WATCH THE SERMON

THE LORD OF ALL HAS COME NEAR – COLOSSIANS 1:15-20

Jesus, the Lord over all creation and the exact image of the invisible God, has come near—the One through whom all things were made and in whom all things hold together. And He entered His own creation to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace through His blood and inviting His people into His redeeming work.

 
 

READ THE SCRIPTURE

Colossians 1:15-20

The Preeminence of Christ

[15] He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. [16] 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. [17] And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. [18] 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. [19] For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, [20] and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

 
 

STUDY QUESTIONS

1) Pastor Steve emphasized that Jesus is supreme over everything. Jesus is not our homie. We should regard Him according to the way that He has revealed Himself to us through scripture.

  • Read Colossians 1:15-16. How is Jesus described in these verses?

  • Reflect on how you typically relate to Jesus when you approach Him in worship and prayer. In light of what this scripture reveals about Jesus, how should your posture be when you approach the Lord?

    Assigned to Cheryl & Kristina.

    2) Read Colossians 1:15-17. Pastor Steve illustrated Jesus as having authority over all realms and holding everything together with “mind blowing precision and care.”

  • In what area of your life do you still struggle with fear and worry and why?

  • Now consider how the truths in versus 15-17 should change the way you are burdened with fear and worry. How can trusting the One who upholds galaxies as well as your life reshape your prayers, your planning, or your responses to uncertainty this week?

    Assigned to Nicole & Toli.

3) Pastor Steve said, “The Lord over all things has come near…the maker of the stars, the sustainer of creation, the one in whom all things hold together wanted to be known and wanted to be near.”

  • How does Colossians 1:15–17 deepen your sense of what it means that God is “with us” this Advent season?

  • And where in your life do you most need to remember that He is near?

    Assigned to Amanda & Yvette.

4) Pastor Steve said, “He just didn’t come near. He also took the next step to bring us near,” describing how Jesus reconciles us to the Father and invites us into a ministry of reconciliation in the church and in hard relationships. Read Colossians 1:19–22 and 2 Corinthians 5:18–19.

  • How do these passages describe your former condition and Christ’s reconciling work?

  • Think about a particular relationship (with family, a friend, or a church member) that Christ may be inviting you to pursue reconciliation with. What might a first, humble step look like toward this reconciliation?

    Assigned to Cabrina & Bernadette.

    5) The passage states that Jesus is “the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent,” Pointing to this truth, Pastor Steve asks us: “Does Jesus have first place in your life?”

  • Read Colossians 1:18–20. What would it look like for Jesus to be “preeminent” practically in your schedule, in your spending, and in your spiritual habits this Advent season?

  • As a group, brainstorm one concrete Advent practice (worship, service, generosity, evangelism, or reconciliation) that you can each adopt to help “lift your eyes to Him” and “marvel again at Jesus, the God who came near.”

Assigned to Everyone.