The Supremacy of Christ

The Book of Colossians


Objective: To learn to better appreciate Christ, and learn that He is supreme in all things

Greeting The city is Colossae (1:1-2) 001:001 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

001:002 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
  The recipients of the epistle fell into 3 groups The Phrygians- The native inhabitants of the country  
    Greek Colonists- Had come to live and to trade in the city  
    Jews- very large number of the population  
Thanksgiving He was thankful for their faith, love, and hope (1 Thess 1:3, 1 Cor 13:13) 001:003 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

013:013 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

  Paul introduces us to Epaphras who had brought information concerning the Colossian church (Col.1:7) 001:007 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
Prayer   (Col. 1:9-14) 001:009 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

001:010 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

001:011 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

001:012 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

001:013 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

001:014 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
 

Request- Knowledge, wisdom, a worthy walk, a fruitful life, strength for endurance

Thanksgiving- Concentrated on what God had done for them  

 (Col 1:13) 001:013 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
THE PREEMINANCE OF CHRIST Preeminent in person (1:15-19) 001:015 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

001:016 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

001:017 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

001:018 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

001:019 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
  The image of the invisible God (1:15) 001:015 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
  The first born over all creation- The Lordship over all created things (1:15) 001:015 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
  By Him all things were created (1:16) 001:016 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
  He is before all things (1:17) 001:017 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
  In Him all things consist (1:17) 001:017 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
  He is the Head of the body, the church (1:18,

2 :19,

3 :15)

 001:018 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

002:019 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

003:015 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
  The first born from the dead (1:18) 001:018 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
  Preeminent in performance (1:19-23) 001:019 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

001:020 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

001:021 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

001:022 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

001:023 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
  The work of Christ was reconciling man to God (1:21) 001:021 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
  There was a price to pay (1:20,

1Pet 1:18-19)

 001:020 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

001:018 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

001:019 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
  There was a purpose- To  present you holy, blameless, and irreproachable to God (1:22) 001:022 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
  He is the supreme Being (2:9) 002:009 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
HOW CAN I BENEFIT FROM THIS TEXT?      
  Christ must be preeminent in my life (Col. 1:18

,2:9-10

,3:11)

 001:018 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

002:009 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

002:010 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
  He must be first in my affections (Mat 22:37-38) 022:037 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

022:038 This is the first and great commandment.
  He must be first in my decision making (Lk9:57-62) 009:059 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

009:060 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

009:061 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

009:062 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
  He must be first in my giving (2 Cor 8:1-5) 008:001 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

008:002 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

008:003 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

008:004 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

008:005 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
  He must be first in my lifestyle (Mat 6:33) 006:033 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
I AM GRATEFUL FOR WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR ME    
  He has qualified me for eternity (1:12) 001:012 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
  He has rescued me from the power of darkness (1:13) 001:013 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
  He has translated me into His kingdom (1:13) 001:013 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
  He has reconciled me to Himself (1:20-22) 001:020 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

001:021 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

001:022 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
IS JESUS 1ST IN MY LIFE?      

by: Bro. Mark Little