[0:00] It's a privilege to be with you all once more. Before I start, I have to say a thank you for the warm, warm welcome I've received so far from you all.
[0:10] It's my real privilege to be able to be here. I thank the elders especially for allowing me to be with you for the next few weeks, God willing. Hopefully as we meet together, as long as we're allowed to, we'll be looking at Colossians, going through the book, and looking especially at how Colossians tells us, that it shows us that we are safe and secure in Jesus.
[0:35] As we go through these weeks in our minds to have that wonderful reality, that in Jesus we are safe and secure. One other thing to say about a slight change to today's service, we hope this day to start using, start playing some psalms.
[0:53] Of course we can't sing along, but you can sing along in your hearts. It's worked well for us down in Gravers, so if it goes wrong you can blame the student, rather than blame the elders.
[1:04] So if that in mind, let's worship God, and let's first of all sing in our hearts to his praise. From Psalm 16. Sing Psalms in Psalm 16, and we'll hear the words sung from verses 8 down to verse 11.
[1:17] Sing Psalms in Psalm 16, and we'll hear the words sung from verses 8 down to verse 11.
[1:32] Sing Psalms in Psalm 16, and we'll hear the words sung from verses 8 down to verse 11.
[2:02] Sing Psalms in Psalm 16, and we'll hear the words sung from verses 8 down to verse 11.
[2:32] Sing Psalms in Psalm 16, and we'll hear the words sung from verses 8 down to verse 11.
[3:02] Sing Psalms in Psalm 16, and we'll hear the words sung from verses 8 down to verse 11.
[3:32] Sing Psalms in Psalm 16, and Benjamin. Sing Psalms in Psalm 16, and we'll hear this song from verses 9 down to verse 11. Singstem Psalms in Psalm 16, and we'll hear the words sung from rescind usted, in price Rita F OMAND 3.
[3:47] Sing сейчас Mol hand, sing Regina F são 1, 4, 5 p.m. You are called again the words sung from verses 9 down to verse 11. Sing siglav v. Yesen arg hedge viene for Trans overlooked sight, and we'll hear the words sung from verses 9 out to verse 11.
[4:00] right hand joy of your peace will shine Let's join together in prayer.
[4:22] Lord God, we give you praise for the privilege we have this afternoon to gather together. Lord, you've given us this day to worship you. Lord, we thank you that you've brought us together, each and every one of us represented here today.
[4:35] Lord, you've brought us together on this, the day you set apart for your worship. Lord, the day you set apart for us to rest and to rest in the knowledge that you are God. You are the God who has made us and who knows us.
[4:49] You are the God we worship here this day. The God we know hears our praise. The God we know is here with us even as we worship you. as your word assures us that where we meet together as brothers and sisters that you are with us.
[5:06] Lord, help us to be mindful of that reality this day. Lord, we meet here in your presence. We meet here in the presence of the God who is sovereign king of all.
[5:17] The God who made all things and who now sustains all things. Lord, help us in this short time together today to focus on your word. To hear what it is you are saying to us.
[5:30] We pray that the spirit that he would open up our hearts and our minds as we hear and read and think about the word together. You would bless that word to us.
[5:43] Lord, you would encourage your people. Help build us up. Encourage us in our faith. Encourage those of us here who know you and who love you but who perhaps recently or perhaps even for a long time have felt themselves falling away from you.
[5:59] Encourage those here today who know you and who love you but who feel as if you have closed your ear to them. Encourage those here today who are suffering pain, physical pain or mental pain.
[6:12] Lord, be with them. I pray your word would bless those here today who are suffering a situation they're suffering through circumstances that perhaps only they know about.
[6:25] Lord, be close to them that they would know your power. They would know that they're in the presence of the God who made them who knows them. We pray for all your people here today.
[6:36] Lord, that you would encourage us. Encourage us to serve you well. Encourage us to love you well. Encourage us as we come together to do so in love and unity with each other.
[6:49] Lord, we thank you for the privilege that we can call each other brothers and sisters. We can look at each other and say that that you have set your love on this person or on that person.
[7:00] Lord, help us to look at each other and to see those who you have redeemed. Those who you have set your love on. Those whom you have saved. We pray for any here today or those who may listen to the service later on who as of yet don't know you.
[7:17] Who as of yet don't call you their God or know Jesus as their Saviour. Lord, that you would use your word to impact their lives. That you would speak to them.
[7:29] That you would show them their need for Jesus. You would show them that he is Lord. That he is Lord whether they worship him or not. But also show them that he has made a way of salvation.
[7:41] There is no way but through him to be saved. No way but through him to know the Father. Do pray for all those who are seeking.
[7:51] Those who are looking for answers. Those who are longing to be saved. Those who are searching after you and searching after salvation. Lord, that you would hear their prayers.
[8:03] That they would know what it is even this day. Even this week. They would know what it is to know you and to love you. Lord. We pray especially today for this congregation. Lord, we thank you for it.
[8:14] We thank you that you still have your witness here in this district. In this area. We pray and we thank you for every house that's represented here. For every witness here today that you are the God who saves sinners.
[8:29] We do pray Lord for this district. We pray for the many in our villages here and the many perhaps even in our own households. Those we love and those we care for who as of yet don't know you.
[8:40] Lord, you would use us as witnesses. Use us as we share the gospel with those who desperately need to hear it. We do pray for this congregation and we thank you for them.
