The Supremacy Of Christ: Faithful Living For The Long Haul

 

Series Summary

Paul's letter to the Colossians is a brief letter, only 95 verses long, but very significant in impact. Perhaps the most central theme of this short letter is the supremacy of Christ. Paul describes why Christ is sufficient, and what dangers lie in placing our trust in anyone or anything else. In Colossians, Paul emphasizes the supremacy of Christ in several ways: Jesus is our Creator and our sustainer. Jesus brings redemption and reconciliation. He holds all authority, and is the source of all wisdom and knowledge. And Jesus offers us freedom. For the Colossians, who lived in a culture dependent upon the power of Rome, Paul's letter showed them how to trust Christ against the flow of their culture. For believers today, Colossians does much the same thing. We can hold fast to Jesus, in spite of the pushback our culture gives. We can stand strong, leaning on his strength, and not our own. And we can grow in our faith and maturity, standing firm on the authority of Christ in our lives. In our world filled with diverse beliefs and philosophies, Christ's supremacy provides believers with a clear foundation for faith. It ensures that we remain anchored in the unchanging truth of Christ's lordship over everything. This provides hope and assurance, knowing that the one who created and sustains the universe is also the one who redeems and reconciles us to God. This assurance is vital in times of doubt and uncertainty. As the church, Colossians gives us a solid basis for unity. Christ's headship over the church reminds us that we are part of something much larger than just ourselves, and that we must work together to present Jesus to the world, and to prevent the influences of the enemy from taking root in our lives, helping us to "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him" (Colossians 1:10).

Sermon Summary

Colossians is only four chapters long, and just like the rest of Paul's letters, the latter part of it is filled with practical ways to live out our faith in everyday life. Paul shares some practical things here in the final passage of Colossians that can help us live faithfully for the long haul. He calls us to be consistent in prayer, to walk in wisdom, to watch our speech, and to rely upon others as we serve Jesus. That can be hard sometimes. But when we surround ourselves with encouragers, as Paul did, we stand a better chance of standing firm against an antagonistic culture trying to push us the other way. The message of Colossians truly helps us to stand firm in a chaotic world.