Why Jesus Deserves Infinite Worship: The Supremacy of Christ | Colossians 1:15-20

Why Jesus Deserves Infinite Worship: The Supremacy of Christ | Colossians 1:15-20

By Pastor Autry Watkins IV | Transformation Church | December 15, 2025

We live in an age of diminished Christs. In our therapeutic culture, Jesus has been reduced to a life coach, a moral example, or a cosmic vending machine dispensing blessings on demand. Even in our churches, we've domesticated the Son of God into a manageable deity who exists to serve our agendas rather than commanding our total allegiance. But what if our problem isn't that we're asking too much of Jesus, but that we're thinking far too small about who He actually is? What if the cure for our lukewarm hearts isn't trying harder to love Jesus, but seeing Him more clearly? Paul's magnificent hymn in Colossians 1:15-20 confronts our shrunken vision of Christ with a breathtaking panorama of His absolute supremacy. Here we find not a helpful religious figure among many, but the Creator of all things, the sustainer of the universe, the head of the church, and the reconciler of all creation. This isn't optional information for theological elites. This is the foundation of your faith, the fuel for your worship, and the answer to your soul's deepest longing.

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Christ the Image: Seeing the Invisible God Made Visible

Paul begins with a staggering claim: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation" (Colossians 1:15). Let that sink in. The God whom no one has seen or can see (1 Timothy 6:16) has made Himself perfectly visible in Jesus Christ. This isn't mere representation, like a photograph capturing someone's likeness. The Greek word *eikon* means Jesus is the exact representation, the perfect manifestation of God's very nature. When you look at Jesus, you're not looking at someone who resembles God or points to God—you're looking at God Himself in human flesh. This truth demolishes our attempts to imagine God according to our preferences. We cannot customize a deity to match our political ideology, our cultural moment, or our personal comfort. Jesus shows us what God is actually like, and we must conform our understanding to His revelation rather than the reverse. Do you want to know if God cares about the poor? Look at Jesus. Do you wonder if God is holy and demands righteousness? Look at Jesus. Are you uncertain whether God is gracious to sinners? Look at Jesus touching lepers, dining with tax collectors, and promising paradise to a thief. The phrase "firstborn of all creation" has confused some, but Paul isn't suggesting Jesus is a created being. In Jewish thought, "firstborn" conveyed supremacy and preeminence, not temporal sequence. Isaac, not Ishmael, received firstborn status. Jacob, not Esau, received the firstborn blessing. Jesus is the firstborn in the sense that He possesses supreme rank over all creation. He stands above every created thing as its Lord and heir. This matters profoundly for how we approach God. In the Old Testament, seeing God meant death—even Moses could only see God's back (Exodus 33:20-23). But in Christ, the invisible God has become visible, approachable, knowable. "No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known" (John 1:18). If you want to know God, you must look to Jesus. There is no other way, no secret knowledge, no alternative path. Jesus alone reveals the Father perfectly.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. — Colossians 1:15

who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. — 1 Timothy 6:16

No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. — John 1:18

But he said, 'You cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.' And the LORD said, 'Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.' — Exodus 33:20-23

