Epistles

Christ, the Pre-eminent One

Message Notes

INTRO
1. Jayden Daniels, pre-eminent college player 2023
  1. Jayden Daniels won the Heisman trophy this week as the most preeminent player in college football this year (picture of him holding up the trophy)
  2. He is not just “eminent,” He is “pre-eminent” (in the first place.)
2. Word is only used one time in the New Testament. It describes Christ as the “first place.” It really means “towering above!”
  1. Melanie became the pre-eminent person in my life. I have had no desire or attraction to any other woman for 47 years. (Show picture of our family).
Three places Christ is “first place”:
1. “First place” in CREATION (Col. 1: 15-17)
  1. Christ is the “firstborn,” meaning his status as the Son who receives the double portion. He was never “born”or created.
  2. Christ created all things: heavenly beings and earthly beings (v. 16). He made all spiritual beings and natural, visible things in the universe. They were all made through Him and for Him.
  3. Christ is the power that holds all things together (consist). All matter and atoms cohere together by the Word of Christ: “Let there be…”. He turned all “chaos” into a “cosmos.” (Big Bang was Christ. He “banged the bang.”)
2. “First place” in the CHURCH (v. 18)
  1. He created the church “by the blood of His cross.” Out of the darkness chaos of SIN and DEATH he brought the “cosmos” of the “church.”
  2. He is the “Head of the Church.” Nothing is as important in the church as the “Head of the Church.” Our buildings, properties, programs, and even personalities are all far below His prestige.
3. “First place” in the CHRISTIAN (Col. 2: 6)
  1. “As you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him” (2: 6, NET Bible).
Seven places Christ must be first in your life:
1. “Put Christ first” in your THOUGHTS (3:2)
  1. “Set your mind on things above, not on things that are on earth.”
  2. So many of our conversations are about sports, hobbies, political, social media, Hollywood actors, money, houses, clothes, furniture.
  3. We all tend to get “pre-occupied.” We are around people all day who are pre-occupied with the world. Our minds need to become “occupied” with Christ the way a person in love is to their Lover. (Reinhard Bonnke and the “blood washed Africa).
2. “Put Christ first” in your TEMPTATIONS (3:5)
  1. The secret of overcoming temptation for sexual immorality and money is to look at Christ. He overcame the temptation for both things. We should not allow our minds to focus on sexual pleasure or the love of money but on the pure, innocent, simple life Christ lived.
3. “Put Christ first” in your EMOTIONS (3:8)
  1. Anger, wrath, profanity, flashes of anger, and road rage are all earthly. Looking at Christ calms us down, puts things in perspective, helps us to control our tongue.
4. “Put Christ first” in your RELATIONSHIPS (3: 12-13)
  1. It’s so easy to harbor grudges, build a case against someone, and plan your revenge against them. When we look at Christ, we drop the case…we release the grudge…we humble ourselves as He did on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
  2. We must have the “peace of Christ” in our relationships and REFUSE STRIFE. God is going to do supernatural reconciliation in relationships in 2024 by our putting Christ first in relationships.
5. “Put Christ first” in your DEVOTIONS (3: 16)
  1. Christ is the Word. When you read and sing HIs Word, you are putting Him in first place in your life. Read His Word before the newspaper, social media, and sports highlights. (Since 1989 reading through the Bible every year).
6. “Put Christ first” in your ACTIVITIES (3: 17)
  1. Put Christ first on your job. Give Him “first place.” In your housework and yard work. In your fun times. Include Him in on everything you do: camping, ball games, fishing, hunting.
7. “Put Christ first” in your FAMILY (v. 18-21)
  1. WIVES, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
  2. HUSBANDS, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.
  3. CHILDREN, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
  4. FATHERS, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged”
Invitation
1. “Is Christ in first place? Is He Pre-Eminent in your thoughts, temptations, emotions, relationships, devotions, activities, and family?”
2. Does Jesus “tower above” in every one of these seven categories?

Epistles

This journey through the letters from Paul to the early church can give us wisdom and insight on Christian living today.

18 Part Series

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