1. WHAT DOES HIS SUPREMACY MEAN?

Colossians 1:15-20 15The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

V. 15: He is “the Image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”

• He came as God in the flesh so we could relate to Him, and so He could redeem mankind.
• First born over all creation—the first born son got a double portion of wealth from the father and would inherit the father’s role as head of the family.
• Jesus is head of the Church and over all; He is sovereign, ruler, and King.

V. 16:“For in Him all things were created” Jesus was not created but rather is creator of all.

• He existed before anything was created! “In the beginning, God created the heavens and earth.”
• He is self existent from all creation and thus unaffected by time, decay, and sin.

V. 17: He holds all things together; the universe and everything in it is maintained by Him.

• Hold together = to command and stand near; He stands beside you, holding your life together.
• He is all powerful, sustaining all things by His word. He has no limitations.

V. 18: He is the firstborn of the dead; He overcame death.

• So in everything he has supremacy, even death!

V. 19: “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him”

• Not just three distinct persons, but they completely dwell in each other and are One.

V. 20: “And through him to reconcile to Himself all things”

• “by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross”—to restore

SCRIPTURE TELLS US JESUS IS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

What kind of supreme King is He? One who loves and rescues!

Colossians 1:13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

When we accept the offer from Jesus to be rescued, forgiven, and reconciled:

• We are justified by His righteousness through our confession, repentance, and faith in Jesus.
• We are part of His Kingdom, the Kingdom of Light, and chosen for a purpose.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

2. UNDERSTANDING HIS SUPREMACY BRINGS GREAT .

He is sovereign, self-existent, all-powerful, eternal, everywhere, lacking nothing, and all loving.

o If there is absolutely nothing that happens in your life that is outside of God’s influence and authority…

o If He has no limitations…

o If He knows how everything goes together, and He holds all together…

o If there is nothing too big for Him to change, heal, or move if it’s in His will…

o If He loves so completely by dying for us…

o If He forgives us and rescues us…

Then we can believe Him, trust Him, lean on Him, call upon Him, and find great assurance and hope in Him. We can surrender our fears and control to Him because He is the Lord of Lords and King of kings, the Almighty Supreme Lord and Savior!

3. HOW COULD I RESPOND?

Begin by evaluating these things:

• Have I made Jesus something small in my life?

o You can’t fully experience His power, might, and supremacy if you won’t let Him be the Supreme Lord over all of your life. What do you need to surrender to Him?

• God is able to do immeasurably more than we can fathom because He is firmly in control!

o What are you stressing about that you think He can’t handle?

o Surrender your fears, ask Him to be the supreme commander of your life.

• Acknowledge that you are not in control of anything except your perspective and choices.

o In Christ, you are not a victim; you are an overcomer.

o Do you need to get off the King’s throne and surrender your circumstances to Him?

o Is there sin you are holding on to that has control over you?

• He has what is best for you in mind because He loves you more than you can fathom.

o He knows your circumstances, so trust Him with them. Lean on Him and His promises.

o What temporal issue in your life needs the perspective of His eternal promises?

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:

Passages to consider: Colossians 1:1-14 and Colossians 1:15-29

Share what was significant to you from the sermon.

Did you get a chance to read Colossians 1 this week? If so, what stood out to you?

1. What is something that usually inspires you and might even bring a sense of hope and joy—maybe a movie, a place, a song, a work of art, a memory?

2. Read Colossians 1:15-20. What does it say about who Jesus is and what He has done? A) What picture/image of Jesus does it give? B) How does that fit with how you normally think of Jesus?

3. How would you explain who Jesus is to someone? Think that they are truly interested and not opposed to Jesus, but curious.

4. Read Colossians 1:21-23. What does this passage say about God? What does it say about those who have faith in Christ? A) What makes this good news? (note: gospel means good news)

5. What is the hope that Jesus and His good news have given you? A) How do you practice continuing in your faith in the good news of Jesus? B) What can be challenging to continuing well in practicing this faith?

6. What role does Jesus have in your life in this season? How is He impacting your relationships at home, at work, with strangers?

This week, read through/listen to:

o Colossians chapter 2 a couple of times

o Bonus: Colossians (it is 4 chapters long) once

Ask a couple of questions:

a) What is the passage saying about God, people, and how the world works?

b) What questions do I have about/from this passage?

c) What stands out to me?