[8:52] We pray for unity just now in their time of vacancy. We pray for togetherness. We pray for that one mind following after you. Trusting in you. Knowing that we are united together in the one spirit.
[9:06] Lord, we thank you for them. We pray especially also currently for the process of the vacancy. Lord, we pray for all that's going on and all that's currently going on. We pray for all the work that goes on behind the scenes.
[9:18] All the hard work and all the paperwork that must be filled in. Lord, we thank you for those who are willing and able to do all that work. We pray this morning for Reverend Thompson. Lord, we thank you for him.
[9:29] Thank you for the life you've given him. Thank you for the work he has done so far for your name's sake. Lord, bless him and bless his family. Be with them as they come to make a decision.
[9:44] Lord, you guide him. You lead him. Lord, you guide and lead his congregation no matter what the outcome may be. Be with them and comfort them and encourage them as they seek to share the gospel.
[9:58] We pray for the situation currently going on. even in our own islands. We pray for all who are suffering this day in use. All who are seeing the effects of this pandemic which has shown itself to be so awful.
[10:15] We pray for dear friends we may have in use. We pray for those who are on the front lines as it were to combat the Lord, this virus.
[10:26] Be with them. Encourage them. Lord, help us in these strange days to cling more and more onto Jesus. Help us in these strange days to realise Lord, that we have nothing here that we are simply passing through.
[10:42] Help us to put all our hope and our trust on our Saviour. We do pray for our nation in dark days as we pray also for our government for those who are on leadership over us locally in the council here in Stornow and those who are on leadership in Holyrood and down in Westminster.
[11:04] Lord, bless them. Encourage them. Give them wisdom as they seek to lead the country. I pray especially for your people in these places for those who we know love you and seek to serve you even in the middle of government.
[11:19] Lord, be with them and encourage them and help them in these days to be shining witnesses for you. We do pray for our islands. We pray that the gospel will be heard this day up and down at our islands.
[11:31] We pray that lives will be transformed even this day. We pray for every place where your gospel is preached faithfully and truthfully. Lord, we thank you that we have a privilege here to meet together or even we do so in such strange circumstances we give you thanks that we can do so safely and openly.
[11:50] We remember our dear brothers and sisters who right now cannot meet at all some who have never met in their whole lives with our believers. Those who have persecuted, those who are killed, those who are right now being tortured for daring to share the gospel.
[12:05] Lord, be with them. Encourage them. Especially in these days of virus, Lord, that you would draw alongside them. They would know that although they sacrifice much they are doing so for your name's sake.
[12:18] I would help us to remember them in prayer never to forget those who give all they have and who often give their lives for the sake of the gospel. We pray for our families and those who are in hiding and those who we know by name just now that are in prison for sharing the gospel.
[12:34] Lord, we thank you for them. We pray that even there you would use them mightily for your cause. We come before you this day and we confess and we perhaps even feel the weight of our sins we've committed against you today and this week.
[12:52] We come before and we confess that in and of ourselves there is nothing good to be found in us. In and of ourselves, Lord, we do not deserve to even call on your name. We give you praise that this morning we can.
[13:04] Because of the finished work of our Saviour we can come with confidence before the throne of grace knowing that you hear the prayers of your people. Knowing that we receive mercy from you.
[13:16] Mercy in that time of need. It would help that to be a reality for us this day. A reality for us the rest of this week. Help which one of us could draw close to that throne of grace knowing that although we are weak although we are so poor that in Jesus we have a Saviour who is not.
[13:34] A Saviour who is almighty. A Saviour who is king. A Saviour who loves his people dearly. Lord, help us to hold these promises close to value them and to trust in them.
[13:51] We ask all these things in and through and for Christ Jesus in the name of the name. Amen. Let's turn to God's word and we can read from Colossians. We hope to do a series in Colossians unfortunately in four short weeks.
[14:09] We can't cover the whole book. You'd be glad to hear but we can hopefully look at just select sections in each chapter. So Colossians chapter 1. We can read the whole chapter and we'll be looking later on at verses 15 to verse 20.
[14:23] Colossians and chapter 1. Let's hear the word of God. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God and Timothy our brother.
[14:35] To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae. Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always thank God the Father for Lord Jesus Christ when we pray for you since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.
[14:57] Of this you have heard before in the word of truth the gospel which has come to you as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing as it also does among you since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant.
[15:17] He's a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the spirit and so from the day we heard we have not ceased to pray for you asking that you may be filled with knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord fully pleasing to him bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
[15:44] May you be strengthened with all power according to his glorious night for all endurance and patience with joy giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his saints in light.
[15:58] He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son in whom we have redemption with forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God the firstborn of all creation 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 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 for in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell and through him to reconcile to himself all things whether on earth or in heaven making peace to the blood of his cross and you who once were alienated and hostile in mind and doing evil deeds he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him if indeed you continue in the faith stable and steadfast not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven and of which
[17:24] I, Paul became a minister now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body that is the church of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you to make the word of God fully known the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints to them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are riches of the glory of his mystery which is Christ in you the hope of glory him we proclaim warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom that we may present everyone mature in Christ for this I toil struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works in me and I may give praise to God as always for his living perfect word let's again begin again hear the word of God being sung and sing in our hearts this time from Psalm 46 sing Psalms and Psalm 46 and we can hear verses 1 down to verse 6
[18:45] God is our refuge and our strength our ever present aid and therefore though the earth gives way we will not be afraid Psalm 46 let's sing together in our hearts as we hear this song we will not we will not be considered
[20:00] CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS
[21:02] CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS CHOIR CHOIR SINGS CHOIR SINGS God disappears, God sees and that his mighty voice, the Lord met with him.
