The Preeminence of Christ – Colossians 1:15-2:3 – Bible Study at FBC

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SESSION OUTLINE

1. Praise To Christ (Colossians 1:15-20).
2. Reconciliation of the Colossians to God (Colossians 1:21-23).
3. Paul’s Labor for the Gospel (Colossians 1:24-2:3).

CONTEXT

  • Author(s): Paul and Timothy (1:1)

    • Date: 62. A.D. Following Paul’s imprisonment in Rome. (After the Harrowing voyage in Act 27 & 28.) – 8 years before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
      Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus was Emperor of Rome.
    • A great earthquake damages cities in Campania, including Pompeii. (In autumn of 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius violently spewed forth a cloud of super-heated tephra and gasses to a height of 21 mi, ejecting molten rock, pulverized pumice and hot ash at 1.5 million tons per second, ultimately releasing 100,000 times the thermal energy of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.)
    • A violent storm destroys 200 ships anchored at Portus, a harbor in Ancient Rome.
  • Purpose and Background: Epaphrus notified Paul that there was a dangerous teaching spreading through the church at Colossae. Not specifically identified.
    • Gnosticism
    • Jewish Mysticism – “Worship of Angels” (2:18).
    • Shaman spiritual guide claiming to have spiritual insights “His sensual mind” (2:18).

    1. Point 1: Praise To Christ (Colossians 1:15-20).

  • Introduction: Paul wants us to see the end goal in mind. He wants us to know that our hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ,  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col. 2:2)
      1. Christ is Lord of Creation (15-17) 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 
  • Observe:
        1. This passage is often described as a “hymn” because it appears to reflect the confession and worship of the church.

 

  1. “Image of the invisible God” – Jewish literature often references this phrase as personified divine wisdom. Paul is describing Jesus in terms of this Biblical wisdom. Similar to Proverbs 8:27 When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28 when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, 29 when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30 then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always,
  2. The “Firstborn” – Not a reference to the physical realm as if Jesus were a created being, rather a reference to the Rights and privileges of a firstborn son, an heir. 
  3. This text shows that Christ is outside of creation and that he is the creator of all things. 
  4. How many times does this verse use the words Him/He? 6
  5. Question: If Christ is the wisdom of God, the firstborn with all rights and privileges of the Kingdom of God. If Christ is over all things, visible and invisible, then what can separate us from the love of God if we are in Christ Jesus? Romans 8:38-39 – 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
  • Meaning:
    1. Because Christ is King over All things, our fears should dissipate for created things and our fear of God should be magnified. Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

 

    1. Christ is Lord of Redemption (18-20) 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
  • Observe:
  • “Head of the Body” – Paul references the church as the body (1 Cor. 12:27). Here he takes it a step further and continues the preeminence of Christ over the Church as the Head. This metaphor not only means leadership, but suggests that Chirist provides sustenance for her as well. (Col 2:10).
        1. “Firstborn from the dead” – Once again, this refers not to his Physical raising, but his status as Heir to the throne of God. 
        2. ”In Him / Through Him / To Himself” – Christ is the focus. Redemption is in him, through him, and to him. 
        3. Question: How did he secure our redemption? How can we have peace with God? by the blood of his cross.
        4. How many times does this verse use the words Him/He/Himself? 7
  • Meaning:
        1. Redemption is in Christ alone because he is Lord and he is preeminent in all things. 
  • Application: Christ is King and preeminent over All things, we should fear the living God and bow to our King in humble adoration, for in him we have reconciliation through the blood of his cross. 

Transition: There is an order to salvation. We should see God in all His fullness and be humbled. Paul is forcing the reader to start with a right view of the nature and substance of who God is. God is sovereign. He does as he pleases. This comforts some people—and terrifies others. Let’s see how Paul intends for us to view ourselves in light of this “Awful” (filled with awe) and Holy God.

Storytime: Tell of the Alaska trip to Denali. 

