1. The Supremacy of Christ
Alex Eames
15 January 2017

2. Intro
Colossians written to build up, correct and stop them going off-track
Pre-occupied with Christ

3. What is Supremacy? supremacy s(j)uːˈprɛməsi/ noun
the state or condition of being superior to all others in authority, power, or status.
"the supremacy of the king”
Dates from 1540s, derived from supremitas
Twisted into a negative in 1948

4. The supremacy of the Son of God
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers 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 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

5. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. 
22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation – 
23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

7. vv15-16 15: The image of the invisible God
15: the firstborn over ALL creation
15: In him all things were created
15: Heaven and Earth, visible and invisible
16: through him, in him, for him
16: thrones, powers, rulers, authorities

8. vv17-18 17: before ALL things 17: in him ALL things hold together
18: He is the head of the body – the church.
18: He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead
18: so that in EVERYTHING he might have the supremacy

9. vv19-20 19: For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him
20: and through him to reconcile to himself ALL things
20: whether things on earth or things in heaven
20: by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

10. vv21-23
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. 
22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation – 
23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

11. How does this apply to us?
Does Jesus Christ have supremacy in your life in...
The way you think about Him?
The esteem in which you hold him?
The way you prioritise your life? (time, money, assets, attitudes, friends)
Jesus only did what he saw his Father doing.
What do you see your Father doing? (and are you doing it?)
This is profoundly challenging!

12. Summing Up Jesus is the image of God
ALL things were created in, through and for Him
He holds ALL things together
He has supremacy over ALL things
The fullness of God is in Him
ALL things were reconciled with God by His crucifixion
Does Christ have supremacy in YOUR life?