Proposed Statement of Faith

We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, who exists having two natures, fully human and fully divine. The natures of Jesus are without confusion, change, division, or separation. The eternal Son of God was conceived when the Holy Spirit miraculously overshadowed the virgin Mary. Jesus Christ was born of Mary, lived a sinless life, died as a substitutionary atoning sacrifice for our sins, and rose bodily from the dead on the third day. He ascended into heaven, where he intercedes for His people as an eternal high priest. One day, he will return bodily and visibly in all his glory to judge the earth and establish his eternal kingdom. He is the head of the church, having purchased it with his own shed blood. All who claim allegiance to Christ are to obey his commands, imitate his life, and promote his gospel.

Main Text: Colossians 1:15-20

Other Key Texts: Philippians 2:5-11; Titus 2:11-14

For Further Study: Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly

“God, who has no body, has taken to himself a body in the person of Jesus Christ. God, who cannot suffer, has taken to himself a human nature, in which he can suffer, in Christ.”

-John Frame

This Sunday’s sermon podcast and video are unavailable due to a technology issue. But a full transcript of the sermon is posted below.

Sermon Transcript

Good morning, Life Church. I’m so glad you are with us today. We need Colossians 1 this morning, so I hope you have a Bible with you. I’d love it if you would turn to Colossians 1; we’re looking at verses 15-20 this morning. This is week 4 of our series This We Believe. We’re considering today what Christians believe about the person and work of the Son, Jesus Christ.

A few of you know that – in a former life – I served a church in Texas for about 13 years. For most of that time, I pastored middle and high school students and their families. That meant, among other things, that I spent a lot of time building relationships with teenagers.

One of the most colorful teenagers I ever worked with was a young man named Eric. Eric’s father was long gone, and his mother was in prison. He was being raised by a loving aunt and uncle who were members of our church. For about seven years, I got to watch the Lord work in this young man’s life. I think about and pray for him often.

Eric was brilliant – like, accepted-to-MIT-to-study-calculus brilliant. He was also unintentionally hilarious.

I remember him coming into my office on time. He said, “Sharpie! [Everyone in that season of my life called me Sharpie.] Sharpie: Let me see your computer. I have to show you something.”

I let him sit down at my desk and he navigated to a website he had found. On the site was a video game that pitted biblical characters against each other in brutal combat. If you grew up in the 1990’s like I did, this was basically like the old Street Fighter 2 game that I would play on my Nintendo 64. But with Bible characters fighting each other.

Every character in the game could kick and punch and jump. But each character also had special powers related to their biblical stories. Noah, for example, could summon a herd of animals to run over his opponents. Moses could make frogs hail down on his enemy. Eve could throw snakes and apples at people. And Jesus would throw loaves of bread and fish like they were throwing stars.

It was...horrible. And kind of hilarious. And, to me, really thought-provoking.

It made me think about the different ways that people view Jesus, the Son of God. To some people, that video game depiction might not be too far off. There are people in the world who view Jesus kind of like a superhero, one of many people in the Bible blessed with God-given supernatural powers and abilities. But is that who Jesus really is?

The identity of Jesus is the question that divides the human race. C. S. Lewis famously said that Jesus is either the true Son of God – as he claimed he was, or he was a liar or a lunatic. Because of the things Jesus said and the claims he made, either Jesus was who he claimed to be, or he was evil, or he was insane. There are no other options.

Jesus cannot be just a great moral teacher. He cannot be just a source of spiritual guidance and enlightenment. He cannot be just the guy you turn to when you are lonely or anxious or heartbroken.

He is either King of all things and the very Son of God himself, or he is a sham. He is either everything, or he is nothing.

But the truth is, there are many people in our lives who are willing to say that he is more than nothing. Yet they stop short of saying that he is everything. So many of us struggle to come to grips with who the Bible tells us Jesus is.

That’s what we are wrestling with as we approach God’s Word this morning. Let’s turn to Colossians 1:15-20. I’ll read, and then I’ll tell you how we’re going to approach this passage – in search of who Jesus truly is.

This passage is one that is very precious to me. It might be – it can be – to you, too. If you find that your heart for the Lord is growing cold, I would send you here. If you find that your affection for Jesus is waning, I would send you here to think upon and meditate upon these ideas. If you feel like your life is falling apart, I would send you here.

If there is any hope that your soul or mine would be awakened to wonder and amazement at the person of Jesus, I believe it is passages like this one that are key to unlocking that wonder and amazement. We’re on holy ground as we read and think about these things.

This passage is really a litany – a list – of truths that are worth treasuring. I count thirteen separate truths about the Son here. Let us list them, and spend a few minutes on each one. Then I will summarize these truths and apply them to our lives. That’s the outline today: List. Summarize. Apply.

