Christ Above All: The Preeminence and Power of Jesus

Colossians 1:15-23 paints a breathtaking portrait of Jesus Christ—His identity, His authority, and His work on our behalf. As we celebrate three years as River Bend Church, it’s vital to remember that everything we are and everything we do must be centered on Christ above all. Jesus is not just a figure to be admired on Sundays; He is the living God, the Creator, the King, and the Savior who shapes every moment of our lives. Our faith is not a compartmentalized activity but a daily, all-encompassing relationship with the One who holds all things together.

Paul’s words remind us that Jesus is the image of the invisible God. He is not a distant deity or a mere moral teacher—He is God in the flesh, the very One who spoke creation into existence. This means our worth, our purpose, and our identity are found in Him. No one here is an accident or irrelevant; each of us is intentionally created and deeply loved by God. The world may try to convince us otherwise, but Scripture insists that every life matters, and every person is called to a unique purpose in Christ.

Jesus is also the head of the church and the Lord of all creation. Our ultimate allegiance is not to any political party, government, or human institution, but to King Jesus. While we may love our country and participate in civic life, our first loyalty is to the One who reigns over all. This should shape how we live, how we vote, and how we engage with the world around us. We are citizens of heaven first, called to reflect the values and priorities of our true King.

Most importantly, Jesus is our reconciler. Through His death on the cross, He has made peace between us and God, doing for us what we could never do for ourselves. We are not called to fix ourselves or earn God’s love; we are called to receive His grace and live out the new identity He has given us. This grace is not a license to live however we please, but a call to steadfast faith and transformed living. If we truly see Jesus as He is, our lives will be marked by ongoing change, deeper devotion, and a holy discontent with anything less than wholehearted discipleship.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Jesus is God in the flesh Jesus is not merely a wise teacher or a spiritual leader; He is the visible image of the invisible God, the Creator who entered His own creation. This truth should shatter any small or casual view of Christ and invite us into awe and reverence. If Jesus is truly God, then He deserves our worship, obedience, and the central place in every aspect of our lives. [09:31]
• 2. Our purpose and worth are found in Christ Every person is intentionally created by Jesus, not as an afterthought but with purpose and love. The world may try to diminish our value, but in Christ, we are known, wanted, and equipped for a unique calling. When we seek our purpose from our Creator rather than from the world, we find true meaning and direction for our lives. [21:14]
• 3. Jesus is King—our ultimate allegiance is to Him While we may participate in earthly systems and love our nation, our first and highest loyalty is to King Jesus. Human leaders and institutions will fail, but Christ’s reign is eternal and just. This reality should shape our decisions, our politics, and our daily conduct, reminding us that we are citizens of a greater kingdom. [25:11]
• 4. Reconciliation is God’s work, not ours We cannot fix ourselves or earn our way back to God. Jesus has reconciled us through His cross, presenting us holy and blameless before the Father. This grace is not a license for complacency but a call to live as new creations, steadfast in faith and transformed in practice. [38:56]
• 5. God’s love is constant and transformative God’s love for us in Christ is unchanging—nothing we do can make Him love us more or less. Yet this love is not passive; it transforms us from the inside out, compelling us to live in a way that reflects our new identity and brings glory to our Savior. [49:24]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:29] - Reading Colossians 1:15-23
• [02:45] - Three Years of River Bend Church
• [03:44] - Christ Above All: More Than Sundays
• [05:37] - Paul’s Praise for Jesus’ Preeminence
• [06:31] - Who Do You Say Jesus Is?
• [09:31] - Jesus: God in the Flesh
• [16:03] - Jesus: Creator and Sustainer
• [21:14] - Our Purpose and Worth in Christ
• [23:33] - Jesus: Head of the Church and Lord
• [25:11] - Allegiance to King Jesus
• [33:47] - Jesus: The Reconciler
• [38:56] - Reconciliation and New Identity
• [49:24] - God’s Unchanging, Transforming Love
• [55:58] - Living in Light of Christ’s Salvation
• [58:29] - Invitation to Respond and Renew
• [62:16] - Prayer and Closing Invitation

1. According to Colossians 1:15-17, what specific claims does Paul make about who Jesus is and what He has done?
2. In the sermon, what does the pastor say about how Jesus is not just a wise teacher or a spiritual leader, but God in the flesh? ([09:31])
3. What does Paul say Jesus accomplished through His death on the cross, according to verses 20-22?
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between Jesus’ authority and the authority of human leaders or institutions? ([25:11])

1. The sermon says that Jesus is the “image of the invisible God” and the Creator of all things. What does it mean for our understanding of God that Jesus is not distant, but present and knowable? ([09:31])
2. The pastor mentions that our worth and purpose are found in Christ, not in what the world says about us. How does this challenge the way people often look for meaning or value? ([21:14])
3. The sermon talks about our “ultimate allegiance” being to King Jesus, not to any political party or nation. What are some practical ways this might affect a Christian’s daily life and decisions? ([25:11])
4. The pastor says that reconciliation with God is God’s work, not ours, and that we can’t fix ourselves. How does this truth impact the way we approach our failures and struggles? ([38:56])

1. The sermon says that if Jesus is truly God, He deserves the central place in every aspect of our lives. Is there an area of your life where Jesus is not at the center? What would it look like to put Him first in that area? ([09:31])
2. The pastor shared that every person is intentionally created and deeply loved by God. When you struggle with feelings of worthlessness or doubt, what truth from this passage or sermon can you remind yourself of? ([21:14])
3. The message challenged us to see our first loyalty as being to King Jesus, even above our country or political party. Has there been a time when your faith and your politics have been in tension? How did you respond, or how do you want to respond next time? ([25:11])
4. The sermon said that we don’t have to fix ourselves to earn God’s love, but are called to receive His grace and live out our new identity. Are there ways you’ve been trying to “fix yourself” instead of trusting in what Jesus has done? What would it look like to rest in His grace this week? ([38:56])
5. The pastor talked about God’s love being constant and unchanging, but also transforming us from the inside out. Is there a specific area where you sense God is calling you to change or grow? What step could you take this week to respond to His love? ([49:24])
6. The sermon ended with a call to “holy discontent”—not being satisfied with a lukewarm faith. Is there a place in your walk with Jesus where you’ve grown complacent? What is one thing you can do this week to pursue deeper devotion? ([01:02:16])
7. The pastor encouraged us to reflect the values and priorities of our true King. Think of one relationship or situation where you can intentionally live out the values of Jesus this week. What would that look like? ([25:11])