[22:01] Let's turn back to the chapter that we had, Colossians chapter 1. Look at verses 15 down to verse 20.
[22:15] Colossians 1 verses 15 to 20. Let's read verse 15 and we can carry on from there. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
[22:31] Like we said, we just have four short weeks together. There are so many other great themes throughout the book of Colossians we've got looked at. It's a beautiful short book and you can read it.
[22:44] Read it in one half hour sitting, even quicker if you want. I encourage you, if you do have a chance, please do read it. Perhaps read it every Sunday evening, every Sunday morning when we have time together.
[22:57] So even though we won't cover most of it, at least we're reading it together. We can talk about how Colossians shows us that Jesus is supreme.
[23:09] We can talk about how Colossians shows us that in Jesus the Christian has all their hope. We can talk about how in Colossians we can be kept safe from heresy. How Paul instructs the church of how they can keep themselves safe and pure, even in the face of awful situations.
[23:26] For a few short weeks I want us to take time to look at just one theme. One theme that's throughout every single chapter of this book.
[23:37] And that's a theme that in Jesus, and in Jesus alone, we are safe and secure. Paul wrote this letter to the church in Colossae.
[23:52] We see Paul and Timothy both mentioned in verse 1 here. Some might say and some think that perhaps Timothy actually wrote the letter and Paul just dictated it to him.
[24:03] We see that in other letters Paul wrote, but it doesn't impact the text. This is a letter from Paul to the church in Colossae. And although we're not certain exactly what this church was facing, we can be certain they were facing a situation where some sort of heresy, some sort of false teaching was getting closer and closer and closer to them.
[24:25] And they were finding themselves confused, a bit lost, as they saw this false teaching, false teaching, which was something about the supremacy of Jesus.
[24:35] We can't say for certain, but it was something that was impacting, that was saying something along the lines that Jesus is holy, Jesus is good.
[24:46] Jesus was maybe very good or very holy, but he wasn't God. He was a good man, a holy man, but he wasn't God. If he was something special, he was the first or the best created thing, but he wasn't God.
[25:01] This heresy was around then, and that heresy is around today. And we'll see that later on. There are many religions, many belief systems that will say much about Jesus, that will hold him to be special, hold him to be something spiritual, but not hold him to be God.
[25:20] So this church was suffering, this encroaching heresy, this encroaching darkness. And Paul, as he writes to them, he encourages them.
[25:31] He reminds them again and again, that as long as they remain in Jesus, as long as they see and know him as their saviour, they are safe and secure. So as we look at these verses today, verses 15 to 20, let's look at it under two brief headings.
[25:54] First of all, seeing that Jesus, he is preeminent, he is Lord over all creation. And then seeing how Jesus is Lord over his people, over his church.
[26:11] As we see, as we begin our journey, seeing how we are safe and secure in Jesus, we begin by having this bedrock, this foundation, that Jesus is Lord of all creation, and that Jesus is Lord of his people.
[26:25] He is Lord of his body, Lord of his church. So with that in mind, let's please look together at the first verse here, verse 15.
[26:37] Verse 15, he is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. A very short verse, but here Paul, he comes straight to the point he's trying to make.
[26:51] Straight to the point of who Jesus is. Paul is clear about Jesus as fully man and fully God. Fully man and fully God.
[27:02] Unlike the heresies of the time, Jesus wasn't just like God, he wasn't just something special or something spiritual, some holy angel, but Jesus was and is God.
[27:18] Not just a man that was somehow more godly than the rest of us. Not just the first and greatest creation that God made. No, Jesus is God.
[27:31] Paul begins by reminding this church, by telling them of two incredible realities about Jesus. First of all, we see that Jesus is the image of the invisible God.
[27:48] The image of the invisible God. The word used here for image, a lengthier translation is the exact imprint.
[27:59] It's everything that God, the Father is, we see in Jesus and his godliness, and his power, and his glory, and his majesty. We see that in Jesus. And all that he says, all that he does, he does so as God.
[28:18] When we look to Jesus, we see God. We've heard this so many times. We know this. This is the basics of what we hold on to, what we believe and what we love.
[28:33] But to these poor, suffering Christians, the world around them was telling them something completely different. Again and again, the world around them, their culture, their families, their friends were saying, you cannot believe that.
[28:49] Don't believe that nonsense. How can that be true? He's dead. They crucified him. Don't you remember? He's gone. Give it up.
[29:00] Move on. He was special, perhaps. He was holy, perhaps. But he was not anything else. The reality is, of course, nothing has changed for us, has it?
[29:12] That perhaps our friends, family members, and definitely our culture say the same thing to us today. Why on earth are you people here? Why on earth are you here today?
[29:25] To learn about, to hear about, to worship this man who died a few thousand years ago. It's nonsense. And in the face of that, Paul reminds him, first and foremost, that he was God.
[29:42] That Jesus, their Saviour, that he is God. That in his being, and in his nature, God was revealed in flesh. That God is not distant, and unknowable.
