Embracing the Supremacy of Christ in Our Tensions

Devotional

Day 1: The World Revolves Around Jesus, Not Us

Description: In a culture that often promotes self-centeredness and hyper-individualism, it is refreshing and liberating to remember that the world does not revolve around us but around Jesus Christ. This truth invites us to lean into His sovereignty and find our true meaning and purpose in Him. Jesus is the center of all creation, and recognizing this can take the pressure off us to be the center of our own worlds. Instead, we are called to align our lives with His will and purpose, finding freedom in His lordship. [15:01]

Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Reflection: In what ways have you been living as if the world revolves around you? How can you begin to shift your focus to Jesus and His purposes today?

Day 2: All Things Are Under Jesus' Feet

Description: Everything in the world, both visible and invisible, is under the authority of Jesus Christ. This includes powers, authorities, and institutions. As believers, we are called to partner with the Spirit in bringing all things into service to Jesus. This understanding should fuel our prayers and our actions in the world, knowing that nothing is outside of His control. It also provides us with a sense of security and confidence, knowing that Jesus reigns supreme over all. [19:15]

Ephesians 1:22-23 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you feel powerless. How can you trust in Jesus' authority over this situation and invite Him to take control?

Day 3: True Peace Comes Through Jesus

Description: The peace that Jesus offers is unlike any other. It is not fragile or temporary, but eternal and all-encompassing. Jesus reconciles all things to Himself, bringing true peace on both a personal and cosmic level. This peace is a gift that we are called to share with the world. Unlike the fragile peace offered by the world, the peace of Christ is eternal and all-encompassing, providing a foundation for our lives that cannot be shaken. [24:45]

John 14:27 (ESV): "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

Reflection: Where in your life do you need the peace of Christ? How can you actively seek and share this peace with others today?

Day 4: Surrender to Jesus' Lordship

Description: Surrendering our lives to Jesus means recognizing His lordship over every area of our lives. This includes our personal struggles, our relationships, and our vocations. Surrender is not a one-time act but a daily commitment to live under His rule and reign. It involves trusting Him with our fears, hopes, and dreams, and allowing Him to guide our steps. This daily surrender is a journey of faith and obedience, leading to a deeper relationship with Jesus. [31:30]

Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 5: The Role of the Church

Description: The church is the one institution where Jesus Christ must be recognized as Lord. When the church upholds the lordship of Jesus, it becomes a powerful force for good in the world. This requires a commitment to prayer, discernment, and a willingness to be peacemakers in our communities. The church is called to be a beacon of hope and a place where the love and truth of Jesus are lived out and shared with others. [22:08]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: How can you contribute to making your church a place where Jesus is recognized as Lord? What specific actions can you take to promote prayer, discernment, and peacemaking in your church community?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's sermon, we delved into the profound themes presented in the book of Colossians, particularly focusing on the tensions we experience in life and the supremacy of Jesus Christ. We began by acknowledging the various tensions we face, whether they are relational, vocational, or spiritual. These tensions are a natural part of life, but they can also be a source of growth and transformation.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, addresses a specific tension within the church: the creeping in of conflicting beliefs and values. Paul emphasizes that Jesus Christ is supreme and sufficient, and that the gospel should not be diluted with other teachings. The passage we focused on, Colossians 1:15-20, is a poetic declaration of the preeminence of Christ. It highlights that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the creator and sustainer of all things, and the head of the church.

We explored three key lessons from this passage. First, the world does not revolve around us, but around Jesus Christ. This truth is liberating and countercultural, especially in a society that promotes hyper-individualism. Second, all things are under the feet of Jesus. This includes not just the visible and tangible, but also the invisible powers and authorities. This understanding should shape our prayers and our engagement with the world. Finally, true and lasting peace comes only through Jesus Christ. Unlike the fragile peace offered by the world, the peace of Christ is eternal and all-encompassing.

As we embark on this series through Colossians, we are invited to surrender our lives to Jesus, to deepen our prayer lives, and to seek the gift of peacemaking. Let us lean into the supremacy of Christ and allow His peace to rule in our hearts.

###

Key Takeaways

1. centeredness, it is refreshing to remember that the world revolves around Jesus Christ. This truth takes the pressure off us and invites us to lean into His sovereignty. Jesus is the center of all creation, and our lives find true meaning and purpose in Him. [15:01]
2. All Things Are Under Jesus' Feet: Everything in the world, both visible and invisible, is under the authority of Jesus Christ. This includes powers, authorities, and institutions. As believers, we are called to partner with the Spirit in bringing all things into service to Jesus. This understanding should fuel our prayers and our actions in the world.

3. True Peace Comes Through Jesus: The peace that Jesus offers is unlike any other. It is not fragile or temporary, but eternal and all-encompassing. Jesus reconciles all things to Himself, bringing true peace on both a personal and cosmic level. This peace is a gift that we are called to share with the world.

4. Surrender to Jesus' Lordship: Surrendering our lives to Jesus means recognizing His lordship over every area of our lives. This includes our personal struggles, our relationships, and our vocations. Surrender is not a one-time act but a daily commitment to live under His rule and reign.

5. The Role of the Church: The church is the one institution where Jesus Christ must be recognized as Lord. When the church upholds the lordship of Jesus, it becomes a powerful force for good in the world. This requires a commitment to prayer, discernment, and a willingness to be peacemakers in our communities.

