As we look forward to celebrating the birth of Christ tomorrow, we want to remember the “Message of the Manger.” The Apostle Paul shares the essence of who Christ is and his ministry in his letter to the Colossians.
Colossians 1:15-23
The Preeminence of Christ
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:
Who is Christ the image of? (15)
What are the things he did and does do? (16-20)
What does reconcile mean?
How does Christ reconcile us to God? (20-22)
What is our role in being reconciled to God through Christ? (23)
THOUGHT QUESTIONS:
How do we know Jesus is the Messiah (Savior) sent by God?
If Jesus is the Messiah, what should be your response to him? Why?
PRAYER:
Thank God for showing us so clearly that Jesus is the Messiah through the fulfillment of prophecy, the miracles accompanying his birth and life, and the testimony that he and others gave concerning himself. Pray that your faith would be firmly established, that you would trust completely in Jesus for your salvation and be able to clearly share the hope of the Gospel to others.
FOCUS VERSE: Colossians 1:19-20
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 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.