Sermon - Littleby Baptist Church - Colossians 1 - Who is Jesus? - September 24, 2017

Life can be absolutely crazy. We all have those ups that make us feel like we are soaring like an eagle and those downs that make us wonder how to carry on. When I think of the good times, I remember the first night I danced with my wife, our wedding, the birth of our children and many more.

We all have those times that we like to think about. Then there are the things we don’t like to talk about, those challenges that knock us on our knees, that seem to make us feel like life is out of control.

We have all experienced things like this. It could be a medical issue that feels like you been punched in the gut, financial struggles that are holding you back, the loss of a loved one, housing problems, problems at work, you name it. No matter if you are a lifelong Christian or someone who is sitting here this morning wondering who Jesus is, life is going to be challenging. There will be times you want to celebrate and times you will break down and cry.

We went through a major challenge back in February 2010 when I was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor and had it removed a few months later. It was one of those times that knocked us to our knees and at times all we had was each other and our faith.

When things like this hit us, Christians tend to say things like ‘lay it at the cross’, ‘give it to Jesus’, ‘pray about it’, ‘Jesus will provide’ and more. These statements can be hard to hear at times, but you know what, they are really true.

Today I want to look at a piece of scripture that will show us that they are true. Verses that helped me through my medical challenge and I hope will give you something to hold onto when you are climbing that seemingly never-ending hill.

The question I want to answer this morning is. “Who is Jesus that He can carry us through all of our struggles, concerns, and worries?”

Colossians 1 tells us who Jesus is. We need to understand that He is not just some ordinary man, a prophet, or someone who was blessed or empowered by God. Jesus was so much more.

Colossians 1:15

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”

Jesus is the image of God the Father. What does that mean exactly? He is an exact image. He is masterfully made in the complete likeness of the Father. He is not counterfeit knock off, some wannabe, He is a PERFECT image. Absolutely, 100% perfect. Where the Father is Love, Jesus is Love. Where the Father is Holy, Jesus is Holy. Jesus is God.

This verse also tells us that Jesus is the first born. Obviously, Jesus was not he first baby to be born when He came to earth some 2,000 years ago. Instead it means that absolutely nothing came before Jesus. He existed before Adam was created, He existed before the earth was formed, and He existed before the first light ever shone. Nothing existed before Jesus and He was ‘over all creation’. Meaning simply, Jesus is in charge.

If Jesus is over all creation, If He is an exact perfect image of the Father, do you think He can handle all of your concerns?

Colossians 1:16

“For everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through Him and for Him”

Everything that exists today, things we can and cannot see, the building we are sitting in, the grass outside, the air we breathe, and even the love we share…everything was created by Jesus and it was created for His glory.

Not only did Jesus create everything, but everything is under His authority. The things we love, the things we hate, the things that bless us, and the things that we are struggling with. Everything, and I mean absolutely everything, is under His authority and subject to Him.

So, if everything is subject to Jesus, do you think He has the power needed to take care of everything you lay at His feet?

Colossians 1:17

“He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together”

We have already touched on how Jesus existed before everything, but He also holds all things together. Now we might look at the podium and say it is held together by glue and nails, but the reality of it is that Jesus is holding it together.

No matter what you can think of Jesus is holding it together. When the Bible says ‘all things’ it means ALL THINGS!

Now here is the part that really got me. Jesus holding things together is much more personal than a pulpit, because He holds you together.

Jesus is involved with every breath you take. He is involved with every beat of your heart. Without Jesus holding all things together we would no longer breathe and our hearts would no longer beat.

If Jesus is involved in your every breath, don’t you think He is capable of taking care of your needs?

Colossians 1:18

“He is also the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything.”

Jesus is the head of the Church. He is completely in charge of everything and everything submits to Him, He can heal, He can reconcile, He can do anything.

No matter what you are going through, no matter what your problem is, it falls 100% within Jesus’ realm of control.

