He's All That by Pastor Paul Jacks (Colossians 1:15-21)

An exposition of Colossians 1:15–20 unfolds the supremacy of Christ with plain, urgent clarity. The Son is presented as the exact image of the invisible God—fully divine and the true revelation of what God is like. He is described as “firstborn over all creation,” not to suggest a beginning in time but to assert an honored rank and governing authority that precedes and orders all things. All things were created through and for him, both visible and invisible, and in him all things hold together; his sustaining presence prevents cosmic and moral collapse. He is the head of the body, the church, and the beginning and firstborn from the dead—unique in his resurrection and therefore decisive for the destiny of creation. All the fullness of God dwells in him, and by his blood he initiates a cosmic reconciliation, restoring heaven and earth to their intended fellowship with the Father.

The exposition moves from doctrinal depth into pastoral urgency. In a world of political chaos, cultural anxiety, and personal failure, these claims about Christ are not abstract theology but practical scaffolding for life: God’s sovereignty comforts the frightened, his providence steadies the anxious, and his supremacy exposes misplaced trust in human strategies or self-sufficiency. The Holy Spirit’s presence among believers is emphasized as the continual means by which Christ rules and reconciles his people, shaping spiritual perseverance rather than sensationalism. The ultimate appeal is moral and spiritual: make Christ first in motivation and action, relinquish the illusion of control, and allow the reconciling work accomplished on the cross to reorder priorities. The result is a people whose identity and hope are centered in the reigning, reconciling, and all-sufficient Christ.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Jesus is God’s exact representation Jesus is not a partial mirror of deity but the full, intelligible disclosure of the invisible God. To encounter Jesus is to encounter God’s character, purpose, and mercy embodied. This destroys any neat separation between the Father’s will and the Son’s authority and demands worship that recognizes his divine identity. [07:00]
• 2. Christ creates and sustains all The universe was made through him and for him, and he holds everything together moment by moment. This is a theological rebuttal to panic: cosmic stability is not an accident of systems but the ongoing action of Christ’s sustaining power. Such a conviction reorients fear into attentive dependence and sober stewardship. [12:46]
• 3. He is head of the church Christ’s rule extends specifically to the body of believers, uniting Jews and Gentiles into one people under his leadership. That reality reframes failures, scandals, and internal conflict: they are real wounds but do not overthrow his headship or the church’s calling. The church’s identity and mission flow from his governance, not from cultural posture or institutional success. [15:38]
• 4. Reconciliation is cosmic and personal All fullness dwells in Christ, and through his blood God intends to reconcile “all things”—not merely individual sins but fractured creation and hostile powers. The cross is thus not only forensic forgiveness but the beginning of restorative, cosmic peace that invites active participation in restoration. Holding this truth shifts mission from self-help to sacrificial reconciliation. [28:20]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:15] - Chaos and cultural anxiety
• [02:30] - Title: “He’s all that”
• [05:44] - Reading Colossians 1:15–20
• [07:00] - “Image of the invisible God”
• [11:00] - Creation through and for Christ
• [12:46] - Christ sustains all things
• [15:38] - Head of the body, the church
• [21:09] - Firstborn from among the dead
• [25:14] - All the fullness dwells in him
• [28:20] - Reconciliation through his blood
• [33:01] - Practical application and trust
• [35:33] - Making Christ first in life
• [38:49] - Prayer and benediction

Bible reading

Colossians 1:15–20 (ESV)
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 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. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 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.

Observation questions

1. According to verses 16 and 17, what is the extent of Christ’s creative work, and what is his current relationship to the things he created?
2. Chaos and "craziness" often seem to be "sold everywhere" in our world today [00:59]. Based on verse 17, what is the theological reality that counters the feeling that the world is spinning out of control?
3. What specific titles or descriptions does Paul use in verses 15 and 18 to describe Christ’s relationship to God, to creation, and to the church?
4. According to verse 20, what was the specific goal of Christ’s work on the cross, and what was the "price" paid to achieve it?

Interpretation questions

1. The term "firstborn" in this passage refers to a position of rank, honor, and authority rather than a beginning in time [09:36]. How does understanding Christ as the "most important" or highest-ranking over creation change the way we view his power over "thrones or powers or rulers"?
2. Verse 15 calls Jesus the "exact representation" of the invisible God [07:16]. If we can only truly know what God is like by looking at Jesus, what do his actions in the Gospels tell us about God’s character and mercy?
3. Christ is described as the "head of the body, the church" [15:38]. Since the church is made up of people from all different walks of life and nationalities, what does his headship imply about how the church should remain united even when there are "internal conflicts" or "scandals"?
4. Verse 19 says all the "fullness" of God dwells in Christ. Why is it vital to believe that Jesus was "fully God and fully man" [27:08] rather than just a good teacher or a partial reflection of God?

Application questions

1. It is easy to get distracted by the news, fluctuating prices, or "threats to take over countries" [00:41]. When you feel that "cultural anxiety," do you find it difficult to believe that Christ is actually "holding your life together right now" [13:05]? How can you practically shift your focus back to his supremacy this week?
2. We often struggle with the "illusion of control" and try to fix our own problems through our own abilities [30:15]. Is there a specific situation in your life—perhaps a financial burden or a family issue—that you are trying to "fix" yourself instead of trusting God with?
3. The difference between simply trying to solve a problem and truly trusting God is often found in our "motivation" [34:11]. When you face a challenge, is your first reaction to rely on your own "human strategies," or do you start by acknowledging Christ’s preeminence?
4. Christ is the "beginning" and the "firstborn from the dead," meaning he has your entire journey covered from your origin to your end [22:00]. How does knowing he is already at the "end" of your story give you the "courage" to face a "hard time" you are going through today [24:48]?
5. Sometimes our prayers are "too small" because we have minimized who God is in our minds [22:54]. Looking at the "all-powerful" nature of Christ in this passage, what is one "immeasurably more" request you want to bring to him this week [31:56]?
6. Making Christ "first" in our lives is the only "acceptable position for him" [35:33]. What is one practical area of your life—your schedule, your finances, or your private thoughts—where you need to "get out of your own way" and allow Jesus to be supreme [37:16]?