Now let us open Colossians 1, verses 15 to 20. Colossians 1, verses 15 to 20. This is the word of the living God. He is the image of the invisible God. the firstborn of all creation. 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. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 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. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace. by the blood of His cross. Amen. May the Lord bless the reading of His word. The ancient city of Colossae was located in a very fertile valley in Phrygia, which is the west of Asia Minor, or in other words, sorry, the east of Asia Minor. In other words, the east of Ephesus in Turkey. It was built on one of the early main roads. So being established on this road made the city flourish, populated. However, it gradually lost its importance when two other cities found it nearby. You know those cities in the Bible as well. Laodicea only 10 miles to the west and Hierapolis only 12 miles to the northwest. The gospel reached this fertile valley. during the Paul's ministry in Ephesus. Paul himself did not plant those churches, but as we read in Acts 19, verse 10, all the residents of Asia or Asia Minor heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. So Paul did not travel there, but he raised coworkers and sent them to those three cities, Hierapolis, Laodicea, and Colossae. And they planted churches in those cities. In Colossians chapter one, verse seven, we read that Epaphras was the person who brought the gospel to Colossae. And years later, Epaphras visited Paul when Paul was in Rome, in prison in Rome. He brought a very good report. about the church in Colossae, which we read that Paul actually was encouraged. And we read that verses three and four of chapter one. Also in chapter two, verse four, Paul says, I am rejoicing to see your good order and firmness of your faith in Christ. So overall, We read that the church in Colossae was doing very well and standing firm against all the false teachings around the city. But if that's the case, why Paul wrote this letter? What was the reason? So probably the main reason was Epaphras wanted to visit Paul and he seek advice from Paul how to deal with the current false teaching, the heresy that just began to appear in the city of Colossae. We don't know exactly what heresy was this but we have clues so we can say that this was like a kind of syncretic religion that was mixed of Judaism, a mixed of pagan mystery cult and of course Christianity. As you can see this was a very dangerous mix because it contained partial truth. Whatever this heresy was, it caused Paul, right, one of the most important passages on the deity of Christ in the Bible, which is our passage today. We will look closely. People of God. We are going to look at a text that we can study and meditate on it for months to come. But we have only less than hour to look at this text. Even though at first this text might be appearing a difficult text to deal, please remember this. The Lord has given this text to his church for a reason. And we tend to forget this reason very quickly. and easily, but the Lord reminds us again and again and again in the Bible. The very important reason that our text reminds us today that I am nothing without Christ. You are nothing without Christ. We are nothing, but Christ Jesus is everything. Yes, this is what we tend to forget all the time. And we all know why we tend to forget this, don't we? We are living in a world that teaches us the opposite and we like it. We would like to be flattered. We will like to be praised because this is our nature. This is who we are in this fallen world. But this is not what we are supposed to be. The truth is, even though sometimes it's hard to accept and hard to swallow, the truth is we are nothing without Christ. Colossians 1, 15, 20 is a text that requires us to go out of ourselves and look at Christ alone. This text is not about us or how we feel or experience our faith, but on the contrary, this text requires us to ignore ourself completely for the matter of salvation and to look Christ to all things were created by him, through him, for him, Jesus Christ is the wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace and the King of Ages, the Lamb of God, the light of the world, the bread of life, the man of sorrow, our beloved mediator, author, and finisher of our faith. Christ is all and in all. Jesus is our hope, strength and promise. He is our everything. He is our life. This is what our text is communicating to us, beloved. We are face to face with the power and the beauty of God the Son. In Philippines, we read, Who thou He was in the form of God. did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself of no reputation by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of the man. And we ask, why did he do it? Because he loves his church, because he loves his people, because God is love. Many scholars today consider Colossians 1, 15-20 is a pre-Pauline hymn. However, when we call this passage a hymn, please don't be mistaken the hymns, what we call hymn today, but those times when they say hymn, it was close to what we call today a creed. So it is always that Paul wrote this hymn or creed against the heresies in the Colossians. And this hymn has two main sections, which will be our two main points today. Verses 15 to 17, the supremacy of Christ in creation, and supremacy of Christ in the redemption, verses 18 to 20. Let us look at our first point today, the supremacy of Christ in creation. There are three statements or stanzas in this hymn in the first part. And in verse 15, we read, he is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. The Spirit also says in John, let us remember, no one has ever seen God. The only God who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. And also Jesus himself testifies, whoever has seen me has seen the Father. And in verse 15, Paul actually repeats a very well-known doctrine in the Bible. Christ, is God. And as we know from the Ten Commandments that we read every week, God prohibits to make the image