Christ the Creator: All Things Were Made By Him and For Him

Paul presses forward with even more audacious claims: "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" (Colossians 1:16). This isn't the language of a good teacher or enlightened guru. This is the declaration that Jesus is the agent of creation itself. When God spoke the universe into existence in Genesis 1, Jesus was the Word through whom that creative speech occurred. "All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). Consider the comprehensive scope of Paul's statement: *all things*. Not most things. Not spiritual things only. Not merely the beautiful or useful things. Everything that exists outside of God Himself owes its existence to Christ. The galaxies spinning in space, the subatomic particles scientists can barely observe, the throne of Satan himself—all created by Jesus. Paul emphasizes both visible and invisible realities because the Colossian church faced teaching that elevated spiritual intermediaries between God and humanity. Paul demolishes such speculation: even the highest angelic powers are created beings under Christ's authority. But notice the prepositional shift: all things were created not only "by him" but "for him." The universe exists for Christ's glory, not yours. Your career, your marriage, your children, your accomplishments—these are means to an end, and that end is the exaltation of Jesus Christ. This reorients everything. When we make ourselves the center of our own stories, we commit cosmic treason, taking what belongs to Christ and claiming it for ourselves. But when we see that our lives exist for His glory, we find our true purpose and deepest joy. This doctrine guards us against the idolatry of created things. We're constantly tempted to worship creation rather than the Creator—whether that's romantic love, career success, political victory, or even family. But Paul reminds us that nothing in creation deserves ultimate allegiance because all of it came from Christ and belongs to Him. "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17). The very atoms of your body maintain their structure because Christ sustains them. Every breath you take is a gift from the One who made your lungs and fills them with air. Do you see how this changes everything? We live in His world, sustained by His power, for His purposes.

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. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. — Colossians 1:16-17

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. — John 1:3

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. — Genesis 1:1

because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. — Romans 1:25

Christ the Reconciler: Making Peace Through His Blood

The passage reaches its crescendo as Paul moves from creation to redemption: "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. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross" (Colossians 1:18-20). Here we see that the Creator has become Redeemer, the One who made all things has come to rescue all things. Christ's supremacy extends beyond creation to resurrection. As "the firstborn from the dead," Jesus is the first to rise in glorified, immortal life—never to die again. His resurrection isn't merely a nice ending to His story; it's the beginning of new creation. When Jesus walked out of that tomb, the age to come broke into this present evil age. Death's power was shattered. The curse was reversed. And now, through union with Christ, we too will rise in bodies like His glorious body (Philippians 3:21). But notice what made reconciliation possible: "the blood of his cross." Paul refuses to give us atonement without substitution, peace without payment. The word "reconcile" assumes prior enmity. We weren't neutral toward God; we were His enemies, rebels against His righteous rule (Romans 5:10). The barrier between us and God wasn't merely ignorance or misunderstanding—it was our sin, which demanded God's just wrath. Peace required a sacrifice that would satisfy divine justice while demonstrating divine love. This is where the glory of the gospel blazes brightest. The Creator became creature. The infinite God took on human flesh. And in that flesh, Jesus bore the penalty our sins deserved. Isaiah prophesied: "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). On the cross, Jesus absorbed God's righteous anger against sin so that we could receive God's favor. He became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). The scope of this reconciliation is cosmic: "all things, whether on earth or in heaven." Christ's work doesn't merely save individual souls; it redeems the entire created order. One day, the groaning creation will be liberated from its bondage to corruption (Romans 8:21-22). The new heavens and new earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14). This isn't escapism from the material world—it's the redemption of it. And Christ, the Creator and Redeemer, will be supremely glorified in all of it.

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. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. — Colossians 1:18-20

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. — Isaiah 53:5

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. — Romans 5:10

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. — 2 Corinthians 5:21

who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. — Philippians 3:21

Christ Preeminent: He Must Have First Place in Everything

Paul's purpose in this magnificent description becomes clear in verse 18: "that in everything he might be preeminent." The Greek word *proteuo* means to be first, to hold the highest rank, to be supreme in every category. This isn't about Jesus being one priority among many, even the highest priority. This is about Christ having absolute supremacy in every sphere of existence and every area of your life. The Colossian church faced teachings that diminished Christ by adding requirements beyond Him—special knowledge, mystical experiences, ritualistic observances. These weren't overt denials of Christ but subtle supplements to Him. And that's precisely the danger we face today. We affirm Jesus as Savior but live as though we need Jesus plus financial security, Jesus plus romantic fulfillment, Jesus plus career success, Jesus plus political power. We give Jesus a seat at the table but refuse to let Him be the head. But Paul's declaration permits no such division. Because Jesus is the Creator of all things, Sustainer of all things, and Redeemer of all things, He deserves supremacy in all things. This means your work exists for His glory, not merely your provision. Your relationships exist to display His love, not merely your happiness. Your suffering exists to conform you to His image, not merely as a problem to be solved. Your gifts and talents exist to build His church, not merely your reputation. This supremacy isn't burdensome; it's liberating. When Christ is preeminent, we're freed from the crushing weight of making ourselves the center of our existence. We no longer have to manufacture meaning or justify our existence. We don't have to win every argument, control every outcome, or achieve every dream to find satisfaction. We can rest in the One who holds all things together and works all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11). We can embrace the truth that Jonathan Edwards captured so powerfully: "God is glorified not only by His glory's being seen, but by its being rejoiced in." When we see Christ's supremacy clearly, our hearts naturally respond with worship, and in that worship, we find our deepest joy.

