Colossians 1:12-20 – Learning Him – Bible study

Col 1:12-20 Learning Him The quest of every Christian is to learn more about God. There are many ways that we can learn about God. One is through His titles. Throughout the Old Testament, God gave Himself different names. Each of these names teaches us something about Him. EL – Translated GOD and meaning MIGHTY, STRONG, PROMINENT ONE. This form of the word is used in many personal names like: 1. Samuel – His name is God 2. Bethel – House of God EL SHADDAI – God is sufficient ELOHIM – GOD IS CREATOR, PRESERVER, THE STRONG AND MIGHTY ONE JEHOVAH-JIREH – THE LORD WILL PROVIDE JEHOVAH-SHALOM – THE LORD IS MY PEACE New Testament believers are sometimes surprised to find out that Jesus is given many titles in the New Testament which likewise teach us about our God. Colossians is a book that talks much about Jesus. It is very similar to Hebrews in lifting up Christ and explaining His place in the Trinity. Lets note a few titles given to Jesus in this book. I. \#15\ Jesus is the image of the invisible God. A. The word IMAGE means FIGURE or LIKENESS. 1. While God is invisible and cannot be seen with the human eye, yet we have seen the Father by seeing the Son. 2. Jesus repeatedly emphasized this to His disciples. John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him]. John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou [then], Shew us the Father? B. The only way a man can know his Creator is through the Word and Jesus. 1. Everyone who attempts to worship god apart from Jesus is only worshipping a figment of their imagination. 2. Jesus told this truth to the woman at the well (Samaritans). John 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. C. While it is confusing to some, Jesus came to give us a more complete picture of the Father. 1. From the Old Testament, we learned that God is just and holy. a. Through Jesus, we learned that God is gracious and merciful. b. John 8 – We have the story of the woman caught in the very act of adultery. c. What was Gods response? John 8:11 Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. 2. From the Old Testament, we learn that God will accept a guiltless sacrifice. a. Through Jesus, we learn that only the sacrifice of the Son of God would do. John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. b. All of the other sacrifices were just temporary in duration and practice. c. Anyone who offers a sacrifice other than Jesus Christ has completely misunderstood God. 3. From the Old Testament, we learn of Gods meticulous demands on sinners. a. Through Jesus, we learn that all of Gods meticulous demands were met. Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. b. In addition, through Him God has given to us every blessing God has! Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: c. As Isaac mistakenly gave all of his blessings, so God deliberately gave all of His blessings to us! D. Let me tell you a secret. 1. We could never know the truth about God from the Old Testament alone. It does not give a complete revelation of God. 2. Neither do I believe we can learn the whole truth about God through the New Testament. 3. Both Testaments are the Word of God and together they give us the "more" complete picture. (I am thinking we still have much to learn!) II. Jesus is the firstborn of every creature \#15\. A. Without doubt, this verse is difficult to understand. 1. The verse, in its most simplistic reading, would indicate that Jesus was born or had a beginning. 2. We know that Christ did not begin. He has always been. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 3. The idea of His being a firstborn is hard to understand and has led many to believe that Jesus was a created being. a. Mormons believe that Jesus was a created son of god like many others and that he ascended to deity (again like others). b. Jehovah Witnesses believe that Jesus and Michael the archangel are one and the same. 4. Christians have many answer to attempt to explain this verse, but they all come up short. a. Some say the title refers to Jesus being Gods firstborn of Mary. \#Matt 1:25\ b. Others say Jesus is the firstborn of the new race of born-again believers (i.e. the Church). \#Rom 8:29\ c. Still others would say the first born from the dead. \#Col 1:18\ d. The problem with all of these is that in every case, Jesus is the first born of a specific group while this verse says He is the firstborn of every creature. B. What is the answer? 1. In the Old Testament, firstborn referred to two things: a. The birth order. b. It was also a title. Deuteronomy 21:15 If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated: 16 Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn: 17 But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his. 2. This indicates that while the term was supposed to be both the order of birth and a title, it wasnt always considered that way. 3. Interestingly, God Himself made an exception to this rule by taking David and making him king over his brothers who were all older than him. a. David was the eighth of Jesses sons. b. If God was going to make one of them king, it should have been the firstborn, Eliab. c. But note what God says about David. Psalm 89:20 I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him: Psalm 89:27 Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. C. So what does it mean to call Jesus the firstborn of every creature? 1. It has nothing to do with Him being created or the order in which beings were created. 2. It is a title which means that Jesus is above all. 3. It is Gods way of declaring that Jesus is no longer the suffering Servant that came the first time but that God has returned Him to His rightful position to be above all things because He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. 4. It is what Paul expressed in Romans speaking of Jesus: Romans 9:5 (He) is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Romans 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. III. \#2:10\ Jesus is the head of all principality and power. Col 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: A. This is similar to the term "firstborn of every creature" except that term expressed Jesus position over all things while this one expresses Jesus position over specific things. B. Here Jesus is called the Head over all principals and authorities. 1. PRINCIPALITY means FIRST THINGS, ORIGINAL THINGS. a. It is reference to all the things that God established before. b. To those closer to Jesus day, Jesus might look like a "Johnny come lately." (1) The Law – It has been around 1500 plus years by the time Jesus was born. (2) Government – Government was ordained by God when Noah got off the ark. (3) Death – Death had been around since the fall of man. c. However, Jesus is Head (the Authority) over all the established things. d. This is what Jesus was attempting to teach the Jews when He spoke concerning the Sabbath. Matthew 12:8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. 2. POWERS means AUTHORITY, JURISDICTION. a. This is along the same lines but specifies not just things but authorities. b. Here we could be governors, kings, high priests, and Satan. c. Jesus is Head over all! C. The point being that Jesus is over everything and every power that may have been here before He established His rule, not to mention everything and every power which has gained power since He was here. 1. Your boss? Jesus is over him. 2. Your company? Jesus is over it. 3. Your local or state government? 4. The United States of America? 5. Even circumstances, demons, the devil, and death itself must yield to Him. John 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. Eph 1:21 (GOD HAS SET JESUS) Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, IV. \#Col 1:18\ Jesus is the Head of the Church. Colossians 1:18 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. A. Here the word FIRSTBORN is used again but this time its meaning is explained. 1. Jesus is the first to be raised from the dead. 2. The indication is that if He is the first, others will follow. B. But the title I want you to notice here is that Jesus is the Head of the Church. 1. This is not an idle title. It is earned. 2. He is the head. We are the body. a. He thinks the thought. We carry it out. b. He is in control. We are the servants. c. He is the brain. We are the muscles to do it. 3. This title demands our submission. You might notice that all four of these titles portray Jesus as AUTHORITY: image of God, firstborn of every creature, head of all principality and power, head of the church. Are we in submission to Him?