WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.900 I think, in many ways, certainly in the nature of the way in which we meet, the beginning 00:00:07.900 --> 00:00:14.300 ! of the fall semester really kind of marks the beginning of our year. I'm sure you feel 00:00:14.300 --> 00:00:19.839 ! the same. We don't stop meeting as a church through the summer. It may surprise you. So many 00:00:19.839 --> 00:00:23.120 people who live in the area, and we come and we fellowship together and do the same things 00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:32.640 that we do, but it always feels like a bit of a new beginning. Further, this summer, there's 00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:37.939 new starts happening and shifts happening in the life of our church as Christ's Family 00:00:37.939 --> 00:00:43.540 Church has become, and you may have noticed me mentioning it earlier, has become two churches. 00:00:44.600 --> 00:00:50.579 We didn't split and we didn't divide. We like to say that we multiplied, and we sent out 00:00:50.579 --> 00:00:55.759 members to go to Oakwood and start another church. So, if you've been gone this summer, 00:00:56.159 --> 00:01:01.280 Christ's Family Church is now really Christ's Family Church Dahlonega. So, if you hear me 00:01:01.280 --> 00:01:06.159 say CFC Dahlonega, that's what I'm talking about. This body of believers fellowship together, 00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:12.200 and right now, as we meet, I'm sure John Hoffman is bringing the heat in Oakwood. 00:01:12.200 --> 00:01:21.560 CFC Dahlonega is certainly not changing the direction of the way that the church is going, 00:01:21.719 --> 00:01:28.780 but I want to take some time in the beginning of this semester to take a five-week break from 00:01:28.780 --> 00:01:34.579 our normal verse-by-verse exposition of the book of Acts. Step away from that for a little 00:01:34.579 --> 00:01:42.459 while to refocus and to focus us. To refocus you if you've been a part of this fellowship, 00:01:42.659 --> 00:01:48.539 if you have been hearing the preaching of the Word here, if you are aware of the way in which 00:01:48.539 --> 00:01:54.700 we function as a ministry, the vision of the church, etc., and to focus you if you're not. If you have no 00:01:54.700 --> 00:02:01.439 idea who Christ's Family Church is other than being a piece of property on the side of Highway 60 that's 00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:07.219 not easy to find, we want you to know who we are as a people and the way in which we believe God is 00:02:07.219 --> 00:02:14.939 directing us to serve in that way. Now, you may note on your bulletin that the suggestion there is 00:02:14.939 --> 00:02:19.620 that this morning was going to be a sermon on gospel identity from Ephesians chapter 1 verses 3 00:02:19.620 --> 00:02:26.219 through 14. I heard the confused murmurs when I asked you to turn to Colossians, and it was my 00:02:26.219 --> 00:02:35.340 great intention to start this five-week series this Sunday, but I want to speak as we refocus and 00:02:35.340 --> 00:02:43.099 focus with a great deal of clarity. I want to speak with laser-like precision so that there's no 00:02:43.099 --> 00:02:50.139 confusion about what God intends for us as a church. And I want the next five weeks to be 00:02:50.139 --> 00:02:58.199 axiomatic in the life of CFC Dahlanga. I would like for us to be able to look back someday at the time 00:02:58.199 --> 00:03:04.759 we'll spend together in the coming weeks and say, God began to do a work in our church and in our 00:03:04.759 --> 00:03:12.239 community in that time. And I'm just not ready for it. To speak with that kind of clarity, I decided this 00:03:12.240 --> 00:03:19.140 at 5.30 this morning. I really thought I would be when we printed the bulletins, but I'm not. 00:03:21.200 --> 00:03:26.560 So today, as an introduction to the next five weeks, I just want to give you a clear picture of 00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:34.100 why Christ Family Church exists. And this is not a rare thing. We don't believe that we're 00:03:34.100 --> 00:03:40.780 unique in our existence as a fellowship of believers. So I want to be clear about that. But I want you to 00:03:40.780 --> 00:03:51.020 understand why the church, why Christ's church exists and why this particular expression of that exists. 00:03:52.460 --> 00:03:57.180 My hope for this morning is that our time will be informative for you if you are new to our fellowship. 00:03:58.300 --> 00:04:03.580 It's our great desire to connect you to Christ and to His church. And if you are not new to our 00:04:03.580 --> 00:04:13.340 fellowship, that you will be reminded why we gather and why we go from this place. So you'll see up over my 00:04:13.340 --> 00:04:22.240 left shoulder, the vision statement of our church, which is Christ Family Church exists to glorify God by 00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:29.259 experiencing, proclaiming, and displaying the supremacy of Jesus Christ in all things to all peoples. 00:04:29.259 --> 00:04:37.060 And this vision statement, again, not unique to churches, but a way for us to express what we 00:04:37.060 --> 00:04:44.779 believe we need to be doing as a congregation comes largely from Colossians chapter 1, verses 15 through 20. 00:04:45.579 --> 00:04:50.539 So let me read that, and I would ask you to follow along with me. I'm reading from the ESV translation. 00:04:52.459 --> 00:04:55.740 Paul's letters of the Colossian church, chapter 1, beginning in verse 15. 