Life in Christ: Jesus is King / Colossians 1:15-23 / Andrew Sercombe

Jul 26, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: The Uncreated One Holds All Things Together

The universe isn’t held by chance but by the hands that shaped it. Jesus existed before atoms, galaxies, or time itself. He didn’t just create—He sustains. Stars spin and cells divide because Christ actively keeps them. This truth anchors believers: the same power holding planets in orbit holds your fragile story. When chaos threatens, remember—the Creator King’s grip never slips. [16:07]

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.
(Colossians 1:15-17, NIV)

Reflection: Where do you see Christ’s sustaining power most clearly in your life—in nature’s rhythms, relationships, or personal struggles? How might trusting His hold on all things change your anxiety today?

Day 2: Blood-Made Peace for Rebel Hearts

Reconciliation isn’t negotiation—it’s a divine rescue. Jesus didn’t broker a truce; He became the treaty. His blood turned enemies into family. The cross wasn’t a symbol but a violent, loving act: God absorbing wrath to welcome rebels home. Peace isn’t a feeling—it’s a person who carved a path through His own wounds. [19:37]

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.
(Colossians 1:19-20, NIV)

Reflection: What relationship or circumstance feels “unreconcilable” to you? How does Jesus’ blood-made peace challenge you to hope beyond what seems broken?

Day 3: Crown the Undefeated Reigning King

Resurrection isn’t a metaphor. Jesus didn’t limp out of the grave—He exploded it. His reign isn’t symbolic but actual, with authority over viruses, wars, and wandering hearts. Baptism’s rising waters declare His victory: every enemy will kneel. To call Him King isn’t poetry—it’s pledging allegiance to the One who outlives death. [25:49]

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.
(Colossians 1:18, NIV)

Reflection: What area of your life do you still treat like a “democracy” instead of surrendering to Christ’s rule? What would it look like to let Him govern there today?

Day 4: Citizenship Papers Signed in Relationship

Nationality isn’t inherited by proximity. Just living near a citizen doesn’t make you one. Kingdom citizenship comes through union with the King—not rituals, resumes, or family ties. Like a spouse gaining a passport, we’re naturalized through intimate trust. No one earns entry; we’re adopted by grace. The King’s vow, not our worthiness, secures our place. [27:42]

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Philippians 3:20, NIV)

Reflection: When do you most feel like an “outsider” to God’s family? How might embracing your blood-bought citizenship shift your identity today?

Day 5: From Rebel to Replica of the King

Salvation isn’t just forgiveness—it’s transformation. New citizens don’t just wave flags; they start sounding like their King. His accent rubs off in their laughter, priorities, and love. Like learning slang or sports loyalty, Christ’s character seeps into surrendered hearts. Holiness isn’t imitation—it’s the slow, sure work of a resident King reshaping His home. [30:43]

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
(2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV)

Reflection: What habit, thought, or reaction still feels “foreign” to Christ’s ways? How could you cooperate with the Spirit’s renovation in that area this week?

Sermon Summary

Paul writes to the church in Colossae with one great declaration ringing through the whole passage: Jesus is king. Paul knows power matters, because Rome runs on power, Caesar claims lordship, and every person under that empire feels the weight of who sits on the throne. The question of kingship still matters, because the king of a life shapes the direction, desires, fears, freedoms, and obedience of that life.

Paul names Jesus as the creator king. Jesus is not part of creation, not a later add-on, not a super spiritual being under God. Jesus is before all things, all things are created through him and for him, and in him all things hold together. Creation matters because purpose matters. If there is no creator, then meaning, morality, value, and human longing have no deep place to stand. But Paul says creation has a centre, and that centre is Christ.

Paul also names Jesus as the saving king. The invisible God becomes visible in Christ. The fullness of God dwells in him, not a bit of God, not something similar to God, but God himself. Jesus steps down into human flesh, walks the earth, cares for the broken, turns the world upside down, and claims the name of God: “before Abraham was born, I am.” The cross then becomes the place where God makes peace. Jesus sheds his blood so alienated people can be reconciled, holy, without blemish, and free from accusation.

Paul then names Jesus as the reigning king. Jesus does not remain in the grave. Jesus defeats sin and death, rises again, and becomes the head of the church. Baptism pictures that life beautifully: down into death, up into resurrection life. The kingdom of Jesus is not entered by money, exams, family background, or personal goodness. The kingdom is entered through relationship with the King, through obedience and faith.

