Jesus: The Center of Our Chaos and Faith
Summary
In a world that constantly pulls us in a hundred different directions, it’s easy to feel like we’re barely holding things together. We look forward to the next season, the next break, or the next routine, hoping life will finally settle down. Yet, no matter our stage of life, the chaos seems to persist. But today, we gather to intentionally focus on the One who truly holds all things together—Jesus. Not just as a comforting idea, but as the living reality at the center of our faith and existence.
Paul’s letter to the Colossians, especially the hymn in chapter 1:15-20, draws our attention to the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. Jesus is not simply a wise teacher or a distant figure; He is the visible image of the invisible God, the One through whom and for whom all things were created. He is before all things, and in Him, everything holds together—creation, the church, and our very lives. This is not a new or evolving idea; from the earliest days of the church, Jesus has been worshiped as fully God, not just “like God.”
The passage also reminds us that Jesus is not only supreme but also sufficient. In Him, the fullness of God dwells, and through His sacrifice, all things are reconciled to God. There is no need to supplement Jesus with self-help, achievements, or religious activity. He is not just enough—He is everything. The temptation to compartmentalize our faith or to look elsewhere for fulfillment is as real for us as it was for the Colossians, but Paul calls us back to the truth that Christ alone is the foundation and completion of our lives.
What’s most astonishing is how this cosmic reality becomes deeply personal. Paul moves from the grandeur of Christ’s lordship over all creation to the intimate truth that, because of Jesus, we are now holy, blameless, and without a single fault before God. This is not something we achieve, but a gift we receive by surrendering our pride and trusting in Christ’s finished work. The invitation is to keep returning to this truth, to stand firmly in it, and to build our lives on nothing smaller than Jesus. He is Lord of all, or He is not Lord at all. And the One who holds the universe together is the same One who holds you.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God, revealing the fullness of God’s nature in a way we can see, know, and trust. When we look to Jesus—His life, death, and resurrection—we are not just seeing a reflection of God, but God Himself, present and active in our world and in our lives. This challenges us to let go of limited or distant images of God and to embrace the nearness of Christ, Emmanuel, God with us. [31:24]
- The supremacy of Christ means that He is not just first among many, but truly above all—over creation, the church, and every power seen and unseen. Nothing in our lives or in the universe exists outside His authority or care. This truth invites us to rest from striving, knowing that the One who holds galaxies together also holds the details of our daily lives. [42:19]
- Christ’s sufficiency is not a spiritual safety net, but the very foundation and completion of our faith. We are often tempted to supplement Jesus with self-improvement, achievements, or even religious activity, but these only distract from the wholeness found in Him. True peace and reconciliation with God come not from our efforts, but from Christ’s finished work on the cross. [47:09]
- The connection between Jesus as Creator and Redeemer means that every part of our lives—physical, spiritual, ordinary, and sacred—matters to God. There is no division between faith and daily living; Christ’s lordship is meant to be experienced in our work, relationships, and routines. Our everyday existence becomes the very place where God’s presence and redemption are made real. [48:16]
- The gift of being made holy, blameless, and without a single fault before God is not something we earn, but something we receive by surrender. This new identity is present and available now, not just in some distant future. To live into it, we must continually return to the truth of the gospel, resisting the drift toward self-reliance or shame, and standing firm in the assurance that Christ is enough. [55:07]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[15:50] - Community Break and Potluck Invitation
[18:54] - Upcoming Events and Prayer-First Posture
[21:29] - The Power of Prayer and Testimony
[22:35] - The Struggle to Hold It All Together
[25:18] - Focusing on Jesus, Who Holds All Things
[27:50] - Series Introduction: “Jesus Is…”
[29:17] - Images of God: Art and Imagination
[31:24] - Seeing God in Jesus
[32:39] - The Early Church’s Hymn to Christ
[36:01] - Reading Colossians 1:15-20
[39:49] - Supremacy and Sufficiency of Christ
[42:19] - Jesus’ Authority Over All
[47:09] - The Temptation to Supplement Jesus
[48:16] - Creator and Redeemer: No Sacred/Secular Divide
[49:37] - Jesus: Fullness of God and Our Reconciliation
[50:56] - Personal Application: This Includes You
[55:07] - Living in Our New Identity
[58:21] - Preparing for Communion
[01:02:36] - Jesus: The True Image of God
[01:03:55] - Prayer of Confession and Communion
[01:11:08] - Blessing and Dismissal
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Jesus Holds All Things Together”
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### Bible Reading
Colossians 1:15-23 (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.
> 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,
> 22 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,
> 23 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.