00:04:55.740 --> 00:05:03.740 Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, for by Him all things 00:05:03.740 --> 00:05:10.540 were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers 00:05:10.540 --> 00:05:19.019 or authorities, all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, 00:05:19.019 --> 00:05:27.500 and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, 00:05:28.139 --> 00:05:35.819 the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness 00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:43.539 of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, 00:05:43.540 --> 00:05:53.860 making peace by the blood of His cross. Beloved, this is God's Word to us. It was written for His glory and our 00:05:53.860 --> 00:06:00.740 good, and we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands. 00:06:00.740 --> 00:06:17.180 Now, every part of God's Word gives testimony about Jesus Christ. That's biblical theology. God telling the story about His redemption of mankind 00:06:17.180 --> 00:06:27.180 through the person and work of Jesus Christ. In many varied ways, the Scripture points us to this great high moment in redemptive history 00:06:27.180 --> 00:06:35.100 when Jesus lived a perfect life and died a sinner's death and was resurrected and then ascended and is now with the Father. 00:06:36.199 --> 00:06:43.420 In Luke 24, verse 27, you can read the account of Jesus' appearance to two of the disciples after His resurrection. 00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:45.420 Verse 27 reads, 00:06:45.420 --> 00:06:59.180 "...and beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He being Christ, interpreted to them, the disciples, in all the Scriptures, the things concerning Himself." 00:06:59.180 --> 00:07:03.639 In John 5, verse 39, Jesus says of the Scriptures, 00:07:03.639 --> 00:07:09.439 "...it is they that bear witness about Me." 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:23.439 "...of all the Bible's teaching concerning Jesus, all 66 books, all of His teaching, perhaps none is more significant than the text before us today." 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:31.060 The reality of who Jesus is demands our obedience. 00:07:31.060 --> 00:07:36.800 "...you can't say of Christ, well, He was just a good teacher. 00:07:37.300 --> 00:07:43.060 I appreciate some of what He said, and I don't appreciate other things." 00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:46.180 He claimed to be the Son of God. 00:07:47.220 --> 00:07:55.360 So He's a liar, or He's a lunatic, or He must be Lord and obeyed as such. 00:07:55.360 --> 00:08:07.360 "...and if we are to say that we are disciples of Jesus Christ, we are not saying we are following a mere man, but rather God Himself." 00:08:08.120 --> 00:08:16.300 The reality of who Jesus is makes sure the promises of God. 00:08:16.960 --> 00:08:19.319 Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1.24, 00:08:19.600 --> 00:08:22.259 "...all the promises of God." 00:08:22.259 --> 00:08:23.480 This is so significant. 00:08:23.480 --> 00:08:29.280 All the promises of God find their yes in Jesus Christ. 00:08:30.140 --> 00:08:35.720 That is why it is through Him that we utter our amen to God for His glory. 00:08:37.879 --> 00:08:51.120 Now to our text, it is important to know that verses 15-18 are thought to be a cosmic, Christological hymn. 00:08:51.120 --> 00:08:54.600 Big fancy words. 00:08:55.100 --> 00:08:58.340 Cosmic, Christological hymn. 00:08:58.460 --> 00:09:04.799 Many scholars believe that Paul is citing a modern hymn or confession. 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:08.519 And the arguments to this end are interesting and varied. 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:14.159 Now for the sake of time and for your sanity and attention, I will not explain to you why. 00:09:14.159 --> 00:09:19.100 It has most to do with sentence structure and comparison to other songs. 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:27.459 But fascinatingly, I believe that verses 15-18 was already music being written in the church. 00:09:27.459 --> 00:09:31.539 And Paul is simply citing this wonderful song for them. 00:09:31.539 --> 00:09:33.079 It's important to know that. 00:09:33.079 --> 00:09:41.459 But it's more important to know that the focus of this cosmic, Christological hymn is the preeminence, 00:09:41.459 --> 00:09:46.879 or you could also say supremacy, of Jesus Christ. 00:09:47.419 --> 00:09:51.439 He is better than everything. 00:09:51.440 --> 00:09:57.800 The preeminence or the supremacy of Jesus Christ. 00:09:57.880 --> 00:10:00.120 And you see that in the last part of verse 18. 00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:05.620 That in everything, He might be preeminent. 00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:06.800 Preeminent. 00:10:07.260 --> 00:10:07.720 Supreme. 00:10:08.420 --> 00:10:11.260 First in all things. 00:10:12.380 --> 00:10:16.640 Paul also states this reality in Philippians 2, verses 9-11. 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:17.360 He says, 00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:23.080 God has highly exalted Christ and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name. 00:10:23.720 --> 00:10:27.340 So at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under earth. 00:10:27.399 --> 00:10:33.460 And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:40.340 I want us to bow at the name of Christ this morning as we consider Him together. 00:10:40.340 --> 00:10:47.620 How should we consider the truths contained within this text concerning the preeminence of Christ? 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:51.540 The Puritan John Owen wrote in his book entitled, 00:10:51.820 --> 00:10:55.740 The Glory of Christ, the following, and I quote, 00:10:55.740 --> 00:11:04.000 The revelation made of Christ in the blessed gospel is far more excellent, more glorious, 00:11:04.680 --> 00:11:12.860 more filled with rays of divine wisdom and goodness that the whole creation and the just comprehension of it, 00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:16.580 if attainable, can contain or afford. 