Who is Jesus Christ? It's the most important question you will ever be asked. Even Jesus asked it of His disciples. Most of us already think we can answer this question, but can we answer it fully? There is a danger in devaluing or minimizing Christ; even among Christians.

Preventing that is why Paul wrote this letter; to counter false teaching. There was a false teaching in Colossae that sought to add to what Christ had done, saying the Gospel is not adequate. How does Paul respond? By teaching the authority and power of Christ

It doesn’t take much to see that Christ is still devalued and minimized today. Who is Jesus Christ? Do you see Him as you wish Him to be, or as God declares Him to be? Is Jesus simply a making of your own imagination, or someone more? What can we learn about Christ in this passage of Colossians?

1. Christ’s position is supreme. [1:15-19]

A. Firstborn of all creation

The word “firstborn” doesn’t mean that Christ was created or had a physical origin. It refers to His position as the heir of God; the true Son of God; the true Israel. Christ is the heir; the appointed representative of God. (Notice that the same language is used in Psalm 89:27 of David: “I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth” though we know he was the youngest of Jesse’s sons and David, by the way, called Christ his Lord.

1. Image of invisible God

We know from Genesis 1 that humanity is made in God’s image. What does that mean? Dominion – rule as God’s stewards, in His stead, in His manner. This is something Adam failed at; and we continue to do so – we don’t love God or honor Him or seek His glory as we should – with all heart, mind, soul, and strength. Christ is the exact image of the invisible God: He does what God does; He rules and exercises dominion/authority in a God-glorifying and honoring way.

2. Before all things

Christ pre-dates Mary & Joseph, Abraham Isaac and Jacob, even Adam and Eve, even the creation of the cosmos. Everything is made for Him and through Him; His glory is your life’s purpose

B. Firstborn from the dead

Again, refers to position (Lazarus, Tabitha, etc. had been raised before) and priority. His resurrection was different than those before; they died again, Christ lives forever. He is what Scripture calls the firstfruits; a type and example of what’s to come.

1. Head of the Church (given name of Lord; see Phil 2)

There is no church apart from Christ; there is no other name by which we are saved.

2. Fullness of God dwells in Him

2. Christ’s power is sovereign. [1:20-22]

A. He creates and sustains all things

B. He reconciles all things

In the body of His flesh – Christ is not a ghost or emanation of power; He is human

C. He presents His people holy and blameless

Christ is God, and He is ALL you need; there is no secret knowledge or hidden gospel

3. Christ’s people are to be steadfast. [1:23]

A. We must continue in faith, stable

Only those who persevere to the end will be saved. Genuine salvation is evidence by belief and behavior; if either is out of line with the Word, then authenticity of salvation should be questioned. This is the role of warning passages in the Bible: they are real. A person who is genuinely saved will hear them, realize the significance of them, repent, and be restored. A person who ignores the warnings and walks away from the faith was, according to 1 Jn, never part of it to begin with.

Faith is not a one-time event; nor is repentance; they are ongoing, daily parts of life. Remember, it is Christ that gives us the power to endure.

B. We must not shift from the hope of the Gospel

What is the Gospel? That these things we have been discussing about Christ are true and He is therefore the only one of whom they can be true; our only hope. Why does it give us hope? God has done what we could never do; He sent Christ for us. If we lose hope in that, what else is there?

Who is Jesus Christ? The Bible is clear in its answer. What is yours?