TRUE IMPORTANCE
COLOSSIANS 1:14-19
· What value is there to knowing about important people?
· Why are the following people considered important?
“Buffalo” Bob Smith
Babe Ruth
Sidney Crosby
Marilyn Monroe
Margaret Mitchell
Clara Barton
Abraham Lincoln
· Why do we each have a different idea of who is important?
· How can we tell when a person truly is important?
· Why is Jesus Christ the most important person who ever lived?
· Why is it important that we know as much about Him as possible?
In this passage we are given an understanding of the true importance of our Lord Jesus Christ.
HE IS REDEEMER - Vs. 14
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
· Why do we need a redeemer? Isaiah 64:6, Ezekiel 18:4, Romans 3:23, 6:23
· The word translated "redemption" refers to someone being set free because of the paying of a price. Because of the payment of the blood of Christ, it is possible for a person who trusts Christ as Savior to be set free from bondage to sin and set free from the punishment for sin. 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Ephesians 2:1, John 8:36
· What is the one requirement for making this redemption mine? Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:36
· How forgiven are we when we trust Christ as Savior? 1 Corinthians 6:11, Psalm 103:12
HE IS REFLECTOR - Vs. 15a
Who is the image of the invisible God…
· So many times we have said, or heard it said, "He's just like his father!" In the case of the Lord Jesus Christ, this statement is absolutely true! John 1:1-2, 14
· Jesus said in John 14:9 …He that hath seen me hath seen the Father;
· How does it help us when we know that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God”?
· We cannot be exactly like God the Father as Jesus is, but we are to strive to imitate Jesus as much as possible. In doing so, we become imitators of God as well. 1 John 2:6
HE HAS RANK - Vs. 15b
…the firstborn of every creature:
· In many societies, current and historical, there is rank and privilege that goes with being the firstborn. Jesus of course is eternal. He has always existed. John 8:58
· Charles Erdman - "'Firstborn' here means two things: priority in time and supremacy in place or position. Christ existed before the Creation, but He held the rank commonly assigned to the 'firstborn,' the rank of eminence and dominion. Christ is thus declared to be the universal sovereign." Charles Erdman, The Epistles of Paul to the Colossians and to Philemon, (Grand Rapids, MI, Baker Book House, © 1966), Page 52
· It is obvious that Jesus outranks us all! How should this truth affect our lives?
HE IS RESPONSIBLE - Vss. 16-17
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: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
· Jesus is responsible for creation. John 1:3, Hebrews 1:1-2
· What specific miracles show Jesus’ authority as creator?
· What response should we give to Jesus, our creator? Revelation 4:13
· Jesus is the “glue” that holds the universe together. The universe does not fall apart because all things consist in Him.
· In what ways is Jesus willing to be the “glue” that holds your life together? Psalm 23
HE IS RULER - Vss. 18-19
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. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;
· The church is the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13, 27
· The head is the control center of the body. Jesus Christ is the head, the control center, of the church.
· He is first in rank over creation because He created it. He is first in rank in resurrection because He arose to die no more.
· To have preeminence means to be in “first place”. How can you tell when Jesus has first place in your life? Romans 12:1-2
· How can you tell when Jesus has first place in the church?
· Fullness means "the sum total of all the divine power and attributes". To dwell here means to be at home permanently. All divine power and attributes are "at home" or comfortable in Jesus Christ.
· My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Christ dwells in me. How should the fullness of Christ living in me affect my life?