Putting Christ First: Christ, Our New Creation
Colossians 1:15-20
The Lord of All Creation (1:15–18)
- Paul defines the person and work of Jesus in terms of the Creation
- He is the image of the invisible God
- He has made the invisible visible
- Much like God’s desire for humanity (Gen. 1:26)
- He is the firstborn of all Creation
- Not that He was created or born
- But it represents the ancient concept of birthright
- Which gave the firstborn a privileged status and responsibility within the family
- It is an ancient way of saying that Christ is preeminent
- And thus, He is the means by which the Father created all things (v. 16; see also John 1:1-3; Gen. 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26)
- And since Jesus is the means by which all is created
- He is Lord of it all
- Including both physical and spiritual things
- Thus, He is in control of every aspect of our lives
- There is no compartmentalizing
- And He is the Lord of the Church
- Dictating and empowering her mission
- And in His resurrection, He has become Lord of even death
The Lord of the New Creation (1:19-20)
- As God’s people, we must find our life in Jesus
- Who is fully God (v. 19a)
- The Author of Creation
- In Christ, we are able to become part of His new Creation
- Which comes as a result of His reconciling everything to Himself
- Bringing us back to a state of peace with God
- This New Creation is not purely a future event
- He offers it to us now (2 Cor. 5:17)
- Started at the Cross
- Enacted through His blood
So What?
- Do you need to be made new?
- Jesus is in the business of creating something new
- And He wants to begin that in us today
Meditation Verse: Colossians 1:19-20