00:11:16.580 --> 00:11:25.920 Without this knowledge, the mind of man priding itself in other inventions and discoveries is wrapped up in darkness and confusion. 00:11:27.400 --> 00:11:31.080 This, therefore, deserves the severest of our thoughts. 00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:32.200 I love that phrase. 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:38.180 The best of our meditations and our utmost diligence in them. 00:11:38.179 --> 00:11:46.739 For if our future blessedness shall consist in living where He is and beholding His glory, 00:11:46.739 --> 00:11:57.079 what better preparation can there be for it than a constant previous contemplation of that glory as revealed in the gospel? 00:11:57.459 --> 00:12:02.539 That by a view of it we may be gradually transformed into the same glory. 00:12:02.539 --> 00:12:11.279 The Christian eternity will be filled with the wonderment of Christ forever. 00:12:12.839 --> 00:12:15.480 So we should seek to know Him now. 00:12:16.059 --> 00:12:18.879 That He might be exalted in our minds and in our lives. 00:12:19.959 --> 00:12:25.519 You could say that we might experience, proclaim, and display His excellencies. 00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:35.340 Let me then encourage, in Owen's words, a constant previous contemplation. 00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:39.699 And to help you do so, let us consider the text together in the following structure. 00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:46.319 Number one, and I will come back to these, but I want you to see the structure, how we're going to hang the text. 00:12:47.279 --> 00:12:51.759 Number one, Jesus Christ is preeminent because He is God. 00:12:51.899 --> 00:12:53.799 We'll see this in verse 15 and verse 19. 00:12:53.799 --> 00:13:01.659 Two, Jesus Christ is preeminent because He is the Lord of the universe. 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:03.679 Verses 16 and 17. 00:13:05.079 --> 00:13:10.359 Three, Jesus Christ is preeminent because He is the head of the church. 00:13:11.139 --> 00:13:11.719 Verse 18. 00:13:13.059 --> 00:13:19.179 And fourth, Jesus Christ is preeminent because of His redemptive work. 00:13:20.039 --> 00:13:20.500 Verse 20. 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:27.299 So number one, Jesus Christ is preeminent because He is God. 00:13:27.919 --> 00:13:35.360 Verse 15, Paul writes, He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 00:13:35.580 --> 00:13:38.039 Image is the Greek word icon. 00:13:38.620 --> 00:13:41.980 You may be familiar with our English derivative of that. 00:13:42.059 --> 00:13:44.559 It means image or likeness. 00:13:44.559 --> 00:13:52.119 The scriptures refer to man as the icon of God, but we are not perfectly so. 00:13:52.239 --> 00:13:56.839 Much like a shattered piece of glass returns a poor reflection, so it is with us. 00:13:57.859 --> 00:14:06.179 But Jesus is both the perfect representation of God and He is the manifestation of God. 00:14:06.179 --> 00:14:09.259 Something that we can see and touch and grasp. 00:14:11.979 --> 00:14:15.599 Hebrews 1.3, the beginning part, the author of Hebrews writes, 00:14:15.719 --> 00:14:22.599 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature. 00:14:23.059 --> 00:14:28.019 The Greek word there is where we get our word for facsimile or facts. 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:30.379 Some of you may not know what a facts is, I'm realizing. 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:37.600 The exact replica of His nature. 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:41.179 The copy and paste of God. 00:14:42.819 --> 00:14:48.860 Christ shines forth God's attributes as the sun gives light and heat to the earth. 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:50.259 It's real. 00:14:50.519 --> 00:14:51.039 It's real. 00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:51.740 We can touch it. 00:14:51.799 --> 00:14:52.639 It's a manifestation. 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:56.059 Jesus is God. 00:14:56.059 --> 00:14:57.859 John 1.1, John says, 00:14:58.000 --> 00:15:05.779 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was not a God, was God. 00:15:07.179 --> 00:15:11.199 Paul proceeds to describe Jesus as the protococcus. 00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:13.639 First born. 00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:18.259 Now, while this certainly can mean chronologically first in a family, 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:24.039 it prefers primarily to position or rank. 00:15:24.039 --> 00:15:30.019 From the Arians of the early church to the Jehovah's Witnesses of our day, 00:15:30.179 --> 00:15:35.360 those who seek to repudiate the deity of Jesus Christ refer to this phrase. 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:40.259 But they fail completely to note its context. 00:15:40.980 --> 00:15:46.839 They fail to note the following two verses in which Paul represents Jesus as the Lord of the universe. 00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:49.519 Specifically, verse 17, the beginning. 00:15:49.700 --> 00:15:52.879 And He is before all things. 00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:54.580 He was not created. 00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:56.800 He is the Creator. 00:15:59.680 --> 00:16:01.440 In verse 19, Paul says, 00:16:01.560 --> 00:16:08.360 For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:16.879 Jesus is where all that can be known or experienced of God in this life is to be found. 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:21.519 This is why Jesus was able to say in John 14, verse 9, 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:26.060 Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. 