The Image of the Invisible God (v. 15)

Number one: Paul tells us that Christ is the image of the invisible God in verse 15. The “he” that begins verse 15 in my translation points back to the Beloved Son described in verse 13. It is the Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, that is the image of the invisible God.

That means that Jesus Christ, and only Jesus Christ, truly represents and reveals what God is like. God is invisible. We cannot see him or know fully what he is like. But Jesus is the image of the invisible God. He makes the invisible God known.

Therefore, we don’t need to guess who God is or what God is like. We need not speculate or wonder. All the deep, probing questions of life and existence...About where we come from and why we are here...About our creator...About who stands behind the cosmos and who directs the affairs of this world...All these questions have a human answer. He is Jesus. He is the image of the invisible God.

The Firstborn of All Creation (v. 15)

Number two: Christ is the firstborn of all creation. Let’s not fall into the trap that has ensnared some. This does not mean that Jesus was “born first” and then every other creature was born after him. It cannot mean that, because in the next verse Paul will tell us that all things that are created are created by Christ. So, the firstborn of all creation does not mean that Jesus is like other creatures in God’s created order.

In the ancient world, firstborn was a legal term. It pointed to the one who was legally entitled to his father’s estate. When Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, calls Jesus the firstborn of all creation, he means that Jesus is the legal heir of all creation. He means that all creation will belong to him in the new heavens and the new earth. He is the heir of all things. The owner of all things. He is the owner even of me and you.

This is the truest thing about you and about me. The most fundamental tenant of your identity and mine. We are not our own. We belong to the one who created us, and who gave his life to redeem us. We belong to Jesus Christ. Our lives are in his hands. They are his to mold and to shape. He does so in love and for our good. But as someone who owns us – because he does.

By Him All Things Were Created (v. 16)

Number three: By Christ, all things were created. Verse 16 makes this clear: For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities... (1:16a).

Jesus is the author of the story of the universe. Just as an author creates the characters and the world the characters live in, Jesus created us and the world we live in.

Jesus is the artist who painted the whole canvas of human history. Every moment, big and small, is filled in by his careful brushstrokes.

Jesus is the architect and chief contractor of creation. Just as an architect designs and plans every detail of a building, Jesus has ordered every molecule of creation. Every blade of grass. Every hair on every head, human or otherwise. Every creek flowing into every river, flowing into every delta, flowing into every sea, flowing into every ocean. Every sunrise and every cloud in the sky. And every one of us. All things are designed by him.

And he needed no subcontractor to come in and get the work done. He spoke all things into existence by his powerful word. From nothing, he created all things. And it was not hard for him to do any of this. By him, all things were created.

Through Him All Things Were Created (v. 16)

Number four: Through Christ, all things were created. That means that he is the source of all things, and he required no other source material. The creative work of Jesus is altogether different from my creative work or yours.

When I want to create something, I am limited by the materials that already exist and by the limits of my imagination. If I want to build a table, I have to choose from source materials - wood, stone, brick, clay, metal - things that already exist on the planet somewhere. And I can’t imagine some new color for those materials that has never been imagined before. No, I’m picking from colors that already exist. My creativity is entirely dependent upon other things that are already created.

But Jesus’ creativity is not limited by anything! He has no constraints. He can imagine new colors, new materials, new designs, new textures, new dimensions...He can imagine anything that suits his creative desires. And then he speaks those things into existence.

For Him All Things Were Created (v. 16)

Number five: All things were not only created by Christ and through Christ, all things were created for Christ – verse 16 says. That means that every created thing exists for a reason, and that reason is for Jesus Christ. Everything that is exists to display the greatness and the glory of Jesus. Everything that is exists to put his worth and value on display.

Nothing – nothing! – in the universe exists for its own sake, save Jesus. Everything from the bottom of the oceans to the tops of the mountains...Everything from the smallest particle to the biggest star...From the most boring school subject to the most fascinating science...From the ugliest cockroach to the most beautiful human...Everything that is exists to make the greatness of Christ more fully known.

That includes you, as well as the person you have the hardest time getting along with. That includes you, as well as your enemies. All things – and all people – were created for Christ.

Christ is Before All Things (v. 17)
Number six: Christ is before all things, says verse 17. This is about Christ’s position. He is superior to, and supreme over, all things. Nothing in all of creation can rightly claim to rank ahead of Jesus Christ.

In Christ All Things Hold Together (v. 17)

Number seven: In Christ all things hold together. Jesus Christ is the sustainer of everything. He is the glue that holds the cosmos together. No atom splits without his permission. No cell divides without his permission.

If, when the world was created, all the continents of the earth were originally joined together in one massive continent, that continent split apart with Christ’s permission. Shorelines erode with Christ’s permission. Earthquakes quake with Christ’s permission. The globe warms with Christ’s permission. Because he holds all things together. He is the sustainer of everything.

