The Supremacy of Christ

Colossians 1:15-20, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 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. 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.”

I was drawn to this passage after viewing this sermon put to video on youtube by John Piper. The supremacy of Christ and all of its implications are often neglected in this day of weak and watered-down Christianity. We must see and savor the supremacy of Christ. For believers it is to realize the glory and grace of God to be reconciled to Him in spite of our sin. This same supremacy is what will bring God’s unbridled wrath upon His enemies and supply vengeance for the martyred and persecuted Bride of Christ (The Church).

In the following video John Piper proclaims this message of Christ's supremacy in a way that will draw you to praise Christ for His mercy, love and grace. It is a bit lengthy, but definitely worth the time to watch.

“God hates sin and His wrath is infinite against sin. We are all stamped and defined by sin.” God demands complete perfection and because of our sin we have this wrath of God abiding on us in our unbelief (John 3:36). “The Gospel is your only hope. Christ came into the world and bore the wrath of God…and He performed a righteousness for us that only He could perform, which is now, by faith alone imputed to you. So, you may now, be united to this perfect Christ. Him bearing all the curse, Him providing all the perfection and know that paradise is open. I can know him. I can begin to grow in knowing Him. I can actually begin to enjoy knowing Him. He’s not against me anymore, in fact the wrath of God has so totally absorbed by Jesus and the perfection that I must produce, has been so totally produced and provided by Jesus. That now only one thing governs God’s attitude toward me and that is MERCY!...The best gift of the gospel is seeing and savoring the supremacy of Jesus Christ and we had no access to that joy until he took our place.” – John Piper

"Is Christianity All About Becoming Rich?" Theological Misconceptions: Part 6

This theological misconception is often called the "Prosperity Gospel." This is where many nominal Christians or those who would reject Christianity get many of their stereotypes of Money-Hungry preachers that they see on TV dressed in their designer suits and driving Rolls Royce's. This teaching is NOT true Biblical Christianity. It is in fact a bastardization of the gospel to fit the needs of men and women who greedy after filthy lucre. Jesus and the rest of Scripture speak to the ills of wealth and greed and the dangers and pitfalls that it can bring.

At this point I could go into a deep theological study of this false gospel, but I would like to give you the words of Paul to Christians in Galatia and then please take the time to listen to one of the best repudiations of prosperity gospel, by Pastor John Piper. Galatians 1:6- , "I am astonished that you are deserting Him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-Not that there is another gospel, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one you have received, let him be accursed."


 

What is Sin?

The debate today over sin has become more about whether man is inherently good or evil. The problem with this debate is that the question is wrong, misleading and inherently man-centered. What is sin? 

"The glory of God not honored. The holiness of God not reverenced. The greatness of God not admired. The power of God not praised. The truth of God not sought. The wisdom of God not esteemed. The beauty of God not treasured. The goodness of God not savored. The faithfulness of God not trusted. The commandments of God not obeyed. The justice of God not respected. The wrath of God not feared. The grace of God not cherished. The presence of God not prized. The person of God not loved. That is sin." -John Piper

Original Sermon by John Piper, entitled "The Greatest Thing in the World: an Overview of Romans 1-7"