Sunday School Lesson for 2/3/2013. Unit III. Imitating Jesus. Awed by Greatness. Colossians 1:15-20.

Christ & Creation ... Colossians 1:15-17

Christ & The Church .. Colossians 1:18

Christ & Reconciliation ... Colossians 1:19-23

Colossians was written to the Christians at Colosse, in Asia Minor (Turkey today) in reply to an inquiry which they had sent after his health and welfare. The Church was founded at Colosse, but it is doubtful that the apostle Paul was never there.

This Epistle is exhorting to the Christian faith and practice.

Colossians 1:15-20

Verse 15 - Jesus Christ; Christ's Divinity; Is Made Equal With God

(Exodus 33:18-23; John 4:24; John 14:5-11 ... Reference Scriptures in Sunday School Book)

No one could see God and live. Christ is the image of God from eternity to eternity.

Verses 16 - 17

Verses 16 - Jesus Christ; Christ's Divinity; Performs the Works of God, In Creating

Verses 17 - Jesus Christ; Christ's Divinity; Performs the Works of God, In Preserving All Things. ... Jesus Christ; Christ's Divinity; Christ Possesses the Attributes of God, Is Superior to Men & Angels

(Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:3; Romans 8:38; Ephesians 6:12; Jude 6; Hebrews 1:2; John 1:1-2; Revelation 22:13; Hebrews 1:3 .. Reference Scripture in the Sunday School Book)

Before "time" and "anything was created" Christ already existed. (verse 17)

Verses 18-20

Verse 18 - Jesus Christ; Figurative Characters of Christ; The Head of the Body. ... Jesus Christ; Christ's Divinity; Christ Possesses the Attributes of God; Is Superior to Men & Angels

Verse 19 - Jesus Christ; Christ's Divinity; Is Made Equal With God

Verse 20 - Jesus Christ; Offices of Christ; Our Propitiation; (Propitiation - an atoning sacrifice). ... Man Redeemed; The New Covenant; All May Be Saved.

Christ is the Head of The Body (Church)

The Church is in the hearts of those called out for service which is the believers/Christians/Saints of God not the building structure.

Christ is the Creator of the universe/world and Establisher of the Church. Christ should have priority of our thoughts (spoken & unspoken) as well as our day-to-day-living.

(Mathew 16:18; I Corinthians 12:12-30; I Corinthians 3:16-17; Romans 6:9; I Corinthians 15:12-28; Romans 5:10 ... Reference Scriptures in the Sunday School Book)

Colossians 1:20 - Despite our "chatoic world," that we live in .. what holds the world together is, the reconciliation and peace of Christ.

Scripture & reference used/taken from: KJVTopical Reference Bible & KJV Precious Promise Bible; & Merrian Webster's Deluxe Dictionary