To listen to the audio version
of this message click here
Welcome to this week’s Bible Study. The title of our lesson is:
Christ Before All Things.
Our scripture text is found in Col 1:15-23. Let us begin with prayer.
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come into Your presence this day with hearts ready to hear Your Word. Thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, the image of the invisible God, through whom all things were created and by whom all things hold together.
Lord, open our eyes to see His glory, open our hearts to receive His truth, and open our minds to understand the depths of Your wisdom revealed in Christ. May we grasp the preeminence of Jesus in creation, in the Church, and in our own lives.
Guide us, Holy Spirit, as we study these verses together. Let Your Word penetrate our hearts, transform our thinking, and strengthen our faith. Help us to remain grounded, steadfast, and anchored in the hope of the gospel, so that our lives may reflect the beauty and fullness of Christ.
We pray that this time of study will honor You, deepen our love for Jesus, and equip us to live fully for His glory.
In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
Amen.
Colossians 1:15 says, “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.”
This verse lifts our eyes to the majesty of Jesus Christ and gives us a glimpse of His eternal glory. Paul begins by declaring that Christ is “the image of the invisible God.”
God, in His essence, is unseen. He is spirit, eternal, dwelling in unapproachable light.
Yet in His great mercy, He has revealed Himself fully and finally in the person of His Son. To see Jesus is to see the Father.
Jesus said in John 14:9, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.”
The words Christ spoke, the works He performed, the compassion He displayed, the holiness He lived—all these reveal the very heart of God. In Christ, the invisible has been made visible.
The verse continues: He is “the firstborn of every creature.” This phrase does not suggest that Christ was created, for the whole of Scripture testifies to His eternal nature.
John begins his Gospel with the words, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
And John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Paul said in Acts 13, “And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘YOU ARE MY SON; TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU.’”
In other words, the promise bound to God’s declaration, “You are My Son; today I have begotten You,” finds its fulfillment in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The word “today” does not point to a moment when God the Son first came into existence.
Instead, it marks the moment when the eternal Son of God—who bore our sins in His death—was raised from the dead and enthroned as the everlasting King, sovereign over all things, even life and death itself.
Christ is eternal, without beginning and without end. Here, “firstborn” refers not to origin but to position. In the culture of Paul’s day, the firstborn held the place of authority, honor, and inheritance.
Christ, therefore, is supreme over all creation. He is preeminent, exalted above all, the rightful Lord of heaven and earth.
What a glorious truth this is. The One who walked among us, who healed the sick, who stilled the storm, who gave His life on the cross, is none other than the eternal image of God and the sovereign ruler of all creation.
He reigns over the visible and the invisible, over thrones and dominions, powers and authorities. Nothing exists apart from Him, and everything finds its meaning in Him.
This verse calls us to bow our hearts in reverence before Christ. He is not simply one teacher among many, not merely a prophet or a religious leader. He is the very imprint of God’s being, the radiance of His glory.
In Him, the fullness of deity dwells. To look upon Christ is to see the Father. To worship Christ is to honor the living God.
Therefore, our response must be worship, trust, and obedience. The One who rules over creation is the same One who shed His blood to redeem us.
The image of the invisible God became flesh, walked among His people, and offered Himself in love. This is the Christ we serve. This is the Savior we proclaim.
Let us lift our hearts in gratitude and awe before Him—the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Amen?
Colossians 1:16 says, “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.”
Paul now unfolds why Christ is called the “firstborn of every creature.” It is because all things were created by Him. Christ is not part of creation; He is the Creator Himself.
Isaiah 9:6 says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Everything in existence owes its origin to Him. From the vast galaxies that span the heavens to the smallest particles unseen by the naked eye, all were spoken into being by His sovereign power. Nothing exists apart from His creative word.
Paul emphasizes this by listing the scope of Christ’s creative work: “things in heaven, and things in earth, visible and invisible.” This includes both the material world we see and the spiritual realities we cannot see.
Angels and archangels, rulers and authorities, dominions and powers—all of them owe their existence to Christ.
Even those spiritual forces that rebelled against God were created by Him, though they later turned to evil. His lordship is not diminished by their rebellion.
Notice also the phrase: “all things were created by him, and for him.” Not only is Christ the agent of creation, but He is also the goal of creation. Everything finds its true purpose in Him.
The stars shine for His glory, the earth was formed to display His majesty, and our very lives were designed to reflect His image and to bring praise to His name.
This truth confronts us with a deep reality: life is not ultimately about us. Our talents, our possessions, our ambitions—none of these were made for our own glory.
