Jesus First - Week 2: “Jesus First Over All”

Sep 20, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: The Lightning-Struck Jesus and the Danger of Man-Made Saviors

A six-story statue of Jesus burned to ash by lightning reveals a sobering truth: any version of Jesus we craft will fail. The real Jesus cannot be reduced to a symbol of our preferences, a mascot for our causes, or a spiritual accessory. He is not a projection of our ideals but the unyielding revelation of God’s nature. To know Him, we must surrender our attempts to reshape Him. The Jesus who saves is the one Scripture declares—supreme, untamed, and uncontained. [32:57]

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 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. (Colossians 1:15–17, ESV)

Reflection: Where have you subtly replaced the biblical Jesus with a version that feels safer or more convenient? What specific habit or belief might need to shift to embrace Him as He truly is?

Day 2: Jesus: God’s Selfie of the Invisible

God took a “selfie” in Jesus—not a filtered snapshot but an exact representation of His nature. When Jesus healed, confronted sin, or welcomed outcasts, He wasn’t merely acting like God; He was showing God’s heart in flesh and blood. To dismiss His authority or soften His demands is to reject the very image of the invisible. The fullness of God dwells in Christ, making Him the only lens through which we see the Father clearly. [41:44]

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. (Colossians 1:19, ESV)
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature. (Hebrews 1:3, ESV)

Reflection: When you struggle to trust God’s character, how might fixing your gaze on Jesus’ actions in the Gospels recalibrate your understanding of Him?

Day 3: Before All Things: The Uncreated Creator Holding Your World Together

Jesus isn’t just part of creation—He spoke it into being, sustains it by His power, and rules every invisible force that threatens to unravel us. Thrones, dominions, and authorities answer to Him. The chaos you fear fears Him. When life feels unstable, His grip on reality remains unshaken. Your anxiety, your crisis, your unknowns exist within the sphere of His sovereign care. [46:18]

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:17, ESV)

Reflection: What circumstance feels most “out of control” to you right now? How does Jesus’ role as sustainer redefine what it means to trust Him in it?

Day 4: Reconciled Through Blood: Cosmic Peace in a Fractured World

Sin didn’t just break our relationship with God—it fractured all creation. Jesus’ cross isn’t a personal therapy session but a cosmic reset. Through His blood, He reconciles “all things,” restoring what rebellion destroyed. This includes you: once hostile, now holy. The same power that reconciles galaxies reconciles your heart, making peace where chaos ruled. [55:47]

And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled. (Colossians 1:20–22, ESV)

Reflection: Where do you still live as an “alien” rather than a reconciled child? How might embracing your new identity shift your daily choices?

Day 5: Holy, Blameless, Above Reproach: Your Truest Identity in Christ

God doesn’t see you as a fixer-upper project. In Christ, you’re already declared holy—set apart, blameless, and beyond accusation. This isn’t a reward for performance but a gift secured by Jesus’ death. Your worst failure and greatest achievement alike are eclipsed by His finished work. To “continue in the faith” means to live from this reality, not for it. [01:06:15]

He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him. (Colossians 1:22, ESV)

Reflection: When shame or pride whispers lies about your worth, which of these three words—holy, blameless, above reproach—do you most need to claim today?

Sermon Summary

Paul puts a big, bold view of Jesus in front of a church surrounded by confusing versions of him. Personalized Jesus, Christianity Jesus, morality Jesus, and Buddy Jesus may feel familiar, but any Jesus made by human hands will ultimately fail and leave damage behind. The real Christ is the Christ of the Bible, and only one Jesus saves. To know Jesus truly, a person must see Jesus fully.

Colossians presents Jesus as the image of the invisible God. Jesus is God’s own “selfie,” the exact representation of the Father’s nature, not a cheap copy or a spiritual idea. The fullness of God dwells in him. Jesus healing shows God’s compassion, Jesus confronting sin shows God’s holiness, Jesus welcoming sinners shows God’s mercy, Jesus ruling wind and waves shows God’s authority, and Jesus dying and rising shows God’s love and power.

Paul also presents Jesus as the uncreated Creator and sustainer of everything. “Firstborn of all creation” means first in rank, honor, and authority, not first created. All things were created by him, through him, and for him, from heaven to earth, visible and invisible, rulers and authorities included. Jesus holds all things together, so fearful hearts do not have to carry what only he can hold. Everything a person fears is under his rule.

