R198 The Supremacy of Christ

The supremacy of Christ. It's a powerful discussion in this day and age, and that's today's topic from Dr. Don Wilton. The opening God's word to Colossians. First, another phone line is open for you and 866-899-WORD and would love to meet you on line@gewonline.org tewonline.org.org with Dr. Don Wilton goals letter to the Colossians chapter 1. If you don't have a copy of your own Bible with you. I would certainly encourage you to bring your Bibles with you to every service bring up pain with your pencil never have any hesitation whatsoever in taking notes and writing down things in the margin that God would be able to use in your life during the week and from then on we going to be considering this morning from God's word, probably the greatest most important, most critical most unbelievable subject that we could ever talk about now.

That's quite a statement for me to make from the pulpit is so I'm going to just run it by again one more time again to be considering in God's word this morning, probably the greatest most important, most dynamic, most critical most unbelievable subject that anybody could ever deal with or talk about at any time in their very existence we going to be talking about the Lord Jesus Christ this morning subject today is entitled, the supremacy of Christ, the supremacy of Christ, we found ourselves at the point in which we were able to find God. Basically for three things. The apostle Paul about the rack and confront the heresies that had begun to infiltrate the fabric of society of colossi made an incredible statement in verses 12, 13 and 14. With regard to our thanksgiving to God. He said number one, we can thank God for his provision.

That is because God has qualified us. Number two, we can thank God for he is. Why, because God has delivered us, but they number three. We can thank God for he is part of why because God has read deemed us and then you get into this 15 and from verse 15 through verse 19. The apostle Paul begins to speak about Jesus Christ is you see friend these people. The Gnostics were a strange group of people. It's not that they didn't believe that God existed that they had a form listener.

This guy had a form of a idealistic philosophy which basically told that God was spirit and God was good. The body is mapped and the body is evil. You got that God is Spirit and God is good. This body is mapped back and it is evil and also they believe that the world as we see it as glass as created, that the world is made up of Matra and the world is consequently evil. Listen very carefully on damp places. The Gnostics denied the humanity of Jesus Christ. It was an absolutely absurd thing to the Gnostic heretics to accept the fact that God would've become Jesus Christ would come into the flesh would've created the world. Why because the will and the flesh are diametrically evil and God who is good could never have become man who is evil. In other words, my friends, what the Gnostics was saying here at this juncture is that God could never have allowed or even appointed, or even talked about Jesus Christ coming to this earth.

They rejected Christ deity from beginning to end. So we come here in verses 15 through 19 of Colossians chapter 1 we going to discover he that the apostle Paul begins to reveal the Lord Jesus Christ through identity. The apostle Paul begins to uncover someone who Jesus Christ really is and so he begins to take us through the Lord Jesus Christ in relation to God in relation to the universe in relation to invisible beings and unseen world. And he talks to us about the Lord Jesus Christ as he relates to the church. Let's read the three verses together as we consider the supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ this morning beginning at verse 15 Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation for blind and by the way, that good word for the obvious going to stop just for a moment.

That little word for the is venerated because all things by him all things were created, you see in verse 15 God's word is telling us that Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God that he is the firstborn over all creation.

Now why, how does he give to Jesus Christ that incredible status will. There is because by Jesus Christ were all things created is that incredible. I remember we talking about the supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ this morning full by Jesus Christ because of him all things were created things in heaven and things on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers. By the way this is referring to the ranking of the Angels.

These are the ranks that the Angels have and we going to discovering just a few moments that God's Word teaches us that the Lord Jesus Christ is not an angel. He created the angel and he rules over the angel we going to discovering just a moment that the Lord Jesus Christ is not an angel who serves the church. The church of the church. I watch what happens.

You look with me in Britain, chapter 1 and verse 17 Jesus Christ is before all things, the Bible says, and in Jesus Christ, all things hold together and Jesus Christ is the head of the body, the church, Jesus Christ is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. And then we get down to verse 19. It's no wonder that that God wrote verse 19 by the inspiration of the spirit. Look at verse 19.

