Jesus is First (Colossians 1:15-23) - Grant Lunsford

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Is First: Over All Things, Seen and Unseen

Only one can be first, and Scripture declares that place belongs to Jesus. He is not a distant idea but the visible expression of the unseen God, the One through whom everything was made and for whom everything exists. Because he created all things, he holds rightful authority over all things, and that brings deep confidence in shaky seasons. He stands before time, sustains the universe right now, and leads his church as its living head. You can rest today knowing the One who holds galaxies together also holds you. Worship him as first. [13:14]

Colossians 1:15–18: Jesus makes the unseen God known. He stands first over all creation. Everything in heaven and on earth—visible and invisible, every throne and power—came into being through him and exists for him. He is before all things, and by him everything holds together. He leads the church as its head, and by rising from the dead first, he takes first place in everything.

Reflection: Where are you practically treating something created (success, family, comfort, or control) as “first,” and what single change will you make this week to give Jesus your first attention each morning?

Day 2: He Counted Us First: Peace by His Blood

The preeminent King used his position not to be served but to seek reconciliation. Our sin created a chasm we could never cross, yet Jesus stepped toward us, taking our guilt and shame to the cross. Reconciliation means a broken relationship is made right; at the cross, peace was made at the highest cost. You do not have to fix yourself to be welcomed—his blood has already done the mending. Receive the peace he purchased and let your heart exhale. [17:37]

Colossians 1:19–20: All God’s fullness chose to dwell in Jesus. Through him, God brought everything back to himself—things on earth and in heaven—establishing peace by the blood Jesus shed on the cross.

Reflection: Where do you feel “far” from God right now, and how might you tangibly receive his reconciling peace there (for example, confessing a specific sin or asking a trusted friend to pray with you)?

Day 3: Yet Not My Will: Bowing to the Father

In Gethsemane, Jesus felt the weight of the cup and still chose surrender: “Not my will but yours.” He did not flee suffering but trusted the Father’s wisdom and love, even as his sweat fell like blood. His obedience opened the way for our restoration; his surrender is our pattern of life. Fasting and prayer simply say, “Less of me, more of him,” making space for that same surrender to take root in us. Bring your decisions to the Father and echo the Son’s words today. [21:18]

Luke 22:41–44: Jesus went a short distance, knelt, and prayed, “Father, if there’s another way, take this cup from me—yet I want your will, not mine.” An angel strengthened him, and his anguish was so intense that his sweat fell like drops of blood.

Reflection: What is one specific decision before you where you will pray, “Father, your will be done,” and what small act of obedience will follow that prayer this week?

Day 4: Stable and Steadfast: Continuing in the Faith

The gospel isn’t a doorway we leave behind; it is the home we live in every day. To put Jesus first means fixing our hope where it began and refusing to drift from it. Daily, undistracted time in the Word and prayer roots us on the rock so that storms do not shake us. We keep swimming in the waters of grace, remembering that what Christ has done is enough—yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Stay steady, stay near, and keep building on the solid ground of his promises. [28:45]

Colossians 1:23: Keep going in the faith—firm and grounded—without shifting away from the hope announced in the good news you heard, the message that has been proclaimed in all creation.

Reflection: Choose a daily time and place to meet with Jesus this week—when and where will it be, and what Scripture or prayer plan will you follow to stay rooted?

Day 5: Made New to Put Jesus First Everywhere

In Christ, “that’s just who I am” is no longer your story. You were once dead in sin, but God made you alive with Christ and now calls you holy, blameless, and above reproach. This new identity touches everything—how you forgive, how you speak, how you work, and how you steward time and relationships. Ask the Spirit to show you what needs to be cut, reordered, or surrendered so that Jesus permeates your whole life. You are not who you were; walk in the newness you have received. [34:37]

Ephesians 2:1–5: You were dead in your sins, following the world’s ways and the ruler of the air; all of us once lived chasing our own desires and stood under judgment. But God—rich in mercy and overflowing in love—made us alive with Christ. It is all grace.

Reflection: Looking at one relationship or workplace pattern, what is one concrete way your new identity in Christ will change how you speak, forgive, or work this week?

Sermon Summary

Colossians 1:15–23 lifts the eyes to Jesus as first in all things. He is the image of the invisible God—the eternal Son who took on flesh so that God could be known in human form. “Firstborn” does not imply He was created; it speaks to rank and rightful authority. All things were created by Him, through Him, and for Him—from the visible to the invisible, from thrones and dominions to every corner of creation. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is the head of the church and the firstborn from the dead, proving His supremacy by rising from the grave. Preeminence is not merely a title; it is a reality that reshapes how life is understood.

