From Alienation to Reconciliation (Colossians 1:15-23)
Text:
“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 by the blood of his cross” (Colossians 1:15-20, ESV).
These verses contain one of the most powerful descriptions of Christ and His work. He is the image of the invisible God (v. 15a). The firstborn of all creation (v. 15b). All things were created through Him and for Him (v. 16b). He is before all things (v. 17a). In Him all things hold together (v. 17b). He is the head of the body, the church (v. 18a). He is the beginning (v. 18b). He is the firstborn from the dead (v. 18c), that in everything he might be preeminent. In Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell (v. 19). Through Him all the fullness of God was pleased to reconcile to Himself all things (v. 20). On earth. And in heaven (nothing there needs to be reconciled, except that we sinful people do not belong there). How did He do this? By shedding His blood on the cross.
From alienation to reconciliation: the work of Christ in us and for us. By, through, and for Jesus all things were created, so that his gospel would be proclaimed in all of creation.
“And you, who once were alienated…” (Colossians 1:21a, ESV).
Have you ever seen Cast Away? There is a scene in which the character that Tom Hanks portrayed climbed to the highest point of the island in order to look around. And when he did so, he realized that he was completely alone, separate from everyone he loved. Our sin separates us from God.
“And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds” (Colossians 1:21, ESV).
We were enemies of God not only in our flesh, but in our minds. We set our minds to see what we wanted to see. We set our minds to do what we wanted to do: evil behavior.
“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” (Colossians 1:22, ESV).
“He has now…” There is hope for us. What we could not do because of our sinful flesh and minds, Christ did for us. It happened through his death. It could happen no other way. We are blameless in Christ.
“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 I, Paul, became a minister” (Colossians 1:23, ESV).
Never forget the “if” of verse 23. We must continue in the faith. We can know a tree by its fruit. Paul became a servant of the gospel because of this reconciliation. We are not saved by works, but if our life is not consistent with a life saved by the grace of God, then we have not received the grace of God.
Pastor Chris Huff has been with us since July 2009. He and his wife, Abby, have four children. Chris is originally from St. Louis, MO and even though he was raised as a city boy, he has a small town heart. Chris is all over the internet, so you can find him on Facebook, Twitter,… (read more)