[29:56] He's not far away out there somewhere, just controlling things. But in Jesus, God has made himself knowable. That Jesus is just like God, the exact copy of God, in his love, in his mercy, in his forgiveness.
[30:12] But also, he is God in his power, in his justice, in his complete holiness. There's also the common thinking, that the God we see in the Old Testament, is somehow different, to the Jesus we see in the New Testament.
[30:29] Of course, we know that's not right. That Jesus, in every way, in every aspect, has all the qualities, of God.
[30:42] As we'll see, as we go through this book, in this chapter, the Son, was actively there at creation, from the very start. From the very start, we see Father, Son, and Spirit, fully active, in all things.
[30:59] Fully active, in the creation, itself. that's our encouragement, this morning. As we sit here, as we come under God's word, as we come together, to worship God, we have, a saviour, who is not distant, who is not a far away, God.
[31:21] But we have a saviour, who has come, close. A saviour, who is close, to all, his people. Yes, he is sovereign king. Yes, he reigns and rules.
[31:32] Yes, he is supreme. But yes, he is also a saviour, who loves, his people dearly. Who, through his blood, as we'll see later on, has made provision, for his people.
[31:45] As you draw, close to Jesus, dear brother, and dear sister, you draw, close to him, knowing, that he listens, to you, that he cares, for you. You also draw, close to him, knowing, that he has, all the power.
[32:02] He doesn't just hear, and cannot act, but he hears, and he acts. He has, all, the power. So first of all, Paul starts off, by reminding them, that Jesus, that this Jesus, who is their saviour, that he is God.
[32:20] Then we see, this curious phrase here, the firstborn, of all, creation. This phrase, has been twisted, and twisted, and used, by so many different, religions, and sects, and people, since this was first written.
[32:41] Even, even our own, own island, our, our neighbours, our dear friends, who are part, of the LDS, the Mormon, church, they, they use, this verse, as one of the verses, to prove, that Jesus is not God.
[32:58] They say, that this verse, proves, that Jesus is, is great, he's the first, and best, of all God's creations, but he is not God. Well, we see, that the verse itself, just proves that.
[33:14] But this verse, this section here, this phrase, it doesn't detract, from Jesus, is, it even gives, a bigger picture, of Jesus, it shows us, more about him. It doesn't cause us, problems, it gives us, more reason, to praise.
[33:30] It's a word here, firstborn. To describe Jesus, firstborn, of all creation, this word, it's not, in its usage, it's not always, about title, or position.
[33:45] it's a description. Firstborn, describes a person. To be firstborn, was to be heir.
[33:57] We see that, in the Old Testament, all the way through. To be firstborn, in this day, and in this time, it was to have a real place, a real say, in the running, of the estate, as it were, in the running, of the household.
[34:10] It was a position, in terms of birth, it was a title. This is not a statement, about the lack, of deity, that Jesus has, the lack, of his godliness.
[34:21] This is a statement, about, his title. We just saw, Paul calling him, the exact imprint, the exact image, of the invisible God.
[34:36] This is a statement, of the prominence, of Jesus, over all, other things, as we'll see, later on. A statement, of his prominence, over all, his, his creation.
[34:50] He's not just, one among many. He's not just, a special human, but in fact, he is the heir, of all things. Without equal, with full say, and full authority, over, his creation.
[35:09] This, short phrase, is actually, a wonderful statement, a wonderful statement, of his kingly, ownership, his kingly, position. Our saviour, reigns, as fully God, but also, as fully man.
[35:23] But he came, and lived, that real life. He saw, he smelled, he tasted, the world around him. He grew up, went through, all the stages, of life, just as we are, of course, but without, sin.
[35:41] This short phrase, it gives us the hope, our saviour, is risen. But as fully God, and fully man, he is now, at the right hand, of the father, and glory.
[35:53] He is there, intercessing, for his people. The first, born of all creation, now reigns, forever, over it all. He is there, with the marks, of his love, for his people, still, on his, body.
[36:14] The fact, that we worship, a saviour, who is the first, born of creation, the saviour, who is fully God, but yet, fully man, that should give us, such comfort, this morning, such hope, this morning.
[36:27] He knows you. He knows, you. He knows, what it is, to suffer, to be anxious, to feel pain, to feel worry, to feel, that darkness, to have joy, to love, to know, to care.
[36:46] He knows it. He has felt it. That your saviour, he knows, your frailties, he knows, your worries, he knows, your pain, the concerns, and everything else, because he remains, eternally God, and eternally, man.
[37:03] a risen, high priest. The exact image, of a miserable God, the first born of all creation, of that great, title, that great title, that he is heir of it all.
[37:18] It all belongs to him, and we'll see in a second, that's what Paul is moving on towards. Verse 16, verse 16, and verse 17, we see, but Paul is moving on towards.
[37:34] Jesus is, first born of all creation, therefore he's heir. So we see next verse, that all things, belong to him. So all things, are created by, through, and for, and for, him.
[37:51] All, things, all things, this, simple, phrase, simple word, in Greek, it dispels, the idea, the thinking, of the previous verse, in verse 15, for those who say, that Jesus is just, a created being.
[38:11] Well, verse 16 then, destroys that. All, things, were created, by him, by Jesus. Through him, through Jesus.
[38:22] For him, for, Jesus. He is above it all. He is above, all creation. So one word, here the word, is panta, in Greek.
[38:36] And that word, it's the, it's the, most wide word, that you could possibly use. It encompasses, everything. It encompasses, everything you can imagine, that exists. It's all, his.