It's no wonder that the apostle Paul says there on this basis because of these established facts. It God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Lord Jesus Christ.

On the basis of the fact of who Jesus Christ is God was pleased to have the fullness of God 12 guineas own son, the Lord Jesus Christ. I want us to just look at two reports this morning and that is going to ready shock some of your but if you understand the dynamic of the enormity of talking about the Lord Jesus from this passage, you understand that two points are probably an approach we could preach on these and talk about brief for the next year. I promise you I want us to consider what the apostle Paul is trying to impress upon the people of colossi. I'm going to put this into plain terminology. The people it colossi my friends were in the business of denying the fact that Jesus Christ amounted to anything the people it colossi were in the business of saying that even angels could mediate on their behalf.

The people it colossi was saying as long as you come to church on Sunday.

It doesn't really matter about the Lord Jesus Christ. The people it colossi was saying as long as you participate in Jewish ritual life like circumcision in all the rooms and and regulations, unless you become a modern-day Pharisee. Jesus Christ's got nothing to do the and the apostle Paul) Colossians chapter 1 he setting the stage and ultimately he is saying wait a minute, folks in Jesus Christ, the fullness of God will therefore, there is nothing that we can ever accomplish outside of who Jesus Christ is, why because he alone has God's full and complete authority. My favorite verse in the Bible. Boys and girls. I wonder what yours is.

This morning, I guarantee you 99% of the young people yet would say John 316. You know how does site along with me for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but should have everlasting life.

There's a little word that comes in the God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, one will do Zachary you not, that means he's only one-of-a-kind son. He's only unique son.

In other words, Jesus Christ is the only one who has the capability and the authority and the designation of Almighty God, in order that he might save us from our sin because of what he did upon the cross of Calvary, the supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ. We can look at two points number one is number one is a person and number two is number one in his position, the Lord Jesus Christ is number one is a person and number two he is number one in his position with me.

First of all is number one is a person. Verse 15 tells us very clearly that Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God friends if we going to understand the superiority of the Lord Jesus Christ regret understand two things about who Jesus Christ is according to the apostle Paul. First of all that he is the image of the invisible God.

What does that mean by that little word image. There is the word, you know what it means friends. It means that the apostle pool is making no bones about the fact that if you and I want to see what God is like, we must look to the Lord Jesus Christ. If we want to know anything about God. We need to look at Jesus Christ. I served for a church in South Louisiana for six years as foster wonderful group of people. I did learn and Dr. Tommy Pierce as yet he was also in that part for a while.

I learned how to eat crawfish folks. It's unbelievable. I mean, it is just like you've got to eat crawfish. It will transform your entire life but let me just tell you when I was down there in South Louisiana remembering one of the challenges nearby Playskool Donaldsonville, a group of people walk by one day and I saw what they believed to be an apparition and image of somebody in a lamp post.

You know that before they could do anything about it. They were literally thousands of people who were pulling over themselves to come not just a look at this image but to worship this image in the street life in South Louisiana if you were to come from New Orleans where I lived for 15 years.

It see many bumper stickers that would say this if you can't find Jesus look for his mother now want to say something to my friends. The Bible teaches us very clearly that Jesus Christ is number one.

As person, he is the image of the invisible God doesn't tend to be God he doesn't think he's gone. He doesn't act like God is.

He's the king of getting and the laudable and the Bible says he is low. He alone is Lord.

He has risen from the dead and Jesus Christ is Lord, every knee shall bow and every term shall confess that Jesus Christ's school. I made people Mark Kramer use the name of the Lord Jesus Christ cuss word you can hardly turn on your television.

That Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God and the Bible says that Jesus for not ending the image of the earthly Adam but Jesus building image of our heavenly father who is in heaven.

