Jesus is:
#1 The Image of the Invisible God
I can know God through knowing Jesus.
"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." Colossians 1:15
"For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him," Colossians 1:19
Fullness=the fullness of Christ is God.
"The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." Hebrews 1:3
Image=icon=exact copy=exact representation
"No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[a] is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known." John 1:18
When we know Jesus we know the Father.
"Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?" John 14:9
What is important to Jesus? The sick, the children, the lost; the rejected, the fringe on society; If you want to know Father, get to know Jesus.
#2 The Voice of All Creation
Jesus can handle anything you turn over to Him.
"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." Colossians 1:15
He was appointed as Heir to all.
"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." Colossians 1:16
What can't God handle? Nothing!
#3 The Glue of My Existence
I can give Him all my chaos.
"He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:17
"sustaining all things by his powerful word" Hebrews 1:3b
#4 The Head/Leader of the Church
"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
"And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church," Ephesians 1:22
#5 The Standard of Eternal Life
I can trust Him for life forever!
"he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead" Colossians 1:18b
He kickstarted the disciples' ministry
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand." John 10:27-28
We are to listen to His voice and follow Him.
#6 The Payment of My Sins
I can be right with God through Him!!
We were creatd to walk with God, to be with God. I can't get there apart from Jesus.
"For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 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
I can only be complete when I am in relationship with God. If the emphasis is on anything or anyone other than Jesus it is wrong.
"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
Challenge: Go today and find Jesus. Look for Him. Listen to Him. Pray, "Show yourself to me today, Lord."