Rooted: Colossians - Week 3
Colossians 1:15-24
"Jesus Before Everything"
Colossians 2:8, 16-18
Colossians 1:15-20
V.15 “15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”
1) He is the image of the invisible God.
John 14:9, Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”
2) Firstborn of all creation
Prototokos - first in rank/importance/order or birth order.
Jeremiah 31:9, With weeping they shall come, and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Psalm 89: 27, “And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.”
Verse 16: “For by him all things were created…”
- Everything—heavenly, earthly, visible, invisible—was created by, through, and for Him.
- That includes thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities.
Application:
→ You don’t need to fear spiritual powers. Christ created them.
→ You don’t need to appease invisible forces. Christ rules them.
→ You don’t need extra revelation. All things exist for Him—and He’s given you Himself.
Verse 17: “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
- Christ is eternal—He was before all things.
- He is the sustainer—the glue of the universe.
Application:
→ He holds all things together—including you.
→ When your world feels like it’s falling apart, Christ remains constant.
→ You don’t need to hold everything—Jesus holds you and all things in His hands.
Verse 18: “And he is the head of the body, the church…”
- Christ isn’t just Lord over creation—He is the head of the church.
- He’s the beginning, the firstborn from the dead—pointing to His resurrection and reign.
Application:
→ He leads the church, not trends or traditions.
→ We don’t create our own spiritual authority—Jesus is the authority.
→ Our hope in resurrection and eternal life is secured in His victory.
Verse 19: “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell…”
- Christ isn’t a partial revelation of God—He is the fullness.
- God didn’t send an assistant or a reflection—He came Himself in Christ.
Application:
→ You don’t need to look beyond Jesus to understand God.
→ Jesus is not one way to God—He is God.
Verse 20: “And through him to reconcile to himself all things…”
- Christ’s work is cosmic—reconciling all creation back to God.
- He brings peace through His blood on the cross.
Application:
→ Your sin doesn’t have the final word—His blood does.
→ Reconciliation is available not by striving, but by surrendering to the work of the cross.
→ Whatever is broken—He is able to restore it.
II. “And You” - Colossians 1:21–23
“21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 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, 23 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.”
v.21 – "And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind..."
Our past:
- Alienated: separated from God.
- Hostile: inward rebellion.
- Doing evil deeds: outward actions reflecting the inner heart.
v.22 – "He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death..."
Our present:
- Reconciled — brought back into relationship.
- By His death — substitutionary, sacrificial.
- To present us: holy, blameless, and above reproach — our new identity in Christ.
v.23 – "If indeed you continue in the faith..."
Our responsibility:
- Continue in the faith — grounded, steadfast.
- Not shifting — from the hope of the gospel.
- Paul ends by reaffirming the global mission: this gospel is being proclaimed everywhere — and I, Paul, am a servant of it.
3-Day Devotional: “Christ Above All – And Christ for Me”
Day 1: The Cosmic Christ
- Read: Colossians 1:15–17
- Focus: Jesus is not just part of creation—He is Lord over all of it.
- Reflection: Take time today to worship Jesus for His power and supremacy. Walk outside, look at the sky or a tree, and remind yourself: “This exists by Him, through Him, and for Him.”
- Prayer Prompt: “Jesus, help me see You as greater than anything in my life. Re-center my heart to trust in Your power and authority.”
Day 2: The Head of the Church and My Life
- Read: Colossians 1:18–19
- Focus: Jesus is the source of life for the church—and for you.
- Reflection: Ask yourself: What areas of my life am I leading instead of letting Christ lead? Where do I need to submit to His headship today?
- Prayer Prompt:“Jesus, be the Head of my life. Lead me. Grow me. Help me to walk in step with You as the One who leads Your Church.”
Day 3: Reconciled and Restored
- Read: Colossians 1:20–22
- Focus: Jesus not only created you—He reconciled you by His blood.
- Reflection: You were once alienated, but now you’ve been brought near. Let that truth shape how you see yourself—and how you extend grace to others.
- Prayer Prompt: “Jesus, thank You for reconciling me. Help me to live as someone made clean and brought near. Make me an ambassador of Your peace.”
Small Group Discussion Questions
- Which part of the Colossians 1:15–20 description of Jesus stood out to you the most? Why?
- What are some modern-day “elemental spirits” or philosophies people turn to for hope instead of Christ?
- How does understanding that Christ created and sustains all things give you peace in your daily life?
- Paul moves from “He is” (v.15–20) to “and you” (v.21–23). How does this personal turn affect your understanding of Christ’s love and mission?
- In what area of your life do you need to experience more of Christ’s reconciling power—personally, relationally, or spiritually?