- Pastor Tod Shook
- August 9, 2026 at 11:30 AM
- Colossians 1:15-23
The Supremacy of Christ 8/9/26
Colossian 1:15-23
A. Background
1. Verses 15-20 are commonly recognized as a hymn
a. Need to be cautious about being literal
b. We should interpret poetry differently than narrative
c. Hymns written from point of view of believer
2. Three misinterpretation traps – compare scripture with scripture
a. Jesus is just an image of God, not God Himself
b. Jesus was literally the first born of God, i.e. created or offspring
c. Jesus will reconcile all, i.e. everyone
3. Gnosticism in Colosse – matter is evil, spirit is good Col 2:8, 1Joh 4:2-3
a. So, either punish the flesh – ascetism or indulge the flesh – hedonism
b. Since matter is evil, Jesus could not have come in the flesh, only spirit
c. Since matter is evil, a lesser God created the world
d. Jesus is just one of many intermediaries
e. Need special/secret knowledge to get to heaven
B. Christ is Supreme vv15-20
1. Image of God v15a Gen 1:26, 1Pet 1:16, 2Cor 5:20, Joh 1:14, 14:8-9, Heb 1:3
a. We are created in the image of God
b. What does an image do? 1) R_____________ and r______________.
c. Jesus IS the living image of God
2. Firstborn over all creation v15b Ex 4:22
a. “Firstborn,” “Son of God,” “only begotten Son,” – not created or born
b. Context: v16 – creator of all things, v17 – before all things
c. Firstborn not in time, but in title, status, power, authority
3. Creator of the universe v16-17 Eph 6:12, Joh 1:3
4. Head of the church v18a Eph 1:22-23
5. Firstborn from the dead v18b
a. Jesus went first, just to show us death is not final
b. He does ask us to do anything He hasn’t already done
6. Fullness of God – totality of God’s attributes, power v19
a. Fully God because only God could live a perfect life
b. Only a perfect life, (a lamb without blemish) could become perfect sacrifice
c. Fully God because only God could carry the sins of the world
d. Fully man so we could connect
7. Reconciler of all things v20 2Cor 5:19, Mat 7:13-14
But reconciliation takes two
C. Christ reconciles vv21-23 Rom 5:10, Eph 2:8-9
1. We were enemies of God, but He died for us anyway
2. Jesus’ death reconciled us to God – if we accept, it takes two to reconcile
3. Since believers are forgiven, we should continue in the faith
D. Who do you say I am? Matt 16:13-16
“You are writing a Gospel, a chapter each day, by the things that you do and the words that you
say. Men read what you write, whether faithless or true. Say, what is the Gospel according to
you.?” Paul B. Gilbert