Christ’s reign asks for everything. Jesus becomes king over thoughts, money, possessions, bodies, desires, careers, futures, and the deep need to control. Life under King Jesus is not loss for the sake of loss. It is freedom from the terrible burden of trying to be god. C.S. Lewis’s line presses the weight of it: Christianity is either of no importance, or of infinite importance, but it cannot be moderately important. Paul leaves the ultimate question standing: who is king?

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus is creator king [16:07] Paul does not present Jesus as part of the created order, but as the one through whom all things came to be. Creation has purpose because it comes from him and exists for him. The human search for meaning is not an accident floating in empty space, but a signpost back to the King who holds all things together. [16:07]
2. The invisible God becomes visible [19:37] Jesus shows what God is like without reducing God to an idea or a distant force. The fullness of God dwells in him, so the character of God is seen in the face, mercy, holiness, and authority of Christ. A confused heart does not need to invent God from fragments, but look steadily at Jesus. [19:37]
3. The cross makes peace [24:00] God does not reconcile by pretending sin is small or alienation is harmless. Peace is made through blood shed on a cross, which means forgiveness is costly, holy, and deeply personal. The accused person is not merely excused, but presented holy, without blemish, and free from accusation. [24:00]
4. Citizenship comes through relationship [27:16] The kingdom of Jesus is not entered by achievement, money, background, or religious performance. The way in is relationship with the King, received by faith and expressed in surrender. That makes the invitation both humbling and wide open: nobody earns it, and nobody is beyond it. [27:16]
5. Kingship reaches the whole life [29:27] Jesus does not become king of a private religious corner while the rest of life stays untouched. His reign reaches thought life, money, body, desire, career, future, and control. That surrender is not a shrinkage of life, but freedom from the exhausting task of trying to be god.

## [29:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:47] - Jesus Is King
[04:15] - Paul Serves The True King
[06:22] - Why Kingship Matters
[07:38] - Citizenship And The ESTA Story
[11:03] - The Heart Makes Idols
[12:58] - Creator, Saving, Reigning King
[13:15] - Jesus The Creator King
[19:23] - Jesus The Saving King
[25:02] - Jesus The Reigning King
[26:05] - Citizenship Through Relationship
[29:27] - Giving Jesus Everything
[32:21] - Who Is Your King?
[34:15] - Invitation To Make Jesus King

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.” [02:46]

Observation questions

In this passage, what are the different things Paul says Jesus is or does—especially in relation to creation, the church, and reconciliation? [13:15]
What words or phrases in Colossians 1:15-23 show that Jesus is not just important, but supreme over everything? [03:10]
According to this passage, what changed for people who were once alienated from God? What are they now presented as in Christ? [29:05]
What kinds of things were named as possible “kings” in a person’s life—things that can shape desires, choices, and direction? [29:27]

Interpretation questions

Paul says all things were created through Jesus and for Jesus. What does that suggest about the purpose of human life and the meaning of creation? [15:41]
Jesus is called “the image of the invisible God,” and Paul says God’s fullness dwells in him. Why does it matter that Jesus is not merely a good teacher or spiritual guide, but truly God? [19:37]
Paul says peace is made “through his blood, shed on the cross.” What does that show about the seriousness of sin and the cost of reconciliation with God? [24:00]
Paul says believers are presented “holy... without blemish and free from accusation,” and then urges them to continue in the faith. How should that shape the way a Christian thinks about assurance, perseverance, and daily trust in Christ? [29:19]

Application questions

Everyone tends to place something on the throne of life. What has been most likely to compete with Jesus for kingship in this season—control, comfort, money, approval, career, or something else? [11:18]
Jesus as king reaches into thought life, money, possessions, body, desires, career, and future. Which one of those areas feels hardest to surrender right now, and why? [29:27]
Citizenship in Christ’s kingdom comes through relationship with the King, not through performance. Is there any area where personal effort, background, or “being good enough” has quietly replaced simple faith and obedience? [27:47]
If Jesus really holds all things together, how might that speak into a present fear, uncertainty, or pressure being carried this week? [18:48]
Jesus makes peace through the cross and removes accusation. When accusation or shame rises up, what helps a person return to the truth of being reconciled and received by God? [24:10]
Making Jesus king is not loss for the sake of loss; it is freedom from trying to be god. Where has the burden of self-rule been showing up lately, and what might it look like to hand that over to Christ? [30:02]
Christianity cannot be moderately important if Jesus is truly king. What would it look like for that truth to become more visible in everyday decisions this week? [32:49]

Sermon Clips

46s

#WhoIsYourKing

“``And the invitation, the question for us this morning is this, who is your king? Who is your king? Who are you living for? Who are you serving? Who are you obeying? This is the ultimate question because as Paul writes to the church in Colossae and as we read it and hear it today, this is the question. Will you make Jesus the creator king, the saving king, the reigning king, king of your life?”

