: 11, 12; 1 Pet. 2: 4, 7 � He is the foundation of it - 1 Cor. 3: 11 � Christ is the only name under heaven whereby we must be saved - Acts 4: 12 Check One: A) Methodist Church__ B) Baptist Church__ C) Lutheran Church__ D) Church of Christ__ The Preeminence of Christ 7

Christ is to be Number One in Our Preaching & Practice! �No Human ◦ 2: 1 -10 Philosophy! �Not the O. T. Law! ◦ 2: 14 -15; Ephesians 2: 15 -16 �Hot Human ◦ 2: 16 -23 Traditions! The Preeminence of Christ 8

Christ is to be Number One in Our Hearts & Minds! �Must have ◦ 3: 1 -4 affections in the Divine order �Must mortify ◦ 3: 5 -9 �Must have ◦ 3: 12 -17 the fleshly centered mind! a Christ centered mind! The Preeminence of Christ 9

Christ is to be Number One in Our Homes! �Husband & Wife submit as fitting to God! � 3: 18 -19 ◦ Husband is highest authority in the home ◦ Wife is to guide, manage, rule the house �Second in command to the husband - 1 Tim. 5: 14 �Children must obey parents! - 3: 20 �Fathers rightly instruct & guide children without provoking to wrath! - 3: 21 �Parents & Children are to be well pleasing to God in all things - 3: 20 -21 The Preeminence of Christ 10

Conclusion �Christ Is Preeminent! • • • In In In Salvation the Church preaching & Practice our Hearts & Minds our Homes The Preeminence of Christ 11