[38:49] He's over, it all. It's the strongest word, or one of the strongest words, that Paul could possibly use. All things. When you read it, you have to imagine it, in capital letters, in the page.
[39:02] It's all, his. There's not one, unknown part of the universe, not one, far away galaxy, not one inch, of earth, not one, dust speck, not one atom, that is not his.
[39:20] He has it all, it all belongs to him. He owns it, all. Spurgeon, simply, and, wonderfully said, it's a Spurgeon, he says, I believe, that every particle of dust, that dances in the sunbeam, does not move, a single atom, more or less, than God wishes.
[39:46] All things, it's all, his. As we sit here, this morning, this afternoon, as we, as we go about our day, each day, as we live our lives, we do so in the knowledge, that our saviour, that all things are his.
[40:03] And Paul goes on then, to describe the extent, of this reign. We first of all, see all things, in heaven, and on earth. That all the things, we will ever know, or ever experience, here on earth, it's all his.
[40:19] All things in heaven, things we will never, understand or know about. Creatures, and, and, spiritual beings, we will never see, they're all his. All things visible, and, invisible, we then see.
[40:34] The whole physical world, the whole created universe, the whole spiritual world, all, his. Thrones, and dominions, rulers, and authorities, from the highest angels, to the lowest demons, from the greatest kingdoms, on earth, through all time, to our governments today, he is over it all.
[41:06] Greater than them all. All these things, they're through him, and, and, for him.
[41:18] Like we said, the son, that's present at creation, father, son, and spirit, are there at creation. It's all, through him.
[41:28] Now the mechanics of that, the details of that, scripture does not give us, and I'm sure if it did, we would not even begin, to understand it, nor do we have to. But we do know, it's all, made, through him, and all made, for him.
[41:44] Again, quoting from Spurgeon, he says, concerning creation, and the Trinity, just, just as they are one, in creation, so they are one, in salvation, working together, for our salvation, and to God, be glory everlasting, world without end.
[42:05] Amen. In creation, we see the son, all things made, through him, and for him. But right at the start, the son is actively involved, in this world.
[42:20] He's not just some, distant, uncaring God, he is there, as a world, and universe is made, through him, and for him. There are many today, many today, who don't understand, this simple, wonderful reality, that God, is not distant.
[42:42] But in fact, in Jesus, God is close. In Jesus, we see that God, in flesh, has revealed himself. That God, not just make the universe, and then leave us, her own devices, as many, many believe, many in our island, believe, along these lines.
[43:00] hands. It's funny, the things you, end up reading, as part of, in our project, two weeks ago, I was, I had to, to, to read through, a manual, and this manual, is a manual, that's given, to all the Freemasons, who joined the, the Masons in Scotland.
[43:21] And of course, as part of, of the manual, it's prayers, and there's bits of worship, and as part of that worship, they worship the one, that is called, the grand architect, of the universe. As you read it, you see, he's far away, he's uncaring, he doesn't know, he doesn't care.
[43:41] That's not the Jesus, we have here. Many believers, many Christians, perhaps feel, as if God is far away from them. If that's true for us, then, even more true, for those around us, who have some vague idea, about God, who can't understand, how to get close to him, who can't understand, what it means, to, to know him.
[44:02] And this verse, these verses, they show us, so clearly, Jesus is not distant, he is close, to his creation, he is close to his people, that he, was there at the start.
[44:17] But all this, it's through him, and it's for him. He is fully involved, in his creation, he is fully involved, in the lives of his people, and as Christians, that's a privilege for us this day, that we know the Jesus, who knows us, that we know that our saviour, that he is not just some distant, far away God, but he is the God, who has come down, to live amongst his people.
[44:41] He came down, to suffer and to die, came down, to fulfil, the will of the father, out of obedience, to his father, out of love, for his people, he came down.
[44:53] And he is the Jesus, who promises, to walk alongside us. The Jesus, who promises, to never forsake us, or let us go. That is the Jesus, who right now, says about the universe, about creation, creation, but it's all his.
[45:12] Our saviour, owns, it all. It's all, for him. It's all, for him.
[45:25] That short, two words at the end, of verse 16, all things are made, through him, and, for him. The ultimate, gift, from the father, to the son.
[45:39] All of creation, itself, it's his. He has a people, for himself, and he has all, of creation. All of it, holding together, perfectly, in, Jesus.
[45:56] A great writer, a great philosopher, a great theologian, Abraham Kuyper, wrote lots of, lengthy paragraphs, but thankfully, he wrote some short ones too. Kuyper, one of the most famous, phrases, sentences, quotes, that he, wrote was about, the ownership of Jesus, over all things.
[46:17] The possession, of Jesus, over his universe. Kuyper says, there is not, one square inch, in the whole of creation, over which Christ, who is sovereign, over all, does not cry, mine.
[46:33] But it's not, one square inch, in the whole domain, of our human existence, over which Christ, who is sovereign, over all, does not cry, mine. The lordship, of Jesus, over creation, it's clear, from these verses, that itself, is incredible.
[46:52] But Paul, doesn't stop there. Paul described Jesus, as being over all things, but he then, brings it close, to home again.
[47:03] Brings it close, to the believers again. Brought down, to our level, it takes us, briefly, to our second point here. We see Jesus, as lord, over this church.
