WHAT SHOULD THE LORD’S MAJESTY MEAN TO YOU?. Colossians 1:15-18 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all

WHAT SHOULD WHAT SHOULD THE LORD’S THE LORD’S

MAJESTY MEAN MAJESTY MEAN TO YOU?TO YOU?

Colossians 1:15-18Colossians 1:15-18

He is the image of the invisible God, the He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.might have the supremacy.


For God was pleased to have all his fullness For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.minds because of your evil behavior.


But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation — if you continue in your from accusation — if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.


Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its to present to you the word of God in its fullness — the mystery that has been kept fullness — the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. disclosed to the saints.


To them God has chosen to make known To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. energy, which so powerfully works in me.


I want you to know how much I am struggling I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My purpose who have not met me personally. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.fine-sounding arguments.


For though I am absent from you in body, I am For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. So then, just as you received in Christ is. So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.with thankfulness.

I. How Majestic is the Lord Jesus?I. How Majestic is the Lord Jesus?- v15-17- v15-17

A. He is the A. He is the revealerrevealer of God. of God.Colossians 1:15-18 - He is Colossians 1:15-18 - He is the image of the the image of the

invisible Godinvisible God, the firstborn over all , the firstborn over all creation.creation.

I. How Majestic is the Lord Jesus?I. How Majestic is the Lord Jesus?

A. He is the A. He is the revealerrevealer of God. of God.

1. 1. ImageImage ( (εἰκώνεἰκών) = “icon”, an ) = “icon”, an exact representation of the real exact representation of the real thing.thing.


A. He is the A. He is the firstbornfirstborn of creation. of creation.Colossians 1:15-18 - He is the image of the Colossians 1:15-18 - He is the image of the

invisible God, invisible God, the firstborn over all the firstborn over all creationcreation..


A. He is the A. He is the firstbornfirstborn of creation. of creation.

1. Does this mean He was 1. Does this mean He was created?created?



2. What’s the purpose of 2. What’s the purpose of creation?creation?

Colossians 1:16 - Colossians 1:16 - For by him all things were For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earthcreated: things in heaven and on earth, , visible and invisible, whether thrones or visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.were created by him and for him.




Colossians 1:16 - For by him all things were Colossians 1:16 - For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, created: things in heaven and on earth, visiblevisible and invisible, whether thrones or and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.were created by him and for him.




Colossians 1:16 - For by him all things were Colossians 1:16 - For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and visible and invisibleinvisible, whether thrones or , whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.were created by him and for him.




Colossians 1:16 - For by him all things were Colossians 1:16 - For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; powers or rulers or authorities; all things all things were created by him and for himwere created by him and for him..



3. What’s the Lord’s role in 3. What’s the Lord’s role in creation?creation?

Colossians 1:17 - He is before all things, and Colossians 1:17 - He is before all things, and in in him all things hold togetherhim all things hold together..



4. What position should He hold 4. What position should He hold in your life?in your life?

Colossians 1:18 - And Colossians 1:18 - And he is the head of the he is the head of the body, the churchbody, the church; he is the beginning and ; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacyin everything he might have the supremacy. .



II. Why Should Lord Jesus be First? II. Why Should Lord Jesus be First? - v18-20- v18-20

A. Because of who He is - God in A. Because of who He is - God in flesh!flesh!

Colossians 1:19 - For God was pleased to have Colossians 1:19 - For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him . . .all his fullness dwell in him . . .

II. Why Should Lord Jesus be First?II. Why Should Lord Jesus be First?


1. All God wants you to know 1. All God wants you to know about Him was embodied in about Him was embodied in Lord Lord Jesus!Jesus!

Colossians 1:19 - For God was pleased to have Colossians 1:19 - For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him . . .all his fullness dwell in him . . .



2. The angel’s testimony.2. The angel’s testimony.Luke 1:35 - The angel answered, “The Holy Luke 1:35 - The angel answered, “The Holy

Spirit will come upon you, and the power of Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. the Most High will overshadow you. So the So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of holy one to be born will be called the Son of GodGod..



3. John the Baptist’s testimony.3. John the Baptist’s testimony.John 1:34 - I have seen and I testify that this is John 1:34 - I have seen and I testify that this is

the Son of God.the Son of God.



4. The demons’ testimony.4. The demons’ testimony.Matthew 8:29 - Matthew 8:29 - ““What do you want with us, Son What do you want with us, Son

of God?” they shouted. “Have you come of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed here to torture us before the appointed time?”time?”



5. Thomas’ testimony.5. Thomas’ testimony.John 20:28 - Thomas said to him, “My Lord and John 20:28 - Thomas said to him, “My Lord and

my God!” my God!”



B. Because of what He did for you.B. Because of what He did for you.Colossians 1:19-20 - For God was pleased to Colossians 1:19-20 - For God was pleased to

have all his fullness dwell in him, and have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all through him to reconcile to himself all thingsthings, whether things on earth or things in , whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. blood, shed on the cross.


B. Because of what He did for you.B. Because of what He did for you.1. What did Jesus’ resurrection 1. What did Jesus’ resurrection do for you?do for you?

