6. Your Testimony – Jesus Bids Us Shine (4)

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Hymns: RHC 358 What a Friend We Have in Jesus 183 Jesus Paid It All 418 O Jesus I Have Promised

Colossians 1:15-23

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 

Jesus Bids Us Shine (4)

OUTLINE

In Your Testimony – Jesus Bids Us Shine (Col. 1:9-23)

  • Glowing For Jesus (v9-14)
    • In Knowledge (v9 cf. 15-23)
    • In Fruitfulness (v10)
    • In Testimony (v11)
    • In Gratitude (v12-14)
  • Grounded in Him (v15-23)
    • He is God (v15)
    • He is Creator (v16-17)
    • He is the Head of the Church – The Pre-eminence (v18)
    • He is Saviour (v19-22)
    • He is the Good News (v23)

Continue…

  • Grounded In Him (v15-23)
    • He is God (v15)

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

Jesus is image of the invisible God. Jesus is God. 

John 1:18 (KJV) No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

The word “image” means a precise copy or a reproduction or exact image. Cleon aptly illustrated rendering as impression, stamp, referring to an engraved character or impress made by a die or a seal indicated as exact reproduction.[1] The Son is the exact representation of God the Father. Colossians 1:19 further in Christ “should all fulness dwell.” 

  • He is Creator (v16-17)

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Jesus is the Creator. 

John 1:3 (KJV) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

1 Corinthians 8:6 (KJV) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Hebrews 1:2 (KJV) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

In verse 17, Paul reached the apex of his argument: Christ is superior in creation because He is the sustainer: “He is before all things, and by him all things consist or hold together.” The perfect tense here tells us that He continues now to hold all things together, and that apart from his continuous activity, all would disintegrate. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by the word of His power” (1:3). 

Christ is Sustainer of the Universe – and upholding all things by the word of his power (Hebrews 1:3).

The next proof of the Deity of the Son is in this next phrase is a description of the Son as Sustainer of the universe or the world, the word “upholding” in the same form is used earlier in John 19:39 comes from the word meaning “carry or bear”. The syntax used in Hebrews 1:2 the Son gave the meaning that Christ is the agent by which the world is made and sustained. Christ by His spoken word sustains all things. “His” confirm that it is the Son that is sustaining all things. Christ is referred to as the Word in John 1:1. Jesus is the Word from God. Logos is used interchangeably with rhema to refer to the spoken Word by Christ. Hebrews 11:3 the world was created by the Word of God. 

Jesus is (1) Creator (2) Sustainer and (3) Saviour. What does it mean that Jesus is the Sustainer of this world? That He is “upholding all things by the word (ῥῆμα) of his power”? In searching for the answer, I made a word study of this word “word” (ῥῆμα). 

The Lord led me to a discovery that strengthened my faith to trust in Jesus Christ and to the conviction that He alone is my true security. As I made a word study of the word “word” or “ῥῆμα” in Greek, I came to these three verses — Matthew 4:4, Luke 5:5 and John 6:66. 

Matthew 4:4 (KJV) But he answered (Satan) and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Spiritual food is more important than physical food. Physical food is only for this lifetime, spiritual food lasts for eternity. That is why I am diligently studying God’s Word. It is food to my soul, much more than physical sustenance can ever be to my body. I learn to esteem the spiritual above the physical. And I thank the Lord that I experienced His faithfulness in taking care of my physical needs throughout my studies. 

Luke 5:5 (KJV) And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

The Word of God has power. Jesus is the Sustainer of our livelihood. Remember, Peter was an experienced fisherman. He went fishing the entire night but caught nothing — an impossibility for an experienced fisherman like Peter. When instructed by Jesus to let down the net for a draught, the catch was a whole net full. Truly, Jesus is able to take care of us! Power resides with Him to sustain us in life’s pathway. Later, Peter tried going back to fishing but it was not the Lord’s will for him. That he came up empty taught him the futility of struggling against the will of God for his life. When he again trusted the Lord, and was obedient to His Word, he received a whole net full. 

