Exalting the Son - Colossians 1:15-23 - July 12, 2009

Sunday School Lesson – Exalting the Son – July 12, 2009

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Experiencing God Triune-ly.”

Our scripture is Colossians 1:15-23.

We have been studying the Trinity of GOD – GOD, THE FATHER, GOD, THE SON and GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT. Our focus will be on GOD, THE SON, JESUS CHRIST in this lesson.

The Apostle Paul wrote Colossians to the church at Colosse. He wrote it about 60 AD while he was in prison in Rome. The church at Colosse was encountering new philosophies. It is the dawn of Gnosticism which we studied in 1 John. John wrote 1 John about 85-90 AD, which addressed Gnosticism.

Let’s read Colossians 1: 15-17:

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation;[8] The One who is preeminent over all creation 16 because by Him everything was created, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together.

These are very strong verses of scripture regarding the divine nature of CHRIST. HE is not only equal to GOD, HE is GOD. HE is the exact representation of GOD. When we see JESUS we also see GOD. The Apostle Philip asked JESUS a question in John 14:8 - 8 “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.”

JESUS’ response to Philip’s question is given in John14:9-11:

9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time without your knowing Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?[5] Jn 10:30,38 The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own. The Father who lives in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. Otherwise, believe[6] Other mss read believe Me because of the works themselves.

Since GOD is Spirit, JESUS is the manifestation of GOD. In last week’s study, we were made aware of some of GOD’S nature and character. We can study the life of CHRIST and understand GOD’S application of HIS nature and character though CHRIST. I am reminded of CHRIST’S compassion for the Spiritually sick as well as the physically sick. HE got angry over people making the temple a den of thieves. HE cursed the fig tree when it was not bearing fruit. It wasn’t the poor fig tree but an example to believers who are all show and no fruit. HE was forgiving, kind and mingled with those who needed HIM. HE had a sense of humor. The incident when JESUS was
walking on water is an example of HIS humor. Matthew 14:27 (King James version comes close to capturing the moment) - 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid, comes close to capturing the moment.

The original Greek suggests that as the disciples were experiencing a rough sea, JESUS was walking on the water approaching them but acting as if HE was walking past them. I can picture the scene as the disciples are very concerned with the conditions of the sea and here comes JESUS walking on the sea, acting as if HE was walking past them. Now for my twist on the scene – the disciples are struggling in the boat, likely afraid and they see JESUS walking on the sea approaching them. HE waves at them as to ask, guys, what is the problem? I think I will walk to the other side because I am making better time walking than you are using the boat. Of course, JESUS used this moment as a teaching time for the disciples, particularly Peter and all believers. We must keep our eyes upon JESUS during times when our lives are being tossed about.

The next part of verse 15 “the firstborn of all creation” can be troubling. At first glance it appears that CHRIST was a created being but this is not correct. It means CHRIST is first in rank. HE is supreme and is preeminent over all creation. CHRIST is the Creator of the universe, which is supported by the remaining verses.

CHRIST holds all things together. I stand in awe of the order of the universe and how well it runs. Now we know why it runs so well, JESUS holds all things together. WOW!!! What a SAVIOR!!!

Let’s read Colossians 1: 18-20:

18 He is also the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything. 19 For God was pleased [to have]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. all His fullness[9] Eph 3:19 dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile everything to Himself by making peace through the blood of His cross[10] Other mss add through Him — whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Just as CHRIST is over the universe, HE is also over the human institution - the church. The true church is not the brick and mortar but each born-again believer. CHRIST is head of the living church made up of the living stones which are true believers. Being a Christian is not joining a particular church but CHRIST in you makes you a Christian.

Since CHRIST is first in all things, HE is the first human to be eternally resurrected from the dead. HIS passion and resurrection established the foundation and principle for all born-again believers to have eternal life and also receive their resurrected glorified body at the second coming of CHRIST.

Notice the order. CHRIST was 100% Divine and became 100% human to live and be tempted in all ways like a human. HE remained sinless thus becoming the perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind. HE gave HIS life on the cross to pay the sin debt. Proof that HE paid the sin debt is HIS resurrection from the dead, thus conquering the penalty of sin, which is death. HIS passion and resurrection as a human prepared the human body of all born-again believers to be filled with and occupied by the HOLY SPIRIT.

When a person accepts CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR that rebirth makes him/her Divine. GOD in HIS wisdom allows born-again believers to remain on earth as HIS witnesses and obediently serve HIM until they go home to be with HIM in heaven. When CHRIST returns, all believers will return with HIM to receive their Glorified Bodies just like CHRIST’S Glorified Body.

CHRIST’S passion reconciled all things on earth and in heaven to Himself through HIS obedience and shedding of HIS blood. HE conquered all and is over all. HE holds all things together.

Let’s read Colossians 1:21-23:

21 And you were once alienated and hostile in mind because of your evil actions. 22 But now He has reconciled you by His physical body[11] His body of flesh on the cross through His death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before Him— 23 if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith, and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. [This gospel]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a minister of it.

Paul addressed the sinful nature of all humans. Humans sin in thought (mind) as well as deed (actions). Sin separates all humans from GOD. However, because of the passion of CHRIST in HIS human body, which was subject to death, conquered sin and death for all believers to approach GOD directly as HIS children. Born-again believers are, at the instant they accept CHRIST as their SAVIOR, born into GOD’S family through the miracle of re-birth.

Verse 23, could give us some concern until we understand the word “if”. “If” in English carries the idea of being conditional or hypothetical. In the Greek languages “if” often expressed confidence, which means that “if” can be translated “since.” Verse 23 is a positive statement of faith – “Since indeed you ------.” In essence you have been born into GOD’S family and you belong to HIM. HE is hanging onto you. HE has you in HIS hands.

The Apostle John in John 10:27-30 reported the words of JESUS regarding a believer’s security:

27 My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish—ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.”[9] Lit I and the Father—We are one.

CHRIST’S passion has reconciled all things to Himself universally.

What a heritage believers have, which is reflected in our baptism. We are buried with CHRIST and raised to walk in newness of life. In essence when CHRIST died on the cross, all believers died with HIM; Those looking forward to HIS coming and those of us who are looking back at HIS passion. All believers were buried and raised from the dead when CHRIST was buried and resurrected. Our citizenship is in heaven, yet we walk upon earth just as JESUS did. Why? It is to witness to others of the love of GOD and to share HIS message of salvation to a lost world as led by the HOLY SPIRIT. Remember CHRIST in John 14:10. CHRIST said that the Father was in HIM. Believers have the HOLY SPIRIT indwelling them. Believers represent GOD to others. Now that thought makes us pause and ponder. That is why believers must be in intimate relationship with GOD through CHRIST.

It is in the process of serving that we build an intimate relationship with GOD through CHRIST and grow and mature Spiritually. This is the process of sanctification.
CHRIST in us, the hope of glory.

CHRIST presents all believers before the FATHER as holy, faultless and blameless. A believer’s perfection is because of CHRIST. Yes, believers are sinners saved by grace. When GOD looks at us, all of our imperfections are covered by the shed blood of JESUS and GOD sees us as Holy, faultless and blameless. That is awesome but makes me feel so unworthy.

This is only possible because of what CHRIST did for each believer. If you had been the only person in all eternity to receive CHRIST as your SAVIOR, HE would have given HIS life just for you. That is why JESUS is our personal SAVIOR. HE wants to be the LORD of our lives but that requires a decision on our part. When we make HIM the LORD of our lives, then we can begin to see HIS power working through us as we build our relationship with HIM.

Yield your life to HIM today and experience the majesty of HIS presence in your lives.