This supremacy is not distant or cold. In the fullness of deity, He drew near to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace by the blood of His cross. The One who is first put others before Himself. In Gethsemane He bowed to the Father’s will, choosing the cross to bridge the chasm our sin created. Formerly alienated and hostile, doing evil deeds, those who trust Him are now reconciled—presented holy, blameless, and above reproach. In Christ, God sees not the old record of sin but the perfect righteousness of Jesus counted to us.

Such grace calls for a clear response: continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel. Putting Jesus first is not a slogan; it is a life reoriented. It looks like giving Him the first and best time in Scripture and prayer, embracing practices like fasting to say “less of me, more of Him,” and building on the rock of His Word. It reshapes relationships through forgiveness and reconciliation, strengthens marriages by the gospel’s pattern of covenant love, and transforms work into worship done unto the Lord. As a new year dawns, the invitation is simple and searching: let the preeminent Christ take preeminence in every part of life.

Key Takeaways

1. Christ is truly first in everything. His preeminence is not a metaphor; it is the fabric of reality. He outranks every power because all things exist through and for Him. When Jesus is seen as first, fear loses leverage and worship finds its proper home. Seeing His rank corrects our priorities and calms our anxieties. [15:49]
2. Creation’s Lord holds all things together. The One who made all sustains all, stitching creation together moment by moment. Stability is not found in predictable circumstances but in the faithful hands that uphold them. This means hope is not fragile; it is anchored in the Sustainer Himself. Dependence on Him becomes the rational way to live. [13:14]
3. The cross reveals self-giving preeminence. Power, in Jesus’ hands, does not grasp—it gives. In Gethsemane He chose obedience over escape, love over self-preservation. True greatness is defined by this downward movement for others’ good. His “not my will” remakes our view of strength and leadership. [21:18]
4. Reconciliation gives a new, durable identity. Those in Christ are no longer defined by alienation or shame but by being holy, blameless, and above reproach in Him. This identity is not achieved; it is received, secured by His blood. It frees us from fatalism about our past and resignation about our future. We live from acceptance, not toward it. [23:19]
5. Our response: steadfast, whole-life allegiance. Grace calls for endurance—continuing in the faith, stable and unshifting. Putting Jesus first means concrete habits: Scripture-shaped thinking, prayerful dependence, fasting that loosens lesser loves. This allegiance invades time, relationships, and work with a new center. The gospel is not the entry point; it is the atmosphere of every day. [28:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:31] - Gratitude for Christmas serve teams
[03:56] - Prayer and turn to Colossians
[04:37] - What is first in your life?
[05:58] - Threefold roadmap: Jesus first
[06:34] - Image of the invisible God
[08:11] - India idol contrast and true image
[10:46] - Creator and rightful authority
[13:14] - Before all; holds all together
[14:39] - Head of the church; firstborn from the dead
[17:07] - Fullness of God; making peace by blood
[21:18] - Gethsemane and self-giving love
[22:18] - From alienated to reconciled
[28:45] - Continue steadfast; don’t shift
[30:47] - Fasting, Scripture, and whole-life reorientation

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading

- Colossians 1:15–23

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Observation questions

In verses 16–17, what scope words does Paul stack up to show Jesus’ total rule (heaven/earth, visible/invisible, thrones/dominions, rulers/authorities)? What picture does that build of his authority?
Verse 17 says two things: “He is before all things” and “in him all things hold together.” How do those two statements fit together?
In verses 21–22, what were believers “once,” and what are they “now”? Name the three words that describe the new standing before God.
“Raising from the dead is sort of like the ultimate wildcard.” How does verse 18 connect resurrection with Jesus being first in everything? [14:39]

Interpretation questions

“‘Firstborn’ points to rank, not origin.” How does the flow of verses 15–17 defend that claim, and why does that matter for worship and obedience? [10:09]
If all things were created “through” and “for” Jesus (v.16), what does that say about the purpose behind powers and positions? How could that reshape how someone views a boss, government, or unseen powers?
“Not my will, but yours be done.” What does Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane teach about how true authority uses power, and how does that redefine leadership at home, in church, and at work? [21:18]
If God now presents believers “holy, blameless, and above reproach” (v.22), why do many still say, “It’s just who I am,” when facing an old sin pattern? What lies or fears might be at work there? [23:57]

