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CHRIST IN COLOSSIANS

Last week we started a new sermon series - Christ in Colossians.

There’s a really unique and awe-inspiring high view of Christ here like nowhere else in the NT - why? What was going on in Colossae hundreds of years ago that prompted Paul to write this? And why should this matter to us now in 2025?

PLou took us through some verses in Colossians last week, and if you remember, there was a huge problem in the church. [show tension between Judaism and early Christianity]  False teachers had come into the church and were spreading poison. These guys were twisting the Gospel. They were saying that in addition to being a follower of Jesus, all believers should also follow the food and Jewish calendar requirements of the Mosaic law. 

Now, we know today that we don’t have to follow Jewish laws to be Christians. We don’t have false teachers teaching this do we? Ah - but we are still guilty of living  Jesus + lives! 

  

2000 years ago, false teaching was causing a Jesus + life.

Today something else is causing us to live Jesus+ lives.

One of the biggest flaws in all humanity is that we take so much for granted. Taking things for granted is a universal experience. Most of us, at some point, have failed to appreciate the significance of what we have until it’s gone. Whether it's the people in our lives, the opportunities presented to us, or even our health, the phenomenon of taking things for granted is deeply rooted in the psychology of human behaviour. Understanding why we do this involves delving into several psychological concepts,

One of the core reasons we tend to take things for granted is due to a psychological process known as hedonic adaptation. This refers to the tendency of humans to return to a baseline level after initial happiness. When we initially acquire something we value—a new car, a promotion, or even a romantic relationship—it tends to bring us a surge of happiness. However, over time, the excitement diminishes as we grow accustomed to the new situation. When we adapt, we stop feeling the same level of joy we once did. We take things for granted.  The “new normal” quickly replaces the initial euphoria, making us less inclined to appreciate what we have.

We see this in life - but we see this especially in the church! Esp with spiritual things.

Surrendering to Christ. Being born again - this is BIG!

But after some time, the glow wears off.

Baptism - BIG! But not 6 months later.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit - BIG. But fizzles away after some time. 

We start to take it for granted. We undervalue. And apathy sets in. [explain]

For the VColossians, error had come in and PLou taught us last week

Truth is the Antidote for Error

In the same way  Awe & Action is the Antidote for Apathy 

Building awareness is the best way to kill apathy. Paul is writing to the Colossians to present an exalted view of Christ - to correct false teaching. For us, this exalted view heightens our awareness - makes us stand in awe. And then it propels us to action.

For everything we look at today, let’s take a moment to stand in AWE, Then, let’s consider how we can put that awe-inspring truth to ACTION

Let’s go to Colossians 1:15-20

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 

17 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 and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 

19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Last week ….

This week, we are going to study verse 18. Let’s look at it closely 

18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 

The first thing we read is that Jesus is the head of the body, the church.

Head = kephale

Now in English, the word head has many meanings - it’s a homonym

Body = soma  This is also a homonym! Usually, body refers to a physical body, but here Paul specifies that he is referring to a body of believers -> the church. 

Any good student of English knows that metaphors are powerful literary tools. They can clearly convey an idea by painting a vivid picture of what you’re trying to say.

[examples]

But there’s nothing more confusing than mixing metaphors! Any English teacher will tell you - use metaphors but don’t mix them! And the best way to avoid that is by not using homonyms. They have too many meanings … it can get confusing. Uh oh, Paul. 

But wait! Paul is doing something deliberate. He is intentionally mixing metaphors to make a point.

HEAD - of the body.

But Paul specifies that the body isn’t a fleshly, physical body. He is talking about the body of believers - the Church. 

So the first meaning is that Christ is the supreme leader of the church - like in an organization 

[org chart graphic]

Another meaning is that of origin - like the head of a river - [graphic showing river]

The Head of a river is where the river begins, typically in higher elevations - like mountains/hills, fed by rain, melting snow, etc. It flows then into a larger body of water - the river’s mouth. The head here is source, not leadership.

So, there is the significance of Christ leading the church - His body - giving it direction, purpose, and guidance. Someone who goes before, leading the way, showing the way.

But there is also the sense that the Church comes from Christ - it originates from Christ like the way a river comes from its head. So Christ is the life-giving sustainer of the church - He unites all believers as one body, provides nourishment and fosters coordination and growth. Paul deliberately mixes metaphors to show that Christ as Head means

(of the Church)

Let’s stand back and take a moment to appreciate this important truth.

Jesus serves as the ultimate authority (head) over the church, leading in love, power, and wisdom. This means that the church, as His body, derives life, unity, and purpose from Him.

When Scripture proclaims that Jesus is the head of the church, it means that every dimension of church life, from vision to direction to spiritual growth to communal unity, everything rests in Him. He births, He rules, He guides, He loves, He nourishes, He protects, and He sustains.

Awe & Action

Mere admiration is not enough - Awe AND action. Because Jesus is the Head, corporate worship should be Christ-centered. Every church gathering draws attention to Him as the rightful ruler

And we believers need to intentionally glorify God, reflecting our acknowledgment of Him as Savior and Lord - in everything we do and say. 

We need to be ever aware of the One who leads us - ready to listen, ready to obey.

We are never without direction - we just need to finetune ourselves to hear better!

We are never without strength, or wisdom or energy - Christ’s sap runs through us!

John 15:5 - Jesus is the vine and we are His branches - His divine sap sustains us. That’s why we can say - when I am weak, He is strong!

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But Christ is not just the Sovereign Lord. Let’s look at verse 18 again:

18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy

Christ is the beginning. Of what? Well look at the context.

