Slides: God’s Fullness in Jesus

God’s Fullness in Jesus

Colossians 1:18-20

 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

And he is the head of the body, the church.

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 Cor 12:27)

We, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (Romans 12:5)

• Head and body are one.

• Head enlivens and energizes all members.

• Head connects and coordinates members.

He is the beginning (arche)

I am the first, and I am the last. (Isaiah 44:6)

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)

Behold, I am coming soon… I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. (Rev 22:12-13)

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

the firstborn from the dead

Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep… For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Cor 15:20,22)

Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. (Revelation 1:17-18)

that in everything he might be preeminent. [hold first place]

God raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:20-23)

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell

God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man (Nicene Creed)

We believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son, is both God and human, equally. (Athanasian Creed)

and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven.

…the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. (Ephesians 1:9-10)

making peace by the blood of his cross.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… we have now been justified by his blood (Romans 5:1,9)

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one  (Ephesians 2:13-14)

God's fullness in Jesus

18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.