00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:31.759 So Jesus Christ is preeminent because He is God. 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:39.240 Secondly, Jesus Christ is preeminent because He is the Lord of the universe. 00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:40.879 Verses 16 and 17. 00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:42.899 I'll read this again because I love reading it. 00:16:43.899 --> 00:16:46.620 For by Him all things were created, 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:48.519 in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. 00:16:49.100 --> 00:16:51.480 Whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, 00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:55.319 all things were created through Him and for Him. 00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:57.159 And He is before all things, 00:16:57.200 --> 00:16:59.759 and in Him all things hold together. 00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:04.839 Jesus Christ is preeminent as the Creator of all things. 00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:10.960 That is, everything that we can see and everything that we cannot see 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:15.640 were created by Christ and for Christ. 00:17:16.579 --> 00:17:18.759 This is a magnificent thought. 00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:23.220 It should absolutely capture our minds. 00:17:24.059 --> 00:17:28.420 Everything created by and for Christ. 00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:31.560 John confirms this in John 1, 3. 00:17:31.700 --> 00:17:33.960 Speaking of Christ, all things were made through Him, 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:38.840 and without Him was not anything made that was made. 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:43.420 The entire universe was created by Him and for Him. 00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:48.640 In 2012, a picture was released that the Hubble Space Telescope had captured, 00:17:49.080 --> 00:17:51.460 which was the farthest ever view into the universe. 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:52.259 It's phenomenal. 00:17:52.440 --> 00:17:53.779 I encourage you to look it up. 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:57.079 It's a photo that reveals thousands of galaxies, 00:17:57.460 --> 00:18:00.000 billions of light years away. 00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:04.039 The picture is called Extreme Deep Field XDF. 00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:04.839 You can Google that. 00:18:04.879 --> 00:18:05.639 It will come right up. 00:18:05.920 --> 00:18:10.619 It combines 10 years of Hubble telescope views of one patch of sky. 00:18:11.139 --> 00:18:11.879 They took it. 00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:12.440 They pointed it. 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.039 They took pictures. 00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:13.519 They took pictures. 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:14.000 They took pictures. 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:14.559 They took pictures. 00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:22.440 They layered them together and came up with this magnificent picture reaching far, far, far out into space. 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:25.099 Created by Christ. 00:18:25.899 --> 00:18:26.980 For Christ. 00:18:27.859 --> 00:18:28.720 Psalm 19.1. 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:31.700 The heavens declare the glory of God. 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:35.639 And the sky above proclaims His handiwork. 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:38.759 Made by Him and for Him. 00:18:38.759 --> 00:18:44.460 Jesus Christ is preeminent as He was before all things. 00:18:44.619 --> 00:18:45.599 First part of verse 17. 00:18:45.859 --> 00:18:47.680 He's before all things. 00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:51.039 Jesus says to the Jews in John 8.58, 00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:52.019 Jesus said to them, 00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:56.900 Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am. 00:18:57.559 --> 00:18:59.579 He's referencing there Exodus 3.14. 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:05.460 Moses asked God to tell him who He'll say sent him back to Egypt. 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:09.400 God says to Moses, I am who I am. 00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:15.160 And He said, say this to the people of Israel, I am has sent me to you. 00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:18.160 This was an astounding claim that Christ was making. 00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:23.480 Truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am. 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:27.299 He has no beginning and He has no end. 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:33.420 He has no origin, but He is the originator of all things. 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:39.840 Jesus Christ is also preeminent as the sustainer of all things. 00:19:40.080 --> 00:19:41.180 The last part of verse 17. 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:44.560 In Him all things hold together. 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:47.740 The author of Hebrews, again, chapter 1, verse 3. 00:19:47.820 --> 00:19:48.600 The last part of it now. 00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:53.519 He upholds the universe by the word of His power. 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:57.180 I like to imagine that the world spoken into existence, 00:19:57.519 --> 00:20:01.420 and it will do what it was told to do until it's told to do different. 