John 14:1-3 - Do not let your hearts be John 14:1-3 - Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. were not so, I would have told you. I am I am going there to prepare a place for yougoing there to prepare a place for you. And . And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.way to the place where I am going.


B. Because of what He did for you.B. Because of what He did for you.

2. 2. FirstbornFirstborn ( (πρωτότοκοςπρωτότοκος) = ) = the the chief person within the realm chief person within the realm of of the dead as well as the living.the dead as well as the living.


B. Because of what He did for you.B. Because of what He did for you.

3. How did the cross make 3. How did the cross make everything right?everything right?

Colossians 1:19-20 - For God was pleased to Colossians 1:19-20 - For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all through him to reconcile to himself all thingsthings, whether things on earth or things in , whether things on earth or things in heaven, heaven, by making peaceby making peace through his through his blood, shed on the cross.blood, shed on the cross.



II. Why Should Lord Jesus be First? II. Why Should Lord Jesus be First? - v18-20- v18-20

III. How Should You Respond to the III. How Should You Respond to the Lord’s Majesty? Lord’s Majesty? - v21-2:7- v21-2:7

A. Continue in your A. Continue in your faithfaith..Colossians 1:21-23 - Once you were alienated Colossians 1:21-23 - Once you were alienated

from God and were enemies in your minds from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from his sight, without blemish and free from accusation — if you accusation — if you continue in your faithcontinue in your faith, , established and firm, not moved from the established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.servant.

III. How Should You Respond to the Lord’s Majesty?III. How Should You Respond to the Lord’s Majesty?

A. Continue in your A. Continue in your faithfaith..

1. How were you previously 1. How were you previously alienated from God?alienated from God?

Colossians 1:21 - Once you were alienated Colossians 1:21 - Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviorbecause of your evil behavior. .


A. Continue in your A. Continue in your faithfaith..

2. What does redemption do for 2. What does redemption do for you?you?

Colossians 1:21-22 - Once you were alienated Colossians 1:21-22 - Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now because of your evil behavior. But now he he has reconciled youhas reconciled you by Christ’s physical by Christ’s physical body through death body through death to present you holy in to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from his sight, without blemish and free from accusationaccusation..


a. a. ReconcileReconcile ((ἀποκαταλλάσσωἀποκαταλλάσσω) = to ) = to bring back to complete bring back to complete friendship, reunite.friendship, reunite.


a. a. ReconcileReconcile ((ἀποκαταλλάσσωἀποκαταλλάσσω) = to ) = to bring back to complete bring back to complete friendship, reunite.friendship, reunite.

b. As a result of reconciliation, you b. As a result of reconciliation, you are holy & without blame in God’s are holy & without blame in God’s sight!sight!


B. Endure B. Endure sufferingsuffering when it is for the when it is for the Lord.Lord.

Colossians 1:24 - Now Colossians 1:24 - Now I rejoice in what was I rejoice in what was suffered for yousuffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh , and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.is the church.


C. Don’t be led away by C. Don’t be led away by speculativespeculative teachings.teachings.

I have become its servant by the commission I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness — the mystery that has God in its fullness — the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. we may present everyone perfect in Christ. – v25-29– v25-29



I have become its servant by the commission I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness — the God in its fullness — the mysterymystery that has that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. we may present everyone perfect in Christ. – v25-29– v25-29



I have become its servant by the commission I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness — the mystery that has God in its fullness — the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of Gentiles the glorious riches of this mysterythis mystery,, which which is Christ in you, the hope of gloryis Christ in you, the hope of glory. . We proclaim him, admonishing and We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. we may present everyone perfect in Christ. – v25-29– v25-29



I have become its servant by the commission I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness — the mystery that has God in its fullness — the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the which is Christ in you, the hopehope of glory. of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. we may present everyone perfect in Christ. – v25-29– v25-29



I have become its servant by the commission I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness — the mystery that has God in its fullness — the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all teaching everyone with all wisdomwisdom, so that , so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. we may present everyone perfect in Christ. – v25-29– v25-29



I have become its servant by the commission I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness — the mystery that has God in its fullness — the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that so that we may present everyone perfect in Christwe may present everyone perfect in Christ. . – v25-29– v25-29


D. Continue D. Continue livingliving in Christ. in Christ.



1. What’s the difference between 1. What’s the difference between receiving Christ & living in receiving Christ & living in Christ?Christ?

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, Lord, continue to live in himcontinue to live in him, rooted and , rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. – 2:6thankfulness. – 2:6




My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in loveand united in love, so that they may have the full , so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. – 2:2-4deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. – 2:2-4




My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, and united in love, so that they may have the full so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christthey may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, , in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. – 2:2-4deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. – 2:2-4



2. So, what is the result of your 2. So, what is the result of your maturing faith?maturing faith?

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, you were taught, and overflowing with and overflowing with thankfulnessthankfulness. – 2:6-7. – 2:6-7


Lord Jesus is God! He is supreme!Lord Jesus is God! He is supreme!

So - you are royalty as His child.So - you are royalty as His child.

So - live in Him!So - live in Him!

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WHAT SHOULD THE LORD’S MAJESTY MEAN TO YOU?. Colossians 1:15-18 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all