Colossians 1:15-20 study notes Donna Rude
Last week, we began our study of the Book of Colossians with a quote from D.L. Moody which helped us ask an important question, “How do we know if a stick is crooked? Answer: Line it up with a straight stick.”
So that is what we are going to do today. Take these verses in Colossians 1:15-20 and line them up to the Word of God, see the straight stick!! Let the scriptures interpret scripture. His Word is The absolute authority on truth, so we must take these scriptures by faith and believe even when it’s difficult for our little minds to comprehend the greatness of God.
This section of scripture that we are covering today gives us the clearest picture of who God is and the understanding of the preeminence of Christ. So, let’s dive into His word, and praise Him for who He is through song as well.
Read verses 15-20 slowly:
Verse 15 “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.”
Christ’s relationship to His Father begins with the phrase "the image of the invisible God." The word “image,” means copy or likeness, expresses Christ’s deity. This word means more than a resemblance, more than a representation. Jesus is God! Although He took on human form, He has the exact nature of His Father.
John 1:1-2, we all know this verse … “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.”
John 1:14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Here scripture is referring to a divine Person, In the incarnation, the invisible God became visible in Christ; deity was clothed with humanity… visible, audible, approachable, knowable, and available. All that God is, Christ is.
On the mount of transfiguration, Matthew wrote in chapter 17 that as the men watched, Jesus appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as light.
And we know who “the fullness of light” is… 1 John 1:5 God is light
John 1:18 NLT “no one has ever seen God. But the unique One, (referencing to Jesus, the only begotten Son), who is himself God, is near to the Fathers heart. He has revealed God to us.”
Hebrews 1:3 Is one of the clearest verses in the bible that teaches that Christ IS the visible image of the invisible God. “The Son radiates Gods own glory and expressed the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command.”
Christ the visible image of the invisible God
Worship song: YOU ARE THE RADIANCE
Verse 15b “The 1st born over all creation.”
The description "firstborn of all creation" speaks of Christ’s preexistence.
Jesus is called the firstborn, not the first-created. The word "firstborn", signifies priority. In ancient times, the culture of the middle east, the firstborn was not necessarily the oldest child. The firstborn referred NOT to birth order but to rank. The firstborn possessed the inheritance and leadership.
Verse 16. “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.”
This phrase expresses Christ’s sovereignty over creation. After Jesus resurrected from the dead, Jesus himself in Matthew 28:18 says, “All authority has been given to Me, in heaven and on earth.” Jesus created the world, saved the world, and rules the world. He is the self-existent, having no beginning, no creator, and depending on nothing while sustaining all things.
There is nothing beyond the scope of Christ’s sovereignty. Jesus is preeminent in relation to the entire creation—both visible and invisible
The visible creation includes everything we can see with our eyes. Plants, animals, humankind, sea life, the sun, moon, stars, and planets, mountains, valleys, forests, rivers, lakes, oceans, and seas are all the handiwork of Jesus nature and the cosmos: Jesus controls it all…the weather, and natural laws.
The invisible creation includes all that is impossible to see with our eyes—everything that exists in the spiritual realm. Satan, demons and dark forces.
In Human History: He guides nations, rulers, Daniel 2:21 tells us He changes the times and the seasons, He removes kings and raises up kings.
Since all things—visible and invisible, natural and supernatural—were created by and through Jesus Christ, they are all subject to His authority. He is Master and Commander over them all.
The Psalmist in 148:1-13 tells ALL of creation to praise their creature
Read Psalms 148:1-13
Psalms 19:1-2 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.
Psalms 96:11-12 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad, let the sea roar, and all its fullness, let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord.
Hab 2:14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
Psalm 104:31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever, may the LORD rejoice in His works.
Our verse “For by him all things were created that are in heaven and that on earth, visible and invisible,”
Worship song: ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING
Verse 16B “All things were created through Him and for Him”
Who is Paul referring to here? Who is the Him??
In the Old Testament, God revealed His name to Moses in the burning bush and He said, “I AM WHO I AM (Exodus 3:14). Thus, in Judaism, “I AM” is unquestionably understood as a name for God. Whenever Jesus made an “I am” statement, He claimed attributes of deity, He was identifying Himself as God.