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:02.019 Different. 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:09.779 Not only was all things created by Christ and set into motion by Christ, 00:20:09.880 --> 00:20:13.880 but all things are sustained by Christ. 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:17.840 It's phenomenal that everything in the universe is made of atoms. 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:19.620 Protons, electrons, neutrons. 00:20:20.560 --> 00:20:21.860 Fascinating stuff. 00:20:23.360 --> 00:20:27.340 Scientists have labored over the past century to explain away the existence of God, 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:32.980 but they have failed to explain how it is that the atom remains in its state. 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:38.059 They do not understand how it is that the atom holds together. 00:20:39.399 --> 00:20:42.559 Carl K. Darrow, a physicist, is cited in a book entitled, 00:20:42.679 --> 00:20:48.639 The Atom Speaks, in reference to what scientists are calling the strong nuclear force. 00:20:48.640 --> 00:20:50.980 And I quote, 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:54.259 Do you grasp what this implies? 00:20:54.740 --> 00:21:00.560 It implies that all the nuclei have no right to be alive at all. 00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:03.500 Indeed, they should never have been created, 00:21:03.600 --> 00:21:07.080 and if created, they should have blown up instantly. 00:21:07.840 --> 00:21:09.020 Yet here they all are. 00:21:09.620 --> 00:21:14.360 Some inflexible inhibition is holding them relentlessly together. 00:21:14.359 --> 00:21:17.879 The nature of the inhibition is also a secret, 00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:22.339 one thus far reserved by nature herself. 00:21:23.659 --> 00:21:26.459 Science has not answered this question. 00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:31.879 What is this inflexible inhibition that's holding them relentlessly together? 00:21:31.979 --> 00:21:33.799 But the Bible does. 00:21:34.659 --> 00:21:40.000 The strong nuclear force is Jesus Christ and the word of his power. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:45.200 So Jesus Christ is preeminent because he's God, 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:50.619 and Jesus Christ is preeminent because he is the Lord of the universe. 00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:58.839 Thirdly, Jesus Christ is preeminent because he is the head of the church. 00:21:59.279 --> 00:21:59.700 Verse 18, 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:01.680 And he is the head of the body, the church. 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:05.039 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:08.079 that in everything he might be preeminent. 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:11.480 Paul here calls Jesus the head of the body, 00:22:11.599 --> 00:22:15.619 and there are many metaphors in the New Testament used to describe the church. 00:22:15.740 --> 00:22:16.740 It's called a family. 00:22:16.899 --> 00:22:21.159 It's called a kingdom, a vineyard, a flock, a building, and a bride. 00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:25.439 But none is more helpful in our understanding of its form and function 00:22:25.439 --> 00:22:31.519 than that of a body made of many parts with Jesus Christ as the head. 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:35.879 This metaphor helps us to see the church as a living organism, 00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:41.339 inseparably tied together with life and mission by the living Christ. 00:22:41.879 --> 00:22:43.740 He controls every part of it. 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:49.579 He coordinates together the diversity of gifting and ministry. 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:53.359 He does not merely save the church. 00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:55.720 It's an oxymoronic statement. 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:59.299 But is the head of the church. 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:02.700 Having saved us, he now leads us. 00:23:02.759 --> 00:23:03.620 He's the head of the body. 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:05.620 He is the beginning. 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:09.740 Jesus is the originator of the church. 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:13.400 The word therefore, beginning, Greek, archa, 00:23:13.600 --> 00:23:18.160 has a two-fold sense of both source and primacy. 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:22.880 So both coming from and being central to. 00:23:23.060 --> 00:23:25.340 It's a very expansive word. 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:27.720 Beginning doesn't quite get at it. 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:32.120 In Ephesians 1.4, Paul states that God chose us in Him 00:23:32.120 --> 00:23:36.220 before the foundation of the world. 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:39.620 It's a phenomenal reality we'll talk about next week 00:23:39.620 --> 00:23:42.600 in our exposition of Ephesians 1. 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:48.040 He is the beginning, the originator of the church. 00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:52.840 He is the firstborn from the dead. 00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:54.420 Here we see that word firstborn again. 00:23:54.660 --> 00:23:55.660 The proto... 00:23:55.660 --> 00:23:56.860 I'm going to say this wrong. 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:59.160 I'm not going to try to say it. 00:23:59.320 --> 00:24:00.940 I said it before and I think I got it right. 