Christ Over All: The Supremacy of the Savior

  

Title: “Christ Over All: The Supremacy of the Savior”

Text: Colossians 1:15–20

Theme: Christ is supreme over all things—creation, the church, and the cosmos.

Term: “All”

Task: Because Christ is Lord of all, He deserves our complete trust, worship, and obedience.

Teach: Imagine standing at the edge of a vast, breathtaking mountain range. As you gaze at the towering peaks, each one distinct and magnificent in its own right, your heart swells with awe at the beauty and power of creation. Yet, amidst this splendor, there is one mountain that stands taller, one summit that captures your attention and commands your reverence. That mountain embodies the ultimate expression of majesty and supremacy.

 

Now, consider Christ in this light. In the depths of our lives, filled with a myriad of challenges, doubts, and distractions, Christ is that supreme mountain. He is not just another figure among many, but the towering presence that surpasses all understanding, the source of all strength, hope, and purpose. Just as the mountains reveal the glory of God, Christ reveals the very heart of the Creator.

 

As we delve into the Scriptures, we will explore how Christ’s authority transcends everything -He is truly above all.

 

Truth: The passage from Colossians 1:15-20 encapsulates a central theme of Christ's supremacy and preeminence in the cosmic order, presenting a theological exposition of His divine nature, redemptive work, and cosmic lordship. Structured as a hymn of praise, the passage unfolds in a poetic and exalted language that magnifies the person and role of Jesus Christ within the framework of God's grand design for creation and redemption. The apostle Paul articulates the multifaceted dimensions of Christ's identity, authority, and significance, emphasizing His role as the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, and the reconciler of all things.

 

I.               The Revelation of His Person — Christ Is Over All (v. 15)

Explanation: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” One of the first truths we encounter is that Jesus is the Clear representation of God. He shows all of God. Jesus is not a reflection of God; He is the perfect revelation of God's nature. To see Christ is to see the invisible God (Jn. 14:9). “In Greek thought, an image shares in reality what it represents. Christ is the perfect likeness of God. The word contains the idea of representation and manifestation” (NIDNTT; Moule; Lightfoot; Bruce, pg. 410).

 

Second, we observe the Chief rank of Jesus. He surpasses all creation. “Firstborn” signifies preeminence, not creation. He is above all, not among all. In the Hebrew culture, the title of “firstborn” carried significant weight in terms of inheritance and authority. The firstborn son held a position of privilege, leadership, and responsibility within the family. This cultural understanding sheds light on the theological significance of Christ as the ‘firstborn’ over creation, signifying His supreme authority and rights as the Son of God. The term does not indicate that Christ was a creation or created being.

 

In Psalm 89:27, God declares, “I will also appoint Him as my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth.” This verse points to the Messianic prophecy of Christ’s exalted status and reign as the ultimate King and Lord over all creation. It underscores His divine sovereignty and preeminence in the cosmic order.

 

In summary, the title “firstborn” attributed to Christ signifies His preeminence, authority, and sovereignty over all creation. It emphasizes His divine status as the Son of God, the exalted King, and the one through whom all things were created and are sustained. This theological concept highlights Christ’s central role in the cosmic order and underscores His unmatched position as the Chief Rank above all creation, being the Creator.

 

Christ is the supreme over the first creation.

 

Illustration: Think of a flawless mirror reflecting sunlight into a dark room. Jesus doesn’t merely reflect God—He radiates God’s very essence into the darkness of our world.

 

Application: Since Christ perfectly reveals God, we don’t need to look elsewhere for truth or guidance. In your confusion, look to Christ—He is the image of all that God is.

 

II. The Reach of His Power — Christ Created All (vv. 16–17)

Explanation: “For by Him all things were created… all things have been created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” First, we see that Christ is the Creator of all. His power made it all. All realms -visible and invisible, earthly and heavenly- all exist by His sovereign creative hand. John Calvin, in his commentary on Colossians, wrote, “For in Christ God shows us His righteousness, goodness, wisdom, power, in short, his entire self. We must, therefore, beware of seeking Him elsewhere, for everything that would set itself off as a representation of God, apart from Christ, will be an idol” (John Calvin, Colossians, pg.150).

 

Second, not only is He the creator of all, but also the Center of all. His purpose and sovereign hand govern all. All things were created for Him; life finds its meaning only in Christ. Christ is the Creator who brought all things into existence. Also, the passage indicated that in Him, all things hold together. All things are in subjection to Christ. “All the laws and purposes which guide the creation and government of the universe reside in Him” (Lightfoot).

 

This points to a third principle -Christ is the Controller of all. His presence sustains all. Indicating His ongoing role as the sustainer and preserver of the universe. Christ’s creative power and sustaining presence demonstrate His central position in the order and the functioning of creation. He is the divine glue that holds the universe together -every atom, every life, and every purpose. In these verses, “Paul places Christ in the highest seat of honor, that He may have the preeminence over angels as well as men” (Calvin, Colossians, pg. 152). The Jewish Rabbis taught that the world was created for the Messiah.