[47:16] We see that, first of all, as we look, at verse 18. Verse 18, in which we see, Jesus being described, being praised, as the head, of the body, the church.
[47:29] Yes, Jesus is supreme, over all creation, that's been made clear to us. But he's exclusively, head, over his people. And his people, that we have, a privileged position, which no one else has, that he is our head.
[47:43] He is lord, over everyone, lord, over all, supreme king, over all, but he is the head, of his people. Not just a mere expression, not just a title, this is a description, of how he thinks about us, how he relates to us, of how he loves us.
[48:04] And all that Jesus says, and does, he shows himself, again and again, to be our head. And since Jesus, is the head, of the church, we as his body, we can rest secure, we can relax, into that wonderful, that wonderful reality, that wonderful fact, that if Jesus is our head, this day, that we are safe, we're secure.
[48:35] Unlike, our head, unlike my own, head, I have led, I have led myself, my mind, my head, has led my body, and my, mind, into places, which are not good.
[48:50] My body, my mind, has led my body, into places, which, which, which are bad, for me, which will destroy, really. That's Jesus, as the head, of the body, we can be, secure in our knowledge, and relax, and have joy, in the knowledge, that he will not lead us, in the wrong direction.
[49:16] Unlike ourselves, he will not lead us, into places, into situations, that will damage us, that he will lead us, to glory. He will lead us, in love, that he leads the body, as the head, closer, and closer, to the Father.
[49:35] Dear Christian, as you sit here, as we gather together, here, this day, we are here, with Jesus, as preeminent Lord, ruler over all, but at the same time, as a loving, caring head, of his body, the church, of the believers, here today, that you can know, that the Lord, of all creation, the one who cries, as Piper said, mine, over everything, he also says, mine, when he looks at you.
[50:09] The whole of creation, the whole of reality, itself, but yet, he knows, and loves, you especially. Dear Christian, here today, this is your reality, this is your reality, perhaps it's not how you feel, just now, perhaps it's not how you felt, this week, or this year, perhaps it's not how, how you feel often even, but this is the reality, we have from scripture, that he is, that he is, the head, and because he is head, we as a body, can rest, secure.
[50:46] We then see, that the wonderful reality, that the truth, that Jesus, as the head of the body, that he is, the beginning, the firstborn, from the dead, that in everything, he might be preeminent, that he has, as it were, gone before his people, he's gone before us, he's gone before us, into death, he's gone before us, into resurrection, there being, as it is said here, the firstborn, from the dead, he's the first, to have given his life, and then taken his life, back up again, he's the first, to have resurrected, to that new resurrection, body, he's the first, and the only, to ascend, to the father, he's the alpha, and the omega, he is, the basis, of all our hope, that he is, the one, where all our hope, and all our joy, and all our meaning, finds its, its foundation, its start, but also finds, its end, that in Jesus, in him, going before us, we have the hope, that God is with us, in this life, that because, our saviour, has gone before us, we have the hope, that he is awaiting us, in glory, because, he's gone before us, we have the hope, that one day, he will, return, and all this, so that what, so that, he will be, preeminent, here we go again, back where Paul started, all the glory, must go back to him, all creation, is his, but also, he also, lays hold, of all the glory, for the salvation, of his people, the grounds, of our hope, it's in him, our, our continued assurance, rests, in him, our sure, hope, that one day, we will see, our saviour, and see him, face to face, it rests, in him, it rests, in his, preeminence, it rests, in him, being, all over all, and him, being lord of it all, and him, possessing, and being over, it all, all, this Lord's day, we are worshipping, a saviour, who has gone before us, to the grave, who has gone before us, to death, that being true, we know, we do not have to fear, yes we are scared, of what will happen, in our time comes, that's natural, that's normal, of course it is, but we need not fear, our eternal, place, because if we are in Jesus, this day, then he has gone before us, into the grave, and gone before us, into glory, and he awaits us, to prepare, a place, for us, that's the basis, of our assurance today, our assurance, rests on these two realities, that we worship, a saviour, who is Lord over it all, who has all power, and all that power, he uses, to keep his people, to not let us go, and because he is first born, because we have that hope, and that promise, that he has gone before us, we can rest, in the assurance, in the sure hope, the sure knowledge, that he will not, let us go, that our salvation, is secure, and unchangeable, that all rests, in the fact, that he is, preeminent, before us, he is before us, today, he is before us, as we go into his week, he is before us, as we carry on our lives, he is there, gone before us, making the way, for his people,
[54:48] so we can approach, as we had, in the past, we can approach, the throne of grace, with confidence, knowing that he, is preeminent, because he is preeminent, he has made the way, for us, brings us to our, final, point here, in this, section, have that, verses 19, to verse 20, we see that, Jesus has made, reconciliation, for his people, Jesus, has made, peace, with God, for his, people, and again, we have, at the start of this section, this constant reminder, of who Jesus is, verse 19, Paul again, is reminding this church, Paul does not, let go of the fact, of who Jesus is, for in him, all the fullness, of God, there is that word again, that panta word, the whole breadth, of reality, the whole breadth, of God, dwells, in him, for in him, all the fullness, of God, was pleased to dwell, all the fullness, it is hard, to say this, in any other way, but all that God is, all who God is, dwells, in Jesus, the Father is pleased, that this, is the reality, all that we find, in God, all that's true about God, we say is true, about the Son, he is, fully,