John 6:66-69 (KJV) From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Jesus is the only way to eternal life. “To whom shall we go?” Peter thought thoroughly through the question, considered and concluded there was nowhere else to go. Many of the disciples had left Jesus after He stopped feeding them. Remember, at the beginning of John 6, Jesus had fed the five thousand and taught them. When He tested them for the true motive of their following Him, many failed the test. Only the 12 were left. Note the words of Peter for our learning. 

Therefore faith in Jesus Christ is an objective faith! Jesus is the living and true God because He is our Creator, Sustainer and Saviour. Are you following Him, worshipping Him and connected to Him? For, truly, we can do no other for He is the way, the truth and the only way to everlasting life! “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” These words cut my heart, chided me for my faithlessness and secured my heart to a simple trust in the leading of the Lord. 

  • He is the Head of the Church – The Pre-eminence (v18)

18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Jesus Christ is the Head of the church. The church is the people of God. The word “church” comes from the Greek verb “to call” and the preposition “out of or from”. The church is therefore a people called out from the world and separated unto God.

The word “church” is first used in Matthew 16:18 where Simon Peter was the first person to openly acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God and that Jesus, seeing God’s hand n this acknowledgement, called Peter a rock on which He would build His church – a church that even the gates would not be able to defeat.

Matthew 16:18 (KJV) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Here was the setting where for the first time in the New Testament the word “church” in verse 18 would be used, the word comes from the verb “to call out” as mentioned. The church is the organized body of Christ. This is an assembly of people called out by God with Jesus Christ as her Leader! Jesus is the head of the church, the founder of the church, inaugurated it by setting its purpose, power and revealing who are her people. 

Jesus is giving the analogy of the city whereby the judges sat at the gates and gave judgment. And so, wisdom and power were in the gates, the authority is vested in the hands of the man at the gate. He has the power of admit whosoever into the city by virtue of his vested authority. 

“The gates of hell shall not prevail against it…” is a term alluding to the evil forces and power of Satan may attack the church but that shall never destroy the people of Christ – church, alluding to the invincibility of the church. All the power and policy of the devil and his instruments shall not be able to overturn this truth. The church is up against the organized demonized forces of hell. We are not wrestling with flesh and blood but principalities and powers.

The only thing that will destroy a lie is the truth. And we are in a spiritual battle. 

We are up against the three great enemies – the world, the flesh and the devil. 

He is the first of the body of “new births” by His resurrection from the dead. By His resurrection from the dead, it is possible for the formation of the church, which is called “the body” in which He is the head. 

Ephesians 1:22 (KJV) And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

This is the power that overcame death and sin. This is the power that released us from the bondage of sin so that we can say, “I am freed from the bondage to sin. I can say “no” to sin by the power of the Holy Spirit that is in me.”

God wants us to appropriate this power over temptation to overcome sin, the world and the fallen self.

Christ has the preeminence means “to have the first place”. First place in our hearts, first place in our lives, first place because without Him we can do nothing.

He is in the highest honour for what He had done even though we may not regard Him as such.

Besides being, the Lord of the universe, He is also the church’s Head (cf. Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23). The reference here is to the invisible or universal church into which all believers are baptized by the Holy Spirit the moment they believe in Christ (1 Cor. 12:13).

1 Corinthians 12:13 (KJV) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

This work of the Spirit began on the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:5; 2:1-2; 11:15-16). It is a special body in which there is “neither Jew nor Gentile” (Gal. 3:28) but a whole new creation of God (Eph. 2:15). The church is a “mystery … which was not made known to men in other generations” (Eph. 3:4-5; cf. Rom. 16:25-26; Col. 1:26). [Walvoord]

Christ was the first to rise in an immortal body (1 Cor. 15:20), and as such He heads a whole new order as its Sovereign (cf. “Firstborn” in Col. 1:15). [Walvoord]

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (KJV) But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Also, Christ’s resurrection marked His triumph over death (Heb. 2:14; 1 John 3:8). 