00:24:01.120 --> 00:24:03.140 So you can listen back in the recording. 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:06.380 Firstborn, right? 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:10.460 Of all who have ever been raised from the dead, 00:24:10.600 --> 00:24:11.519 this is what Paul's communicating, 00:24:11.620 --> 00:24:13.779 of all who have ever been raised from the dead, 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:17.620 he is of the highest rank. 00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:19.540 He's the head of the body. 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:23.980 He is supreme in the church as such. 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:27.320 So Jesus Christ is preeminent because He's God. 00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:30.940 Jesus Christ is preeminent because He's the Lord of the universe. 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:34.960 Jesus Christ is preeminent because He is the head of the church. 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:36.180 And then fourthly and lastly, 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:40.940 Jesus Christ is preeminent because of His redemptive work. 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:42.160 Verse 20, 00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:46.860 And through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:48.360 whether on earth or in heaven, 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:51.279 making peace by the blood of His cross. 00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:56.660 Now there are many ways in which our salvation is explained in the Scripture. 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:57.819 Praise God for that. 00:24:57.819 --> 00:25:03.039 It helps us to turn it around and really comprehend the glorious truth of the gospel to us in Christ. 00:25:03.139 --> 00:25:05.159 Many ways we are justified. 00:25:05.879 --> 00:25:08.799 We once stood before God guilty and condemned, 00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:11.200 but we are declared righteous. 00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:13.359 Not just having our sin forgiven, 00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:16.559 but also been made perfect in Christ. 00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:18.159 We are forgiven. 00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:20.759 We stand before God as a debtor, 00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:23.099 but the debt is paid and forgotten. 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:24.919 We are adopted. 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:27.879 We stand before God as strangers, 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:30.599 but we are made sons. 00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:36.759 Reconciliation is one of my favorites of these explanations. 00:25:37.959 --> 00:25:39.879 We once stood, if we were in Christ, 00:25:39.959 --> 00:25:42.539 we once stood before God as His enemies. 00:25:43.859 --> 00:25:45.139 And I think this is one of my favorites 00:25:45.139 --> 00:25:51.119 because I even now sometimes feel the inclination of my heart to be set against Him. 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:54.159 But because of the redemptive work of Christ, 00:25:54.479 --> 00:25:58.939 we are reconciled to God and we are made His friends. 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:02.639 It's an incredible reality, beloved. 00:26:03.419 --> 00:26:10.019 The Greek word for reconcile means to change in relationship. 00:26:11.939 --> 00:26:17.339 We have a religion, a faith of grace. 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:19.619 We believe in new birth, 00:26:19.720 --> 00:26:22.379 the conversion of the soul. 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:28.859 We don't believe that we strain by our labor to find ourselves acceptable to God. 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:31.259 But if we have been accepted in Christ, 00:26:31.399 --> 00:26:34.399 we change in position, not degree. 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:37.740 We're not getting a little better and a little more accepted. 00:26:37.879 --> 00:26:38.899 We are accepted. 00:26:39.619 --> 00:26:42.019 And therefore, we get a little better 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:43.680 and we work a little more. 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:47.740 We pursue holiness and we reject sin. 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:49.319 We don't change in degree. 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:51.500 We change in position. 00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:53.799 This is what reconciliation teaches us. 00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:55.240 No longer God's enemies, 00:26:55.420 --> 00:26:58.379 but now His friends. 00:26:59.379 --> 00:27:00.799 Paul writes in Romans 5.10, 00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:02.460 For if while we were enemies, 00:27:02.579 --> 00:27:04.720 we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:07.839 much more now that we are reconciled, 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:11.019 shall we be saved by His life. 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:13.420 It's astounding. 00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:20.660 But not only is God in Christ reconciling us to Him, 00:27:22.120 --> 00:27:24.460 but He's also, if you look at the text, 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:26.140 whether on earth or in heaven. 