---
### Observation Questions
1. According to Colossians 1:15-20, what are some specific ways Paul describes who Jesus is and what He has done?
2. In verse 17, Paul says, “in him all things hold together.” What does this phrase mean in the context of the passage?
3. The sermon mentioned that Jesus is not just “like God,” but is fully God. Where do you see this idea in the passage? [[36:01]]
4. What does Paul say has changed for believers because of Jesus’ work, according to verses 21-22?
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon talked about how we often try to “hold it all together” ourselves. Why do people feel the need to do this, and what does Paul offer as an alternative? [[22:35]]
2. Paul says that Jesus is “before all things” and “in him all things hold together.” What does this say about Jesus’ authority and involvement in both the universe and our daily lives? [[42:19]]
3. The passage says that in Jesus “all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.” Why is it important that Jesus is not just a good teacher or a spiritual leader, but fully God? [[43:25]]
4. The sermon highlighted that our new identity as “holy, blameless, and without a single fault” is a gift, not something we earn. How does this challenge the way we think about our relationship with God? [[55:07]]
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon asked, “Where have I been tempted to build my life on something smaller than Jesus?” Can you identify an area in your life where you look for security, meaning, or worth outside of Christ? What would it look like to shift your focus back to Jesus in that area? [[58:21]]
2. Are there ways you try to “hold it all together” on your own strength? What would it look like to surrender those areas to Jesus this week? [[22:35]]
3. The message said, “Jesus is not just enough—He is everything.” In what ways do you find yourself trying to “supplement” Jesus with self-help, achievements, or religious activity? How can you practice resting in His sufficiency? [[47:09]]
4. The passage and sermon both emphasize that Jesus is Lord over all creation and every part of our lives. Is there a part of your daily routine or relationships where you tend to separate your faith from the rest of your life? What’s one step you could take to invite Jesus into that area? [[48:16]]
5. The sermon said, “The one who holds the universe together is the same one who holds you.” How does this truth affect the way you approach your worries or anxieties? [[56:07]]
6. Paul urges us to “continue in the faith, stable and steadfast.” What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of your identity in Christ and stand firm in the gospel this week? [[55:07]]
7. When you picture God, do you see Him as distant or near? How does seeing Jesus as the “visible image of the invisible God” change the way you relate to God in prayer or worship? [[31:24]]
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray, thanking Jesus for holding all things together and asking for help to trust Him more fully in every area of life.
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Is the Visible Image of the Invisible God
When we look to Jesus, we see not just a wise teacher or a distant figure, but the very image of the invisible God—God made known and present among us. This truth reshapes our understanding of who God is, moving us beyond old images or distant concepts to a living Savior who is close, personal, and fully reveals the heart and character of God. Jesus is not a mere reflection or a partial glimpse; He is the fullness of God in human form, Emmanuel, God with us, inviting us to know and experience God intimately. [36:01]
Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV)
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.
Reflection: When you picture God, what image comes to mind, and how might focusing on Jesus as the visible image of the invisible God change the way you relate to Him today?
Day 2: Jesus Holds All Things Together
In a world where life often feels chaotic and overwhelming, it is a profound comfort to know that Jesus is the one who truly holds all things together—not just the universe, but every detail of our lives. No matter how scattered or burdened we may feel, we are invited to rest in the assurance that Christ is both supreme over creation and intimately involved in sustaining us. He is not just a part of our story; He is the one who weaves it all together, offering us peace and security that cannot be found anywhere else. [25:18]
Colossians 1:17 (ESV)
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Reflection: Where in your life do you feel like you are trying to hold everything together on your own, and how can you invite Jesus to be the one who holds it all today?
Day 3: The Supremacy and Sufficiency of Christ
Jesus is not just enough—He is everything. His supremacy means that He is above all creation, and His sufficiency means that nothing else is needed for our reconciliation with God. We are often tempted to supplement our faith with self-help, achievements, or other sources of security, but the truth is that only Jesus can truly satisfy and save. We are called to build our lives on Him alone, trusting that He is both able and willing to meet every need, and to resist the urge to look elsewhere for what only He can provide. [47:09]
Colossians 1:18-20 (ESV)
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.
Reflection: What is one area where you have been tempted to build your life on something smaller than Jesus, and what would it look like to trust in His sufficiency right now?
Day 4: Our New Identity: Holy, Blameless, Without a Single Fault
Because of Christ’s reconciling work, we are no longer defined by our failures, shame, or distance from God. Instead, we are invited to stand before God as holy, blameless, and without a single fault—not by our own effort, but by the gift of grace through Jesus. This new identity is not something we achieve, but something we receive as we surrender our pride and step forward in faith, trusting that what Jesus has done is enough for us, right now, in the present. [53:58]
Colossians 1:21-22 (ESV)
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.
Reflection: What part of your past or present makes it hard for you to believe you are holy and blameless before God, and how can you surrender that to Christ today?
Day 5: Stand Firm in the Truth of the Gospel
The invitation is to continue believing and standing firmly in the truth of the gospel, even when life pulls us in many directions or when doubts arise. We are reminded not to drift away or build our lives on anything smaller than Jesus, but to keep returning to the foundation that He alone is Lord of all. This steadfastness is not passive; it is an active, daily choice to trust in Christ’s supremacy and sufficiency, allowing His peace to guard our hearts and shape our lives. [56:07]
Colossians 1:23 (ESV)
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.
Reflection: What practical step can you take today to stand firmly in the truth of the gospel, especially in an area where you are tempted to drift or doubt?
Quotes
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