This is unspeakably good news, is it not? This means that you are not the sustainer of everything. Nor am I. You are not tasked with the responsibility of holding all things together. Nor am I. That is Jesus’ job. It is only Jesus’ job.

Your marriage. Your family. Your career. Your health. Our church. He holds all things together. Including these things.

Christ is the Head of the Church (v. 18)

Number eight: Christ is the head of his body, the church – verse 18. Whether we are speaking of the universal church of all Christians everywhere, or this local church – Life Church here in Salisbury, North Carolina – there can be no doubt who is in charge. I am not our primary leader. Our elders are not our primary leaders. Our primary leader is Christ. He is the chief shepherd. The senior pastor. He is the head of his church.

Christ is the Firstborn from the Dead (v. 18)

Number nine: Christ is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead. Because Jesus rose from the grave, he has ushered in a new creation. If we are in Christ, we are part of that new creation. Even now, that new creation is alive in us – if we have trusted in Jesus through saving faith and turned from our sin.

There will be a day when this new creation becomes our perfect and eternal reality. Revelation 21 says that on that day God will wipe every tear from every eye. He will make everything sad come untrue. Mourning and sadness, grief and pain, sickness and death...these things will be no more. And this new creation will belong to Christ. It will be his inheritance, because he is the firstborn from among the dead.

In Everything Christ is Preeminent (v. 18)

Number ten: In everything, Christ is preeminent.

The world’s preeminent heart surgeon is the heart surgeon whose surgical skill, ability, and experience ranks above all other heart surgeons. That’s the guy you want slicing you open.

The world’s preeminent expert on economics is the economist whose expertise, insight, and counsel excel above the expertise, insight, and counsel of any other economist. That’s the guy you want managing your portfolio.

The world’s preeminent pianist is the pianist whose artistry and musical depth ranges above the artistry and musical depth of any other pianist. His technical ability exceeds the technical ability of any other pianist. That’s the guy you want tickets to hear perform.

Jesus Christ is preeminent in everything. In everything. He’s the guy you want – indeed, the guy you need – reigning and ruling over your life. Over all creation.

In Christ, the Fullness of God Was Pleased to Dwell (v. 19)

Number eleven: In Christ, the fullness of God was pleased to dwell – verse 19.

This is the mystery of the Incarnation. Jesus is fully God, and fully man. The fullness of God dwells in him. God didn’t withhold some part of himself from Jesus. He didn’t withhold some aspect of his perfection from Jesus. Everything that is true of God is true of Jesus.

Which means, wonderfully, that God doesn’t have anything more to give us than Jesus. This means that God isn’t holding out on us. He isn’t waiting for a rainy day – or for us to get our acts together – to spoil us with even richer blessings. He has already given us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. Because his fullness was pleased to dwell in Christ, and he was pleased to give us Christ.

Through Christ, All Things Are Reconciled to God (v. 20)

Number twelve: Through Christ, says verse 20, all things – whether on earth or in heaven – will be reconciled to God. To say that presumes that all things need to be reconciled to God. The Bible says they do – because of sin.

As sinful people, we need to be reconciled to God. Our sin has made us God’s rightful enemies. We have offended his honor and rebelled against his will.

On top of all, all things in this world are broken because of sin. Romans 8 tells us that creation is groaning as in the pains of childbirth because of sin. Things aren’t right. The world we live in is fallen and broken.

All things need to be reconciled to God. All things will be reconciled to God – through Christ. For those who have trusted in Jesus through saving faith, we will experience the joy of being God’s friends, not his enemies. We will enjoy being God’s adopted sons and daughters, not rebels against his will. And we will enjoy a world that has been cured completely of the effects of sin and death.

Made Peace (v. 20)

Finally, number thirteen: God has made peace by the blood of his cross. There was war between man and God; in Christ there is peace. There was hostility between the desires of our hearts and the purposes of God; in Christ there is peace.

Jesus Christ is the prince of peace – because he has made peace for us through the cross. It cost him his life. His blood was shed necessarily to atone for our sins. But it need not be shed again, because Christ has, once and for all time, made peace between God and his people.

That’s the list. The thirteen truths about the Son that Paul lays before us in this passage. Now, let me summarize. This is the big idea: Jesus Christ is our supreme Lord and our sufficient Savior.

He is our supreme Lord, because he is the firstborn over all creation, and the firstborn from the dead. He is our supreme Lord, because by him and through him and for him are all things. He is our supreme Lord, because he is the head of the church. He is our supreme Lord, because in everything he is preeminent.

Or, if I can use some language from our proposed statement of faith, we could say this:

[Jesus Christ] ascended into heaven, where he intercedes for his People as an eternal high priest. One day, he will return bodily and visibly in all his glory to judge the earth and establish his eternal kingdom. He is the head of the church, having purchased it with his own shed blood. All who claim allegiance to Christ are to obey his commands, imitate his life, and promote his gospel.