Colossians 1:19

“For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him”

Reaffirms what we are told in verse 15. It was part of their plan for Jesus to be exactly like the Father, to have all of His power and authority. To be the absolutely perfect image of the Holy Loving Father.

Colossians 1:20

“and through Him to reconcile everything to Himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”

Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross He has given us the gift of reconciliation. Our sins are wiped away and we are able to be in a relationship with God the Father. If you believe, you are saved. No matter how much sin you have in your life, Jesus can save you. If Jesus can restore your broken relationship with our Holy Father, if He can wipe away all of your sin, do you think He can take care of you?

Jesus can restore all things, resolve all issues, and carry you through all of your troubles. He conquered sin, the rest of this stuff is easy in comparison.

Colossians 1:21-22

“²¹ Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds expressed in your evil actions. ²² But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before him”

If left to our own abilities we sinners would still be alienated and separate from God. Thankfully, Jesus changed all that for us. Through His death and resurrection, and our belief in Him as our Lord and Savior, we are completely restored.

Through Jesus we are no longer broken. Through our faith in Him we are Holy, Faultless, and Blameless in the eyes of our Father. Jesus took all the junk and made us whole.

If Jesus can wipe all of your sin away, do you think He can give you peace while you are in a storm?

Colossians 1:23

“if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a servant of it.”

So far we have focused on who Jesus is and what He is capable of, but here we are told that we need to do our part. We need to remain pure to the gospel; we need to maintain our hope in Jesus.

Believe in Jesus, follow His teachings, and be faithful. Not just when things are going great, but all the time. Praise Him when the light is shining and praise Him when the darkness surrounds you. Keep Jesus front and center at all times. Keep Him on the throne of your life, talk to Him, read your Bible, and choose to follow His lead in your life.

We are not to be a part time, fair weather Christians, we are called to be 100% sold out Christ Followers.

Do your part, Follow Jesus, and He will be with you.

Colossians 1:24

“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for His body, that is, the church.”

Life is not going to be easy. Jesus suffered agony for us as He was beat and hung on a cross. Paul was beat, imprisoned, and shipwrecked. Our lives are not going to be all flowers and sunshine.

Is Jesus in control of everything? Absolutely! Has he forgiven you of your sins? If you believe, Yes! Will you face struggles? Yes, you will.

Acts 14:22

“strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to pass through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God”

We are going to face ‘many hardships’ in this life. We are going to have struggles. But we are in good company. Jesus struggled, the disciples had a rough go of it, and we need to carry on. But remember we are not alone, Jesus will be with us every step every day.

Colossians 1:25-27

“²⁵ I have become its servant, according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, ²⁶ the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. ²⁷ God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

If you have accepted Jesus as your savior, you have Life, you have Hope, you have Glory.

Yes you will be faced with hardships, but Jesus is bigger than anything you are facing.

When life knocks you down, remember who Jesus is!

Back in 2010 I held on to the truths in these verses and it carried me through my struggles, and I still hold on to them today.

It does not matter what medical issues you are facing. Back pain, cancer, or an upcoming surgery. The truth is, Jesus created your body, He sustains your breath, He can take care of any medical issue that comes your way. He saw me through my surgery, a spinal fluid leak, and the long recovery. He will take care of you during your struggles.

Are you worried about finding a job? Do you believe that Jesus is in control? He is! If he can restore your relationship with God the Father, He can restore your finances! Put your faith in Him!

Whatever struggle you are facing today, remember that our Lord and Savior is over all creation. He will give you exactly what you need.

Nowhere in Scripture does it say life will be easy. Following Jesus does not pave the way to Easy Street. He is not going to make your life a cake walk. What He is going to do, is to be with you every step of the way. For the Good and the Bad.

Jesus is bigger than anything you are facing this morning, He Loves you more than you can ever know, He was wiped away every last sin, and He wants you to depend on Him.

When life knocks you down, remember who Jesus is!

Blessings,

Robert