Christ also stands as the head of the church and the Lord of the new creation. His resurrection was not merely another return to life. Jesus rose never to die again, breaking death’s power and bringing resurrection life into the middle of the old creation. No rule, religious performance, spiritual experience, or angelic help can be added to the One who is above it all. Christ is not valued at all unless he is valued above all.

The cross reveals Jesus as the reconciler of all things. Sin took God’s good world and sent it “gone wrong,” but Christ is putting it right through the blood of his cross. His death brings peace not merely through an example or moral instruction, but through substitution, satisfaction, and a new status before God. Those once alienated, hostile in mind, and doing evil deeds are now holy, blameless, and above reproach in Christ.

Paul calls believers to stand in that standing. Faith keeps relying on Christ, not shifting toward self-reliance, religious performance, or Jesus plus something else. Who a believer is in Jesus is truer than the worst day, the best day, the most sinful day, or the most religious day. It is all about Jesus, only about Jesus, and always about Jesus.

Key Takeaways

1. See Jesus fully, not selectively [33:26] A partial Jesus cannot carry the weight of a whole life. Human hearts often cobble together a version of Christ that comforts without ruling, affirms without changing, or inspires without saving. Scripture calls faith away from an imaginary Christ and into trust in the Jesus God has actually revealed. [33:26]
2. Jesus shows the Father’s true face [42:26] Jesus is not merely a messenger pointing toward God from a distance. The image of the invisible God makes God’s character visible in mercy, holiness, authority, compassion, love, and power. Looking at Christ corrects every distorted thought about what God is like. [42:26]
3. Everything is held together in Christ [50:39] Jesus created every visible and invisible reality, including the powers that seem intimidating and out of reach. Fear loses its final authority when Christ is seen as above every throne, dominion, ruler, and authority. A life held by Christ does not need to pretend it can hold everything together alone. [50:39]
4. The cross gives a new standing [01:04:21] Christ’s death is substitution because he took the sinner’s place, satisfaction because he made peace with God, and status because he gives holiness, blamelessness, and freedom from accusation. This standing does not rise and fall with personal performance. God sees those in Christ through the finished work of his Son. [64:21]
5. Stand in the hope of Christ [01:07:16] Faith does not begin with Jesus and then graduate into self-reliance. Faith keeps returning to Christ as the only Savior, refusing every offer of Jesus plus religious effort, moral achievement, or spiritual novelty. Continuing in that reliance shows that Christ, not self, remains the hope of salvation.

## [67:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[27:13] - Jesus First Above All
[28:56] - Which Jesus Do You Believe In?
[31:26] - Man-Made Versions of Jesus
[33:26] - Seeing Jesus Truly and Fully
[41:44] - Jesus Is God Fully Revealed
[46:01] - Creator and Sustainer of Everything
[51:21] - Lord of the New Creation
[55:13] - Reconciler Through the Cross
[59:10] - Who Believers Are in Christ
[63:28] - Substitute, Satisfaction, and Status
[67:16] - Stand in Your Standing
[70:52] - Response: Trust the Jesus Who Saves

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Colossians 1:15-23
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 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. 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. 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. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.” [00:28:23] [00:29:51] [00:31:12]

Hebrews 1:3
“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,” [00:43:28]

John 1:3
“All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” [00:47:20]

2 Corinthians 4:4
“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” [00:43:54]

Observation questions

According to Colossians 1:15-20, what descriptions does Paul give of Jesus’ relationship to God, creation, the church, and the cross? [00:42:12]
What repeated words and phrases in Colossians 1:16-17 show the complete scope of Jesus’ authority over creation?
In Colossians 1:21-22, what words describe the believers’ former condition, and what words describe their new standing before God? [01:03:37]
What does Paul tell believers to do in Colossians 1:23, and what are they specifically not to shift away from? [01:07:16]

Interpretation questions

Colossians calls Jesus “the image of the invisible God,” while Hebrews calls him “the exact imprint” of God’s nature. What does this show about whether Jesus is merely a messenger from God or God fully revealed? [00:42:26]
Paul calls Jesus “the firstborn of all creation,” yet also says that all things were created by, through, and for him. How does the rest of the passage help explain that “firstborn” speaks of Jesus’ rank and authority rather than Jesus being created? [00:48:16]
What does it mean that all things are created “for” Jesus as well as “through” Jesus? How does that reshape the purpose of human life and the world? [00:46:14]
Since peace with God is made “by the blood of his cross,” why is Jesus’ death more than a moral example or a call for people to improve themselves? [01:04:18]