They were entrusted to us for Christ’s glory. We exist because of Him, and we exist for Him. To live apart from this purpose is to live in contradiction to the very reason we were created.
When we grasp this, everything changes. The frustrations of life no longer overwhelm us because we understand that even the hard places are under His authority.
The blessings we enjoy are received with gratitude because we know they are gifts from His hand. Our worship becomes richer because we realize that all of creation joins in giving glory to Christ, the eternal Word, through whom and for whom all things exist.
Colossians 1:17 says, “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
After declaring Christ as the Creator of all things, Paul now speaks of His eternal preexistence and sustaining power. “He is before all things.” This reminds us that Christ did not come into being at Bethlehem.
His birth in the manger was His incarnation, but not His beginning. Before time itself was measured, before the foundation of the world was laid, Christ already was.
He is the eternal Word who was with God and who is God. He stands outside of time, yet He entered into time to redeem us. Hallelujah!
But Paul goes further: “and by him all things consist.” This means Christ is not only the Creator but also the Sustainer of creation. The universe is not held together by chance or by impersonal laws of physics.
It is held together by the personal, sovereign will of Christ. Every heartbeat, every breath, every orbit of the planets, every law of nature—these all remain in place because Christ upholds them.
A light-year is how far light travels in a year. The observable universe is 93 billion light-years in diameter, and likely even more vast, possibly infinite, according to scientists.
Yet, Jeremiah 23:24 says, “Do not I fill heaven and earth, saith the Lord.” And 2 Chronicles 2:6 says, “The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain Him.”
If He were to withdraw His sustaining hand for even a moment, creation would collapse into chaos. But He remains faithful, holding all things together in perfect order until His divine purposes are fulfilled.
What comfort this gives the believer! Our lives may sometimes feel as though they are unraveling, yet they are securely held in Christ’s hands. He holds the cosmos together, and He also holds us together. The same power that governs galaxies governs the details of our daily lives.
This means that no trial is beyond His control, no burden is too heavy for Him to sustain us through, and no circumstance escapes His sovereign care. The One who existed before all things is the One who carries us now.
Colossians 1:18 says, “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.”
Having shown Christ as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, Paul now turns to Christ’s role in the Church. “He is the head of the body, the church.” Just as the head directs and gives life to the body, so Christ directs, nourishes, and governs His people.
The Church does not belong to human leaders or denominations; it belongs to Christ alone. He gives it life, He guides its steps, and He unites its members together in Himself.
Paul adds that Christ is “the beginning, the firstborn from the dead.” Here again, “firstborn” refers not to time of origin but to rank and supremacy. Christ was not the first ever to rise from the dead, for Scripture records earlier resurrections, including Lazarus, whom Christ raised from the dead.
Yet all those others returned to life only to die again. Christ, however, rose never to die again. His resurrection is the beginning of a new creation. He is the first to rise in glory, and all who belong to Him will one day share in that same resurrection life.
The verse concludes with the purpose of it all: “that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Christ is supreme in creation, supreme in redemption, and supreme in the Church.
He holds first place in every realm. Nothing compares to Him. No one rivals Him. He is worthy of first place in our worship, our devotion, and our lives.
When we grasp this, we see the folly of giving our hearts to lesser things. Christ alone deserves the throne of our lives, for in Him all fullness and all glory dwell.
Colossians 1:19 says, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell.”
This verse emphasizes the absolute completeness of Christ and the Father’s delight in Him. Paul declares that all the fullness of God dwells in Christ.
The word “fullness” refers to the complete nature of God—His wisdom, power, holiness, love, mercy, and glory. Nothing of the divine essence is absent in Christ.
He is not a partial reflection of God, but the perfect embodiment of the Father’s nature. To see Christ is to see the fullness of God revealed to humanity.
The phrase “it pleased the Father” highlights the relational harmony and delight within the Trinity. God the Father rejoices in the Son, in His work of creation, redemption, and sustaining the universe.
This divine pleasure underscores the intentionality of God’s plan. Redemption was not reluctant or forced; it was a joyful act of love carried out in perfect unity between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Theologically, this verse assures believers that Christ alone is sufficient. In Him dwells all that God is, and in Him we find everything we need for life and godliness.
Christ embodies wisdom, authority, and grace. His words, actions, and presence fully represent God’s character. There is no need to seek divine qualities elsewhere, because the fullness of God has been made accessible to humanity in Christ.
This verse also undergirds our confidence in salvation and spiritual growth. Since the fullness of God is in Christ, we are connected to divine power and wisdom through Him.
