3. The Colossians: People of Colossae, now in Turkey Colossians 1: 2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ

4. Colossians 1: 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf The Colossians: People of Colossae, now in Turkey Church led by Epaphras not Paul

5. The Colossians: People of Colossae, now in Turkey Church led by Epaphras not Paul Needed to know more about Jesus

7. Colossians 1 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God “Image of God” Representation not a copy Jesus shows us everything we need to know about God (But there may be more that is unknowable)

8. “Image”

12. Colossians 1 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God Image - Not the appearance of God Jesus is flesh and blood Not spirit But the nature of God Character - values - thoughts - feelings etc

13. Image telling us God is....

14. Committed to relationship with mankind

15. Image telling us God is.... Committed to relationship with mankind Compassionate

16. Image telling us God is.... Committed to relationship with mankind Compassionate Merciful

17. Image telling us God is.... Committed to relationship with mankind Compassionate Merciful Gracious

18. Image telling us God is.... Committed to relationship with mankind Compassionate Merciful Gracious All powerful

19. God is.... Committed to relationship with us Compassionate Merciful Gracious All powerful

20. Image of God We know God is compassionate, merciful, gracious, all powerful and committed to us

21. Is that all Jesus is? - an image? Colossians 1 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God

22. Colossians 1 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. Creator of all things

23. Colossians 1 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. Superior to all things Creator of all things

24. Colossians 1 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. Superior to all things Owner of all things Creator of all things

25. Colossians 1 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. Superior to all things Owner of all things Ruler of all things Creator of all things

26. Colossians 1 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. Superior to all things Owner of all things Ruler of all things Sustainer of all things Creator of all things

28. Superior to all things Owner of all things Ruler of all things Sustainer of all things Superior to all that troubles us Our owner Our creator Our ruler Our life and meaning Jesus is...

29. Image of God We know God is compassionate, merciful, gracious, all powerful and committed to us Creator Jesus is our creator, owner, ruler and sustainer

30. Colossians 1 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; Head

31. Colossians 1 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; Head Source of life for the Church

32. Colossians 1 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; Head Source of life for the Church Our Church is His Body His purpose Dependent on Him

33. Image of God Creator Jesus is our creator, owner, ruler and sustainer Source of Church Our Church is His church dependent on him to fulfil his purpose We know God is compassionate, merciful, gracious, all powerful and committed to us

34. Colossians 1 18... he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead Pioneer of resurrection from death

35. Colossians 1 18... he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead Pioneer of resurrection from death We can be sure of life after death

36. Image of God Creator Jesus is our creator, owner, ruler and sustainer Source of Church Our Church is His church dependent on him to fulfil his purpose Risen from the dead We can have life after death We know God is compassionate, merciful, gracious, all powerful and committed to us

37. Colossians 1 18.... so that in everything he might have the supremacy. Superior to everything

38. Colossians 1 18.... so that in everything he might have the supremacy. Superior to everything We submit to Jesus

39. We know God is compassionate, merciful, gracious, all powerful and committed to us Image of God Creator Jesus is our creator, owner, ruler and sustainer Source of Church Our Church is His church dependent on him to fulfil his purpose Risen from the dead We can have life after death Superior to everything We submit to Jesus

40. Fully God Colossians 1 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him

41. Fully God The Old Testament perception of God is not the full image of God Colossians 1 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him

42. Image of God We know God is compassionate, merciful, gracious, all powerful and committed to us Creator Jesus is our creator, owner, ruler and sustainer Source of Church Our Church is His church dependent on him to fulfil his purpose Risen from the dead We can have life after death We submit to Jesus Superior to everything Fully God The Old Testament perception of God is not the full image of God