Application questions

It is easy to prefer a version of Jesus who comforts without ruling, affirms without changing, or inspires without saving. Which incomplete picture of Jesus is most tempting for you to believe, and what part of Colossians 1 corrects it? [00:35:03]
Jesus makes the invisible God known. When you are tempted to think God is distant, harsh, uninterested, or weak, what scenes from Jesus’ life help you see the Father’s true character more clearly? [00:44:52]
Jesus holds all things together, including visible and invisible powers. What fear, uncertainty, relationship, or responsibility have you been trying to hold together by yourself? What would it look like to place that burden under Christ’s rule this week? [00:50:47]
Christ is the head of the church and gives life to his body. In what ways can you be tempted to treat church as optional, consumer-driven, or centered on people rather than centered on Jesus? [00:51:40]
Jesus is not merely important; he is to be preeminent—first in everything. What area of your life may give Jesus an important place without giving him first place: schedule, money, relationships, plans, habits, or desires? [00:54:40]
Those in Christ are no longer defined by alienation, guilt, or their worst days, but are presented holy, blameless, and above reproach because of him. Which false label or accusation do you most often carry, and how can the truth of your standing in Christ speak to it? [01:06:03]
Continuing in faith means continuing to rely on Christ rather than shifting toward self-reliance, moral performance, or religious effort. Where are you most tempted to live as though it is “Jesus plus” something else that makes you acceptable to God? [01:07:34]

Sermon Clips

45s

#JesusReconciles

“And in Genesis three, God pointed to the future of a coming one who is Jesus, who came to make right all that's gone wrong us and in this world. And our text tells us that he's making peace by the blood of his cross. He's making peace. He's reconciling all things, not through his teaching, not through his example, not through his miracles. He reconciles all things through his sacrificial death on the cross. In other words, the one through whom God created all things, verse 16, is the one through whom God will reconcile all things, verse 20. So creation begins with Jesus, but also new creation flows through Jesus.”

43s

#RealJesus

“So the real Jesus, friends, is not what you make of him. He's who he has revealed himself to be. Where can we get a clearer picture of that? It doesn't get any clearer than our passage today. Colossians one fifteen through 23. A little background before we jump into it. We introduced the book last week. This week, really, just gotta remember that the church of Classic were being exposed to all kinds of conflicting and confusing views about Jesus, and it was starting to pull them off path. So the apostle Paul writes this letter called the the Colossians, and he reminds who the real Jesus is so that they can experience real redemption and real forgiveness and real freedom in real life.”

60s

#IdentityInChrist

“He gave us something better. He gave us a whole new standing before God. It's not based on us, it's based on him. Notice verse 22, it says, for those who stand in Christ, look at the words, the descriptions. Holy, blameless, above reproach. Holy means set apart to God. And if you're in Christ, God sees you as holy. I belong to God now. Second word, blameless. If I'm standing in Christ, God sees me as blameless. That means literally without disqualifying blemish. Nothing in me to disqualify me because it's all him. And then third is above reproach. That means I'm free from any accusation. Listen, this is who you are in Christ. This is where we stand in Christ. You're no longer alienated from God. You're now reconciled to Christ. And then lastly, write this down. You are called to remain faithful to God.”

54s

#ImageOfGod

“The word image in the original language of the New Testament in Greek is the word icon. We get our word icon from that. Now we're not talking about some kind of, like, cheap copy. Icon literally means an exact representation. In other words, Jesus is the perfect picture of what the invisible god is really like. You see, humans, you and I, we were made in the image of god. But notice the text carefully. Jesus is the image of God. So here's a critical fact you can't let go of. This picture here we're getting this is not our picture of Jesus. This is God's own picture saying, this is who I really am. So in Jesus, we see the very nature of the invisible God made visible in ways we can understand.”

51s

#ReconciledThroughChrist

“So that's the bad news. Let's get to the good news. Here's the good news. Look at the first two words. And you. In Greek, these two words are emphatic. Paul speaking directly to those who are in Christ, who know Christ. He's like, and you. Notice an x words. You who once were. Once were. Paul's saying, all this alienation stuff, evil deeds, hostile man. That's who you were. That's not who you are anymore. Jesus changes everything. The cross of Jesus Christ changed your relationship to God and changed your standing in God. So you are no longer alienated from God. Secondly, you are now reconciled through Christ.”