Christ’s presence empowers the Church and strengthens individual believers. Meditating on this truth reminds us that our faith rests not on human effort, but on the complete and sufficient Christ, in whom all the treasures of divine life reside.
Colossians 1:20 says, “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.”
This verse emphasizes the universal scope of Christ’s redemptive work. Paul explains that peace has been made through the blood of Christ’s cross.
The cross is not merely a symbol of suffering but the divine instrument through which reconciliation occurs. It is the sacrifice that satisfies the justice of God while demonstrating His mercy and love. Through this act, humanity, once alienated by sin, is brought back into right relationship with God.
The phrase “by him to reconcile all things unto himself” extends beyond individual salvation. It conveys that the cross impacts the entire created order. Sin fractured not only human relationships with God but also disrupted the harmony of creation itself.
Christ’s redemptive work restores this cosmic balance, reuniting the material and spiritual realms under His authority. “All things” includes both earthly and heavenly realities, emphasizing that nothing lies outside the reach of Christ’s reconciling power.
This reconciliation is not earned by human effort; it is a gift accomplished entirely by Christ. Believers are invited to rest in the peace He has secured.
Understanding the universality of Christ’s work encourages gratitude and reverent awe, reminding us that the effects of the cross extend far beyond personal salvation.
For the Church and individual believers, this verse provides both assurance and motivation. Assurance, because reconciliation with God is complete and sufficient; motivation, because as participants in Christ’s work, we are called to live in the reality of this restored peace.
Meditating on the cross as the means of universal reconciliation strengthens faith and deepens understanding of God’s perfect plan to restore all things in Christ.
Colossians 1:21 says, “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.”
This verse emphasizes the transformative power of Christ’s reconciliation. Paul reminds believers that before coming to Christ, they were alienated from God. Alienation was not merely external; it was internal, rooted in the mind and the inclinations of the heart.
Sin had created a separation, making humanity hostile to God, incapable of restoring the relationship on their own. Wicked works, born out of this spiritual opposition, further deepened the divide.
The language of being “enemies in your mind” highlights that reconciliation is not merely a behavioral change but a change of heart and thought. It is God who initiates the transformation.
Human effort alone cannot remove the enmity or restore the relationship. The work of Christ bridges the gap created by sin, bringing peace and renewal.
Paul contrasts the former state with the present reality: “yet now hath he reconciled.” This reconciliation is completed by Christ’s work on the cross and is applied to those who are in Him.
It restores a relationship once broken, allowing believers to enjoy fellowship with God, peace in their conscience, and alignment with His purposes.
For the believer, this verse calls for reflection on the depth of God’s grace. It is a reminder that what was once impossible—being restored to God from a state of enmity—is now accomplished through Christ.
It underscores that salvation is not merely legal or external, but relational and internal, transforming the mind, heart, and life.
Believers are invited to live in the reality of this reconciliation, recognizing the profound mercy and power of Christ, who has turned former enemies into children of God and restored the broken relationship with their Creator.
Colossians 1:22 says, “In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.”
This verse emphasizes the completeness and purpose of Christ’s sacrificial death. Paul explains that through the physical body of Jesus—His humanity—He accomplished the work of reconciliation.
The cross was not only an act of obedience but also the divine means to restore believers to a right standing before God. The death of Christ serves as the instrument through which God declares His children holy, blameless, and beyond accusation.
The phrase “in the body of his flesh” reminds us that Christ fully identified with humanity. He did not act merely as a spiritual presence or divine representative; He lived, suffered, and died in the flesh, experiencing the limitations and pains of human existence.
This identification makes His sacrifice uniquely effective. By taking on human form, He bore the consequences of sin that humanity deserved, thereby making reconciliation and holiness possible for all who believe.
Paul emphasizes the results of this sacrifice. Believers are “presented holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.” This indicates a complete transformation of our standing before God.
It is not based on our works, efforts, or moral performance, but entirely on the finished work of Christ. Through Him, God sees us as righteous, clean, and fully accepted as the elect of God.
For the believer, this verse provides assurance and motivation. It assures us that God’s acceptance is secure, not temporary or conditional. It motivates a life of gratitude, devotion, and obedience, not to earn favor, but in response to the perfect gift of Christ’s sacrifice.
Meditating on this verse deepens understanding of salvation as both a legal and relational reality, secured entirely through the death of Jesus Christ, who reconciles us fully to the Father.
Colossians 1:23 says, “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.”
This verse concludes Paul’s exposition on the supremacy of Christ by emphasizing perseverance in the faith. He encourages believers to remain “grounded and settled,” using imagery that suggests stability and security, like roots firmly planted in fertile soil.
