Me and My Boys

Me and My Boys

Monday, December 16, 2013

The Image of the Invisible


Sermon Notes from Sunday December 15, 2013
Sermon Series: Vintage Christmas
Sermon Title: The Image of the Invisible God


Colossians 1:15, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
We have two phrases we need to take a look at here:

1.      He is the image of the invisible God

2.      The firstborn over all creation

Let’s take them in order:He is the image of the invisible God
When we think of the word image a few things come to mind:

·         A Status – Many people are concerned about their image or reputation.

·         A Picture – A picture is exactly what it says it is. It is a picture. It’s not the person; it’s just a snap shot of what someone might look like. (Yearbook Pictures)

·         A Replica, a reproduction – An exact copy of the original (Paintings) – There have been a lot of replicas of the Mona Lisa, but there is really only one.

·         An impression - Have you ever said this phrase? “He left an impression on me.” – An impression leaves a mark on you of another person’s influence - Coins are a great example. - Our coins, for the most part, have the image of different presidents on them. An impression has been made.
 


When we read this phrase, “He is the image of the invisible God,” we are not referring to Jesus in any way as being simply a picture of God or a Replica of the Creator, or just someone who looks like the Father. When we say that Jesus Christ is “the image of the invisible God,” what we are saying is this:

1. When you see Jesus, you see God
2. Christ is not a mere likeness of the Father
3. He is the same as the Father.(He is the same substance as the Father)


Illustration: For example, put that picture of Daniel up for just a minute. There is a difference between Jesus being the Son of God and Daniel being the Son of Raven. Daniel is Daniel not Raven – When you see Daniel, you don’t see Raven, you see Daniel. Now you may see some features that Raven has. But that is Daniel not his father, Raven.
The difference with Jesus is that the reality of God is present in the image
 The very nature and character of God have been revealed in Him; in Him the invisible God  has become Visible
 Jesus is exactly who God is – He is the same substance (Nicene Creed ) – The secret formula has not been altered - He is God

The implications of this are pretty cool:
1.  God himself, the invisible ONE, had become visible - Man could now look on Him and not die.
2.  God was now accessible to man. (No longer a need for a High Priest)
3.  God was now touchable (One woman touched only hem of His garment and was healed)
 
Listen to these verses. They really describe what happened in the manger in Bethlehem in a neat way.
Hebrews 1:3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power

Hebrews 2:17, Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people

John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

John 14:9, Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
 
“the Firstborn over all Creation”
Here’s what this means:

1.      He has preeminence (1st Place) over creation

·         Just like the first-born in a family (Actually more than that)
·         This was a title of position and power
·         Many people in Colossae (where Paul was writing to) were worshipping angels and other powers, but Paul was saying that Jesus was superior to them.
·       They had done what Paul was addressing in Romans 1:25, For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

2.      Jesus is sum of all things

·         No matter how you do the math it all comes back to Jesus.
·         John 1:1-5 - Creation owes its existence to Christ
·         John 1:14-18 (Verse 18 "declared" = "exegesis" - To make plain or understandable - Jesus has told the story of God - Jesus in His incarnation has explained who God is
Here is what I hope you can take away from today:

1.      When people saw Jesus they saw the Father

-  You want to know God better? Get to know Jesus.
- Read the Gospels
 

2.      When people see you, who do they see?

-          The Scriptures tell us something very interesting about this. It’s also pretty convicting.

·         2 Cor 3:18, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

·         Romans 8:29, For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

·         Colossians 3:9-11 (Who do people see when they look at you?)

3.      What you put first is what you depend on. Is He first in your life? Does He get FIRST Place?