51s

#PeaceWithGod

“That substitute made a big change, satisfied something completely. Notice verse 20 says, thus making peace through his cross. So now peace has been made. It's almost as if the estrangement has been satisfied, and it has. Verse 21 says, you who once were. Our condition has changed completely. Something's been satisfied forever. Verse 22, he has now reconciled. So isn't Jesus' finished work on the cross completely and fully satisfied God's righteous demand for sin to be paid for, atoned for. And the result, establishing peace with God for all who entrust themselves to Jesus.”

32s

#BigJesus

“How big is your Jesus? Is your Jesus big enough to forgive your sins? Man, that's about it. Or is your Jesus big enough to make right all that's gone wrong in you, in the world, in the cosmos. Because as we look into the scriptures, this is the Jesus that we we see, the Jesus, who is supreme above all and who is sufficient in all.”

26s

#JesusSaves

“Which Jesus do you believe in? Because I'm just gonna say this up top. There's only one Jesus who saves. And the different versions of Jesus in our culture, they don't save. There's only one who saves. It's a Jesus of scripture. So I'm gonna ask you at the top of our time. Do could you recognize him? Do you know him? Is that the Jesus that you trust?”

39s

#StandFirm

“The Colossians were just being bombarded with all these confusing ideas. And Paul tells him, listen, when it comes to Jesus, look look at the words that he's using. Be stable, remain steadfast, not shifting. So here's basically what Paul is saying to them. He's saying to us, he's saying, stand in your standing. Don't be drawn off by something that sounds super awesome that Jesus plus this other little thing that you gotta have. No. Don't do it. Stand in your standing.”

50s

#BelovedInChrist

“God would call you up and just put his arm around his shoulder, and he would say, this is, and he'd put in your name. We'll go with the female. He said, I've I've known her a long time. I've known her a long time. And once, she was far from me. Once, she thought her way was the best way. And once, she did a whole bunch of things that she's not proud of. But now, she's my beloved daughter. Now, she belongs to me. Now, in my eyes, she is holy, she is blameless, she is above reproach. Why? Because she is standing in the only one who is above all things.”

45s

#VictoryOverDeath

“So the the concept is that Jesus rules over his church, and get this, he gives the church life. And here's the cool thing. It's a very particular kind of life. What are we talking about? Notice the statement here. He is the firstborn from the dead. Again, concept of firstborn. Jesus wasn't the first person ever raised from the dead. Old testament prophets raised people from the dead. Jesus himself raised three different people from the dead. But Jesus was the first one raised from the dead never to die again because he is the lord over all, and he broke the power of death and victory forever.”

40s

#JesusCreator

“word firstborn in Greek, prototokos, it literally means first in time or first in rank. In this context, it's first in rank. Look at verse 17. He is before all things. You know, it sounds like time. Sounds like, you know, it's not time. Because if you're before all things, you're eternal, and you made all those things. That's ranking statement. He is not just before, he's the originator of. Then notice in verse 16, all things were made by him and for, all things. He cannot be created if he created all things.”

34s

#GodRevealed

“And so when you, listen, when you open your bible and you see Jesus heal, what do you see? You see the compassion of God on display. When you open your bible and you see Jesus confronting sin, what do you see? You see the holiness of God on display. When you open your bible and you see Jesus welcoming sinners, what do you see? You see the mercy of God on display. When you see Jesus calm the storms and the sea, what are you seeing? The authority of God on display. And listen,”

36s

#KnowJesusFully

“what Jesus you live believing in? Because listen, friends, we live in a country shaped by the Jesus story. That may be an advantage, maybe a huge disadvantage because there are a lot of different versions of Jesus that we could believe in. So I just wanna ask you directly today, are you believing in a man made version of Jesus? Are you believing the Jesus from scripture? Because that's what we're gonna see today in Colossians chapter one. Here's our big idea of our passage today. Want you to write this down. To know Jesus truly, I must see Jesus fully.”

38s

#AllAboutJesus

“We cannot rely on Jesus to save us and then turn right around and rely on ourselves from there on out. That's the Galatian error, that's the Colossian error. And so in God's eyes, friends, when God looks at you in Christ, here's what he sees. Here's what he says. It's all about Jesus. It's only about Jesus, and it's always about Jesus. Can I ask you, is that your view? Are you all about Jesus, only about Jesus, always about Jesus?”

Ask a question about this sermon

vaughnforest This sermon · AI assistant

What makes Jesus different from man-made versions?

How does Jesus reconcile creation through his cross?

What does reconciliation change about believers’ standing?