First Baptist Church of New Holland PA

COLOSSIANS 1:14-19 - THE STAR OF CHRISTMAS

It’s All About Jesus #2 – AM 12/21/21

A Quickie Quiz – I’ll name an old Christmas Movie, you name the star(s).

• Going My Way (Bing Crosby)
• The Bells of Saint Mary’s (Bing Crosby)
• Holiday Inn (Bing Crosby)
• White Christmas (Bing Crosby)
• It’s a Wonderful Life (Jimmie Stewart)
• A Christmas Carol or Scrooge (Reginald Owen 1938, Alastair Sim 1951, George C. Scott (TV movie 1984)

Of course, we know that there is only one true star of Christmas, and that’s the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s all about Christmas.

Although Paul doesn’t mention Christmas in Colossians 1:13-19, he certainly shows why Jesus is the star.

JESUS IS REDEEMER – Vs. 13-14

• I think you will agree that we see darkness all around us!
• We were or are a part of that darkness Ephesians 2:1-3
• Delivered, “transferred”. A conquering king deporting a whole nation to another realm.
• Vs. 14 – Jesus paid the ransom to set us free.

JESUS IS RADIATOR – Vs. 15a

• Jesus is the “exact representation” of the Father.

· John 14:9 …He that hath seen me hath seen the Father;   

• We can’t see God, but we can see Jesus!
• Jesus does not reflect who God is. He radiates who God is!

JESUS HAS RANK – Vs. 15b

· Charles Erdman - "'Firstborn' here means two things: priority in time and supremacy in place or position. Christ existed before the Creation, but He held the rank commonly assigned to the 'firstborn,' the rank of eminence and dominion.  Christ is thus declared to be the universal sovereign."

Charles Erdman, The Epistles of Paul to the Colossians and to Philemon, © 1966 by W.L. Jenkins, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Page 52   

· As universal sovereign, he outranks me!

JESUS IS RESPONSIBLE – Vss. 16-17

• Vs. 16 – The Triune God created us!
• Because of Jesus we exist. We exist to please Him.
• Only Christ-followers can please Him. Hebrews 11:6

· Vs. 17 – If Jesus can hold the universe together, He can hold my life together. He will if I let Him! John 14:19-21

JESUS IS RULER – Vss. 18-19

• Vs. 18 – He is ruler over death.
• He is ruler over the church.
• He is ruler over everything! He has preeminence!
• Vs. 19 – He has the fulness of God!
• He is the star of Christmas!
• He is the star of Everything!
• It’s all about Jesus!