"That He Might Have The Preeminence"

Colossians 1:14-22

It is the purpose of God that his dear Son, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, have the preeminence in all things. And what God has purposed God brings to pass.Christ is preeminent in all things:in the Godhead, in election, in predestination, in creation, in redemption, in providence, in grace, in his church and in heaven. And the more fully you and I truly apprehend the preeminence of Christ, the more we will consecrate ourselves to him. In Colossians 1 Paul sets forth the preeminent greatness, glory and grace of Christ.

1. CHRIST IS OUR REDEEMER (v. 14). Redemption is through his blood alone. And redemption is the forgiveness of sin!

2. CHRIST IS THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD (v. 15). Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second Person of the Holy Trinity.

3. CHRIST IS THE FIRSTBORN OF EVERY CREATURE (v. 15). He is "the Beginning of the creation of God" (Rev. 3:14), the One by whom all things were made.

4. CHRIST IS THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE (v. 16). "All things were created by him." "Without him was not anything made." And all things were created "for him," for his pleasure and his glory.

5. CHRIST IS ETERNAL (v.17). He is "before all things."

6. CHRIST IS SOVEREIGN (v. 17). He is the One by whom "all things consist." He upholds, rules over and disposes of all things as he will.

7. CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF HIS BODY, THE CHURCH (v. 18).

8. CHRIST IS THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD (v. 18). He is the first in number. None were raised to die no more before him. And he is the first in quality. None are resurrected but by his power.

9. CHRIST IS THE ONE IN WHOM ALL FULNESS DWELLS (v. 19). All the fulness of the Godhead, all the fulness of grace, all the fulness of life, and all the fulness of glory resides in Christ, our Savior.

10. CHRIST MADE PEACE FOR US THROUGH THE BLOOD OF HIS CROSS (v. 20).

11. CHRIST RECONCILED US TO GOD (v. 21).

12. AND CHRIST WILL PRESENT US IN THE LAST DAY BEFORE THE PRESENCE OF HIS GLORY IN THE PERFECTION OF HOLINESS (v. 22). By the merits of his life, the merits of his blood, and the power of his grace we shall be perfectly saved forever!

Don Fortner