The Supremacy of Christ

"My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians:2:2-3

 In a particular congregation that I preached in on many occasions , there was a person who  literally closed their eyes and ears when ever I preached, that is,  when this person realized that the sermon would be focused upon the Lord Jesus Christ. I could discern  a darkness which came over this person .At times this person would even scowl at me.

If, however,  I were to mention wars, earthquakes the Temple Mount or the People of Israel , or the end of the world, this person's  eyes would open showing immediate interest , these things caught this person's attention.

Once during a sermon this individual silently mouthed the words "you don;t know what you're talking about" to me as I stood at the pulpit and preached about the Lord Jesus.

 As far as I know to this very day Jesus Christ seems to be of only a minor interest to this person, unless of course we are speaking of Jesus in terms of His coming as a conquering King ready to make war upon the rebellious powers of the world system at the end of human civilization. Yes, Jesus will return and extend the rule of God over all.

 Jesus as "Tripe"

For some ,the focus upon Jesus is considered "tripe" , or dull, or some will call it the "milk" of the word.  This was however not the way the Apostolic Church  understood it. They had an intense unwavering focus upon the Lord Jesus Christ. They saw Him as having supremacy over all things, they encountered Him in the whole of the Holy Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, each reading of the Scripture was an ongoing revelation about Who Jesus is and all that He has is and will do . Jesus,  was  in the minds of the early church  the  whole purpose of God and by Him we are blessed to share in that purpose.

"For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him." Colossians:1:16

 None Like Jesus

Paul tells us that Jesus was more than just the facilitator of creation but that it is "for Him" . All that is  or ever will be in both  time and eternity  are for Jesus. This make Jesus more than just a "divine messenger" it speaks of Him and His place as that One and only uniquely born Son of the living God, He Who is both fully God and fully human. There is no other like Him nor will there ever be . John:1:1-3,14

Found in Jesus

Paul writes to the Church at Colossae in Asia Minor around 62 AD , a church which was being influenced by Gnostic teachers and their mysteries , but Paul address us even today.  The Apostle tells us ,and Christians throughout the ages , that anything of any eternal value is found in our Lord and it was Paul's  purpose to make this plain to the church then, and to us now.

   "My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians:2:2-3


The Church at Colossae was for a time hearing things that excited  them and caught their attention, Paul is directing them back to Jesus where we find all things that are of any worth. The more we look upon Jesus and consider Him,  the more comes forth in Him, all things that we could ever hope for are found in Him.

Paul address this very supremacy of Jesus   again to the Roman Christians.

"For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen."Romans:11:36


As we look upon Jesus and come to understand all that He is for us,  there comes a moment  that defies description , a moment,  when you see the glory. You come to see that it is all about Him.When we come to see this , all other things fade in to insignificance.

"He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy." Colssians:1:18b

It's All About Jesus

All time and eternity is about the person of Jesus Christ, He is that pivotal  person that things seen and unseen  all revolves around, all the History of Salvation is about Jesus Christ. We see this in the Book of Revelation which in truth is an ongoing revealing about Jesus, not just "events" but Jesus in spite of these events.  

The Apostle  John in vision sees a glimpse of the heavenly worship and John sees the heavenly host surrounding our Lord ,Who is represented as a slain Lamb , and all of Heaven is in unified worship , praise and adoration for and toward our Lord Jesus Christ alone. He is there at the center of it all.

"Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders." Revelation:5:6

Jesus is not a side point, He is the whole point. He is not just some "divine messenger",  He is the whole message. Jesus is at the center of the Throne, that means that all of God's sovereignty and power and purpose is revolving around who Jesus is. It is all about Him and Him alone. And in Jesus the great God fully reveals Himself to us perfectly. All of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit are found in Jesus, when we come to Jesus we do not exclude the Father or the Holy Spirit.

 

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.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 and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."Colssians:1:15-20

 War's and events, can tantalize us  and give us a carnal "feeling" of having special understanding, of being in control , of knowing things that others do not,  but in the  end they will not save us, only Jesus does.

Unfortunately the person whom I referred to at the start, apparently believes that looking upon Jesus as the focus of our whole approach and to all things sees this as "tripe" and "milk". If this is the view that is held it is sad, they have truly missed the whole  point,  in spite of what they tell themselves.

Speaking of Jesus

Jesus himself tells us that the Holy Spirit's ministry to us would be to speak of Jesus and all that is in relation to Jesus. The Holy Spirit will show us our Lord and  remind us of His words

"When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me" John:15:26

If one does not speak of  Jesus,  or is focused upon something other than Jesus, it is not coming out of the Holy Spirit, but out of the flesh,  for the Holy Spirit  will always direct us to Jesus Christ , Who will reveal to us the Father Who will draw us to His Son by the Spirit, Who will again reveal the Father.

Let's keep to the central focus  of all things , nor shut our eyes and our ears at the mention of His Holy name,   and keep our eyes upon our Lord Jesus Christ Who has the supremacy over all things. Amen

Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor

The Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion 

Washington, Pennsylvania.   www.gcfountainoflife.org

The Fountain of Life is heard on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM  in the Arden Fair Grounds area of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela, Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com