First Place
Today’s Verse:
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. ~Colossians 1:18
Of all the positions that can be attained, there is none higher than first place. Think of the athlete who has competed in a race or match and is successfully announced as being the first-place winner. Think of a man and woman standing at a wedding altar, exchanging vows of a lifetime, and lovingly telling each other that he or she is first place. Think of the Lord Jesus Christ Who desires nothing less than the honor of being acknowledged as occupying first place in the life of the believer and in the local church. This morning, let us consider the matter of the preeminence of Christ.
There is the concept of preeminence.
Preeminence clearly has the idea that the Lord Jesus Christ is number one. He is worthy of this position because He is our Creator. By Him all things were made, and without Him, nothing can exist. He is worthy of this position because He is God. As God, He is co-equal, co-eternal, and co-essential with the Father. He is worthy of this position because He is all-powerful. Paul states the glorious fact of the resurrection and how Jesus is the firstborn from the dead. Clearly, the concept of preeminence establishes Jesus as number one.
There is the comparison in preeminence.
There is no comparison when it comes to Jesus! “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” There is no comparison when it comes to salvation: only Jesus saves! There is no comparison when it comes to sovereignty. “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Earthly kings, monarchs, prime ministers, presidents, dictators, billionaires, drug lords, CEOs, and heads of state shall all acknowledge Jesus as Lord. There is no comparison when it comes to sameness. Jesus is forever! Jesus never changes! Jesus never becomes outdated or obsolete! There is no comparison.
There is the competition in preeminence.
A preeminent Christ clearly states that there is no competition for affection. There are no second or third place finishers: Jesus is solely number one! There are no runners-up: Jesus is clearly number one! He is the Head of the church. The pastor, deacons, and members are all subject to Him! Every ministry of the church is subject to Him. Every service must strive to exalt Christ and make sure that there is no misunderstanding that He alone is number one. Every message preached from a pulpit must clearly give indication that Jesus is the primary and only focal point. There is no competition.
There is the conclusion in preeminence.
In all things, Jesus Christ is to have the preeminence. All things means all things!
Pam Sneddon was taking a class in photography. For one assignment, she chose her 6-year-old daughter as her subject and asked her to sit on a serene hillside. Close by was an apple tree in full bloom. Pam just couldn't resist. She gave the tree a prominent place in the picture. Pam was surprised when her instructor pointed out a problem with the photo. The apple tree distracted from her primary focus, the little girl. "See how it catches the eye," the instructor said. "It competes with your subject. You need to choose one subject and leave the other out." [D.C. Egner]
This is a fitting thought that we need to choose one Person and leave the other out. Is Jesus preeminent in your life? Take time to reassess what needs to change so that in all things He alone is preeminent!
Have a Christ-exalting Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Corinthians 15-16