### [15:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:32] - Introduction to Tensions
[03:22] - Examples of Tensions
[04:08] - Tensions in the Christian Life
[04:59] - Paul's Clarity on Tensions
[06:02] - The Church at Colossae
[07:01] - Supremacy of Jesus Christ
[08:15] - Ellen Davis Quote
[09:41] - Reading of Colossians 1:15-20
[11:16] - Analysis of the Passage
[12:30] - Poetic Structure
[13:43] - Firstborn Language
[15:01] - The World Revolves Around Jesus
[19:15] - All Things Under Jesus' Feet
[24:45] - True Peace Through Jesus
[31:30] - Surrender to Jesus
[33:09] - Increased Fervor in Prayer
[34:27] - Gift of Peacemaking
[35:45] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are some of the tensions mentioned in the sermon that we experience in our daily lives? ([02:32])
According to Colossians 1:15-20, what are some of the attributes and roles of Jesus Christ?
How does the sermon describe the cultural narrative of hyper-individualism, and how does it contrast with the message of Colossians? ([16:23])
What does the sermon say about the peace that Jesus offers compared to the peace offered by the world? ([24:45])

Interpretation Questions

How does understanding that "the world revolves around Jesus, not us" change our perspective on daily pressures and responsibilities? ([15:01])
What does it mean for all things to be under Jesus' feet, and how should this understanding influence our prayers and actions? ([19:15])
In what ways does the peace of Christ differ from the fragile peace of the world, and how can this peace impact our lives and communities? ([24:45])
How can the church uphold the lordship of Jesus and become a powerful force for good in the world? ([22:08])

Application Questions

Reflect on a specific area of your life where you feel tension. How can you surrender this area to Jesus and lean into His sovereignty? ([31:30])
Think about a situation where you have felt overwhelmed by the pressures of life. How can the truth that "the world revolves around Jesus" help you find relief and perspective? ([15:01])
Identify a specific invisible power or authority in your life (e.g., a challenging relationship, a difficult work situation). How can you pray for this to come under the feet of Jesus? ([19:15])
Consider a recent conflict or stressful situation. How can you seek and share the true peace that comes through Jesus in this context? ([24:45])
Reflect on your current prayer life. What steps can you take to increase your fervor and commitment to prayer, especially for the larger issues in the world? ([33:09])
How can you actively participate in peacemaking within your community or workplace? Identify one specific action you can take this week to promote peace. ([34:27])
Think about the role of the church in your life. How can you contribute to upholding the lordship of Jesus within your church community? ([22:08])

Sermon Clips

1. "And so into our cultural narrative of hyper-individualism and the God of the self, we read this passage and it's refreshing, right? It's water to our soul because it's actually good news that the world doesn't revolve around you. Take the pressure off. It revolves around Jesus. Lean into that." [02:32] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "On a personal level, those of us who follow Jesus will know the tension that exists between our sinfulness and the journey of sanctification that we're on. There's days where we feel like failures, and there's days where we really feel the grace of God over our lives, sinfulness and sanctification. On the more cosmic scale, we live in the now and the not yet attention, right? The kingdom has been inaugurated and it's breaking through in some ways, but we all know that it is not here in its fullness yet. We live somewhere between darkness and light in the now and the not yet." [04:08] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The church at Colossae was not one that Paul planted or even visited. And in many ways it was a church doing well. Filled with people like you and I, normal, everyday people trying their best to live in obedience to Jesus. And bear in mind that these people, unlike us, didn't have the whole New Testament. And they didn't have 2,000 years of theological reflection. Like they were trying to work this stuff out in the very, very early days of the faith." [06:02] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Among many things that we could glean from this passage, possibly the most clear of all is the utter centrality of Jesus Christ to all of existence. Somehow, we read in this passage, all things that exist, owe their life, their past, their present, their future to Jesus Christ. People, places, events, Jesus is Lord over all of it. The world, according to this passage, quite literally revolves around Jesus Christ." [15:01] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "All things are under the feet of Jesus Christ. The final, I think, big lesson that's helpful for us today as we read this passage is this, Jesus alone is the key to real peace. I love at the end of the poem, for in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross, the king and the author of creation is the only one who can bring about reconciliation in the new creation." [23:16] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "True lasting peace, eternal and complete peace will only come from living under the rule and the reign of the righteous one Jesus Christ. Later in Colossians we'll hear that beautiful verse in chapter three let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts one day the peace of Christ will rule in every heart that comes to him." [29:55] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "As a reminder Paul's basic thesis here is Jesus plus nothing equals everything he was reminding these early believers put your full trust in Jesus because he alone is enough." [31:30] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "The church, above all places, is the one institution where Jesus Christ must be recognized as Lord. I read that if something has no head, it's dead, but if it has more than one head, it's a monster. The church must be a place where the ultimate lordship of Jesus Christ is recognized and upheld again and again and again, and we all know how badly things can go. This is not the case." [22:08] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "We partner with the Spirit of God to bring about the service of all things to Jesus Christ. So your family, your friends, the school that you attend, our institutions, the companies that we buy stuff from, and of course political parties and even governments, all things were created by him, through him, for him. When they don't recognize that and they don't give him his rightful place, they can become powers for evil, and of course we know that all too well." [20:46] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "We must believe that above all things there is power in our prayers and I pray every day about the the little things in my life and my family and my kids and all the immediate stuff I'm not always the best at praying for the bigger stuff sometimes because it can feel paralyzing it's so big but the reminder here is that all things are under the feet of Jesus Christ it's him doing it it's not us but we partner with the spirit and praying it in perhaps that's for you today." [33:09] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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