I used to be an avid archer.  During my high school years I participated in an archery program and was involved in a number of competitive matches with a recurve bow.  As I competed in these matches, my goal was to get first place.  Most of the time my goal wasn’t close to achievable, but there was one time.  I was at the peak of my archery skills and I knew that I was having a good day.  As the match neared to a close I was on track for my best score yet.  I finished with my highest score—270 out of 300.  But as the awards were handed out I came to the realization that I wasn’t going to get first place.  In fact, I came in second.  I lost to another archer who was a natural with the bow and eventually participated on the USA Olympic archery team.  I learned that day that first place was not for me; I wasn’t good enough for first, first was reserved for the elite archers who could out do me. 

Only those who deserved first place received first it.  The Christian life is similar.  Just as those who are the best at an athletic event deserve first place, Jesus deserves first place in our own lives.  Followers of Jesus ought to give Him first place in their lives.  God desires that we give His Son, Jesus Christ priority in lives.  In a world that is consumed with lust, money, fame, and pleasure, God desires that we fill our lives with Christ.  Our text this morning is Colossians 1:15-20.  Colossians 1 displays to us the greatness of Christ.

This passage has been called the “Colossian hymn” because in the original language of the New Testament it appears that these verses were written in hymnic format.  In fact, if you have a newer translation of Scripture, it sets this section off from the other paragraphs, signifying the poetic nature of the text. This comes even more into play if you know Greek, as there are two specific stanzas to this hymn set apart by two “he is” phrases, one in verse 15 and the other in verse 18.  This hymn sings praises to Jesus Christ, presenting Him as true Deity and exalting Him for His matchless worth.  In hymnic format we see a portrayal of the glory of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  But it’s not only that. As we read through this hymn we get insight into the worship of the early church. We get a vision into how the early church expressed worship to God.

A correct understanding of Christ’s matchless worth should compel us to give Him first place in our lives.  We ought to give Christ first place in our lives.  Let’s read this passage . . .

Big Idea: God wants us to embrace the fullness of Jesus Christ