of himself. But we read that Christ is the image of God. So whenever we make an image of God the Son, we also violate the law. We also do We also do something that God prohibits us to do. And also, if Christ is the image of God, let us remember Genesis account. We read in Genesis that all men created after God's image. So we are created in Christ's image at the same time. But in the second part of the verse, Let us pay attention, the Spirit says, He is the firstborn of all creation. People of God, the church history is full with people who believe that Christ was a creature. So He could not have a divine nature. Today, some cults like Jehovah's Witness still believe the same. And this is one of the worst they go to and they try to support their heresies. But never forget that the scriptures, scripture interprets the scripture and never contradicts with it. For example, let us look at Exodus chapter four, verses 21 to 23. The Lord says to Moses, when you go back to Egypt and see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power, but I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. Then you shall say to Pharaoh, thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son. And in Jeremiah 31, nine, we also read, the Lord says, Ephraim is my firstborn. So as you can see, when someone is called firstborn by God in the scripture, God expresses His election and defines a special place in the plan of redemption. And it also expresses God's faithfulness. Christ is not just the firstborn, but He is the firstborn of all creation. which means that he's clearly distinct from all the creation and he's both prior and supreme over the creation because he is the Lord and he is the climax of the redemptive plan of God. And in verse 16, we read, for by him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. whether thrones or dominions or rules or authorities, all things were created through Him and for Him. All things, both spiritual and physical, are linked to Christ's work. Christ is not just the King of the spiritual realm, but He is the King of the physical realm. All authority has been given to Son, and He rules over both realms. And all creatures in this realm, both invisible and visible, are ones that created by him, through him, and for him. And he is the source of all things. And people of God, the world also, and all that in it, belong to Christ. It's possession of Christ. And as the creator and potter, Christ Jesus have a right to determine how things work. And this glorious God has ordained that living for Him, knowing Him, enjoying Him, obeying Him, glorifying Him is the path to the meaning of life. Far from being a killjoy, this has meant the highest good No amount of money, status, or success can compare with knowing God. Living for Christ will not ruin your life, but will be the beginning of the true and meaningful life. Do not listen to many lies of this world and your enemy, Satan. They want you to perish without hope of Christ and salvation. They want you to look at the meaning of this life everywhere, but not in the Scripture, and not in the hope of the gospel. Beloved, Christ is the bread of life, the light of the world, the way, the truth, and life. He is the fountain of the living water, and He is gentle. and lowly in heart. You will not find the meaning of your life in your work life, in your workplace, dear brothers and sisters. You will not find the meaning of your life over your ciliate that reflects from the mirror. You will not find the meaning of your life on a PC screen that shows your bank account with so many digits of numbers. You were created to glorify God. You glorify God by obeying God. You enjoy Him by glorifying Him. So obedience to God and enjoyments of God are interconnected. This seems to some of you might be tranquil. Did God create us for His glory? Really? Isn't that selfish and insecure? No, because God and God alone is man's highest good. And if you know it and embrace it and live it, you will fulfill the meaning of your life. You will be happy. Yes, you will be happier than ever, because true happiness is to fulfill God's will. And this is also what Paul says to Colossians Church. Please look at me with verses 9 to 10 in chapter 1, what Paul says to Colossians. And so from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, food pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. All things are created. by him, through him, for him, and this is the knowledge that will transform your life completely. And then verse 17, the third stanza of the first part of the hymn, we read, and he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Christ is before all things because he is not a creature like the created world. He's different from the creature, as we just explained in the verse 15 and 16. But also in John 1, 1, we read the verse you all know very well. In the beginning was the word, And the word was with God and the word was God. So he is not just different from the creation, but he is the creator of all things. He is the great, great I am. He is also the sustainer of the creation. He holds all things together. And this is a very important statement, dear brothers and sisters, because many other false religions of this world claim the opposite. Other religions would say, God has created the world, but he forsook it. He's watching us from a safe distance to see who's going to be faithful and who's going to fail. But we know the truth of the scripture. And even though the whole world claims the opposite of what scripture says, We believe that the scripture has the words of life. And therefore, we must believe what scripture tells us in this matter. And the word translated to hold together in this verse can also be translated as consists. So we can read the word, read this words also like this. And he is before all things and by him all things consists. And at the same time, this word is in perfect tense, which means it emphasized the continual activity of Christ. So not just all things were created in him, but through him and for him, but they find their existence in him. And this