The Bible tells us that Jesus is the representation of God. He is the visible expression of God. Therefore, on places Paul stresses the fact that God was present where ever Jesus wall, but you like that incredible objects of good news morning. The Bible says that with two or three are gathered together in my name, that on record in the mix of them rubbing your born-again Christian your Christian call on your Christian my brother how that uses you know what that's for them. Trust me, that's private guarantees. The presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

You know Michelle this morning God the Holy Spirit is small, you know who's here this morning, God the son, the Lord Jesus Christ and I'll guarantee you Joe this morning. Very soon.

This is God's heart and the Bible says he is number one this person and he is the image of the invisible God and he is God, and there is no other name under heaven whereby you and I might be saved. Then the name of the Jesus Christ. Why is that because Jesus cries. Please forgive the eruption will be back with the rest of today's message, the supremacy of Christ, just a minute, but if you like to hear this message again. It's on our website right now GW online.org why you're there, sign up for the daily Encouraging Word devotional from Dr. Don Wilton. It's a great blessing. That's online@twonline.org and they're also wonderful resources like the new would Jesus combine his messages with Dr. Charles Stanley is good friend is list of the details on how you can get your copy what's going on in your life today are thinking about getting up leaking not to be carried on the Christian journey to state this month. Dr. Weldon has two special resources to send you for your gift that supports The Encouraging Word.

You will receive Dr. Wilton's inspiring message passing along with courageous faith by Dr. Charles Finley. Both of these ministry resources will help fortify your faith to staying the course on the Christian journey, 866-899-WORD 866899673 and request pressing in the bonus courageous faith for supporting The Encouraging Word fulfill our mission without doubt back to today's message, the supremacy of Christ with Dr. Don Wilton understand understand modern standard) versus the Bible says he is jumping it with me a little, but I'm not jumping the gun, but we gonna come across it again in verse 18 Jesus is the head of the body church is the beginning and the first born from among the dead.

Some people believe that the firstborn refers to time and space. Much like my oldest brother I have an old try on the black sheep on right stuck in the middle. All little brothers raise your hands. Like Johnny little support disjuncture on the middle brother. Listen, I didn't mind being the middle brother accepting one thing I always got hand-me-downs. I mean, my brother would get new clothes, and he would wear them for about three years and then it would be wasteful for convicts given to him and I would get all the hand-me-downs not in line except I'm convinced him to find out one of the guys.

I'm convinced my prayers even gotten one of one I want to tell you something friend something remarkable about what the apostle Paul was signed the apostle full is not speaking of Jesus Christ as the firstborn in terms of time and space, because Jesus Christ never hangs anything down. Jesus invites us to become a participant with everything the given you're going to get any use toothbrush as far as Jesus Christ he's going to give you the very you know why because he's the first bull of all creation, and that firstborn, my friend, is the capital of honor.

It is the Messiah, King of Kings and Lord of lords. We don't have time this morning, but if you gun read Psalm 89. In verse 27 began to read. I will make him my firstborn higher than all the kings of the church.

Please how incredible unbelieving. I made some important people in my life. I'm sure you have. I remember getting onto an airplane one farm and this man got onto the plane.

He was the biggest fellow that I've ever seen in my life. I mean, he'd be approaching: you will practice us at all and you know what he came and sat right next me. When he sat down on his knees, came up around these years and I knew he was somebody because everybody was looking. And so we got ready and everybody was talking and he was just me and him and is a biggest God ever seen my lap so we sat there I turned him as we started like blessed listen I said I got a piece of pipe again. What I'm gonna do just to get this out of the way, I'm gonna rock give you my signature right now you can try follow rock give it to your children. He looked at me since I said I'm just going to lectures.

Do this right now because you you know who I am and I say this just good right now because I gotta be, people hanging around in just a moment. Then he started to lock he was he was cutting we start. He said you really don't know who I am. I said listen buddy I have another famous idea, but I know you somebody, anybody needs market gotta be someone he said my name is Karl Malone I'm known as the mailman.

