SERMON #6: “THE HEART OF THE GOSPEL:

SERMON APPLICATION QUESTIONS

1. Why is the supremacy of Christ at the heart of the gospel? It was stated that the goal of the gospel was not primarily about saving sinners from hell but the creation of worshippers.  Explain the difference between Christ-centered evangelism and man-centered evangelism.
2. How does the passage before us magnify last week’s text (Colossians 1:12-14)?
3. If God is Spirit, the invisible God, in what sense is Jesus the image of God? What does this mean for the church which is to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29)?
4. Since Jesus is God in the flesh, eternal not created, in what sense is he “the firstborn of all creation”? The following quote is helpful when considering the firstborn status of Jesus: “Christ stands at the beginning of the universe as the One through whom it came into being and He stands at its end as the goal of the universe.”
5. Consider the following proof texts that Jesus is God: Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:16, John 1:1-3, 14. What does it mean that all things were created through him and for him?  Discuss what it means to be Christ-centered versus man-centered in the way we approach life.
6. How does the expression, “in Him all things hold together”, give us confidence to persevere in the faith in a world marked by chaos and sin? List areas in your life where you may have failed to trust in the Creator and Sustainer of life.
7. Jesus should be worshiped not only because of Creator rights but also because of Redeemer rights (Acts 20:28; Galatians 3:13). By virtue of creation and redemption, He is the head of the church.  What does it mean for Christ to be head of the church and what should be our response to His headship?
8. Although it was mentioned several times throughout our exposition of this epistle, explain the difference between Jesus having the prominence in our life and Him having the preeminence/supremacy in our life.