Colossians 1:13-18

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 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.  All things were created through Him and for Him. 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.

Colossian Church: Minimizing of Jesus

-Jesus Was Prominent

-But Not Preeminent

De-Emphasizing of Christ

>What can I get from God?

I. Jesus is the Savior

He has delivered us … redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins

Jesus as Rescuer

-Dead In Trespasses And Sins

Jesus Gives Life

II. Jesus is the Creator God

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation

Likeness & Manifestation of God

Firstborn:

Heir or Owner

All things were created through Him and for Him.

Not a Mere Man: Creator

All Things Created FOR HIM (Purpose)

NLT: He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together

III. Jesus is the Head

And He is the head of the body, the church … that in all things He may have the preeminence

Preeminence - standing out among all others because of superiority

He is the King

Put the Focus on Jesus…

Savior, Creator God, the Head

-- He is the Lord

We must Acknowledge It

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”