23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.
Theme: Christians are called to persevere in believing the truths of Christ and the Gospel.
Outline: You can be assured of your standing before God, as long as the following evidences remain true:
1. If you continue in the faith – v. 1:23a
2. If you do not stray from the hope of the Gospel – v. 1:23b
21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.
Theme: Our sinfulness has made us such enemies against God that the drastic measure of Jesus being crucified needed to be taken for us to be reconciled.
Outline: Three realities to understand about your past, present and future life as a Christian, so that you will appreciate and apply the reconciling power of Christ and the Gospel now.
1. What you used to be: Enemies with God in every way. – v. 1:21
2. What you are now: Reconciled to God through the death of Christ. – v. 1:22a
3. What you will be: Presented holy before God. – v. 1:22b
19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
Theme: Two implications for you to be encouraged by and live out from your knowledge of Christ and the gospel.
1: Recall and Remember Who Jesus is: The Absolutely Supreme Sovereign who is fully God. – v. 1:19
2: See and Seek Jesus as the All-Sufficient Savior through whom God reconciles all things. – v. 1:20
Big Idea:Christians understand and believe that Jesus is God.
6 Claims that Jesus made about Himself which reveal that He is God the Son (equal to the Father):
1. Jesus claimed the Right to Forgive Sins 2. Jesus claimed the Right to Judge Mankind. 3. Jesus claimed the Right to Grant Eternal Life. 4. Jesus performed miracles on His own authority. 5. Jesus accepted worship from others. 6. The Eternal Destiny of Humans depends on their response to Jesus.
22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized— 24 for John had not yet been thrown into prison.
25 Therefore there arose a discussion on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.” 27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
TheBig Idea: Christ must increase, and we must decrease!
4 points to make clear:
1) A Clear Perspective of God’s Gifts (v. 27) 2) An Accurate Portrayal of Your Self (v. 28) 3) The Right Prescription for Joy (v. 29) 4) A Lowly Proposition to Live By (v. 30)
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.
Theme: Jesus Christ, God the Son, is supreme far above and beyond all things that exist in the entire universe.
Outline: Nine Truths about who Jesus is for you to know and embrace, so that you will see Him rightly and worship Him fully in your life.
Last Sunday, Review:
Truth #1 about who Jesus is – in relation to God the Father.
1. Jesus “is the image of the invisible God” – v. 1:15a
Truths #2-7 about Jesus – in relation to creation
2. Jesus “is the firstborn of all creation” – v. 1:15b 3. All things were created by (or in) Jesus – v. 1:16a 4. All things have been created through Jesus – v. 1:16b 5. All things have been created for Jesus – v. 1:16c
Today:
6. Jesus “is before all things” – v. 1:17a 7. All things are held together in Jesus – v. 1:17b
Truths #8-9 about who Jesus is – in relations to the church (the New Creation)
8. Jesus “is also head of the body, the church” – v. 1:18a 9. Jesus “is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead” – v. 1:18b
Conclusion: So that He Himself will have first place in everything.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.
Theme: Jesus Christ, God the Son, is supreme far above and beyond all things that exist in the entire universe.
Outline: Nine truths about who Jesus is for you to know and embrace so that you will see Him rightly and worship Him fully in your life.
Truths about who Jesus is in relation to God the Father.
1. Jesus is the image of the invisible God. – v. 1:15a
Truths about who Jesus is in relation to creation.
2. Jesus is the firstborn of all creation. – v. 1:15b 3. All things were created by Jesus. – v. 1:16a 4. All things have been created through Jesus. – v. 1:16b 5. All things have been created for Jesus. – v. 1:16c
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. 13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Redemption
What: A release that’s effected by payment. Freedom, liberation, deliverance.
How: Only by the blood of Christ.
Forgiveness of Sins
What: To send away, put apart, loosing, removal, remission, cancellation of debt, release from captivity.
