In the middle of what some think was one of the original praise and worship songs, Colossians 1:15-21, we read “in everything he might have the supremacy.” The words before and after that declaration talks about all of creation, all natural (and supernatural) powers, all the church and all people are reconciled in and because of Jesus our Christ. The question I ask myself — almost daily — is where do I put my trust? Government? Salary? Saving account? Personal ability? We see the same pressures to put something other than Jesus in first place: their world demanded loyalty to Rome, and our world demands loyalty to consumerism and independence.
sermon: …in all things… (Colossians 1:15-23) with Rev. David Donaldson
Christ Supreme: Holding All Things Together
Based on Colossians 1:15–23
Last week, we explored Colossians 1:13–14, where Paul reminds us that God has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son. Today, we move into verses 15–20—a passage that many scholars believe was an ancient hymn, celebrating the supremacy of Christ.
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”
This phrase invites us to ponder: How can something be an image of what is invisible? In Greek, “image” carries meanings beyond mere reflection—it implies manifestation. Jesus is not just a representation of God; He is the exact presentation of God’s nature and essence. In Him, we see who God is, what God does, and what God is like.
Paul emphasizes that all things—visible and invisible, thrones, powers, rulers, authorities—were created by Him and for Him. Nothing exists outside of Christ’s rule. This truth challenges the allegiances of every age. In Paul’s day, Rome demanded loyalty to Caesar. Today, our culture elevates wealth, power, and even technology as ultimate saviors. But Paul declares: Christ is supreme over all.
Not only is Jesus Lord of creation, He is Lord of new creation. Through His death and resurrection, He reconciles all things to Himself—whether on earth or in heaven—making peace through His blood shed on the cross. The church, His body, exists not for institutional survival but to fulfill His redemptive purposes. We are called to live counterculturally, aligned not to the empires of this world but to Christ.
So what does this mean for us?
It means our God is not too small. He is big enough to address the challenges of our time—loneliness, idols of wealth and power, even the complexities of AI and global economics. We are part of His cosmic plan to bring order and reconciliation to a broken world. That’s overwhelming—but also deeply significant. God invites us to join Him in His work.
“And through Him to reconcile to Himself all things… by making peace through His blood shed on the cross.”
This is the Christ we worship, proclaim, and share with our communities. Amen.