Colossians 1:15–23 (CSB)

He is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn over all creation.

16 For everything was created by him,

in heaven and on earth,

the visible and the invisible,

whether thrones or dominions

or rulers or authorities—

all things have been created through him and for him.

17 He is before all things,

and by him all things hold together.

18 He is also the head of the body, the church;

he is the beginning,

the firstborn from the dead,

so that he might come to have

first place in everything.

19 For God was pleased to have

all his fullness dwell in him,

20 and through him to reconcile

everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven,

by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

21 Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds as expressed in your evil actions. 22 But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before him— 23 if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a servant of it.

1. Who Jesus Is — His Person

• Jesus is the image of the invisible God.
• Jesus is first in rank, not created.
• Jesus is the Creator, Sustainer, and Head of the Church.
• Jesus is the fullness of God in human form.
• Jesus is the Reconciler — making peace through His blood.

2. What Jesus Has Done — His Purpose

• He came to reconcile all things to Himself.
• His work is:
• Redemptive — freeing us from sin.
• Reconciling — restoring relationship with God.
• Restorative — presenting us holy and blameless.

3. Half-Truths vs. Whole Truths

• “Jesus is a great teacher.” → He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
• “Jesus points the way to God.” → He is the way, the truth, and the life.
• “Jesus is a great example.” → He is our Savior, not just our model.

4. Final Thought

• You don’t get to build your own Jesus — He’s already been revealed.
• Jesus isn’t looking to be built in your image. He’s longing to rebuild you into His.