Application questions

“What is first in your life?” Look at your last week—your calendar, attention, and energy. What actually got your first and best? Where is Jesus truly first, and where is he not? [04:37]
Jesus “holds all things together.” Name one area that feels like it’s coming apart. What would it look like to entrust that specific thing to Jesus each day this week? Pick one line from Colossians 1:15–23 to pray when anxiety hits. [13:14]
Give Jesus your first and best time. When and where will you meet with him in Scripture and prayer this week? What will you shut off or move so it’s truly undistracted? Share your plan with the group. [31:25]
Consider a fast. From what might you fast (a meal, media, sweets) and for how long, as a way of saying, “less of me, more of him”? What will you pray for during that time? [30:47]
Reconciliation reshapes relationships. Is there someone you need to forgive or move toward for peace? What is one concrete step you can take in the next 48 hours (text, apology, invite, or prayer)? [33:07]
Work as worship. Choose one task or meeting this week you will do “unto the Lord.” What would doing it for Jesus change—your preparation, tone, excellence, or integrity? [33:28]
Cut and reorient. What is one habit you will cut and one habit you will add so Jesus is first in a specific area (time, marriage, parenting, friendships, finances)? Be specific. [34:02]

Sermon Clips

The good news is, even though our circumstances may not change, our creator is in charge. He has authority and our king, our creator, king Jesus, he is the most loving, the most gracious, the most just just king that has ever been and ever will be. Our king is glorious. So, if you're in Christ and he is your king, it is really good news that he has the final say over all thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities. [00:12:42] (31 seconds) #SovereignKingJesus

From the very beginning, we are in need of reconciliation and Jesus pays the price with his own body and blood. He comes down to Earth. Verse 20, to make peace by the blood of his cross. You see, there was a there was a chasm so wide we could never cover. There was a debt so big that we could never pay a relationship so broken that we can never reconcile on our own. [00:18:52] (29 seconds) #ReconciledByHisBlood

He goes and he prays in the Garden Of Gethsemane. I think this is a beautiful picture of Jesus's humility and him putting us first, counting us before himself during his time on earth. So, he's in the garden. He's praying and he actually begins to to sweat droplets of blood because he's feeling the wrath of god that is about to be poured out on him for the sins of the world. [00:20:39] (24 seconds) #SweatInGethsemane

Jesus bows to the father's will in order to reconcile god and man in the Garden Of Gethsemane in order to overthrow the curse of sin that had been brought on in the Garden Of Eden. He knows what is ahead of him. Yet, he doesn't count himself first. He knows that he must bow to the father's will in order to restore us to right relationship. [00:21:36] (25 seconds) #GethsemaneHumility

Guys, on the surface, this is really bad news. But the good news is, if you're in Christ, this is all in the past tense. Notice, both in these verses in Colossians and Ephesians, it's all in the past tense. You were once alienated but now you're brought near. You once were dead in your sins and trespasses but now in Christ, you are made alive with him. [00:22:53] (23 seconds) #SalvationIsPastTense

So, so some of you listen to these verses and the whole time you're thinking, man, that is just not true of me. I I I don't have peace with god. I I have not been reconciled with god. I still very much feel alienated. I I am far off from god. Well, the good news is, is that you can be brought near. You can be reconciled. You can have peace with god today and you don't need to do something to earn it. [00:25:45] (31 seconds) #PeaceWithGodToday

Friends, this is the good news of the gospel that Jesus, the eternal son of god, he became a man and he lived the perfect life that none of us could ever live and he died the death that we deserve on the cross for our sins and he rose again on the third day. Now, and now, if we say yes to him, if we say, hey, I believe that. I put my faith and my trust in the work of Jesus on the cross. [00:26:45] (24 seconds) #BelieveInJesus

Well, Paul continues in in Colossians. He he he tells them, he he tells the believers there to continue in the faith. What is the faith? The faith is what is that what Christ has done is enough. Paul is making clear that we never graduate from the gospel. The gospel is not just a diving board in the Christianity. No, it is the pool that we continue to swim in day after day and and how do we continue verse 23? We continue on stable and steadfast, not shifting. We are fixed on and rooted in Christ, not wavering from the faith that we have in him. [00:28:45] (34 seconds) #RootedInChrist

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Jesus is First (Colossians 1:15-23) - Grant Lunsford

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Is First: Over All Things, Seen and Unseen

Day 2: He Counted Us First: Peace by His Blood

Day 3: Yet Not My Will: Bowing to the Father

Day 4: Stable and Steadfast: Continuing in the Faith

Day 5: Made New to Put Jesus First Everywhere

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Jesus is First (Colossians 1:15-23) - Grant Lunsford

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