Hebrews 2:14 (KJV) Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

1 John 3:8 (KJV) He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

He was the “Firstfruits” of those who die (1 Cor. 15:20) since, unlike others, He rose never to die again. He “was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:4). [Walvoord]

Romans 1:3-4 (KJV) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

esus is born the seed of David according to the flesh and He is the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness. Paul tells us that Jesus is both fully man and fully God. He is the God-Man. As Man, He was a descendant of David. As God, Jesus is the exact representation of God (Hebrews 1:3). He is divinely God characterised by holiness. In Him, there is no sin. He was conceived of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 1:20), the seed of the woman. The seed of man was tainted with sin as a result of man’s fall in the Garden of Eden but the seed of the woman is unheard of. Mary was a virgin when she conceived the holy child, Jesus.

Jesus was the unblemished Lamb of God that will take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). His divine nature was manifested with great power while He was on earth. And the fullness of that power was demonstrated by His resurrection from the dead conquering sin and death. When we become a child of God, the Holy Spirit indwells us, we have the ability to say “no” to sin, to live a holy life. May we live this day in holiness to His honour and glory! 

  • He is Saviour (v19-22)

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 

Christ is that all God’s fullness dwell[s] in Him. Later Paul wrote, “In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (2:9). Colossians 1:19 is one of the most powerful descriptions of Christ’s deity in the New Testament (cf. Heb. 1:8). 

Colossians 2:9 (KJV) For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Hebrews 1:8 (KJV) But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

“Fullness” (plērōma), a key word in Colossians, is used in 1:19 and 2:9. (The verb plēroō is used in 1:9, 25; 2:10; and 4:17.) The noun means “completeness” and is used of a wide range of things including God’s being (Eph. 3:19), time (Gal. 4:4), and grace in Christ (John 1:16). This full and complete Deity is said to “dwell” (katoikēsai, “abide lastingly or permanently”) in Christ. [Walvoord]

Colossians 1:9 (KJV) For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

Colossians 2:10 (KJV) And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Colossians 4:17 (KJV) And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

Ephesians 3:19 (KJV) And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

Christ made peace through the blood that He shed on our behalf that He might restore, speaking of broken inter-personal relationships.

Hebrews 1:3 (KJV) Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Jesus, the Son of God is especially precious for all mankind in every age. He is Saviour. He has by Himself made purification for man’s sins. 

The Son by Himself “purged” our sins has the sense moral and spiritual cleansing and sat down on God’s right hand meant that the work was finished, and this could not take place until the sin-cleansing was accomplished. 

The middle voice means that the subject which is the Son took part in the action as part of the result, that means the work of purification was done by Christ personally.[2] The aorist tense clearly showed that Christ atonement for mankind is a one-time act. This clearly refute the doctrine of the Mass by the Roman Catholics in re-enacting the cross work of Christ again and again. 

Christ by Himself purged our sins meaning “by means of” and translated “by Himself” may be rendered “when by Himself purged our sins”. This is a description of the priestly office of Christ. The superiority of Christ office as the Priest is that He purged once and for all by a single act (use of the aorist tense) on the cross, a redemption that is once for all. 

Christ reigns in Heaven – The exalted position of the Son seated at the right of God ruling is a glorious picture language described here to further proof the Deity of Christ. It demonstrates that Christ by a single sacrifice on the cross at Calvary was sufficient to purged our sins and He sat down on the right, a position of prominence, of greatness and importance and is used to describe God’s majesty. The same word is rendered in King James Version as “Majesty” – We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. (Hebrews 8:1). The seat on the right of God is a seat of authority displaying the kingly office of Christ. A term that is ascribed to God and used also for the Son Jesus Christ to show His exalted position in heaven. It can be rendered “in heaven”, heaven is the place where God dwells and His Son is there with the Father as the exalted King that is in a position of honour. Kistemaker aptly described the Son as “The King who sat down at his place of honour.”[3]

To be continued…

[1] Cleon L. Rogers, The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House,1998), 516.

[2] Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, (Virginia, MacDonald Publishing Company), 384.

[3] Simon J. Kistemaker, New Testament Commentary, (Great Britain, Baker Book House, 1984), 12.