    1. Point 2: Reconciliation of the Colossians (Colossians 1:21-23).

      1. Introduction: Now that we have a clear picture of who the fullness of God is, Jesus. Let’s take a closer look at our response to this knowledge. 
      2. Read: Colossians 1:21-23 – 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
  • Observe:
  • “Alienated and hostile” – A reference to our relationship to God the Father. Not only a distance but a hostility towards God. Have someone read: (Romans 1:18-32).
        1. Mind, heart, actions: We see evil in the inner-man and reaching its pinnacle in his actions. “Doing evil deeds”.
        2. Who were the Colossians before? Who are they now? Holy and blameless. 
        3. Who pronounces the Colossians Holy and blameless? (V22. Him).
        4. How did they go from being haters of God to being called Holy and blameless? (V. 23 – The Gospel was proclaimed to them). Scott’s favorite verse – Romans 10:13-17
        5. In verse 22, who does the reconciling? Jesus. (God’s Sovereignty)
        6. In Verse 23, What is the means that Jesus uses to reconcile us to himself? Faith – in the hope of the Gospel. (God’s Sovereignty in the perseverance of his Saints.). (Ephesians 2:8-9 – 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.) 
  • Meaning:
      1. By faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Colossians could stand pronounced Holy and Blameless before the righteous judge, Jesus Christ himself. 

  • Application: By faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we stand pronounced Holy and Blameless before the righteous judge, Jesus Christ himself. The method by which people must be saved has not changed from A.D. 62 to today and we must proclaim that same message to sinners so that they might hear and believe also. 

Transition: In light of this great news, how then should we live?

 

    1. Point 3: Paul’s Labor for the Gospel (Colossians 1:24-2:3).

      1. Introduction: Paul labors to communicate the mystery of salvation by showing his first century audience that they too must suffer for Christ’s sake and not lose hope of the Gospel message which they have believed. 
      2. Paul’s suffering and the stewardship of the mystery (24-28) – 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 
  • Observe:
        1. Paul shifted his language from Christ (Him) to I. 
        2. Paul “Rejoices in his sufferings”. Ref. Acts 27 & 28. (James 50 A.D.) James 1:2-4 – 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

 

  1. Paul’s sufferings are the means God’s uses to draw others to the Gospel. 
    1. Suffering produces completeness in us.
    2. Suffering produces a testimony to others. 
  2. What could possibly be “lacking in Christ’s afflictions”? This does not imply that there is a deficiency in Christ’s atoning death and suffering on the cross. Rather what was “Lacking” in Christ’s afflictions was the future suffering of all who will experience great affliction for the sake of the Gospel. Paul risked his life to share the gospel. 
  3. “mystery hidden for ages and generations” – A reference to God’s unfolding plan to the world. Above all, God’s plan for redemption through Jesus. 
  4. “Now revealed” – At the heart of the mystery that God is now revealing through Paul is the amazing hallmark of the New Covenant, Christ in you, the hope of Glory! Jews and Gentiles. 
  5. Key phrase: “God chose”. 
  6. Question: How do we rightly proclaim this message? (V. 28) Warn | Teach | Present. Sounds like a church functioning properly to me! That we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 
  • Meaning:
    1. A faithful Christian must suffer various trials for the sake of their growth and assurance in the faith and for building up the body of Christ, his Church. 
  1. Paul’s labor for the Colossians (1:29-2:3) – 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. 

2:1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 

  • Observe:
      1. Paul’s endurance comes from God. (V. 29) – “struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me”. Paul is living out Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
      2. “hearts may be encouraged”, “knit together in love”, “full assurance of understanding”. Pauls wants us to be mature Christians, lacking nothing! If there is a model for Christian ministry, it’s right here. 
      3. The goal of these phrases is a “knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ”. Knowing Christ and being known by Christ and identifying with him in his sufferings is the goal. 
      4. “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” – The Gnostics looked for this treasure the wrong way and in the wrong person, themselves. We possess this treasure within us, but it is not from us. This treasure is Christ himself who abides in us by faith. 
  • Meaning:
    1. Paul’s end-goal is that we know that our hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ,  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col. 2:2)

Application: As we labor in the faith to make known the mysteries of Christ to a lost world, be encouraged that you have a forerunner (Jesus) who has given us the power to withstand various trials for the sake of the Gospel. The treasures of wisdom and knowledge of Christ Jesus far surpass the present suffering that is upon you. Romans 8:17-19 – 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

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