1. The Christian’s Responsibility to Christ Colossians 1.18

2. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. Preeminence of Christ The Theme of Colossians Firstborn over all creation – vv15-17 Firstborn from the dead – v18 We are give Him the Preeminence in several areas as we see in Colossians 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

3. Preeminence in Salvation Only in Him can we be: Delivered from power of darkness – v13 Conveyed into kingdom – v13 Redeemed/forgiven of sins – v14 Reconciled to God – vv 19-23 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

4. Preeminence in Salvation Only in Him we have hope of Heaven Col. 1.3-5 But salvation in Him is conditional: Col. 1.23; 2.11-13; Acts 2.38 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. 38 Then Peter said to them, " Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,

5. Preeminence in the Church He is the Head: Colossians 1.18; 2.19 All authority comes from the Head His Word is final in all controversy GOD is to be glorified rather than man – Eph 3.21 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

6. Preeminence in Our Preaching & Teaching Rather than human philosophy – Col 2.1-10 Rather than human philosophy – Col 2.1-10

7. Preeminence in Our Preaching & Teaching Rather than human philosophy – Col 2.1-10 Rather than human philosophy – Col 2.1-10 Rather than OT Law – Col 2.14-17 Rather than OT Law – Col 2.14-17 “having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”

8. Preeminence in Our Preaching & Teaching Rather than human philosophy – Col 2.1-10 Rather than human philosophy – Col 2.1-10 Rather than OT Law – Col 2.14-17 Rather than OT Law – Col 2.14-17 Rather than human tradition and regulations – Col 2.18-23 Rather than human tradition and regulations – Col 2.18-23

9. Preeminence in Our Minds & Hearts Colossians 3.1-3 Colossians 3.1-3 Results of the earth-centered mind – Col 3.5-9 Results of the earth-centered mind – Col 3.5-9 Results of a Christ-centered mind – Col 3.12-17 Results of a Christ-centered mind – Col 3.12-17 1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

10. Preeminence in Our Homes “As is fitting in the Lord” – Col 3.18-19 “As is fitting in the Lord” – Col 3.18-19 “Well pleasing to the Lord” – Col 3.20-21 “Well pleasing to the Lord” – Col 3.20-21 Can “raise” animals – must “bring up” children to please God - Eph 6.4; 1 Tim 5.10 Can “raise” animals – must “bring up” children to please God - Eph 6.4; 1 Tim 5.10 Children are to honor and obey parents “in the Lord” – Eph 6.1-3 Children are to honor and obey parents “in the Lord” – Eph 6.1-3

11. Preeminence in Our Work Servants to behave as to the Lord – Col 3.22-25 Servants to behave as to the Lord – Col 3.22-25 Masters as ones who have a Master in heaven – Col 4.1 Masters as ones who have a Master in heaven – Col 4.1

12. YOU HAVE A Responsibility to Christ Are you living up to it????