Pastor Bob Fox
Colossians 1:19-20

1. In Jesus we have more than a picture of God, we have God in His greatness in action, living our existence.
2. In Jesus we have more than God in action, we have God on a mission to reconcile creation to Him.
3. In Jesus we have more than God on a mission, we have God stooping to do the lowliest task essential to His mission.

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Pastor Bob Fox
Colossians 1:17-18

Jesus is called “the firstborn over all creation” because creation belongs to Him and it serves Him. In these verses there are four great facts that support this idea, and will support us in life’s changing seasons.

1. Jesus is before all things in time and in priority.

Rock-solid: He and His truth can shape a future for us that the wisdom of our age cannot deliver.

2. He created a “natural” order that emerges from diverse things. Order is His fingerprint.

Rock-solid: Fear may shake us, but greater order, predictability, security is our future.

3. He brings about health, growth and impact in each of us as we connect through each other to Him.

Rock-solid: The Church, for all its shortcomings is where we experience His life.

4. Jesus is our brother, but also the one whose interests all will serve.

Rock-solid: The important thing is not what happens to us, but what we help happen through us.

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Pastor Bob Fox
Colossians 1:15-16

Fact #1―In Jesus you can see God as He is and you as you will be when God is done saving you.

Fact #2―Jesus is the firstborn of all creation―He has authority OVER it. Six statements Paul makes define this idea.

1. All that is, has come about as a consequence of His plan and creative acts. He is the responsible party in terms of its future.
2. His plan assures that all of it will serve His purposes once His actions are completed. This has many implications.
• Everything has a designed purpose in the plan of God.
• You are at your best when functioning according to God’s will for you.
• God’s plan will be resisted but not thwarted or altered.
• Until He is done, everything is a mixed bag.
• When He is done, justice, mercy, and grace will prevail.
• When He is done His extreme power will have acted against evil to produce good for all who believe.

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Pastor Carlyle Naylor
Hebrews 1:1-2

Communion, December 6, 2009

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