Colossians 1:18

WHO IS JESUS?

 

Intro:  Ill. The Disciples on the sea, Jesus calmed the sea and they declared, "What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!", Mt. 8:27.  (Ill. Even the enemies of Jesus, the Scribes and Pharisees, wondered about Who He was.  “And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” - Luke 5:21) People still wonder just Who Jesus is!  No other man has ever been as polarizing a figure as Jesus.  Just the mention of His name causes some people to bow in worship; while that same name causes others to lash out in hatred and anger.

      While Jesus was here on earth, He encountered and changed many people. If those people were interviewed and asked, “Just who is Jesus to you?”  The answer you received would be as varied as the people He met.  Ill. Imagine if you asked: The blind man; the lame man; the leper; the deaf man; the Shumanite woman; those who hungered; those who thirsted; those who were lost; those who were sick in body, etc.  All of these people would have something to say about Who this man Jesus is.

      The fact is, there are just too many different hats worn by our blessed Savior for us to mention in one lifetime, let alone one service.  But, today, by the help of the Lord, I want to look into what Paul says about Jesus in this verse.  Here, he reveals aspects of the Lord Jesus that tell us Who Jesus is to the child of God. Allow me to take this simple, short verse and preach for just a few minutes on this thought: Who Is Jesus?

 

  I.                                        HE IS OUR HEAD

A. In regard to the believer, Jesus is our Head – He is The Supreme Master.  He is the One in charge!

      B. The Head is absolutely essential to the life of the body:

            1. Ill. The church is the body of Jesus - 1 Cor. 12:27

            2. The Head gives much to the body:

a. Direction - Eph. 5:1 - He leads the body. The head decides where the body goes.

b. Goals and plans - James 4:14-15 - He guides the body.  The head establishes the goals and priorities for the body and the body responds by obeying the leadership of the head.

c. Usefulness - Eph. 2:10, 2 Cor. 4:7 - He uses the body.  The head decides which body part moves and what it does.

d. Existence - I John 5:12 - He gives life to the body.  If the head were to die, then the body would cease to life also.

C. We owe the head total submission and obedience - 1 Cor. 6:19-20.  (Ill. There is a problem when the body ceases to hear the commands of the head.  This is called paralysis.  It results in a lack of movement and a lack of momentum.  The only way paralysis can be overcome is for communication to be restored between the head and the body.)

 

 II.                                       HE IS OUR HOPE

A. The total hope of all mankind lies in Jesus Christ.  He is the only hope for salvation, sanctification and satisfaction.  No one will ever see Heaven apart from Him.  No one will ever be holy apart from Him.  No one will ever be truly happy apart from Him.  But, those who know Him, find that He gives them all three! Jesus is our hope.  Here why:

B. He is the Beginning - He is the "One with whom it all started." Everything had its beginning in Him! He is the beginning of all the creation of God, John 1:1; Col. 1:16-17. He made this world and He sustains this world!  He is also the beginning of the church of God, Matt. 16:18. Jesus did not just assume responsibility for the church, He died to purchase it, Acts 20:28; Heb. 12:2; John 10:11.  Friend, He died for you!!

C. He is the Firstborn – The word here is the Greek word “protokos.”  We get our English word “Prototype” from it.  It refers “something having the essential features of a subsequent type, and on which later forms are modeled.”[1] This means, that Jesus was "The first to die, be buried and rise again to never die." But, He won’t be the last!  He is the prototype.  What happened to Him will happen to all those who believe in Him.  There will be a great getting up morning some glad day!  (Ill. Lazarus, Dorcas, Widow of Nain's son, Jairus' daughter - all died again.)  Jesus may have been the first to die and rise again to die no more, but He will not be the last, Rev. 1:18; 1 Cor. 15:20, 23; John 11:26; Heb 7:25.  Jesus is the “Firstfruits” from the dead.  Ill. The Firstfruits - Lev. 23.

 

III.                                       HE IS OUR HEART

A. The word “preeminence” comes from a word which means “To be first; to hold the first place.”  In every area of life, Jesus is to come first!  He should be first in your life; your job; your recreation’ you world; your church; your home; your heart, etc.  He is to be considered above and before all things!

B. God moves forward toward one goal: to place Jesus on the throne of the universe; Phil. 2:9-11. He moves toward that goal daily, unerringly, unhesitatingly and without compromise.  Our job is to place Jesus on the throne of our hearts - He must be acknowledged as our Lord!

C. Ill. Where Jesus already holds the preeminence – Scriptures, John 5:39; Salvation, Acts 4:12; 1 John 5:12; Sovereignty, Acts 17:28; Matt. 28:18.

D. Does He have preeminence in your heart and life?  If not, it is time to clean out the throne room and invite Jesus to take the place He deserves and died to acquire.

 

Conc: That’s just a small glimpse, from one short verse of Who Jesus is!  Who is He to you today?  On one occasion, Jesus asked His disciples this questions, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”, Matthew 16:13.  Their answer is worth hearing as well, “And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.” Matthew 16:14.  Then, Jesus asked this question, “But whom say ye that I am?”, Matthew 16:15.  Peter was there with his answer, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”,  Matthew 16:16.  Peter got it right that day and Jesus bragged on him for knowing Who He was.

      But, if Jesus were to ask you that question this evening, what would your answer be?  Can you claim Him as Savior and Lord?  Could you say, “Lord Jesus, you are my Head.  You are my Hope.  And, You are my Heart!  I need you for Life, for Leadership and because You fill the greatest longing in my life!”  Or, is there an area that needs work in your relationship with Him this evening?  If there is a need, or if you just want to talk to Him about something, then you come as He calls.