[56:29] God, there is not one, attribute, of God, that is not, that is in any way, missing, from the Son, he is, fully God, and Paul, brings it again, and again, back to this point, and because, he is, fully God, as we see, as we're reminded, in verse 19, because he is, fully God, and then the reconciliation, in verse 20, it's real, we can trust him, that your Saviour, hung, on that cross, there, fully man, and fully God, and as he was there, he suffered, for the sins, of his people, and as he was there, he faced, the full wrath, of the Father, for every sin, of every person, who is his, and doing so, he reconciles, all things, to himself, the saving work, of Jesus, defeating death, bringing salvation, it has an impact, on all things, we see that, even in this verse, he is, the beginning, the firstborn, from the dead, for him, the firstborn, completed well, and through, and reconciled, to himself, all things, in verse 20, whether on earth, or in heaven, on the cross,
[58:00] Jesus accomplished, a full salvation, for his people, full salvation, for all his people, so that all his people, that we can know, for certain, and for sure, that we are accepted, before the Father, and when he looks on us, he looks on us, as perfected, as cleansed, in the blood, of the Son, and the blood, of the cross, as we have here, in verse 20, the work, of our Savior, it also had a wider impact, the impact, of the whole, of creation, itself, like we see, in Psalm 110, the last, when I was with you, we looked at Psalm 110, it was like, a good while ago now, but, we looked at Psalm 110, Psalm 110, when you go home, please do take time, to read the Psalm, Psalm 110, we see the reign, of his King, the reign, of King Jesus, but that reign, it brings, hope, and glory, to his people, but it also brings, submission, and destruction, to his enemies,
[59:04] Jesus, has brought, reconciliation, through himself, and has made peace, by the blood, of the cross, our Savior, fully man, and fully God, through his person, through his finished work, he brings, peace, the one, who is Lord, over all, the one, who was with the Father, and the Spirit, for all eternity past, he brings, peace, by the blood, of his cross, is it not peace, that we're all, seeking after, is it not peace, that we all, desperately, desperately, need, for those here today, for Christians, brothers and sisters, our, our hope, rests on him, the work, is done, the peace, has been made, reconciliation, has been made, peace, has been made, by him, for his, beloved, people, and don't listen, to those, who will tell you, and who will make, less of his peace, the peace, that Jesus gives, his people, the reconciliation, he has, he has bought, that precious, price of his blood, for his people, it is total, it is eternal, eternal, there's not one moment, not one day, not one morning, we'll wake up, and all of a sudden, find that, that the peace of God, is not for us anymore, we will not wake up, one day, and find that, that salvation, has been taken away, from us, no, he has bought it, for his people, and we have it, now, and forevermore, also, this peace, like we said, is eternal, don't think, for a second, that God, holds any lingering wrath, over you,
[61:22] Vista, if you're a Christian, the blood, of his cross, has covered, it all, real, and eternal, reconciliation, real, and eternal, peace, has been made, by our, preeminent, saviour, that, should encourage us, should give us hope, of a saviour, who is Lord, over all, the same saviour, who died, on that cross, for the sake, of his people, who rose again, on the third day, who reigns, a supreme Lord, over all creation, of that saviour, he calls, you, his own, and he, looks on you, and he looks on the one, with whom his blood, bought peace, he looks on you, he sees you, as the one, that he made reconciliation, for with the father, he sees you, as the one, who when he was on that cross, when his blood, was spilling, when peace, was being bought, with that precious price, it was for, you dear brother, and dear sister, as Christians, we should have, that peace, foremost in our minds, that we are at peace, with God, the war is over, he has made peace, for us, at the same time, that would encourage us, shouldn't it, as Christians, if we are Christians here, and Christians who are listening in, that would encourage us, to share the gospel, that peace, which we have experienced, which we know, we want, which we should at least want, to share that peace, with those in our families, those who are neighbours, those who are around us, who have no peace, and there are so many, around us today, who have no peace, who have no understanding, and no idea, of the peace, that Jesus offers them, the peace, that he has bought, with the precious blood, that he shed, on that cross, especially in these days, these days, where we all have fears, we all have worries, as we see the pandemic, rising again, and all that's going on, with the virus, peace, peace, is in high demand, but very, very, short supply, and only the gospel, only Jesus offers, real, everlasting peace, we should be willing, wanting, desperate, to share that hope, share that peace, with those around us, the peace, which we can rely on, the peace, which we know, assures us, the peace, which we now have, with God, the peace, which gives us knowledge, that we are, clean, in his sight, perfected in his sight, the peace, which gives us that hope, that one day, he will either come, and bring us home, or we will go, and join with him, that peace, that reigns in our lives, let's take time, and share that, great gospel peace, with those, who desperately, need to hear it, in our world, in our island, in our homes, and I say this to myself, as well, as everyone else here, the need, is great, the gospel need, is great, and now, is the best time, for us, to be involved, in that great, great commission, of sharing the gospel, of sharing, this, wonderful truth, that his blood, has brought peace, for all, who trust, in him, so as we come, to the conclusion, of this short section,
