183. COL 1:18. THE PRE-EMINENCE OF CHRIST

Col_1:18. The Pre-Eminence of Christ

"That in all things he might have the preeminence."’97Col_1:18.

The grand object of the apostles was to exalt Christ. He was the constant theme of their discourses. They were willing to be abased; they gladly labored and toiled; and they were ready to die, so that Christ might be magnified. They loved him more than worldly honors, riches, ease, pleasures; "yea, they counted all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus their Lord." How the sentiments of this chapter illustrate these remarks; ver. 15-18.

Let us, then, endeavor to illustrate the proposition of the text. "That in all things Christ has the preeminence." He has the preeminence,

I. In the wonderful Constitution of his Person.

"God manifest in the flesh." "Immanuel God with us." "The tabernacle of the divine glory;" Joh_1:14. "God over all, blessed for evermore;" Col_1:15-18; Heb_1:1, to the end. He has the preeminence,

II. In the unrivalled Glory of his Perfections.

He is possessed of the attributes of eternity, immortality, omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, infinite wisdom, immaculate purity, unbounded goodness, and unchanging truth; Rev_1:8; xi. 17; Heb_1:1; Heb_13:8; Col_2:3; Joh_2:24. In him all the proper and incommunicable attributes of Deity are concentrated. The fulness of the Godhead dwelleth bodily in him.

III. In the Grandeur of his Works.

1. Creation, in all its extent and glory, was effected by him.

"All things were made by him," &c.; Joh_1:1-3; Col_1:16. "By whom also he made the worlds;" Heb_1:2, Heb_1:3.

2. Providence, in the vastness of its arrangements, is under his control.

"He is King of kings." "He upholdeth all things," &c. "By him all things consist."

3. Work of redemption.

"Our Redeemer is the Lord of hosts." His arm brought salvation. He is its alpha and omega; all and in all.

4. Work of judgment.

"Father hath committed all judgment to the Son." "Judge of quick and dead." "Judgment-seat of Christ." He has the preeminence,

IV. In the Dignity of his Offices.

He is,

1. The great Prophet and Apostle of the church.

All the plenitude and treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in him. "Hear ye him."

2. The great High Priest of our profession.

Without a predecessor or successor. Infinitely higher than any of the priests under the law. Entered into the heaven of heavens.

3. The great Head and Ruler in Zion Possessing illimitable authority’97unbounded dominion’97and of whose reign there shall be no end. "Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever," &c. Christ has the preeminence,

V. In his illustrious Titles,

He is figuratively styled the Morning Star’97Pearl of Great Price’97Sun of Righteousness’97Plant of Renown’97Precious Living Stone, &c., &c. He is also called the Angel of the Covenant’97the Prince of Peace’97the Most High’97Lord of Hosts’97the only wise God’97the Great God’97the Mighty God’97Jehovah’s Fellow’97and, Lord of Glory. He has the preeminence,

VI. In his unalienable Prerogatives

It is his prerogative only,

1. To pardon the guilty.

"Remission of sins in his name." He did forgive sin. "He is exalted to give repentance and forgiveness of sin." "Redemption in his blood, even the forgiveness of sin." It is his,

2. To wash the polluted.

"If I wash thee not," &c. "His blood cleanseth," &c. Fountain opened, &c. It is his,

3. To keep his people from evil.

He preserves his sheep in his hand, and saves them from perishing. Joh_10:28.

4. He receives their spirits to himself.

"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

5. He will raise their bodies at the first resurrection.

"I am the resurrection." &c. "Who shall change our vile body," &c.

6. He will confer the crown of eternal glory.

"I give eternal life." The Chief Shepherd shall bestow the crown, &c. "Chris the righteous Judge shall give me," &c., 1Pe_5:4; 2Ti_4:8.

Application

We infer, then,

1. That Christ should have the preeminence in our love, desires, delights, conversation, &c.

2. The happiness of his people. Dignified, and exalted with him, shall be glorified with him. "Heirs of God, joint-heirs with Christ."

3. The preeminence Christ should have in the ministry of the word. Know nothing but "Christ, and him crucified."

Autor: JABEZ BURNS