WHAT WE SEE IN CHRIST

Text:  Colossians 2:1-5.

Purpose:  To inspire confidence by pointing to Jesus as the interpreter of life's greatest mysteries.

Introduction

The book of Colossians is a Christ-centered book. In chapters 1-3, Paul shows the glory of Jesus in His person and work. In chapters 4-6, he calls on Christians to demonstrate lives truly hidden with Christ in God, lives to be lived on the earth, though Christ our life is in heaven at God's right hand.

The more we learn of Jesus -- who He is, what God has done through Him -- the better we will understand all the mysteries that trouble the human heart. This lesson looks to some of those mysteries and the answers Christ provides.

Body

I. History: Christ shows its meaning and purpose.

   A. At all stages in life, we look forward to some age or event that will make our lives complete and meaningful. The child thinks that when he begins school, his life will surely have reached its climax. Then it becomes the age to drive an automobile, or begin dating, or reach a certain height or weight. Graduation becomes a goal, or college, or marriage, or a job. Then family ambitions seem most important, or accomplishment. Finally we anticipate death as the ultimate point in life. Yet many people live and die, and never find the real "meaning" of their own existence on the earth. This is a mystery.

   B. How much more confused we become when we survey the whole scope of human history. What can possibly tie together all human existence? Where is its true purpose or meaning?

   C. The answer is found in Jesus Christ, who lived at the "center" of history (as acknowledged by the designations B. C. and A. D.).

        1. Ephesians 1: 3-10. History was shattered Christ put it all together. God will "sum up" all things in Christ.

        2. Colossians 1:15-20. Men were scattered -in Christ, God reconciled all things to Himself.

        3. Romans 8:18-25. Creation itself was frustrated by sin -- in Christ, God will liberate it from that frustration in the new heavens and new earth.

II. Man: Christ shows his purpose and future.

   A. Why is man here? What is his intended destiny? Can it ever be reached? On what basis can we have confidence?

   B. In Christ, we see man's purpose and future.

        1. Hebrews 2:5-13. Man occupies an awesome position in God's creation. He is nothing in comparison to the magnitude of the heavens, yet God has made him but a little lower than angels, and the ruler over all earthly creatures. In Christ, we see man's true purpose, for He also became "man." And in this Man -only "man" has already reached His intended glory. Where do we see man "crowned with glory and honor"? Only in Christ, but truly in Him! (For a detailed discussion of this wonderful passage, see my commentary on Hebrews, Our Man In Heaven (Baker Book House, 1974).

        2. I John 3:1-3. Christians may take encouragement in the knowledge that what Christ now is, we will be -- in terms of resurrection-body glory and immortality. Christ is now, and will always be, the glorified man at God's right hand. He has gone before us and is a preview of our own glory in Him.

        3. Philippians 3:20,21). Paul assures us that Christ has the power to subject all things to Himself, and that by this power we will be transformed into the likeness of His glorious body.

III. Death: Christ shows its limits and destruction.

   A. Is death the final word? How can we have victory over death? What is the basis for comfort at the grave?

   B. In Christ, we have the answers to these questions.

        1. Hebrews 2:14,15. Part of Jesus' mission on earth was to destroy Satan who had power over death. In so doing, Jesus would free man from life-long slavery to death's fear. What a horrible thing to enter the realm where Satan is undisputed king! But what a glorious truth that Jesus has entered Satan's realm and dethroned the old dragon for us!

        2. I Corinthians 15:56. The sting of death is sin, and by this "stinger," Satan gains control over all who sin. Jesus lived a perfect life. Satan never got his "stinger" in Jesus to paralyze Him and bring Him under his power. When Jesus entered the grave, He went in as the invading liberator, not the passive captive! He "laid down His own life," and He "took it up again." He was never under Satan's power, though Satan thought that He was.

        3. Revelation 1:18. The Conqueror's comfort is great indeed! Jesus Christ, who calls us to serve Him to the point of death, can Himself say: "I am He who was dead and am alive again, and have the keys of death and hades! Praise God for His victory for us over death!

Conclusion

Apart from Christ, life has many mysteries which stare us in the face and demand hopelessness. In His Son, God has torn off the veils of each, and He has shown us the true meaning of human life, the goal of man as an individual, and the limits and destruction of death. Let us serve Him therefore with gratitude, confidence and joy, all the days of our lives!

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