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:31.660 In Genesis 1.3, we see that after the world was created by and for Christ, 00:27:31.660 --> 00:27:33.820 that it was very good. 00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:37.540 But shortly after, chapter 3, 00:27:37.880 --> 00:27:41.620 all of this goodness was marred by man's sin. 00:27:42.860 --> 00:27:44.180 If you'll know me very long, 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:46.200 and I hear you complain about allergies 00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:48.240 or some ache or pain that you have, 00:27:48.400 --> 00:27:49.040 you'll hear me say, 00:27:49.120 --> 00:27:50.040 you know why that's happening, right? 00:27:50.360 --> 00:27:51.800 And you're expecting a medical explanation, 00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:53.060 and I just say, sin. 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:56.620 It got woven through, 00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:58.240 that destruction got woven through the fabric 00:27:58.240 --> 00:28:01.160 of the world that we live in and experience. 00:28:01.660 --> 00:28:01.800 Right? 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:06.080 All of that one day will be restored. 00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:09.380 The garden is going to be made new in the new earth, 00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:11.380 and there won't be weeds, 00:28:12.040 --> 00:28:13.500 and there won't be pollen, 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:16.600 and my knees won't pop when I bend down 00:28:16.600 --> 00:28:17.980 to work the soil. 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:21.080 The reconciliation of mankind 00:28:21.080 --> 00:28:23.500 is the most precious of all reconciliation, 00:28:23.800 --> 00:28:24.200 to be sure, 00:28:24.620 --> 00:28:26.279 the most central of all reconciliation, 00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:30.139 but it is just one aspect of Christ's restorative work. 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:31.779 Glorious. 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:35.519 How is this that it happens? 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:37.019 The means by which this happens? 00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:39.460 Both the restoration of God's people 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:40.899 as well as His creation? 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:45.240 Christ made peace 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:47.359 by the blood of His cross. 00:28:47.359 --> 00:28:52.759 Jesus Christ became the enemy of God, 00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:57.740 and God justly punished Him for being such 00:28:57.740 --> 00:29:00.519 because He took on our sin, right? 00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:02.699 Our sin was imputed to Him. 00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:04.719 He became sin on our behalf 00:29:04.719 --> 00:29:06.679 and then was justly punished 00:29:06.679 --> 00:29:09.359 so that we might be reconciled 00:29:09.899 --> 00:29:11.439 by faith in Christ, 00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:13.779 that He is who He says He is, 00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:15.579 and in the work that He accomplished, 00:29:16.660 --> 00:29:20.339 we would be found righteous in Him. 00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:24.519 So Jesus Christ is preeminent 00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:25.279 because He is God. 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:28.139 Jesus Christ is preeminent 00:29:28.139 --> 00:29:30.180 because He is the Lord of the universe. 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:32.440 Jesus Christ is preeminent 00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:34.559 because He is the head of the church. 00:29:35.639 --> 00:29:37.139 And Jesus Christ is preeminent 00:29:37.139 --> 00:29:40.420 because of His redemptive work. 00:29:40.420 --> 00:29:43.960 So, so what? 00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:47.680 For all of these reasons, 00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:51.320 Jesus Christ is of highest ranking 00:29:51.320 --> 00:29:56.000 and should be worshipped as such. 00:29:57.120 --> 00:29:59.480 And beloved, when I say worshipped, 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:01.900 I don't just mean in song. 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:04.700 That word has been hijacked. 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:08.100 All of our lives are meant to be 00:30:08.100 --> 00:30:10.960 fragrant sacrifice to the Lord. 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:13.380 Everything we do, 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:16.000 not just for an hour and a half-ish 00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:17.039 on a Sunday morning, 00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:19.240 everything we do 00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:21.880 is meant to be worship of the Lord. 00:30:22.059 --> 00:30:23.759 You are always worshipping something. 00:30:24.360 --> 00:30:27.640 Yourself, another individual, stuff. 00:30:28.920 --> 00:30:30.600 But because of the great work of Christ, 00:30:30.840 --> 00:30:32.480 because of the position that He holds, 00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:34.599 all that we do 00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:37.299 should be properly aimed at Him. 00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:41.299 Whether or not you are part of this church 00:30:41.299 --> 00:30:42.380 or ever will be, 00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:45.799 you exist to glorify God 00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:48.400 by experiencing, proclaiming, 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:50.000 and displaying the supremacy 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:51.440 of Jesus Christ 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:52.779 in all things 00:30:52.779 --> 00:30:56.059 to all peoples. 