These things are true because Jesus Christ is our supreme Lord. But he is not only our supreme Lord; he is also our sufficient Savior.

He is our sufficient Savior, because in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. He is our sufficient Savior, because in him God has reconciled all things to himself through the cross. He is our sufficient Savior, because through his blood we can have peace with God and with each other.

He is our sufficient Savior, because – as the proposed statement of faith says: [Jesus Christ is] God’s only begotten Son, who exists having two natures, fully human and fully divine. The natures of Jesus are without confusion, change, division, or separation. The eternal Son of God was conceived when the Holy Spirit miraculously overshadowed the virgin Mary. Jesus Christ was born of Mary, lived a sinless life, died as a substitutionary atoning sacrifice for our sins, and rose bodily from the dead on the third day.

Jesus was who he needed to be, and he lived as he needed to live, in order to save us to the uttermost from our sin and its effects. May we behold him as our supreme Lord and our sufficient Savior today!

That’s the summary. Now, lastly, how should we think about applying these realities to our lives? What does beholding Jesus as our supreme Lord and sufficient Savior really look like? Let me offer two words for us on this, and then I’ll be done.

The Supreme Lord
The problem with beholding Jesus as supreme Lord is the fact that it requires you to admit that you aren’t supreme lord. And I know you would never dare claim the kind of authority and power the Bible ascribes to Jesus. I know you would never dare assert that you have the right to rule what Jesus has the right to rule.

But in a million little ways, our hearts rage against the supreme Lordship of Christ by asserting our right to rule and reign over our own lives. Not everything else; just us. And maybe not over every aspect of our lives. There are lots of things that we would gladly entrust to Jesus. But we hold onto what is most important. What is most precious. And we grumble and rage when we sense that our control over such things is slipping.

Here's how you can look for this in your heart.

Where are you anxious? What do you lose sleep thinking about? Wondering about? Worrying about? That’s an area of your life where you are struggling to surrender authority to the supreme Lord, Jesus.

Do you know what anxiety is? I’m not talking about clinical anxiety here, to be clear. I’m talking about the kind of run-of-the-mill anxiety that all of us suffer from. That anxiety boils down to one of two subtle statements.

Sometimes it is the statement: Jesus, I don’t think you have this under control. Other times, it is the statement: Jesus, I know you have this under control, but I don’t trust you – I think you’re going to screw it up.

Such anxiety is a failure to believe that Jesus is supreme Lord. To believe that he knows better than we do the way our lives should go.

Or maybe anxiety doesn’t reveal this in your heart, but discontentment does. Where are you discontent? What do you grumble about? What do you complain about? Maybe it is your job. Maybe it is your roommate. Maybe it is your family. Maybe it is your income level. Maybe it is any number of things. You whine and complain in your heart about it. You grumble. You vent.

Now, I want you to think about whatever you are tempted to grumble and complain about. Think about whatever your discontentment is. Do you really believe that Jesus, the one who holds all things together – do you really believe he got that wrong in your life? If you don’t like your job, do you really think Jesus messed up your job description? If you don’t like your roommate, do you really think Jesus gave you the wrong address?

You see, in our sinful, selfish little hearts, there are a million ways we rage against the supreme Lordship of Jesus. We are so often unbelievers here. Atheists. We need to behold Jesus, our supreme Lord, and entrust our lives wholly and totally to him.

We struggle to behold Jesus as supreme Lord. We also struggle to behold Jesus as a sufficient Savior.

The problem with beholding Jesus as a sufficient Savior is that it requires us to admit that we can’t save ourselves. Most of us believe that already – that we can’t save ourselves.

But then we judge others for the things we think we’re doing right and they are doing wrong. We reveal that we believe, deep in our hearts, that there is something about us that makes us commendable. Something about us that makes our sin less offensive to God than the sin of others is.

Or we don’t forgive others when they sin against us. We let bitterness take root and we hold onto the sins of others. This means we think the sins of other people are more offensive to God than our sins are.

In both cases, we’re forgetting that we only have peace with God through the blood of the Son. We’re forgetting that the only basis for our relationship with God is the blood of our sufficient Savior.

In what ways are you quick to judge others? Where and when are you slow to forgive others? May these things reveal what you are looking to – beyond Jesus – as a basis for your own salvation.

And may we turn from such things, to behold Jesus, our sufficient Savior – and our supreme Lord!

There are many wrong ideas about who Jesus is out there. He is still the man who divides the human race.

May we know him to be who Scripture reveals him to be: The righteous, perfect, holy Son of God – fully human and fully God – who always has been supreme Lord, but who came to be our sufficient Savior.