Faith is not meant to be shallow or temporary, easily shaken by trials, false teachings, or worldly influences. To continue steadfast in faith is to remain anchored in the truth of the gospel.
The phrase “be not moved away from the hope of the gospel” highlights that faith is inseparable from hope. The gospel is not only a message of forgiveness but also a promise of eternal life, a future secured in Christ.
Maintaining this hope protects believers from discouragement, doubt, and spiritual drift. It is the compass that guides daily life and decisions, reminding believers of their ultimate destiny in God’s plan.
Paul also reminds readers that the gospel is universal: it is “preached to every creature which is under heaven.” The message of Christ transcends culture, geography, and time.
As recipients of this gospel, believers are called to embrace it fully, allowing it to shape their lives in obedience, worship, and service.
Finally, Paul underscores the responsibility of ministry. He, as a minister of the gospel, models faithful stewardship of God’s truth. Every believer, in their own way, participates in this ministry by holding fast to the gospel and living it out.
This verse calls Christians to perseverance, stability, and active engagement with the hope of Christ, ensuring that their faith remains steadfast in an ever-changing world.
This verse is alarming, for it says: “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.” As I have said before, I tremble at those “if” statements because they tell me that I have responsibility.
For example, Paul said in Hebrews 3:12-15, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (Then he gives us the preventive remedy:) But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.”
Remember, David said in 1 Chronicles 28:9, “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind:
for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.”
Paul said in 1 Timothy 4:1, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
Since it says, “We are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end,” then by all means we should practice what the Bible says we are to do to maintain our confidence, avoid living in doubt of our salvation, and prevent our hearts from being hardened by sin and falling away, abandoning the faith.
Thus, let me remind you of 2 Peter 1:10, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”
This verse is a key exhortation in Peter’s letter, building on his instructions in the preceding verses about growing in spiritual virtues such as faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (2 Peter 1:5–7).
Peter begins with the word “wherefore,” linking this verse to the preceding discussion. The practical application of spiritual growth is not merely theoretical; it leads directly to assurance in the believer’s salvation.
He urges believers to “give diligence,” implying purposeful, sustained effort and intentionality in cultivating a life that demonstrates the qualities of a faithful follower of Christ. Spiritual growth is not automatic—it requires discipline, commitment, and conscious effort.
2 Peter 3:14 says, “So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”
The phrase “to make your calling and election sure” emphasizes that believers can have confidence in their salvation. “Calling” refers to God’s invitation to salvation, while “election” refers to His choice of individuals for eternal life.
Assurance is not based on self-reliance or perfection but on faithful growth in Christlike character. Hebrews 10:14 says, "By one sacrifice He has made perfect forever them that are being made holy."
By diligently developing the virtues Peter listed, believers provide evidence of the transformative work of God in their lives, reinforcing their confidence that their calling and election are genuine.
Finally, Peter states the promise: “For if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” This does not imply sinless perfection but indicates that a life characterized by growth in godliness will remain secure in Christ.
The believer who actively pursues virtue and godliness demonstrates the reality of God’s work in them and will not be ultimately lost.
In essence, 2 Peter 1:10 exhorts believers to live intentionally and faithfully, cultivating spiritual maturity as both evidence of salvation and as a pathway to confidence in God’s promises.
It teaches that assurance is strengthened, not by mere belief, but by obedient, disciplined, Christ-centered living. As James wrote, “Faith without works is dead.” Amen?
Closing Prayer
Gracious Father,
We thank You for the glorious picture of Christ revealed in Your Word. We have seen Him as the image of the invisible God, the Creator of all things, the One who holds all things together, and the Head of the Church. We have beheld His supremacy in creation, in resurrection, and in redemption.
Lord Jesus, we worship You as the One in whom all the fullness of God dwells. We thank You for the blood of Your cross that has brought us peace.
We remember with humility that we were once alienated and enemies in our minds, but now You have reconciled us through Your death. By Your grace, we are presented holy, unblameable, and beyond accusation in the sight of God.
Strengthen us, O Lord, to continue in the faith, grounded and settled, unmoved from the hope of the gospel. Guard our hearts from drifting, and anchor our lives in the truth that all things were created by You and for You.
We lift our praise to You, Christ Jesus, the firstborn from the dead, the One who has preeminence in all things. May our lives reflect Your glory, our words proclaim Your gospel, and our hearts rest in the peace You have made through Your cross.
We pray this in Your holy and exalted name,
Amen.
Thank you for your attention. You are blessed in Jesus’ name!
This message was presented by Michael Wilkerson, 9/14/2025