Christ, the Image of the Invisible God
Colossians 1:15–23
Introduction:
Let’s be honest. We live in an age obsessed with self.
Self-expression. Self-promotion. Self-discovery. Self-actualization.
Scroll through social media, and you’ll quickly find that the dominant focus is me. We live in a time where the most sacred truth is “my truth,” and the greatest authority is “how I feel.” And in the process of magnifying self—we’ve shrunk Jesus.
In fact, one of the most dangerous trends in our generation is that we’ve made Jesus manageable.
We’ve reduced Him to a therapist who validates our feelings…
A mascot who cheers for our dreams…
A political figure who aligns with our side…
Or a distant Savior who gets mentioned on Sundays but ignored on Monday.
And the more we minimize Jesus, the more our faith becomes shallow, fragile, and powerless.
But the real Jesus—the Jesus of Colossians—is not small. He doesn’t fit neatly in our categories or cultural boxes. He doesn’t take sides—He takes over. And in Colossians 1:15–23, the Apostle Paul lifts our gaze to the real Jesus—the Jesus who is not merely prominent, but preeminent.
The Colossian church, young and impressionable, was being targeted by false teachers blending Christianity with philosophy, mysticism, and legalism. These teachers didn’t outright deny Christ—but they were diluting Him. And Paul won’t stand for it. He writes one of the most stunning portraits of Christ in all of Scripture—not just to teach doctrine, but to correct direction.
Because when your view of Jesus is right—everything else begins to fall into place.
So, if you’ve ever found yourself drifting in your faith…
If Jesus has started to feel small or distant…
If culture has convinced you that you need something more…
This passage is your anchor.
Let’s read it together—and let your soul stand in awe again.
Colossians 1:15–23 (NIV)
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 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 and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 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. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
1. Worship Jesus as the Full Revelation of God (v. 15)
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”
Paul wastes no time—he opens with a thunderclap.
He says, “Jesus is the image of the invisible God.” In Greek, the word is eikōn. It means exact representation—more than a reflection, more than a symbol. It means He is the visible expression of the invisible God.
This was revolutionary—especially to Greeks and Jews.
- The Greeks believed in many gods, all unknowable and distant.
- The Jews revered a God who could not be seen.
Paul says: “You want to know what God is like? Look at Jesus.”
Jesus doesn’t just reveal God—He embodies God. He is God in human form. Not a mere messenger. Not a partial glimpse. The fullness of divinity is wrapped in flesh and bone.
Paul then calls Him the “firstborn over all creation.” This doesn’t mean Jesus was created. The term firstborn refers to rank and honor—the highest position. In Jewish culture, the firstborn son was the heir, the one with full authority. So Paul is saying: Jesus is above everything that has been made.
This phrase directly confronts early Gnostic ideas that Jesus was merely one of many spiritual beings emanating from God. Paul rejects that. Jesus is not an angel, not a prophet, not a mystical mediator—He is Lord over all.
Imagine you’re walking through a dimly lit museum. You see blurry sketches of a great leader—black-and-white photos, fragments of statues, whispered stories from docents. But then you turn a corner and see a full-color, lifelike, 3D rendering. There He is—in full light, with clarity and presence.
That’s Jesus. All the shadows of religion, all the symbols of the Old Testament, all the longings of the human heart—find their fulfillment in Him.
Application: What comes into your mind when you think about Jesus is the most important thing about you. If He’s just a spiritual figure from history, your worship will be cold. But if He is the fullness of God revealed—your worship will be on fire.
So let me ask you: Is Jesus a category—or is He your center?
2. Submit to Jesus as the Creator and Sustainer of All (vv. 16–17)
“For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible… all things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
Paul now takes us further back than Bethlehem.
Jesus didn’t begin in a manger—He existed before time. He was not created—He is the Creator.
By Him, all things were made:
- The galaxies, solar systems, oceans, and mountain ranges.
- Things we can see—trees, stars, skin.
- Things we can’t see—angels, gravity, emotions, spiritual realities.
- He made it all—and it was made for Him.
And then Paul adds this: “In Him all things hold together.”
That’s present tense. Jesus didn’t just set the universe in motion—He is actively holding it all in place.