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. — Colossians 1:18

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will. — Ephesians 1:11

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. — Psalm 16:11

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. — Matthew 6:33

Application

How then shall we live in light of Christ's supremacy? This isn't merely theological information to be filed away; it's transformative truth that must reshape how we think, feel, and act. First, we must intentionally meditate on Christ's greatness. Our hearts grow cold not because we lack willpower but because we've forgotten who Jesus is. Set aside time daily to read and reflect on passages like Colossians 1:15-20, John 1:1-18, Hebrews 1:1-14, and Philippians 2:5-11. Let these truths sink deep into your consciousness until they become the lens through which you see everything else. Second, we must ruthlessly identify and dethrone the rivals to Christ's supremacy in our lives. Ask yourself these searching questions: What do I think about most naturally when my mind is unoccupied? What do I most fear losing? Where do I find my sense of identity and worth apart from Christ? What would devastate me if it were taken away? Where am I living as though Jesus needs supplementing? These questions reveal the functional gods competing for the throne that belongs to Christ alone. Repent specifically, confessing these idols by name, and ask God to make Christ supremely satisfying to your soul. Third, we must make daily decisions that affirm Christ's lordship in practical ways. This means bringing our work, our relationships, our entertainment, our finances, and our time under His authority. It means asking not merely "Is this permissible?" but "Does this honor Christ's supremacy? Does this align with living for His glory rather than my own?" It means viewing trials and disappointments not as interruptions to our plans but as divine appointments for growth in Christlikeness. And critically, we must remember that any obedience that doesn't flow from faith in Christ's finished work becomes mere moralism. We don't obey to earn His favor; we obey because we already have His favor through the blood of His cross.

Brothers and sisters, we serve a Christ of infinite greatness who deserves infinite worship. He is not a means to your best life now; He is the end for which you were created. He is not an addition to make your life better; He is the life itself. The Creator has become your Redeemer. The One who holds galaxies in place has written your name on His hands. The Judge before whom you will one day stand has already stood in your place, bearing the condemnation you deserved. What response is worthy of such a Savior? Only this: that in everything—absolutely everything—He would be preeminent. May God grant us grace to see Christ's supremacy more clearly, to treasure it more deeply, and to live in light of it more consistently, until that day when we see Him face to face and worship Him perfectly forever.

For Further Reflection

In what specific areas of your life have you treated Jesus as a supplement to something else rather than the supreme Lord over everything? How might viewing Christ's role as Creator and Sustainer (Colossians 1:16-17) challenge this thinking?

How does understanding Jesus as "the image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15) change the way you read the Gospels and understand God's character? What attributes of God do you see most clearly in Jesus?

Paul emphasizes that reconciliation came "by the blood of his cross" (Colossians 1:20). Why is it essential that Christ's death was substitutionary—bearing the penalty we deserved—rather than merely exemplary or inspirational? How does this truth affect your assurance of salvation?

What practical differences would it make in your daily life if you truly believed that "all things were created through him and for him" (Colossians 1:16)? How might this truth reshape your understanding of your work, relationships, or current circumstances?

Where are you most tempted to seek supremacy for yourself rather than for Christ? What idols (career success, others' approval, control, comfort) most often compete with Jesus for the throne of your heart? What specific steps of repentance and reorientation is the Holy Spirit calling you to take?