I remind you that the main reason for Paul to write this letter was to combat heresy that was about to come into the church, which would cast a cloud over the glory of Jesus Christ.

Paul wrote to say that Christ is supreme.

I.  THE SCOPE OF CHRIST’S SUPREMACY

Colossians 1:15-18

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And 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, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

Paul wanted the Colossians to see…

A. CHRIST’S RELATIONSHIP TO DEITY (15)

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”

Next, Paul wanted the Colossians to see…

B. CHRIST’S RELATIONSHIP TO CREATION (15-17)

First, we acknowledge that Christ is…

1.  The Firstborn Over All Creation (15)

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”

Today, we will continue with…

2. The Creative Activity of Christ (16-17)

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Notice that verse 16 begins with, “For” or “Because” depending on your translation. This gives the proof that He is not included in the things created.

Note the phrase “all things.” This denotes the totality of things, denotes the collective whole. Paul makes sure that we understand it in this way by the list he provides to describe what all things means. All things… “in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities.”

Three prepositional phrases define the creative activity of Christ: “By Him,” “Through Him,” “For Him,” and “In Him.”  I know I said three, but I showed you four. There are four in English, but only three in Greek.

In the Greek, this preposition can be used either way as “By Him” or “In Him”

To say “By Him” all things were created means He is the instrument of creation.

To say “In Him” would imply that Creation was “in him” in the sense that it occurred within the sphere of His person and power. He was its origination center. The act of creation rested in Him, that is in connection with Him.

Whether “In him” or “by him,” He holds all things together.

Paul reaffirms that Christ is the unifying principle and the personal sustainer of all creation.

In Hebrews. 1:3 “…(Christ) sustains all things by his powerful word.”

In Acts 17:28 “In him we live and move and have our being.”

The phrase, “Through Him” speaks of Him as the Agent in creation. He was the Person of the Godhead through whom the creative act was performed. The thought here is that the entire life of the universe is mediated from God through Christ.

FATHER IN CREATION: “in the beginning, God created.” (Genesis 1:1) Almost without exception, when the Scriptures say, “God” they are referring to the Father.

SPIRIT IN CREATION The Spirit “hovered over the waters.”   (Genesis 2:2)

SON IN CREATION: Everything was made “through” Jesus.

Hebrews 1:2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:10  “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.”

Lastly, every thing was made…

“For Him”

Christ is the end for which all things exist, the goal toward whom all things were intended to move. All things are meant to serve His will, to contribute to His glory.

If you were to go out tonight and look up at the heavens, you would see a number of stars. Have you ever wondered why each star is in its own special position? Why is that star in that part of the heavens? It is in that part of the heavens because that is where Jesus wanted it.

Not only did He create all things, but they were created for Him. Everything exists to display His glory,  and ultimately He will be glorified in His creation.

Paul’s argument in these verses may be illustrated by an artist who produces a sculpture. Originally the idea and details of the sculpture come from the mind of the artist. He builds the proportions, the perspectives, the figures, and the emphases desired from the statue. Then, the sculpture is constructed by the artist as he and he alone can “see” it. Finally, those who admire the finished work think of the artist who imagined, planned, and accomplished the work of beauty.

As long as the sculpture stands, people remember and appreciate the artist.

In the same way, Jesus is the central point of all of creation. And when we look at His creation, we are to admire the Creator who rules over it.