Rob Armstrong's Blog

“The Supremacy of Christ in All Things”

Colossians 1:15-23

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

21 And you who were once alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

1. The Supremacy of Christ in All Creation

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

1. He existed before creation
2. He created all things
3. He created everything for himself
4. He holds all things together

2. The Supremacy of Christ in the Church

18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

1. He is the head of the church
2. He is the originator of the church (beginning)
3. He is the most important of all who have been raised from the dead (firstborn/ preeminent, a position)

3. The Supremacy of Christ in Salvation

19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you who were once alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

1. He is the initiator of salvation
2. Man is separated from God
3. Man is an enemy of God
4. He reconciles us to Himself through the cross
5. He purposes our personal holiness
6. He gives us hope

• We who are truly his are not shaken (earthquake, there were many in the area of Colossae and true believers are those who remain faithful over the course of time when the foundation is shook but continue to stand)
• Our focus is on the coming riches and glory that we have in Christ, not on the situations and circumstances that we are facing today.
• Our salvation is in the present. Therefore our faith is seen and practiced in the present with our hearts and minds focused on the future grace that we receive through Christ.