The One with First Place

Introduction

If you were to paint a picture of someone famous in a group of people, would you paint them first or last? When the German artist, Adolf von Menzel, was painting a portrayal of Fredrick the Great speaking with his generals before battle, he decided to paint Fredrick the Great last. He carefully crafted the background and depicted the various generals in all their hauteur, creating the perfect setting in which to add Fredrick. However, Menzel ran out of time. He died before the painting was finished. Because of his method of leaving the most important element to the last, the very subject of Menzel’s painting was only outlined in charcoal. Ironically, the chief subject of the painting was left until it was too late. Perhaps without even thinking about it, you are doing the same thing in your life. Colossians 1:13-18 shows how Christ has first place in everything. Have you made Him first in your life, or will you wait until it is too late? Study this glorious passage to learn more about three ways Christ has been exalted, and how He is preeminent over everything.

Observation

Pray

Before reading and studying this amazing passage from God’s Word, stop and ask Him to open the eyes of your heart to understand and believe the truths He has written.

Read Focus Verses

Read Colossians 1:13-18 and notice how the passage builds to a climax.

Key Character

Who is this passage mainly speaking of?

Climax

What is the climax at the end of verse 18?

Context

Read Colossians 1:9-20 for a slightly broader perspective on today’s passage and how it ties into the book of Colossians.

Keywords – Who Jesus Is

This symbol will help us quickly find the things Jesus Christ is and has done.

He Is…

Mark all the things that God says His Son, Jesus Christ, is or has done in Colossians 1:13-18.

How Many?

How many things do these 6 verses say about the person and work of Jesus Christ?

Delivered

What does verse 13 explain that God has delivered Christians from?

Settled

Whose kingdom does God settle Christians in?

Through His Blood

According to verse 14, what two things do believers have through Jesus Christ’s blood?

Image

Who is Jesus Christ the image of?

Creator

Who created everything that was created according to verses 16-17?

Preexistence

When does verse 17 say that Jesus Christ existed?

Head

Why is Christ exalted in everything according to verse 18?

Interpretation

Three

Colossians 1:13-18 speaks of three ways Christ is preeminent because of His works. What is the first of the ways Christ has first place according to verses 13-14, and what part of His work earned Him that place?

A Second Work

What part of Christ’s work is highlighted in verses 15-17, and how does that work show that He is preeminent?

The Third Realm

In what way is Christ shown to be preeminent in the first parts of verse 18, and how does His work demonstrate that?

Summary

You’ve seen that Christ is exalted over God’s kingdom, over all creation, and over the church. How does the end of verse 18 summarize what Christ is preeminent in?

Power of Darkness

Verse 13 speaks of God taking Christians out of the power of darkness and translating them to the kingdom of His dear son. See how Ephesians 6:11-13 expands on the darkness from which God has delivered His people.

Beloved

The Lord Jesus is referred to as God’s dear Son in today’s passage. Notice how God speaks of Him in John 3:16.

Love

How does God’s perfect love for His Son emphasize to us how much He loves us?

Forgiveness

Read Ephesians 1:7-8 and notice that it is very similar to Colossians 1:14.

Christ’s Blood

Why are Christians redeemed and forgiven through Christ’s blood?

Invisible God

Throughout the Bible, God is described as invisible because He dwells in light which no one can approach. See what He says about people seeing Him in Exodus 33:20.

Exact Image

All people are made in the image of God, but Jesus Christ is not just an image-bearer. See what Hebrews 1:3 says about Him.

God’s Image

Because Jesus is the image of God, notice what He said to His disciples in John 14:9.

Who Is He?

If Jesus is the exact image of God such that you have seen God when you have seen Him, who must He be?

Firstborn

This short discussion explains the how Jesus is both the image of God and the firstborn over all creation as presented in Colossians 1:15.

Click To Visit Website

Creator

John 1:1-3 is very similar to Colossians 1:15-17. Notice the parallels.

God Created

Take a careful look at Genesis 1:1.

Who Is Jesus?

If God created everything and Jesus Christ created everything, who is Jesus Christ?

Head of the Church

Ephesians 1:22-23 also speaks of Christ as the head of the church.

Significance

What does it mean that Christ is the head of the church, and why is that significant in this passage about Christ’s preeminence?

First Raised

Romans 8:11 explains why it is so important for Christ to be the first raised to eternal life.

Important

Why is it important that Christ is the first raised from the dead to eternal life?

Preeminence

Take a moment to consider the simple clarity of the word preeminent.

Seeking Preeminence

In 3 John 1:9, we are told about a man who wanted to be preeminent in the church.

Problem

Based on today’s passage in Colossians, why was it a problem for Diotrephes to want preeminence in the church?

High Over All

The hymn “Jesus the Name High Over All,” worships Christ as preeminent in His work of redemption. Here are the lyrics so you can follow along: Jesus, the name high over all, In hell, or earth, or sky: Angels and men before it fall, And devils fear and fly. Jesus, the name to sinners dear, The name to sinners giv’n; It scatters all their guilty fear, It turns their hell to heav’n. Jesus the prisoner’s fetters breaks, And bruises Satan’s head; Pow’r into strengthless souls He speaks, And life into the dead. Oh, that the world might taste and see, The riches of His grace! The arms of love that compass me, Would all mankind embrace. His only righteousness I show, His saving grace proclaim: ’Tis all my business here below, To cry, Behold the Lamb! Happy, if with my latest breath I may but gasp His name: Preach Him to all, and cry in death, “Behold, behold the Lamb!”

Application

Who’s First

Who has preeminence in your life?

Putting Jesus Christ First

What will it look like to acknowledge Jesus Christ’s rightful position and put Him first in your life today?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study has caused you to worship Jesus Christ as the Son of God who is preeminent over everything as Redeemer, Creator, and resurrected Head of the church.

Feedback

Please take a brief moment to provide us some feedback on this lesson. We're always striving to improve, and with your help, we will.

Click To Visit Website

Support our Ministry

Please join us in our quest to help the world discover the beauty of the Bible. Consider making a generous donation today.

Click To Visit Website