I preached this sermon in July 2001 and again, in revised form, in March 2002.
Introduction: I would like for us to turn our attention this morning to the first chapter of the book of Colossians. And as we turn, I would like for us to consider together this question, “Who is Jesus Christ?” This question has been answered in many ways throughout history. Most will admit that he was a real man who lived 2000 years ago. Most will admit that he was a good man and a good teacher. But is this all that Jesus Christ was, just a good man who did good things for people? While all of this is true, the biblical portrayal of Jesus Christ is much fuller. Jesus was indeed a great teacher and a great man who lived 2000 years ago, but he was and is much more. The only place that we can look to really find out the answer to the question, “Who is Jesus Christ,” is in the Bible.
I would like for us to do a few things in our message this morning. (1) First, we will look at our text and read it together and then ask God to help us understand it. (2) Then, I would like for us to consider the larger context of the book of Colossians and what it is all about. (3) Then, I would like to examine in detail our text and what it teaches about the deity of Christ. (4) And finally, I would like to answer together the question of why the deity of Christ is important. Is it just some neat doctrine that we keep in our heads and affirm if some one asks us about it? Or does it have some practical application to our daily lives?
But before we get there, please turn in your Bibles now to Colossians 1. Paul starts out this letter in his usual manner. He begins by introducing himself and addresses the believers in Colossi. Then he breaks into thanks to God and tells them how he has prayed for them. He then begins to transition into thanksgiving for salvation in Christ, which is where we pick up in verse 14. Let us read together verses 14–20: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”
PRAY
What is this book all about?
This letter was written by the Apostle Paul to the Colossian church. He wrote this letter to correct some wrong teaching that had crept into the church. What all the details of that false teaching were we do not know. But it is clear from reading the letter that Paul is defending the absolute sufficiency of Christ and the gospel over against the opinion that there was more to have elsewhere. What I regard as the theme of the book is 2:8–10, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” It was clearly a battle between the wrong philosophies of men and the gospel of Christ. Paul combats the wrong philosophy with a proper understanding, first of all, of who Christ was, and secondly, of the sufficiency of His salvation. In essence, this book is a book about the complete Christ who gives complete salvation to all who trust in Him.
But behind the teaching of the sufficiency of Christ and His salvation is the teaching of the Deity of Christ. Paul emphasized this teaching very strongly, but why is it important for us? Does it really have any significance? I hope to show you that it does.
The essence of the logic of Paul here in this book is this: Christ is God, therefore Christ is sufficient, therefore Christ can completely saved and completely satisfy.
Let us now look at our text together and see what we can learn of Christ. Who does the Bible teach that he really was?
I. The Person of Christ Proves His Deity
II. The Work of Christ Proves His Deity
How do these things prove the deity of Christ?
If only God knows all things, and Christ knows all things, then Christ is God.
Illustration: Just as the ability to bear children is unique to females, so there are certain things that are unique to God. Therefore, if you find someone who is able to do same things that only God can do, He must be God.
Application:
1. Because Jesus Christ is God He is sufficient to save us.
If Christ were not God, he could not save us from our sin. His death would not have been sufficient to pay the penalty for our sin and His righteousness would not have been enough to earn us a right standing before God. If you do not have a Christ who is God, you do not have a Christ who can save.
But as we have seen this morning, Christ is fully God and therefore He absolutely sufficient to save us from our sins. He needs not the help of any. Salvation is found in Christ alone, not Christ and the church or Christ and good works.
2. Because Jesus Christ is God He is sufficient to satisfy us.
If Christ were not God, He could not satisfy us. His salvation would be deficient and we would need something else, something more.
But as we have seen in Paul logic, because Christ is fully God He is fully sufficient, and because He is fully sufficient, His salvation is fully sufficient. In other words, all who come to Christ for His salvation will have no lack. Christ is all they need for a joyful and satisfying Christian life.
Believer, stop looking elsewhere for you joy when all that you need is found in Christ.
Conclusion: Far from being some unimportant, theoretical doctrine, the Biblical teaching of the Divinity of Christ is foundational for having a full and complete Christian experience. Not only is this doctrine important, but it is a doctrine apart from which the Christian faith is vain and meaningless. As Paul shows us in the book of Colossians, the doctrine of Christ’s Deity is very practical. It is the basis for the sufficiency of Christ, which is the basis for the sufficiency of our salvation. In close, let me exhort you with these final words: (1) Unbeliever, stop looking elsewhere for the salvation that you need when it is only to be found in Christ. Today, if you are without Christ and have never experienced His saving power, come to Him in simple faith and repentance and you will be received. In Him you will find the joy that you are so much looking for. Jesus Himself said that the one who comes to Him will never hunger and never thirst. (2) Believer, stop regarding you salvation as somehow deficient. Stop looking elsewhere for joy when all that you need is to be found in Christ. But how do I practically do this? Make your pursuit of a relationship with Jesus Christ through the Word of God your top priority. Let us believe and enjoy the deity and sufficiency of Christ.