[65:23] as we come, to the conclusion, of this, first dive, into seeing, how, in this wonderful, book, this wonderful letter, to this, struggling church, we see, we're reminded, that we're Christians here, this day, that our saviour, the one we love, the one who has shown, his love to us, that he is Lord, over all, all things, belong to him, all things, were made through him, and all things, were made for him, that this day, we are worshipping, one who is, who is worthy, of all praise, who is over, all things, the one who is king, above all kings, but also the one, as we see, in these verses, who has shown love, towards his people, who through his sacrifice, who through, his blood, being shed, on that cross, has shown himself, to be a, a king, a high king, who loves his people, deeply, and dearly, that we can, begin this new week, knowing that our saviour, not only rules, not only reigns, but also that, he loves us, as his people, for those, here, who as of yet, are not Christians, or those, who are, listening in, perhaps, some point, in the future, first truth, we have, is that,
[66:57] Jesus is Lord, wherever you worship him, or not, he is still Lord, over all his creation, you don't believe that, you don't understand that, perhaps, you don't even care for that, he is still Lord, stop searching, stop looking, for peace, in places, that you will not find it, stop believing, that the promises of the world, to give you peace, to give you hope, because, as we all know, that lasts for a while, perhaps, but then, it's gone, come and find rest, in Jesus, come and find peace, for your souls, come and know, the Lord of all creation, as we have in these verses, for one who made, and who sustains all things, come and know him, as your saviour, talk, to elders, phone the elders, phone friends,
[67:58] I'm just here passing through, so if you want to, phone the manse, if you want to talk about these things, because time is short, as you said, he is Lord of all creation, but he is the Lord, who is coming soon, to take his people, to himself, that every day, is a day closer, to the return of our saviour, every day, is a day closer, to the return, of this Lord of all, coming again, to claim his people, don't waste your time, don't waste the days, he has given you, come and believe, bow our heads now, a word of prayer, Lord God, we come before you, this day, we give you praise, that we, have a saviour, who is truly Lord over all, a saviour, who is in full, and complete control, over all things, that nothing is, is beyond him, nothing is too grateful to him, that he rules, and he reigns, Lord, help us to, to praise, him for that, help us to fall down, in adoration for that, thank you also, we have a saviour, who is, close to his people, the one, who is heir of all things, but also the one, who I love for his people, chose to step down, and step into a world, and to, to die, on that cross, bearing on his shoulders, all the punishment, of the sins of all his people,
[69:27] Lord, help us to, to grasp, that wonderful reality, that we have, a servant king, the king who is preeminent, but also the king, who is personal, Lord, help us to, to, to find great joy, in that reality, as we begin this new week, Lord, you forgive me, for anything I said, that was, not according to your word, we give you praise, that your power, is not in, in the jars of clay, who stand here, Lord, the power is in your living word, as you use it to speak, and as you use it, to transform lives, would you pray, that would be the case today, that you would use your word, this day, to encourage your people here, to build us up, we ask you to use your word, to transform the lives, of any here, who as of yet, don't believe in you, that you would use your word, to, to show them, their need of Jesus, to show them, that he has made peace for them, Lord, encourage us, the rest of this day, help us to, humble ourselves before you, help us to serve you well, help us to rely, and to find ourselves, as secure, and safe, in our saviour, ask all these things, in and through and for, his precious name's sake,
[70:37] Amen, we can conclude, hopefully with, hearing the words sung, from, Psalm 130, sing, Psalm 130, I can hear the, words from verses, one, down, to verse eight, the whole psalm, Psalm 130, sing, Psalms, Lord, from the depths, I call to you, Lord, hear me from on high, and give attention, to my voice, when I, for mercy cry, Lord, in your presence, who can stand, if you are sins record, but yet forgiveness, is with you, that we may fear you, Lord, I wait, my soul waits, for the Lord, my hope is in his word, more than the watchman, waits for dawn, my soul waits, for the Lord, and so on, that is, the great hope, the Christians here today, the great reality for us, as we worship, our saviour, who is preeminent, our saviour, who is Lord, over all, we know, that he has heard, our cries, he has heard our voices, and that he has saved his people, and that's the promise for any, as of yet, don't believe, that you cry out to the Lord, and that he would hear you, so let's hear together, the wonderful words, of his son.
[71:59] Thank you. Deer birth's palavra, O God, He has heard our songs, His name, He will tarp the name, and that he will sing, and that he will sing, and that he will sing.
[72:47] The Son, and that he will sing, and that he will sing for me, no one's song that he will sing, the 오늘 night, But then our goodness is with you, and we may fear you more.
[73:14] I may thy soul wait for the Lord, but I hope it's in this world.
[73:34] For the land that was my way for God, my soul waits for the Lord.
[73:54] O wisdom, dear Holy God, for mercy is within.
[74:13] And glory is the promisedest, this people in the name.
[74:36] Let's close in a word of prayer. Our Lord God, we praise you once more. The time you've given us together this day. Pray as we leave this place, as we begin this week, Lord, you'll go with us.
[74:51] We'd help what we heard today, help what we heard from your words to be in our minds. Help us to start this new week with the understanding that our Saviour is Lord over all.
[75:03] Yes, we even heard some just now. Lord, that you're forgiveness, that you're mercy. Lord, that you'll listen to the cries of those who cry out to you for that.
[75:13] Lord, that you are kind, that you are caring. Lord, that you are not sparing in giving mercy and forgiveness to all who cry out to you. Lord, help us to remain close to our Saviour this week.
[75:26] And all that we do and all that we say, Lord, keep us humble and keep us relying on you. Be with your people. Encourage us, Lord, and keep us. I ask all these things in and through and for Christ's precious name, say.
[75:39] Amen.