Christ Alone | Resources
Sermon Text: Colossians 1:18
“He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.” (CSB)
Devotional
To celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary in 2019, I took my wife to the first European country I’d ever visited: Belgium. Together with Holland and Luxembourg, these countries (also known as the “Low Countries”) are enchanting European destinations generally off the beaten path who’ve largely survived two world wars intact and exist today as historical “museums” frozen in time, relics of a past cultural and economic zenith when their navies and industrial products ruled the world.
Times have changed, and the world has left the Low Countries on the sidelines as the region’s political and economic fortunes have changed. Like modern Belgium, Colossae experienced its zenith in the distant past, and the region was already in decline when a church was established there in the first century. Like many new churches, Colossae experienced severe trials as mixed socioeconomic populations from diverse religious backgrounds attempted to form a stable community of Christian believers. The most severe problems centered on false teachings within the church as Jewish legalists and pagan mystics influenced its doctrine. Colossian believers struggled to accept Christ as the sole master of their lives and rejected Jesus’ authority in favor of a secret, higher knowledge that they believed was necessary for true salvation.
Paul countered the Colossian heresy by focusing his message on a fundamental Greek word that describes many aspects of Christ’s authority over the lives of his disciples: πρωτεύωπρωτεύω (proteuo). Translated as “having preeminence” or “being the only chief,” Paul emphasizes how Christ alone should be the master of our lives and govern all aspects of our Christian discipleship, from our personal relationships to the Father’s plans, the believer’s walk, and the church’s ministry. Paul uses this word in the present imperfective tense, implying a continuous, ongoing preeminence where Jesus is always the master of our lives, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He should never take a backseat to other aspects of our lives, such as our careers, materialism, or weekend children’s sporting activities. When we make Jesus the center of our lives – and let Him lead us – our lives are transformed!
This week, pray continually to make Jesus the center of your life, keep a prayer journal, and record how your heavenly king is transforming you into the man or woman you were meant to become!
Discussion Questions
1. What do you know about the church in Colossae? Summarize any background information you know.
2. After reading the whole book of Colossians, what would you say is the big idea? What is Paul’s desire for this church?
3. What key verses stood out to you? Why those verses?
4. Define preeminence. Why is preeminence an important discussion in the Christian faith?
5. What do you think has preeminence in our country or city? What do you think has preeminence in your life? What needs to change?
Memory Verse
“He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.” Colossians 1:18 (CSB)