We have already established the eternal nature of Jesus - He has no beginning - or end. 

But He Himself is the beginning … 

 John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Last week, PLou talked to us about Jesus as the Lord over creation. 

But here, speaking of the church (phrase prior) and the rising from the dead, the resurrection (the phrase after) - Paul is talking about the beginning of new life - our new birth - salvation.

He who has no beginning gave to all who believe a new beginning!  

Our new birth, new life in Christ comes from Him! He is the source of that new life.

(of New Life)

The concept of "New Life in Christ" is a central theme in Christian theology, emphasizing the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ. This new life is characterized by a spiritual rebirth, a departure from the old self, and a journey towards holiness and eternal life. 

The notion of being "born again" is foundational to the idea of new life in Christ. In John 3:3, Jesus tells Nicodemus, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." This rebirth is not a physical one but a spiritual transformation that occurs when an individual places their faith in Jesus Christ. It signifies a new beginning, where the believer is regenerated by the Holy Spirit and becomes a new creation.

NEW begins with Christ. All NEWNESS in your new beginning comes from Christ. He is the beginning! The ultimate source of new life

Awe & Action But what does this mean for us practically?

First, the new life is transformative. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul writes, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" This passage highlights the radical change that occurs when one is united with Christ. The old self, characterized by sin and separation from God, is replaced by a new self that seeks righteousness and communion with God.

New life in Christ entails liberation from the bondage of sin. Romans 6:4 states, "We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life." Through Christ's death and resurrection, believers are freed from the power of sin and are empowered to live in obedience to God. This freedom is not a license to sin but a call to live a life that reflects the holiness of God.

The new life in Christ is marked by living according to the Spirit rather than the flesh. Galatians 5:16-17 exhorts believers, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh." The indwelling of the Holy Spirit enables believers to produce the fruit of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, and self-control, which are evidence of a life transformed by Christ.

New life in Christ is a profound transformation that affects every aspect of a believer's existence. It is a life marked by spiritual rebirth, freedom from sin, and a commitment to living according to the Spirit, all while maintaining an eternal perspective. This new life is both a present reality and a future hope, rooted in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

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Jesus is the Sovereign Lord over the Church. He is the Ultimate Source of New Life. And here’s the final part of the verse:

18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy

First born from among the dead. Jesus is the Resurrected One. 

First born = prototokos

Literally the first to be born again from the dead but we know that’s not true

There were people who had been raised from the dead before Jesus - [examples]

There is another way to use this word Romans 8:29

Here and in other places in the NT, first born is not literal [we know Jesus is not the first person to be born] but ‘firstborn’ describes the high status and privileges  of the one who is the most important. It signifies pre-eminence.

Others came back to life - as they had been before, as human beings.

Jesus came back to life, in a resurrected glorified state - as a pre-eminent conqueror - over death! He isn’t just the One who resurrected, or the one who will resurrect others, He IS the Resurrection!

(of death)

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.

This same title for Jesus is found in Revelation 1:4-5

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

And in Romans 1:3. Paul describes Christ this way: 

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

The fact that Jesus died is the greatest evidence of Jesus’ humanity - He was truly God in the flesh. This is an important fact to establish because Paul’s statement - ‘firstborn from among the dead’ - now has greater significance

Jesus was the pre-eminent overcomer of death! He defeated death and resurrected to a glorified, eternal life! He didn’t just come to life as a human again - He is the FIRST to rise as the most supreme victorious one because He has gained the ultimate victory over the ultimate enemy - death.  

[Remember what God said in Genesis - if you eat of the fruit, you will die …]

After resurrecting Jesus from the dead, God gave Him authority over the Earth (Matthew 28:18). Jesus created the world, saved the world, and rules the world. He is the self-existent, acknowledged Head of Everything!

The phrase also recognizes Him as the Messiah: "I will make Him [Christ] My firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth" (Psalm 89:27).

As “firstborn of the dead,” Jesus is both first in time and first in preeminence. As the first to be raised from the dead, Christ is the founder and initiator of the new era God brings about through Jesus’ victory over sin and death. Furthermore, His resurrection is extended to us to believe

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.

Jesus’ resurrection from death opens the way for all who trust in him to follow him in a resurrection like his when he returns. He is the firstborn of the resurrection.

'Firstborn' refers to the high, privileged position that Christ has as a result of the resurrection from the dead . . . . Christ has gained such a sovereign position over the cosmos, not in the sense that he is recognized as supreme over all creation or as the origin of creation, but in the sense that He is the inaugurator of the new creation by means of his resurrection. We are included in this!

Now this makes us stand in awe - but what’s the corresponding action? Awe & Action

As believers, we have a sure hope that one day we will follow Christ into the resurrection and new creation and, because we are in Christ, will reign with him as the firstborn of God, heirs of all things in heaven and on earth. How should this affect how I live now? 

The resurrection should affect our attitudes  - how to relate to others and respond to circumstances. Living in the light of the resurrection involves embracing the transformative power of this event in daily life, shaping beliefs, behaviors, and hope for the future. Holiness no longer is just a good idea - we must continually hunger for it! The resurrection should compel believers to serve others in love, reflecting the self-giving nature of Christ. Living in the light of the resurrection involves bearing witness to the transformative power of Christ. 

Conclusion:

Jesus is not just supreme over life, He is supreme over new life

Jesus is not just the Lord of creation, He is Lord over the new creation, over all creation

Jesus is not just the one who came back from the dead, He is the reigning King of the resurrection

And that resurrected life runs through His church, through you and me

So as we close, I ask you - How do you see Jesus?

Is your view of Jesus powerful enough to kill all apathy?