This section flies in the face of Greek dualism, which separated the material from the spiritual. Paul says no—Jesus made it all, and it’s all His.
There’s a molecule in your body called laminin. It functions like rebar in concrete—binding your cells together and holding your body’s structure in place. But here’s the stunning part: under a microscope, laminin is shaped like a cross.
Even down to the molecular level, there is a divine fingerprint—reminding us that Christ is not only our Savior, but our Sustainer.
Application: When your life feels like it’s unraveling—He holds you. When your thoughts feel scattered—He holds them. When the world feels out of control—He is still in control.
So stop trying to carry what only Christ can hold.
3. Follow Jesus as the Head of the Church and the Risen Lord (v. 18)
“And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.”
Paul now brings this cosmic Christ into the community of believers. He says, “He is the head of the body, the church.”
That means Jesus isn’t a figurehead—He is the functional leader of His people. He gives direction, unity, nourishment, and purpose. The Church isn’t built on charisma or programs—it is built on Christ.
Then Paul says Jesus is “the firstborn from among the dead.” That means Jesus’ resurrection wasn’t just a victory—it was a preview. He’s the first to conquer death permanently—and His resurrection is the guarantee of ours.
Paul is arguing that Jesus must be first in everything—not just because of His past actions, but because of His ongoing resurrection life. Think of a symphony orchestra. Every section has its part—strings, brass, percussion—but all of it follows the conductor. If each section played its own tempo or tune, it would be chaos.
In the Church, Christ is the conductor. The moment we stop looking at Him, we fall out of sync. But when He is exalted—there is harmony, beauty, and power.
Application: Is Christ the head of your decisions, your desires, your direction? Is He the One you follow—or the One you consult when convenient?
He doesn’t want a seat at the table—He wants the throne.
4. Rest in Jesus as the Reconciler and Redeemer (vv. 19–23)
“For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things… making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.”
Finally, Paul takes us to the cross.
Jesus—the cosmic Christ, the Creator of all—didn’t stay distant. He came near. The fullness of God dwelled in Him. He took on flesh. He took our place. And He made peace through the cross.
The word reconcile means to restore what was broken. We were alienated—hostile in mind—separated from God. But Jesus took the hostility upon Himself and brought us near.
In a culture of spiritual hierarchy and hidden knowledge, Paul demolishes every other path to peace. He says: “Peace was made—on a cross.”
Years ago, a father and son were estranged after a bitter argument. They didn’t speak for years. But one day, the father showed up at his son’s house with a letter. The letter simply said, “There’s nothing you could ever do that would make me stop loving you. Come home.”
That’s what the cross says.
Not just “you’re forgiven,” but “you’re welcome.”
Not just “you’re spared,” but “you’re reconciled.”
Application: So here’s how this works. You don’t have to earn peace—it’s already been purchased. You don’t have to carry guilt—it’s already been carried.
So stop trying to fix what Jesus already finished.
Conclusion
What is Jesus to you?
A good teacher? A spiritual consultant? A moral guide?
Or is He your Lord, your Savior, your Foundation, your Life?
Colossians 1 shouts the truth we so desperately need:
Jesus is not one among many—He is above all.
He is the image of God… the Creator of all… the Sustainer of life… the Head of the Church… the Firstborn from the dead… the Reconciler of your soul.
You don’t need a stronger personality—you need a deeper Christ.
You don’t need a new direction—you need to bow to His lordship.
So today—lift your eyes again.
Worship Him. Follow Him. Submit to Him. Rest in Him.
And let your life proclaim what your heart believes:
Jesus Christ is Lord—above all, in all, and through all.
Amen.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of who You are. You are not small, not limited, not distant. You are the image of the invisible God, the Creator of all things, the One who holds everything together—including us. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have made You manageable, for the times we’ve tried to fit You into our schedule, our politics, or our preferences. Today, we surrender again to Your supremacy. Be the center of our lives. Be the head of this church. Be the first in our thoughts, our decisions, and our desires. Thank You for reconciling us—once alienated, now beloved. Thank You for making peace through Your blood, shed on the cross. May our lives reflect the weight of Your glory. May our hearts remain rooted in the hope of the gospel. And may we never move from the truth that Christ is above all. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.