In Him All Things Hold Together

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made (Jn. 1:1-3). The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by His powerful word (Hebrews 1:3). Paul does not want anyone to dilute the essence of who Jesus is. Take for example the use of the word firstborn. The word prototokos (firstborn) has two meanings. One meaning: pertaining to existing prior to something else - 'existing first, existing before. prototokos pases ktiseos (existing before all creation) or 'existing before anything was created' Col 1.15. It is possible to understand prototkos in Col 1.15 as 'superior in status' not the literal firstborn in this useage. Our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, (Philippians 2:5,6) The Bible claims that Jesus is unique One who is God in human form. He reveals to us God's image. He is the "image of the invisible God". He is Supreme He is the Creator Listen to these words, "For by him all things were created." Jesus was not one of the created . . . He was the Creator! Creation includes not just the creation of the earth. He created all things "in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities." Everything that exists comes from Him. He alone is Supreme. He alone is God. In Paul's day there was a great fascination and worship of Angels. Jesus is not only the agent of Creation . . .He is the reason for Creation. Paul says, "all things were created by him and FOR him." (V. 16) The purpose of creation was to bring praise and honor to the Son. Our lives should be lived according to their design or who can not be surprised that our lives wind up never satisfied. The wages of sin is death. In the book of Philippians we read, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:9-11) He is the Sustainer He is the Head of the Church He is the firstborn from the dead Supreme Over all Our thinking Our worship Our work Our families Our leisure activities Our r time with our friends Our use of our money Our use of our time Our relationships with others Our ambitions Our dreams He is Sufficient The final point Paul makes in our text is in verse 19-20 "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 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." (19-20) Paul tells us that everything that was necessary for our redemption was accomplished through Christ's work on our behalf. There is nothing that needs to be added to His work. We don't have to "look for God" - He has made Himself available to us in Christ. The way of salvation is this: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." That's it. People want gimmicks, formulas, magic words. They want a list of things they need to do. It would be wrong for me to give you those things. The Bible says, "…believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved." I dare not go beyond the Word. There are not many ways to salvation . . . there is only one. Jesus said, "I am THE way, the truth, and the life, NO ONE comes to the Father except through me." We don't need psychics, we don't need formulas, we don't need anything but Christ's work on our behalf. He is the only way to eternal life. We cannot simply nod our heads when someone says, "Afterall, we're all going in the same direction." Because we are not. Any other way of salvation is a delusion. The sufficiency of Christ is not only in terms of our salvation, but in every area of our lives. He is sufficient to fill the ache of loneliness. Conclusions The first priority of the Devil is to turn us away from Christ. If He can't turn us away, He will seek to distort the true image of Christ so that we serve an illusion not reality. This is pervasive in our society. Even our best television shows can lead us astray. The shows "Touched by an Angel" or "Promised Land" or "7th Heaven" are exemplary and touching dramas. They warm our hearts with their efforts to introduce people to the reality of God. However, don't miss the fact that in order to be "politically correct" the show minimizes the uniqueness of Jesus. All faiths are equal. All roads lead to God. In this they lead us astray. Society has become fascinated with the spiritual. People long for stories about the intervention of angels in our lives. But don't mistake these things for the road to God. The road to Heaven leads through Christ. So, what Christ do you serve? Is He a watered down version of the real thing? Are you serving the Christ of Scripture? Do you recognize Him as God? Do you acknowledge Him as Creator, Sustainer and the end of all there is? Do you recognize Him as the One who is sufficient for your every need? This is the true Jesus. This is the Jesus that saves. This is the Jesus that can transform your heart and life. Every other Jesus is a fraud. Which one are you following? The true Jesus asks you to follow Him; to rest in His arms and trust what He can do for you. Are you willing to do that today? Do you see how important these truths are? If you understand how big and great our Savior is, you will see how small the things that bother us really are. Why were we so upset by difficulties since we belong to Him? Why do we worry when He is our provider? Why do we wait so long to seek Him when He has the answers we need? Why are we so afraid of death when He has promised to lead us home? Why are we so obsessed with the things of the world when He alone can satisfy our deepest longings? Why are we so reluctant to pray and worship when He loves us so? You see, we may affirm all of the things we have said today. But the challenge for you and me is not only to learn these truths . . . but to believe them, and to build our lives on them. Following the real Jesus will not only keep you from compromising your faith, or falling into error. . . it will lead you to the life you've been longing for. He is sufficient to give strength for the trials His Word is a sufficient guide for your life His provision is sufficient for you to survive and to enjoy life His sacrifice is sufficient to pay for your sin His wisdom is sufficient to overcome your confusion

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