SCRIPTURE READING
The 7 “I AM’s in the book of John Jesus said…
“I am the bread of life
“I am the light of the world”
“I am the door
“I am the good shepherd”
“I am the resurrection and the life”
“I am the way and the truth and the life.
“I am the true vine”
A Christian artist, Mark Schulz, inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote this song about 15 years ago in 45 minutes, it’s called “I AM”
Worship song: I AM
VERSE 17- 18 “And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”
I like how the NLT translates this section:
“He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead”
John 1:1-3 IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him and without Him nothing was made that was made.
The profound truth that in Jesus all things consist/ or that He holds all things together.”
He has put the dependence of ALL of His creation on Himself.
Share “Our Daily Bread “story
Everyone and everything owes its existence to Christ. He is sovereign and ultimately responsible for the origin and maintenance of all things. His power, His Word, and His presence guarantee that the universe does not spin into chaos but remains under His control.
This person who existed before anything else and holds all things together. What is his name??? Jesus
Worship song: WHAT A BEAUTIFUL NAME
Verse 19-20 “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross”
The best verse to back this is when Paul writes in Colossians 2:9 and tells us, “For in Him, referring to Christ, dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”
According to this verse, Jesus Christ is God Incarnate. He embodies all the fullness of God.
The Godhead can mean the Trinity as well. (Show the triangle illustration)
Read from Bible Phil 2: 6 -11
Our Jesus, Our Messiah, Our Lord, Our Savior
Worship song: JESUS MESSIAH
Years ago, I took these verses 15-20 and turned them into 2nd person pronouns. Telling Jesus, who He is, by declaring it in scripture form.
I keep it in my Bible, so I made these bookmarkers for you to have as well. To keep, to read to him, who you declare him to be.
Read bookmarks together
Jesus Christ, who always was and is, and will be, forever seated on the throne.
So…Is Jesus God? Yes. Jesus declared in John 10:30, “I and My Father are one.” He is declaring Himself to be God.
Jesus told Philip in John 14:9 “he has seen me has seen the Father.” His followers believed Him to be God.
In Matthew 16:15-16 Jesus asked His disciples, “and who do you say that I am?”. And Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”.Jesus is God incarnate. And the provision of our salvation ONLY works if Jesus is God.
So, If Jesus is God in the flesh, He is the one who created us… let’s look at 6 scripture verses as to why we are to worship
- Why should we worship Jesus?
The heart of the matter lies this truth: worshipping God is the supreme purpose for which humans were created
Psalm 29:1-2 “Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones. Give unto the LORD glory and strength, give unto the LORD the glory due to His name, and worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”
- Why should we worship Jesus?
He has blessed us beyond measure
READ Ephesians 1:3–6;
- Why should we worship Jesus??
We worship Him because scripture tells us we were created for His glory. Isaiah 43:6–7: “Bring my sons from afar, and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory.”
- Why should we worship Jesus?
Because He created all things, the created should hold high esteem their creator.
Revelation 4:11: “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
- Why should we worship Jesus?
Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us that God planted eternity in the human heart. This verse explains why we are not satisfied with earthly endeavors and achievements. Humans are born with a deep, inner longing to comprehend our eternal purpose and know our infinite Creator. We yearn for something more, something greater than ourselves.
- Why should we worship Jesus?
2 Cor 1:10 tells us that, “He has saved us from so great a death!!” He saved us from Eternal separation from our maker!
When we worship Him, it reveals that the God of the universe has captured our attention and won our allegiance. We worship Jesus because we recognize that no other being, thing, pursuit, or pleasure is worthy of the place He inhabits on the throne of our lives
John 4:23–24: “The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.”
Worship song: TO HIM WHO SITS ON THE THRONE/HOLY FOREVER
Pause for exaltation prayer
Worship song: YOUR’E WORTHY OF IT ALL.
So, as we wait for the Lords return, and as these days grow darker and darker, Hold on to Jesus…. Keep your eyes on Him, declare to Him who He is. He is our hope; He is the only one worthy to receive or praises and make everything right.
Worship song: IS HE WORTHY
Prayer