I said congratulations. He said I play for the Utah Jazz and we began to talk and you know call and I'll closer my sons told me all about it when we began to talk and fellowship and he shared about what Jesus Christ done for him and we got off the plane in Dallas, Texas, and we were the first to get a plan and as we walked through the shoots about I'm I'm bad about the people screamed out. It's called Malone and I began to charge something just masses. I held up my briefcase Tim and I sitting my briefcase met my friends are coming on the newly dealing with your book, a man of my caliber. The last thing I remember, aloneness is probably for five years ago was him standing there in Dallas with his head sticking out above the crowd, signing autographs, walking to say something you can become the greatest basketball player, you could be the next Michael Jordan you could be Miss America you could be even elected president of states of America but I'm going to say to you that when God tells us that Jesus Christ is the creation every else she loses primacy of the Lord Jesus Christ.

What is this me the name itself accords Jesus priority. The name itself. My friend carries Jesus increase place of absolute superiority. When John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord Jesus Christ. He said they come someone before me.

He was talking about Jesus priority, but he said there is someone who is preferred for me. Talking about Jesus superior Jesus is not just he is dictated under heaven whereby midmonth house nine Jesus you believe is sorrow. She frames the people here this morning and say to me today possible. Jesus Christ is parking in my life. What position does not comply.

Jesus Christ is not just my Savior Mark Raymond is my Lord and Savior. I heard this we cover of a religious group that has eliminated the word Lord, Lord, for more Scripture. I want to tell you something friend. That is the greatest heresy you could ever imagine. We don't make Jesus Christ will use all he is my Lord and my Savior, Jesus Christ. He is sparse he is the image of the invisible God is the first phone whole creation, but I want you to notice in the second place that Jesus Christ not on the number one as person. He's number one in position he's number one in position I love this. I'm going to listen very quickly. My friends wisely number one in position three reasons. According to the Scripture from verses 616 through 19.

He's number one in position because he created all things. The Bible tells us because he created all things, things in heaven things in a visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers things were created by him and for him. The Gnostic said it was impossible. How could God group create something that is so bad and so evil she frames.

That's the essence of what Genesis is all about. In Genesis, we read that God created man how evenly his own image, their people in the world I would say to me, Dr. Wilson, you came from above you came from a knife my friend that is a denial of the supremacy of Christ.

You know why because if I was created from. And I think God must've looked like it because I'm created in the and you say to me will then preach what happened to the world so that the word of God tells us my friends wedding, Adam.Jesus will allow that incredible is that incredible you created all things, but he did not he created all things. He sustains all things where it says in verse 17 he is before all things and in him all things are held together I like about you.

You know what that means, means that the Lord Jesus Christ is the clue that keeps this world. I don't have time this morning I carted out John MacArthur as a tremendous common tree series that I got out of Christian supply the other day that that deals with this whole subject incredible data for yourself. Wonderful study book in the book of Colossians and I had a lot of stuff you want to read to you about how incredible it is that not only created this scene already saves you, my friends. The apostle Peter writing in first Peter, you naughty same power is available to me as we submit to God, you given your life to Christ, listening to Dr. Don Wilton's powerful message Colossians, but there is more to come from Dr. Wilton. As a matter fact he stepping into studio now. Perhaps the most important points of are you ready to give your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Why don't you pray this prayer with me right now. Dear God, I know that on the center and I know that Jesus died for me on the cross today. I repainted my sin and by faith I receive you into my heart. In Jesus name, my friend. I welcome you today into the family of God. This is exciting. You just give your life to Christ. Bring along with the pastor moments ago you dedicate your life to Jesus Dr. Don Wilton want you to have some unique resources that will help you grow in your faith, it's available just call us at 86689. That's 866-899-9673 meters online online.org TBW online.org perhaps going to stirred your heart and you have questions.

This online or on that phone number 866899673. We love to pray with you, pray for you and watch God work in your life to encourage with great resources as well. You heard about the Charles Stanley booklet from Dr. Wilton's good friend Dr. Charles Stanley and his message on pressing forward all of that resources available online@twonline.org again.

I hope you join us tomorrow. Dr. Wilton's messages. What does it born again that's tomorrow on the next edition of The Encouraging Word Dr. Don Wilton