is continual activity. Christ still holds everything together. Everything still exists in Christ. People of God, It is impossible for us to understand God and his ways. But we are trying to understand this passage by scratching the surface of it. Because God has done something that suppresses all understanding. The word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we have seen His glory, glory as the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. The glorious, incomprehensible God the Father sent His only begotten Son, as we read in Romans 3, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood to be received by faith and beginning From verse 18, the importance of having this knowledge, we just looked those three verses, this knowledge, importance of having this knowledge of this incomprehensible God is unveiled for us, starting from verse 18. Christ, who is infinitely more glorious than the whole creation, chooses himself a body. to dwell in the creation in our world. So this brings us to our second point, which is the second part of the hymn or the Creed. And in verse 18, the second part begins. Now let us read verse 18 one more time. And he is the head of the body and the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead. that in everything, he might be preeminent. So Christ is not just a creator, he's not just a sustainer, but in verse 18, we read that he is personally involved in the creation. The almighty triune God chooses, according to his good pleasure, becomes the head of the church, of his people. And as Christ says, John 14, I have come into the world as light so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. So Christ has become the head of the church. If this is not a wonderful picture of God's sheer grace, I don't know what else can be. The Lord takes his church as his possessions, as Peter says. The church belongs to him anymore. And who can dare to take away the church from his hand? For he who touches, the church touches the apple of Christ's eye. But we look at ourself and say, Who are we to deserve God as our head? Who are we to deserve God as our leader? Who are we to deserve such faithfulness, love and care from the Lord Almighty? Who are we? We are men of unclean lips and dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips. Yet we have seen the glory of God in Christ Jesus. And we join David as he prays in 2 Samuel. Who am I, O Lord God? What is my house that you have brought me thus far? Therefore, you are great, O Lord, for there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And you established for yourself your people, Israel, to be your people forever, and you, O Lord, became their God." Christ became the head of the church. What a wonderful picture. But the supremacy of Christ in redemption brings us an even better, more wonderful message. That is, the resurrection from the dead. Because that's what the verse says. Christ is the firstborn from the dead. Or in other words, He is the first fruit from the dead. Which means there will be many more who will be resurrected. from the dead. This is the good news because Christ has taken away the stink of death, which was sin. And he has given the privilege of second birth to his children. And in verse 19 we read, for in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. Christ is the image of the invisible God. And this is why God gave him all the authority in heaven and earth, as we did in verse 15 and 16. And God dwells in Christ permanently. There is no moment that God never dwelt in Christ, and he will dwell in Christ forever. Because of the fullness that dwells in Christ, and Christ dwells in his people through his spirit, we are given a great promise. that we can read in Revelation 21. The Lord says, behold, the dwelling place of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them as their God. God will dwell with his people. You will see God with your own eyes, and you will hear God with your own ears. You will be before Him with all the saints because Christ Jesus has done it. And all of these things will happen as we read in verse 20. God will reconcile everything in Christ Jesus. And verse 20 is the climax of our hymn. Christ whom all things created by Him, through Him, and for Him holds everything together humbled himself to the point of death, even shameful death on a cross. For his church, he shed his precious blood. Christ is the greatest sacrifice that human has ever witnessed and will witness because the righteous died for the sinner. The king became a lamb. People of God, Colossians 1, 15-20, reveals us the supremacy of Christ in creation and in redemption. The one who died for our sins, your sins, was truly God the Son. This should drive us fear and gratitude, because our debt was so great, only Christ could pay the debt. and he bought you from the dead. That's why Paul says in Quarantine, you don't belong to yourself anymore, you belong to Christ. And as Paul prays at the end of Colossians, he says, set your mind to Colossians, set your minds, not just your hearts, but set your minds. You have the knowledge of Christ that got revealed For you, God revealed the mystery, set your minds, not your hearts, because you were dead, but you were made alive in Christ. And lastly, dear beloved, let us praise our Savior for what he has done in our lives and what he promised to do in our lives. I would like to read from lastly from Psalm 103. As David prays, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me. Bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases. who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like eagles'. We are saved by Christ alone. Blessed be the name of Jesus Christ. In the name of the Lord, of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Let us pray. our merciful God, who is pleased to condescend to speak to us through your word. Grant us all grace that we may not be mere hearers of your word, but doers also. Give us the grace of your Holy Spirit that we may believe what has been proclaimed to us. All of this, gracious Father, we ask in the name of Jesus Christ,