Big Idea

Jesus isn't one of many - He is in a category of one.

Jesus Over All Creation

He is the exact image of God. (V15a)
"The image of the invisible God"

He is the firstborn over all creation. (V15b)
"Firstborn over all creation"

He is the creator of all things. (V16)
"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 the sustainer of all things. (V17)
“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Jesus is Over the Church (v.18a)
“He is the head of the body, the church.”

Jesus is Over Death (v.18b)
"He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.”

The Fullness of God Dwells in Him (vv.19)
"For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him."

The Hypostatic Union

Fully God and Fully Man

He reconciles all things. (V20)
“Through him, God reconciles 'all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.'"

You Are Included (vv.21-23)
"And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,
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, 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."

Before: alienated, enemies in your minds, engaged in evil behavior.

Now: reconciled, holy, without blemish, free from accusation.