61s

#EveryoneWelcomeJesus

“We become citizens or we are invited to be citizens through the simple act of obedience and faith, and everybody is welcome in. I'm here to tell you this morning, doesn't matter what your story is, It doesn't matter what you've done. It doesn't matter your background. It doesn't matter which country you came from. All of that is irrelevant. All of it has been dealt with. All of it has been paid for at the cross, and all we are invited to do is to receive forgiveness to make Jesus king of our life, to bend the knee, to get off the throne, and say, Jesus, I make you king of my life. I acknowledge that you are the reigning king, and I obey. I surrender to you. That is the invitation.”

57s

#SurrenderAllLiveFree

“We are called, we are invited to be in the kingdom where we make Jesus king. And when we make Jesus king, he becomes king over everything, over our thought life, over our money, over our possessions, over our body, over our sexual desires, over our careers, over our future. We hand it all over to him, but in return, we get everything. We get life itself. It's life in Christ. It's life under the king. It's a life of adventure. It's a life of true freedom. It's life living as we were created to be. And guess what? We don't need to live under the fear and anxiety of being our own God or king anymore because that's just too much. We are set free to live like Christ.”

60s

#SacrificeForReconciliation

“God empties himself and sacrifices himself through his son, Jesus Christ, in order that we may be reconciled. His blood is filled in order that we can be reconciled to God so that we can be in relationship with God, or as as as Paul writes, making peace. God makes peace with humanity and with creation. God pours out his love upon us and restores, makes a way for us to be restored with him. Jesus is the creating king, the created king, but Jesus comes to be the saving king. Jesus, the fullness of God gives up his life. It blows the mind. We can't fully explain it or understand it, but God becomes death in order that we may be set free from death.”

47s

#JesusMadeVisible

“But he's not just the creator king. Jesus is the creator king who comes down to creation in order to save creation from itself. Jesus, Paul says, is the saving king. Paul says the son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Jesus makes the invisible God visible by coming down to earth. Puts on human flesh, the fullness of God calms and limits himself by walking the earth, by coming down in human form. It just blows the mind.”

77s

#LivingReigningKing

“Jesus isn't just the saving king, though. Jesus didn't just die in order that we may be forgiven because we don't worship a dead king. See, thirdly, Paul says that Jesus is the reigning king. Jesus defeats sin and death. He is risen again, and he is the head of the church. People, we don't gather in church to worship a dead god. We gather in church to worship the god who has defeated sin and death, who reigns and rules. We are invited into his kingdom. We are invited into his life. We celebrated it today. As as Tan and Nat went through the waters of baptism, they didn't stay there. Praise the Lord. They rose up again, defeating, coming up in life, mirroring that which Jesus has done for us. We worship a living, reigning king, and we are invited to be citizens in the kingdom of the king, citizens of the kingdom of life and light. And that should fill us with great joy and great excitement.”

48s

#SeeGodInChrist

“Now some of you may be saying you know, thinking, how do how do we how can we know God? How can we know God? And I will say every time, if you want to see God, then look at Christ. Because in Christ, you see If you grapple with the character of God and the nature of God, then look to Jesus. Because in Jesus, you see And Jesus himself, as he walked the earth and cared for the broken and the poor and performed incredible miracles and and did amazing work, turned the world upside down forever and ever. He came and he claimed to be God.”

63s

#JesusClaimsDivinity

“Let me hit pause there for a moment. Jesus is claiming to say he was before Abraham. In fact, he is saying he was from before the beginning. And secondly, he makes this claim, I go Amy, I am. The same words that he used when God reveals himself to Moses at the burning bush. I am who I am. Jesus is explicitly claiming to be God. It's popular even not just for Jehovah's Witnesses, but in our world to say Jesus was a good person. He did some great things, but he wasn't God. Well, Jesus doesn't leave that open to us. He explicitly claims to be God, and the Pharisees knew it because as we continue to read, what do they how do they respond? At this, they picked up stones to stone him. They knew exactly what he was saying. See, Jesus walks the earth and claims to be king. He claims to be God.”

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