Young People's Group

THE PRE-EMINENCE OF CHRIST

by Pastor Mitch
August 03, 2008

The Reasons For Giving Christ The Pre-Eminence

How we perceive the person of our Lord Jesus determines our regard for Him. If we truly recognise Him as the almighty and sovereign Son of God, we would give the reverence and honour that is due to Him. Paul saw the great need for the Colossian Church to understand that Christ must be given the pre-eminence in all things. Paul sought to establish this important truth on the following premises.

1. By Virtue Of Who Christ Is

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” 
Colossians 1:15

“He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” 
Colossians 1:17

The Lord Jesus is the direct reflection of our heavenly Father. He shows to us completely what God is like. Not only that, He is considered by God to be His “firstborn” over all things. This is in terms of the status that has been given to Him. He is self-existing and eternal as God is. Everything is sustained because of Him.

2. By Virtue Of What He Has Done

“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” 
Colossians 1:16

The Lord Jesus also created everything there is in this magnificent universe. Every spiritual and physical being was created by Him and they were created for Him.

3. By Virtue Of His Titles

“And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead” 
Colossians 1:18

The Lord Jesus has been given special and glorious titles. He is called the head of the Church and the firstborn from the dead. He is the first one to receive the resurrected body. By virtue of His glorious titles, the Lord must be given the pre-eminence.

Giving Christ The Pre-Eminence In All Things

“That in all things He may have the pre-eminence.” 
Colossians 1:18

The word “pre-eminence” means “first place”. God has highly exalted the Lord Jesus as one who would have the first place above all things. With understanding and recognition of who the Lord Jesus is and what He has done, He must be given that highest regard. Bethany has always sought to give to the Lord Jesus the pre-eminence all these years. We are what we are today because we have sought to give Him the honour that is due to Him. Young people, let’s always seek to give the Lord Jesus the pre-eminence in our life and in our ministry.

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