THE PRE-EMINENT CHRIST

COLOSSIANS 1:13B- 2:9

3/85

 

The text a great deep = we cannot mark its boundaries.

= We can see but a small part of it's infinite.

 

Compare:  Shore of Pacific Ocean.  Beyond, Orient, Australia.

 

I.  "THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD…"

 

     1.  Not as the heroic king, a creature though first in rank, but as Athanive, the very essence of God, God of every God.

 

If I would see God, look at Jesus.  John 14:9,  John 1:1-3,14.  Philippians 2:6-11.

 

Revelation 1:13-16 A full length parasol of the deity of Christ.

 

     2.  1:17 "He is before all things, and by him all things."

 

In astronomy, he is the bright and morning star.

In zoology, he is the lion of the tribe of Judah.

In botany, he is the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valley.

In medicine, he is the Great Physician.

In soteriology, he is the Lamb that taketh away the sin.

In eschatology, he is the coming and reigning king.

 

II.  1:19; 2:9 "ALL THE FULNESS OF GODHEAD BODILY"

 

      1.  The fullness that dwells in Christ - inherently, intrinsically, essentially. 

 

In us, emptiness, weakness, need, lack.

In us, a nature like an empty desert, inhabited by the dragon of sin and the bitterness of failure.

 

A sail for the ship, the deeds of death.

 

But in Christ, fullness, plentitude of power, grace, life.

 

The same yesterday, today and forever.

 

The fullness of the Godhead bodily.

 

Revelation 1:13-16 a full kept portrait of Christ.

 

Robes…a king.

Head, white…ancient of days, eternity.

Eyes, first…omniscience.

Mouth, sword…omnipotent word by first the worlds.

 

Condemns as the sun…unapproachable deity.

John 1:17.

Acts 22:11.

 

     2.  "dwells."

 

A man who dwells, in a house can be found at home.  So grace, mercy, forgiveness, life abiding in Christ.

 

Knock at door of prayer - find him there.

Cry, God be manifest to me a sun - mercy not gone or joy.

 

Seek life, salvation - call, meet at certain canonical time.  But at my time, hour, place.

 

Hebrews 4:15,16.

 

     3.  Accessibility.

 

The leper - how through the crowd?  Hand..half the curse.

 

Little children - disciples instructed.

 

A promiscuous woman - "If Lord, not let her touch.."

 

Luke 15:2 "eats with them."

 

If Jesus casts out one of them, how know not cast me out?

If Jesus refuse one of them, how know not refuse me?

If Jesus spurns one of them, how know not spurn me?

 

But Jesus my friend.

 

III.  1:14,20-22 "IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION"

 

     1.  He is the author of an eternal salvation from the wounds of Calvary redemption flows forever - to the last day the world shall last. To the last soul who will hear, heed, respond.

 

     2.  Paul's emphasis upon him - "by him, I say."

 

Some matters in the divine scheme of things allocated to the archangel.  Others to the cherubim, seraphim, still others to the ministry, yet others to man.

 

But some things only the Lord Jesus can do.

 

No substitute for Him - our redemption, salvation, only in Him.

 

Compare:

 

Man not fleet as a deer, invented, substituted a car.

Man not fly as a eagle, invented, substituted a airplane.

Man not swim as a fish, invented, substituted a submarine.

 

     3.  We sinner in earth find all we need in Christ.

 

I John 1:9 "he is faithful and just to forgive…"

Isaiah 40:29 "he gives power to the faint…"

 

We are to bring nothing but to find all we need in him.

We are to simply receive out of his fullness, grace for grace.

 

No need to bring a bucket of water to the river of life.

No need to bring a sandwich to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

No need to bring a basket of summer fruit to hang on the limb of the tree of life.

No need to bring trinket to add to streets of gold.

No need to bring string of cheap pearls to adorn the knobs of the gates of heaven.

 

No.  In his suffering, death, fullness of mercy, power, unbounded, undiminished, eternal.

 

He is our altar, sacrifice, tabernacle, priest, atonement.

He is the substance of all the prophecies, types, ordinances, ceremonies, from the beginning of the ages.

 

He alone is able, worthy to save us to heaven. Revelation 5.

 

The Lord is the temple of heaven.

The Lord is the light of heaven.

 

His marriage the joy of heaven.

His throne the song of heaven.

His presence the glory of heaven.

 

We saints find all our fullness in him.

We are nothing without him.

 

It is he who washed us in his blood.

It is he who gave us robes of white.

It is he who hath made us kings and priests unto God.

It is he by whose power we sing.

 

     a.  "All hail the power of Jesus name,

Let angels prostrate fall…"