 

Illustration: Scientists say the universe is held together by mysterious forces—gravity, nuclear bonds. But Scripture says the real force is a Person—Christ Himself, holding all things together.

 

Application: When life feels like it’s falling apart, remember the One who holds all things together can hold you together too.

 

III. The Reign of His Position — Christ Commands All (v. 18)

Explanation: “He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.” First, He is the Head of All. In other words, His leadership directs all. Christ is not a figurehead but the living Head of His body, the church. As the head of the body, Christ united believers from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences into one cohesive entity, the Church. Just as the head coordinates and harmonizes the various parts of the body to work together in unity, Christ ensures that the members of His body function in harmony and mutual support, each contributing their unique gifts and talents for the edification of the whole.

 

The head holds authority and sovereignty over the body, making decisions, giving direction, and exercising control. Christ’s headship over the church signifies His supreme authority, lordship, and sovereignty in all matters pertaining to the Church’s mission. Thus, Christ alone ought to have the eye of every believer. On Him alone, the unity of the body depends.

 

Second, Christ is the Hope of All. His resurrection guarantees all. He is the ‘firstborn from the dead,” meaning He leads the resurrection parade -assuring new life to all who come to Him in repentance and faith. Christ’s resurrection from the dead is the cornerstone of Christian faith and the source of hope for all believers. As the “firstborn from the dead,” Christ’s victory over death guarantees new life and resurrection for all who are in Him. His triumph over sin and the grave assures believers of the promise of eternal life and the hope of resurrection to glory. By leading the resurrection parade, Christ offers the assurance of transformation, restoration, and redemption for all who place their trust in Him.

 

Third, Christ is the Highest of All — His supremacy deserves all. He is preeminent in everything. There’s no rival throne. Christ’s preeminence and supremacy point to the eschatological hope of His ultimate victory and the consummation of God’s kingdom. As the Highest of all, Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, who will bring all things to completion and fulfillment in accordance with God’s eternal purpose. His reign as the exalted King and Savior ensures the restoration of all creation, the defeat of evil, and the establishment of a new heaven and earth where He will be glorified and worshipped for eternity.

 

Christ is supreme over the new creation.

 

Illustration: When an orchestra tunes, every instrument aligns with one note from the conductor’s pitch. The church must tune its heart to Christ’s supremacy.

 

Application: Is Christ the conductor of your life—or just one instrument among many? Give Him supremacy in all things.

 

IV. The Riches of His Provision — Christ Reconciles All (vv. 19–20)

Explanation: “For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things…” As stated earlier, Christ is the Fullness of All. He embodies all of God. The totality of divine nature dwells permanently in Christ. This verse, along with many others, affirms that “in Christ all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.” This statement underscores the totality of divine nature permanently dwelling in Christ, making Him the complete and perfect revelation of God to humanity, for He is the incarnate Word. 

 

The second person of the Trinity, who took on human form to reveal the fullness of God's character, attributes, and purposes. By dwelling in Christ, believers have access to the richness, wisdom, and power of God, experiencing His grace, truth, and love in tangible and transformative ways. Christ's embodiment of the fullness of God signifies His unique role as the mediator, revealer, and redeemer who bridges the gap between humanity and divinity, offering the ultimate expression of God's presence and glory in human form. For further theological insight, Alistair Wilson adds, “In a typical New Testament emphasis, Christ replaces the temple as the ‘place’ where God now dwells…This is now where all that can be known and experienced of God is to be found” (Alistair Wilson, Expository Commentary-Colossians, pg. 223).

 

Second, Christ Forgives All — He reconciles all to God. Through the blood of His cross, peace is made—cosmic peace, personal peace. The cosmic reconciliation achieved through Christ’s atoning sacrifice extends beyond individual forgiveness of sins to encompass the restoration of all creation and the healing of cosmic brokenness. This highlights the universal scope of His redemptive work. Through the cross, Christ not only brings personal peace and reconciliation but also establishes cosmic peace, restoring harmony and unity between God and His creation.

 

Illustration: A broken relationship can only be healed when one party pays the price. At the cross, Christ paid it all—He bore our sin to bring us back to God.

 

Application: There is no sin too great, no person too far, no heart too broken—Christ’s reconciling work covers all. Let His peace rule in your heart today.

 

Take-Away: Christ is the Image of all deity, the Inventor of all creation, the instructor of all the church, and the Intercessor for all humanity.

 

Therefore:

            •          Worship Him — for He is worthy of all praise.

            •          Trust Him — for He sustains all things.

            •          Serve Him — for He reigns over all.

                        Tell of  Him - for only He saves             

 

Quote: “If Christ is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all.” — Hudson Taylor

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