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:58.559 Those who have been reconciled 00:30:58.559 --> 00:30:59.700 by His death on the cross 00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:02.240 rightly should do so. 00:31:03.420 --> 00:31:03.839 And beloved, 00:31:03.920 --> 00:31:06.759 this is not a burdensome task 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:10.360 because He is preeminent. 00:31:10.839 --> 00:31:12.640 We can cast all of our anxieties, 00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:14.079 our fears, 00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:15.299 our doubts, 00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:16.539 our troubles, 00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:19.220 our depressions on Him. 00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:21.779 There is no situation 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:22.799 that escapes His attention 00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:23.860 or His power. 00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:25.759 There is no circumstance 00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:27.120 that surprises Him 00:31:27.120 --> 00:31:30.519 or evades His providential control. 00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:33.200 He is our confidence 00:31:33.200 --> 00:31:35.799 in life and in death. 00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:37.960 He is the reason 00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:39.599 we can boldly share 00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:41.859 the good news of His kingdom. 00:31:42.859 --> 00:31:45.980 The reality of who Jesus is 00:31:45.980 --> 00:31:48.180 demands our obedience. 00:31:49.299 --> 00:31:51.720 The reality of who Jesus is 00:31:51.720 --> 00:31:56.059 makes sure the promises of God. 00:31:56.059 --> 00:31:56.119 God is the Lord. 00:31:58.200 --> 00:31:58.579 So, 00:31:58.980 --> 00:32:01.299 we should set ourselves 00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:03.039 to a constant, 00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:06.399 previous contemplation 00:32:06.399 --> 00:32:08.539 of who Jesus is. 00:32:10.179 --> 00:32:11.319 And if at the end of all that 00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:12.419 I leave you in any way 00:32:12.419 --> 00:32:12.700 going, 00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:13.799 well, how do I do that? 00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:15.980 It's what we've done this morning 00:32:15.980 --> 00:32:17.059 and what did we use 00:32:17.059 --> 00:32:17.919 as the tool 00:32:17.919 --> 00:32:19.419 for such a contemplation? 00:32:19.420 --> 00:32:21.680 The Scripture. 00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:25.200 Contained in 00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:26.480 our Old and our New Testament, 00:32:26.680 --> 00:32:27.519 66 books, 00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:29.560 is all that God 00:32:29.560 --> 00:32:30.600 intends for us to know 00:32:30.600 --> 00:32:31.460 right now 00:32:31.460 --> 00:32:32.759 about the person and work 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:33.940 of Jesus Christ. 00:32:34.660 --> 00:32:35.700 It is a precious, 00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:37.820 precious tool. 00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:39.480 You hear me say often, 00:32:40.000 --> 00:32:41.519 God condescended 00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:43.080 to become an author 00:32:43.080 --> 00:32:45.019 and write us a book 00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:46.279 about a real man 00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:47.379 who was also 00:32:47.379 --> 00:32:48.420 God Himself 00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:49.460 on earth. 00:32:50.660 --> 00:32:52.480 We have such a treasure 00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:54.139 at our disposal. 00:32:56.139 --> 00:32:57.319 I want to encourage you, 00:32:58.160 --> 00:32:59.500 particularly college students, 00:33:00.079 --> 00:33:00.859 as you set yourself 00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:01.660 about your studies 00:33:01.660 --> 00:33:02.399 this semester, 00:33:03.059 --> 00:33:03.599 that you get into 00:33:03.599 --> 00:33:05.039 all the possible 00:33:05.039 --> 00:33:06.200 ologies 00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:07.279 that the University 00:33:07.279 --> 00:33:07.980 of North Georgia 00:33:07.980 --> 00:33:09.240 will offer you 00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:09.980 that you not 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:10.839 neglect 00:33:10.839 --> 00:33:12.139 theology. 00:33:14.819 --> 00:33:15.539 In closing, 00:33:15.660 --> 00:33:16.200 let me remind you 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:16.680 of the words 00:33:16.680 --> 00:33:18.200 of John Owen. 00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:19.799 This, therefore, 00:33:20.620 --> 00:33:22.039 deserves the severest 00:33:22.039 --> 00:33:22.720 of our thoughts, 00:33:23.360 --> 00:33:24.140 the best 00:33:24.140 --> 00:33:26.000 of our meditations, 00:33:26.360 --> 00:33:27.559 and our utmost 00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:28.980 diligence 00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:30.080 in them. 00:33:30.340 --> 00:33:31.039 Let's pray together.